Queen Latifah Is First Woman Rapper To Receive Kennedy Center Honors

Queen Latifah and Dionne Warwick are among the list of stars being honored at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, with Queen Latifah being the very first woman rapper to be honored. This year’s gala will also include a 50th anniversary salute to hip hop music.

​In a statement, Latifah said “I’m humbled to be included in this incredible list of artists honored by the Kennedy Center. When we started on this journey decades ago, we were often told, ‘No’. No, you won’t be able to leave New Jersey. No, if you rap you can’t sing. No, singers can’t become actresses. No, actors can’t also produce. To now be recognized amongst so many multi-hyphenates feels unbelievable, not for just me and my team, but for our community."

The annual gala honors recipients by recognizing their lifetime artistic achievements, with honored guests sitting beside the President as they watch star-studded performances.

Actor Billy Crystal, Bee Gees legend Barry Gibb, and opera star Renée Fleming will also be recognized at the 46th annual event, set for December at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.  The special night will be hosted by Gloria Estefan and will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

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