Black Reign [Import]

Queen Latifah

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 16, 1993)
• Original Release Date: November 16, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Polygram UK
• ASIN: B000001AL0
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,612 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #24 in	Music > Imports > Rap & Hip-Hop
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album., February 2, 2004

By A Customer

Queen latifah was one of the first females in the rap music businees. she opened a lot of doors for future female rappers. Without Latifah, there probably be no Eve, Lil' Kim, Missy Elliott, Da Brat, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of TLC (RIP), Foxy Brown, Lady of Rage, etc. This is simply Ql's best album. This is a must own.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE MOST IMPORTANT ALBUM FROM A MODERN DAY RENAISSANCE WOMEN, July 2, 2002

By A Customer

Queen Latifah(or Dana Elaine Owens) is without a doubt the modern day Renaissance woman.Poised,tough,and opinated,Latifah has left her stamp on everything from rap to daytime television to film to primetime television to the business side of things.
One wonder,what can't this sista do?

Latifah's best album is without a doubt 1993's "Black Reign".
"Black Reign" is a very intresting album.Recorded after the death of Latifah's beloved brother,Lance,Latifah was in a blue funk.Depressed and unfocused,Latifah set out to pour her anguish to her music which comprises "Black Reign".

Altough Latifah is one of the most fascinating women in the world,many have always blasted her musical output.Claiming that her music is unfocused or redundant.But "Black Reign" proves them wrong.
Among the strongest cuts on here include "Black Hand Side" with it's mellow,head-nodding beat and Latifah's fierce rhymes.
"I Can't Understand",a song your reviewer can relate to A LOT!,

the reflective "Just Another Day",the defiant and powerful feminist anthem "U.N.I.T.Y.",and the sweeping jazzy tribute to Latifah's brother Lance,"Winki's Theme"(co-written by famed journalist Gordon Chambers).Those aforementioned songs are memorable and uplifting.Latifah is a rap artist who knows that's she a voice in this world so instead of fake credibility moves,she'd rather say something that's meaningful.

"Black Reign" is a strong precedent in female hip hop.And as for Latifah,she's conquered the world enough!(And plus she's from Jersey too-BRICK CITY![lol])

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Album From The Queen!!!!!, September 29, 2003

By	Well, BLEEP You Too (A Southern Californian Forced into Washinton state) - See all my reviews

This is one of my favorite 90's albums. I was suprised to see that there was no parental advisory. There is a Hell of a lot of cussing in "Rough" and "UNITY". This album is great. My fave song is "Just Another Day". That song is a classic. This is the best album from Latifah and a must own!