VH1 is setting off the return of their notable awards show, Hip Hop Honors, with an All Hail The Queens line-up of award recipients. Honorees announced thus far include Lil Kim, Salt N Pepa, Missy Elliott and the woman with the royal title included in her name - Queen Latifah.
July 11 will be a night to remember for classic hip hop fans; especially those who have a love for the women of hip hop, with the return of the 2016 VH1's Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens. After a six year hiatus, the network is bringing the show back, and taking it back to the late '80s by honoring a girl group who's debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious, released in 1986, took the world by storm.
Hailing from Queens, New York, Cheryl "Salt" James; Sandy "Pepa" Denton and their DJ, Deidra "Spinderella" Roper, formed the group Salt N Pepa and contributed hits like "Push It," "I'll Take Your Man" and "Shake Your Thang," early on in their career; and continued their chart topping success well into the '90s and beyond with hits like "Shoop," "Whatta Man," and so much more.
These three women will be honored, for the second time, by VH1 as noted by EUR, for their unapologetic style and lyrics, which touched on topics of sexuality -- an uncommon practice for women during that era of music. But, James and Denton still released songs like "Do You Want Me," "Let's Talk About Sex" and "None Of Your Business."
It's definitely safe to say James, Denton and Roper changed the game for women in hip hop and opened doors for their successors like honoree Lil Kim. VH1 announced on June 16 that there can't be an awards show set to honor the queens of hip hop without adding the Brooklyn La Bella Mafia rapper to the list.
Kimberly Jones, introduced to many as Lil Kim while under the mentorship of the late Notorious B.I.G, and as a member of the rap group Junior M.A.F.I.A --also contributed hit singles in her solo career that boldly spoke on sexuality, drugs and street life in Brooklyn as a woman. Her no holds barred-rap style took her straight to the top of the charts with her 1996 debut album Hardcore, which was certified double platinum.
The performances of these great entertainers, along with other great women who set the bar pretty high in their careers like, Dana "Queen Latifah" Owens and Elliott, are guaranteed to be just as epic as past Hip Hop Honors performances, like the 2009 tribute to Def Jam Records, that opened with an unforgettable performance of LL Cool J's "Rock The Bells" by, Eminem, The Roots and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Hip Hop Honors airs Monday, July 11 at 9 p.m on VH1.
