By: King Acklin
For her contributions to music and pop culture, Queen Latifah is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during this year’s BET Awards. According to BET’s Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, Connie Orlando, “Black women have been essential drivers of change throughout history, from the political sphere to the cultural zeitgeist. The BET Awards is the ultimate celebration of Black culture, and we are looking forward to spotlighting and celebrating Black women during this year’s show, recognizing them for everything they’ve accomplished and applauding them for what’s to come.”
With over 30 years in the entertainment industry, the 51 year old Queen, born Dana Owens, will be the third youngest solo artist to receive a lifetime achievement award at the BET Awards. The youngest was the legendary Whitney Houston in 2001 and then Mary J. Blige in 2019. The U.N.I.T.Y. rapper is the only Hip Hop artist to win a Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, two NAACP Image Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and have a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Latifah has sold over 2 million records and is also the first female hip hop artist to lead a sitcom, with FOX’s Living Single (1993-1998).
Queen Latifah currently stars in the CBS reboot of The Equalizer as the lead character. The BET Awards is set to air live on BET June 27th with a “Year of the Black Woman” theme. Taraji P. Henson is set to host the show.