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2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens

Source: Andrew Toth / Getty

The first ladies of hip-hop were honored during a star-studded tribute at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors in New York City last night.

The show came back after a six-year long hiatus and did not disappoint.

Some of the biggest names in music hit the stage to honor Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah, Salt N Pepa, and Lil’ Kim.

The room was filled with unapologetic Black Girl Magic as the network honored these ladies’ contributions to music, fashion, and their communities.

Fantasia, Monica Brown, and Tweet delivered a soulful performance honoring Missy Elliot, while Lil Mama, Teyana Taylor, and Dej Loaf blazed the stage to tribute the original Queen B, Lil’ Kim.

Common took the mic to honor Queen Latifah in a heartfelt speech.

“Black women, we see you. We love you. We are with you and we believe in your leadership. During this day and time, with all that’s going on, we need to elect more Black women as leaders. And Latifah, you are the definition of a leader,” Common said.

Latifah, as true hip-hop royalty, took a moment during the festivities to reflect on police brutality and how its impact on our community transcends economics.

“I don’t care how much money or things I have, or Puff has, or Missy has,” the U.N.I.T.Y. singer said. “If I go outside and try to hail a cab and he passes me for the White woman standing right there, that racism is still alive and kicking. And we have to change that. And I’m not blaming the White lady, she needed a cab, too.”

There was more #blackgirlmagic on stage when Ashanti, Eve, Keke Palmer, and Drake put on a show fit for three queens when they honored Salt N Pepa with some of their hits, including, “Push it,” “What A Man,” and “Shoop.”

The entire show was definitely a moment for us to celebrate the glory of our talented Black female lyricists as well as a time to recognize how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go.

PHOTO CREDIT: Getty

RELATED LINKS:

Supa Dupa Fly: Missy Elliott Is Marc Jacobs’ Muse

Prepare To Have Your Heart Melt: Lil Kim Shares Adorable Pics Of Royal Reign

Bad Boy For Life: Lil’ Kim & Faith Evans Cut Up At Tour Rehearsal

7 Curvy-Girl Style Tips From Queen Latifah
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