Review by Paulette Reynolds * March 15, 2024
2023 * Netflix Docuseries
Directors: Hannah Beachler, Dream Hampton, Raeshem Nijhon
Narrator: Rapsody
Featuring Queen Latifah, Chika, Coi Leray, Brittney Cooper, Da Brat, Rah Digga, Kash Doll, Latto, Monie Love, MC Lyte, Remy Ma, Kierna Mayo, Joan Morgan, Saweetie, Roxanne Shante, Tierra Whack, and Yo-Yo. Mentioned: Lauryn Hill
Commentary: Salamishah Tillet, Kathy Iandoli, Angie Martinez, Dee Barnes, Nadirah Simmons, Drew Dixon, Kierna Mayo, Carri Twigg
Directors: Hannah Beachler, Dream Hampton, Raeshem Nijhon
Narrator: Rapsody
Featuring Queen Latifah, Chika, Coi Leray, Brittney Cooper, Da Brat, Rah Digga, Kash Doll, Latto, Monie Love, MC Lyte, Remy Ma, Kierna Mayo, Joan Morgan, Saweetie, Roxanne Shante, Tierra Whack, and Yo-Yo. Mentioned: Lauryn Hill
Commentary: Salamishah Tillet, Kathy Iandoli, Angie Martinez, Dee Barnes, Nadirah Simmons, Drew Dixon, Kierna Mayo, Carri Twigg
“During a time that we kept hearing, ‘It's a man's world.' She was saying ["Ladies First"] unapologetically, changing the narrative right there," Missy Elliott *1
Named after the song "Ladies First", by Queen Latifah, this series is a celebration of women defining themselves through 50 years of hip-hop music and the culture of rap. Netflix scores points for providing the women of hip-hop a platform that honors their history, struggles, and contributions to America’s urban musical genre.
Named after the song "Ladies First", by Queen Latifah, this series is a celebration of women defining themselves through 50 years of hip-hop music and the culture of rap. Netflix scores points for providing the women of hip-hop a platform that honors their history, struggles, and contributions to America’s urban musical genre.
"I'm part of a very, very special group of people, but I'm very proud to be part of it because Hip-Hop is part of American culture and I'm happy to be the first to represent the women. And again, I hope to not be the last." Queen Latifah *1
The four-part documentary features a curated look at the double standards, as female solo artists fight to be heard - and respected - among their male peers. Two of their goals were gaining control of their own narrative, while moving away from the hyper-masculinized worldview of early rap days.
The four-part documentary features a curated look at the double standards, as female solo artists fight to be heard - and respected - among their male peers. Two of their goals were gaining control of their own narrative, while moving away from the hyper-masculinized worldview of early rap days.
As women rappers fought to become more popular, they struggled with unfair recording contracts, stolen wages, gender hatred, and escalating abuse. Yet, along the way, singers develop their own brands, based on their styles and circles of influence.
Mirroring the #Metoo movement, Ladies First not only reflects the sea change happening in music, its pushing it forward with the tough, in-your-face assertiveness that serves as a role model for all girls - and women. Sisterhood appears to be growing as they promote zero tolerance against the culture of sexism within the music industry.
Mirroring the #Metoo movement, Ladies First not only reflects the sea change happening in music, its pushing it forward with the tough, in-your-face assertiveness that serves as a role model for all girls - and women. Sisterhood appears to be growing as they promote zero tolerance against the culture of sexism within the music industry.
*1 Queen Latifah Welcomed Tributes From Her "Heroes Of Hip-Hop" At 2023 Kennedy Center Honors . Story by Mya Abraham • December 28, 2023
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/queen-latifah-welcomed-tributes-from-her-heroes-of-hip-hop-at-2023-kennedy-center-honors/ar-AA1mab95
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/queen-latifah-welcomed-tributes-from-her-heroes-of-hip-hop-at-2023-kennedy-center-honors/ar-AA1mab95
Excerpt from “Ladies First”
I break into a lyrical freestyle
Grab the mic, look into the crowd and see smiles
Cause they see a woman standing up on her own two
Sloppy slouching is something I won’t do
Some think that we can’t flow
Stereotypes, they got to go
I’m a mess around and flip the scene into reverse
(With what?) With a little touch of “Ladies First”
Who said the ladies couldn’t make it, you must be blind
If you don't believe, well here, listen to this rhyme
Ladies first, there’s no time to rehearse
I’m divine and my mind expands throughout the universe
A female rapper with the message to send the
Queen Latifah is a perfect specimen
December 5, 1989 by Queen Latifah
I break into a lyrical freestyle
Grab the mic, look into the crowd and see smiles
Cause they see a woman standing up on her own two
Sloppy slouching is something I won’t do
Some think that we can’t flow
Stereotypes, they got to go
I’m a mess around and flip the scene into reverse
(With what?) With a little touch of “Ladies First”
Who said the ladies couldn’t make it, you must be blind
If you don't believe, well here, listen to this rhyme
Ladies first, there’s no time to rehearse
I’m divine and my mind expands throughout the universe
A female rapper with the message to send the
Queen Latifah is a perfect specimen
December 5, 1989 by Queen Latifah
COPYRIGHT 2012/2024. Paulette Reynolds. All CineMata Movie Madness blog articles, reviews, faux interviews, commentary, and the Cine Mata character are under the sole ownership of Paulette Reynolds. All intellectual and creative rights reserved.
