Queen Latifah is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of women in hip hop.
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Throughout her lengthy career spanning over three decades, she has proven herself as an incredibly talented MC with a gift for storytelling and socially conscious lyricism.
Lyrical Inspiration
EPMD were renowned for their clever wordplay, witty lyricism, and ability to pack dense rhyme schemes into their verses. Queen Latifah undoubtedly took note of their lyrical dexterity as she was honing her own skills on the mic. EPMD’s wordplay likely challenged Latifah to elevate her rhyming abilities, and their dense, information-packed styles likely inspired her to stuff her bars with multilayered meanings and pop culture references. Latifah’s early albums like “All Hail the Queen” from 1989 display her mastery of complex rhyme patterns and clever turns of phrase – hallmarks she may have picked up from studying EPMD. Their influence is evident in how Latifah could squeeze so much substance into her tight, nimble flows.
Confidence and Empowerment
While EPMD weren’t solely focused on social commentary, some of their lyrics addressed themes of masculinity, self-assurance, and street knowledge. This likely influenced Latifah’s path towards becoming a prominent voice of empowerment and positivity in hip hop. EPMD projected an image of confidence, hustle and success that likely resonated with Latifah as a young female artist carving her own path. She channeled that energy into challenging stereotypes about women in hip hop through her lyrics, videos, and persona. Songs like “Ladies First” and her 1989 hit “Wrath of My Madness” projected a strong, assertive image that gave female fans an anthem of empowerment. EPMD helped cultivate Latifah’s fearless attitude that allowed her to become hip hop’s pioneering “Queen.”
Production Style
EPMD’s classic boom bap-style productions, helmed primarily by Erick Sermon, became hugely influential in hip hop. Their signature sound layered crisp drums, funky basslines, and densely chopped samples into hard-hitting, stripped-down beats. Queen Latifah’s early productions on albums like “All Hail the Queen” incorporated elements of this boom bap style. Tracks like “Come Into My House” and “Mad Crew” feature tight, percussion-driven loops and sparse, sample-based compositions that draw clear inspiration from EPMD’s blueprint. Their minimalist yet impactful approach to beat-making likely shaped Latifah’s preference for sample-heavy, hard-hitting backdrops during her formative years.
Flow and Delivery
Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith brought unique styles to the mic as MC’s. Sermon was known for his smoother, more melodic flow while Parrish Smith delivered more aggressively. Queen Latifah absorbed these elements, developing a versatile flow that could be as nimble as Sermon’s or pack the same punch as Smith’s depending on the track’s tone. Her delivery on uptempo tracks like “Mad Crew” shows Sermon’s influence while aggressive cuts like “Ten Percent” channel more of Smith’s gritty energy. Learning from EPMD’s diversity in flow likely helped Latifah develop into the dynamic lyricist capable of shifting styles to suit different productions.
Topic Choice
While not singularly focused on social issues, some EPMD tracks like “You Gots to Chill” and “Jane” addressed themes of street life, hustling, and afrocentric pride. This exposure may have nudged Queen Latifah, still in her formative years, towards exploring heavier subject matter beyond just party tracks. Her 1989 track “Ladies First” took on misogyny and empowerment while later works like “Unity” and “Latifah’s Had It Up to Here” tackled social issues more directly. EPMD expanded hip hop’s topical range in ways that likely opened Latifah’s eyes to crafting lyrics with deeper layers of meaning and social commentary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the indelible influence of EPMD on Queen Latifah’s early career is undeniable. They provided a foundation for her lyrical dexterity, confidence, and production style. Beyond direct inspiration, EPMD also expanded hip hop’s creative boundaries in ways that likely encouraged Latifah’s evolution into one of the culture’s most insightful voices. While she undoubtedly fused these lessons with her own experiences to develop a truly unique style and identity, the blueprint laid by EPMD was formative. Their impact paved the way for Queen Latifah to bring her brand of lyrical prowess, positivity and social awareness to the masses. She took the torch lit by golden age greats like EPMD and carried it forward as one hip hop’s pioneering queens.
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