Queen Latifah Makes History As The First Female Rapper To Receive The Kennedy Center Awards

Queen Latifah is being honored for her remarkable career spanning across multiple fields.

On Friday, news broke that Latifah will be recognized as the first female rapper to receive the prestigious Kennedy Center Awards. The 53-year-old will be celebrated for her remarkable contributions alongside Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb, and Dionne Warwick.

“This year we pay special tribute to the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, a uniquely American culture whose constant evolution is one of enduring relevance and impact, reflecting our society as it has grown into an international phenomenon,” Deborah F. Rutter, president of the Kennedy Center, said.

Rutter added, “Hip Hop has been an important, thriving art form here at the Center for a number of years; what a privilege it is to bestow an Honors to the First Lady of Hip-Hop who has inspired us along the way.”

Latifah recently achieved another milestone by becoming the first female rapper to be included in the National Recording Registry.

According to the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, the Librarian of Congress selects 25 titles that are that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” for at least 10 years.