Queen Latifah - Black Reign

When New Jersey's Dana Owens adopted the stage moniker of Queen Latifah when she launched her rap career in 1989, she also assumed the regal bearing and flowing clothes of African royalty. Her raps not only demanded respect but also radiated an unassailable air of authority. Since then Latifah has branched out as an actress (starring in the TV sitcom Living Single), businesswoman (she co-owns Flavor Unit Management, which handles rappers like Naughty by Nature), and singer (she sings with a live jazz band on the concluding cut of a later album), but that imposing dignity remains her trump card on Black Reign, her first album for Motown after an unfriendly split with Tommy Boy. Her refusal to be pigeonholed or limited in any way is part and parcel of her demand for respect and makes her one of the most rapidly evolving artists in hip-hop. --Geoffrey Himes Amazon.com

Da Queen hit'em hard wit dis one

Da Queen brought it all together on this one. She had already earned respect with her other albums, but this one put her on an even higher level than previous records did. She gave us everything on this one. She gave us Black Hand Side (catchy), Rough (the title speaks for itself), U.N.I.T.Y. (da anthem) and Just Another Day (smooth) and everything else in between. Most MC's can barely do more than one type of song, but she showed much versatility and that's why it is worth buying. This was the best Latifah album ever! June 2, 2007

Queen Latifah's in the house.

People do not really associate Queen Latifah with her music as much as her acting. Upon hearing her music... I was impressed, her songs are really funky and fun, including fast ryhmes and cool jazz with that 90's flair. This album is good, but I think her "All Hail The Queen" album is much better! April 15, 2007

The queen reigns supreme on this one

Standout tracks: BLACK HAND SIDE, LISTEN TO ME, I CANT UNDERSTAND, ROUGH(classic match up), BRING THE FLAVOR, COOCHIE BANG(nice safe sex promotion in this song), SUPERSTAR, JUST ANOTHER DAY(classic), U.N.I.T.Y.(best anti-misogynist record ever!) WINKI'S THEME(touching tribute to her dead brother) etc. Filler: I never liked Weekend Love but thats it. Bottom Line: Queen Latifah gives you and undeniable classic and unfortunately its the last good album you'll here from her. While she showcases her skills on songs like Black Hand Side, Rough, Bring the Flavor, she gives you some gems like Coochie Bang and U.N.I.T.Y(a song which she addresses misogyny). You will never hear records like these from these overrated drama queens that the rap game is infested with nowadays! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!!! October 16, 2006

BlAcK ReIGn

Remember good hip hop music through the QUEEN!!! Check it out, all the tracks are cool. Especially recommended for those who haven't listened to this LP in awhile to re-discover it. A++ August 30, 2006

Very funky album! The Tony Dofat songs still stand out!

This album from Queen Latifah still is a favorite to me! Makes me think that a live band is performing this entire album instead of different producers and samples. Especially U.N.I.T.Y. which is so funky--I'm thinking that there are live horns and a band instead of a sample. But there are countless standouts, especially Black Hand Side, I Can't Understand, Just Another Day, her tribute to her late brother and others. My favorites are the Tony Dofat produced songs, with his hard beats and the echoes on some of those beats. Dofat did about 6 to 7 songs, while S.I.D. and Kay Gee did the other half of the album. Dofat gives the S.I.D. songs some tight competition! I still like Listen 2 Me, perhaps Dofat's best produced song then or now. But Latifah's themes of standing up for yourself and making women take control of their lives are a common theme througout this album and that's what I love about Black Reign. I was pleased that she won a Grammy for U.N.I.T.Y.! I've played it more ever since it won. It makes this album more respectable. An album that I still love to this day! March 6, 2006

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