Queen Latifah - Nature of a Sista

Tommy Boy. 1991. Album Description

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah's CD was phenomenal, and it showed the meaning of hip-hop/rap. Classic with the beats, Latifah showed what it meant to be a Queen. August 3, 2008

Classic

It could be said that I am living in the past, or that I'm stuck in the past from time to time. This is true to an extent, but it is only because of what the present stands for at this point in time--especially in regards to music, and even more specifically hip-hop (although alternative and rock have suffered as well as of late).

This album, along with DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's "Homebase" were the first to cassette tapes that I owned. Back then, I thought it cool to be able to put words together in a rhythm to a beat that could make people not only dance, but, if contemplation was desired, it could enlighten...

The present year is 2008, and I've watched most of this change...the brunt of the attention going to people capable of making you dance and away from those who enlighten you. This CD encompasses both, and Queen Latifah did it better on this CD than most do it at present. Since I've re-bought this album (As a CD, of course) I haven't been able to go anywhere without listening to it.

You know why? Because although the braggadociousity (my word) is still there as much as it is now, with present day's radio-friendly nonsense, there is actually a reason to say, "whoa, don't mess with her." Its not out of fear of physical harm that you want not to cross paths lyrically with te Queen, its because, simply, you don't feel capable of keeping up with her.

Her dynamic subject matter, from love, to unity, to the marginalization of the American minority...on to her lyrical abilities, is all very entertaining and enlightening. You don't leave this album with a feeling of anger or distress, you leave with a slight feeling of euphoria--pleased to have had the opportunity to have experienced a truly talented human being.

"Nature of a Sista" is the ONLY album that I've heard from Queen Latifah, but I have full intention of acquiring some of her other works from the 90's...her efforts, I believe, were quickly eclipsed with the amazingly violent professions of Dr. Dre, Snoop, Tha Dogg Pound, and on into The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac...and, of course, Wu-Tang Clan. So although the immediate notoriety of QL came and went in the pop at large, it is unquestionable that her abilities were supreme and remain relative in this day and age...

Its a sad, but true, reality... And I'm happy to have experienced it. Nature of a Sista... Nature of a Culture is more like it...

I won't go track for track with this...enough people have and will do that. Furthermore, this isn't a collection of songs, it IS a song: Nature of a Sista...one, complete thought.

...and what a great thought it is.

February 6, 2008

That heat!

Yo, I am bumping this right now. "One Mo' Time" is cold-blooded! Latif can rhyme and I am happy to have found out about her when she was rockin' the mic! The album cover makes this look like some corny old-school stuff, but it's really just Queen Latifah runnin' through solid beats like WHOA. Buy this for a penny and shipping and thank me later. October 18, 2006

The First Two CDs I Ever Bought [Part 1 of 2] {4 Stars}

Queen Latifah could be considered a prototype because of the direction her career has gone. Not only did she have skills, but she had the business end taken care of (Flava Unit management, records, & production company) and even turned into one heck of an actress. She even executive produced this album and Naughty's debut. The sister was (and still is) on a roll. Nature Of A Sista is the first CD I ever bought (along with Naughty By Nature's self titled debut). Dana Owens shows her versatility on this album. Tracks like "Fly Girl", "How Do I Love Thee", and "One Mo' Time" show that Latifah can blend all kinds of different sounds. Production is handled by Naughty By Nature, K-Cut (Main Source), Luis "Louie Louie" Vega, Soulshock & CutFather (Soulpower), Nevelle Hodge, and Latifah herself. House, jazz, R&B, rap.....Latifah covers plenty of bases without damaging her credibility. The girl is simply too talented to be restrained by genres.

As far as flaws, there really aren't that many to be found. There may be one too many r&b tracks on this album for the typical rap fan. It's done very well though, so I can't really say it's a bad thing. There are some tracks that could fall under skip material like "Bad As A Mutha", "If You Don't Know", and "Sexy Fancy". The rest of the album is great.

Nature Of A Sista' isn't Latifah's best album (that distinction belongs to the Black Reign LP), but this is still an excellent listen. Latifah doesn't get the props that she truly deserves for what she's done for females in the rap game. If you want to hear Latifah as she started to hit her stride, then pick this album up. There are a variety of sounds to be found here and Latifah easily masters each and every one of them. Two thumbs way up.

Standout Tracks: Nature Of A Sista, Love Again, How Do I Love Thee, One Mo' Time (My Favorite), Fly Girl, Latifah's Had It Up To Here, That's The Way We Flow feat. Safari Sister Swatch, and Give Me Your Love July 1, 2006

This is the one

All her other albums are good, but this is the one for me. She threw her best combinations up in this joint. She shows you her range w/this one from the rap to the jazz piece at the end. If you are a true fan, then you've gotta own this one. May 24, 2005

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