Queen Latifah’s “Ladies First” Released in 1989 on Queen Latifah’s debut album All Hail the Queen, “Ladies First” was more than just a hip-hop track—it was a powerful statement on female empowerment, Black excellence, and breaking gender barriers in rap. At the time, hip-hop was largely male-dominated, with women often sidelined or hypersexualized. Queen Latifah, just 19 years old, wanted to shift the narrative. Teaming up with Monie Love, a British rapper, the two created an anthem that celebra