Queen Latifah To Be First Female Rapper Kennedy Center Honoree

Queen Latifah
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 25: Host Queen Latifah speaks onstage during the 54th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 25, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Loading the player…

The Kennedy Center has released their 2023 honorees and this year, history is being made. Queen Latifah will officially be the first female emcee to receive the award.

The ceremony, held and televised from the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington DC has been held every year since 1978. It spotlights artists whose craft and contributions have made a significant impact on American culture.

Queen Latifah shared her excitement for the award in a statement.

“When we started on this journey decades ago, we were often told, ‘No’,” Latifah said in a statement. “To now be recognized amongst so many multi-hyphenates feels unbelievable, not for just me and my team, but for our community. The work the Kennedy Center does is immeasurable so I’m beyond grateful for this recognition.”

The awards will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on December 3rd, hosted by Gloria Estefan.