Blog #5- Queen Latifah

Ladies First by Queen Latifah Featuring Monie Love (1987)
-Mandie Kohlenberg
I found this song on Limewire. I have heard some of Queen Latifah’s songs before, but not this song. I think this song addresses issues of feminism and gender equality very deeply. In this song she talks about women giving birth, to the next generation, which only women can do. “We are the ones that give birth to the new generation of prophets because it’s ladies first!” She also talks about how we work hard and stand up on our own two feet and how some people do not think women are strong enough. “Sloppy slouching is something I won’t do, Some think that we can’t flow, stereotypes, they got to go!”
This song addresses an issue that is often ignored by mainstream popular culture because many people don’t see that it is the woman who gives birth to children and they are strong enough to do so. Many raise children on their own, work, and go to school. Only a very strong person inside and out is capable of all this. “Who said the ladies couldn’t make it, you must be blind.”
This song does make me feel empowered as a woman. It can lift your spirits when you are down about yourself. I think this song suggests how to fight for change in our society and to overcome sexist gender equality just by her singing it. Telling the world, in any way you can, women’s accomplishments and how important women truly are in this world. I believe if there were more songs like this, even T.V. shows and writings, then many people may understand feminism better and treat women with the respect they deserve. I like the part of the song that says, “Desperately stressing I’m the daughter of a sister, Who’s the mother of a brother who’s the brother of another, Plus one more; all four, Have a job We doing it, Respect due to the mother who’s the root of it.” This really says a lot, I believe.
Some thoughts I would like to express to this artist about her work is just to tell her that is work is good, thoughtful, and well told. I believe more songs like this could change the way people think and this song is a good start. The end of her song expresses a lot and I really like it. “ The next man ,or the next woman, It doesn’t make a difference, Keep the competition coming, And I’ll recite the chapter in verse, The title of this recital is “Ladies First.”
Lyrics to this song:
[Queen Latifah]The ladies will kick it, the rhyme that is wickedThose that don't know how to be pros get evictedA woman can bear you, break you, take youNow it's time to rhyme, can you relate toA sister dope enough to make you holler and scream[Monie Love]Ayo, let me take it from here, Queen...Excuse me but I think I'm about doTo get into precisely what I am about to doI'm conversating to the folks that have no whatsoever clueSo listen very carefully as I break it down for youMerrily merrily merrily merrily hyper happy overjoyedPleased with all the beats and rhymes my sisters have employedSlick and smooth throwing down the sound totally a yesLet me state the position: Ladies first, yes? (Yes)(Yeah, there's going to be some changes in here)[Monie Love]
Believe me when I say being a woman is great, you seeI know all the fellas out there will agree with meNot for being one but for being with oneBecause when it's time for loving it's the woman that gets someStrong, stepping, strutting, moving onRhyming, cutting, and not forgettingWe are the ones that give birthTo the new generation of prophets because it's Ladies First[Queen Latifah]I break into a lyrical freestyleGrab the mic, look into the crowd and see smilesCause they see a woman standing up on her own twoSloppy slouching is something I won't doSome think that we can't flow (can't flow)Stereotypes, they got to go (got to go)I'm a mess around and flip the scene into reverse(With what?) With a little touch of "Ladies First"Who said the ladies couldn't make it, you must be blindIf you don't believe, well here, listen to this rhymeLadies first, there's no time to rehearseI'm divine and my mind expands throughout the universeA female rapper with the message to send theQueen Latifah is a perfect specimen[Monie Love]My sister, can I get some?[Queen Latifah]Sure, Monie Love, grab the mic and get dumb[Monie Lovie]Yo, praise me not for simply being what I amBorn in L-O-N-D-O-N and sound AmericanYou dig exactly where I'm coming fromYou want righteous rhyming, Imma give you someTo enable you to aid yourself and get paidAnd the material that has no meaning I wish to slayPay me every bit of your attentionLike mother, like daughter, I would also like to mentionI wish for you to bring me to, bring me to the rhythmOf which is now systematically givenDesperately stressing I'm the daughter of a sisterWho's the mother of a brother who's the brother of anotherPlus one more; all fourHave a job to do, we doing itRespect due, to the mother who's the root of itAnd next up is me, the M-O-N-I-E L-O-V-E And I'm first cause I'm a L-A-D-I-E[Queen Latifah]Contact and in fact, the style, it gets harderCooling on the scene with my European partnerLaying down track after track, waiting for the climaxWhen I get there, that's when I taxThe next man, or the next womanIt doesn't make a difference, keep the competition comingAnd I'll recite the chapter in verseThe title of this recital is "Ladies First"
-Mandie Kohlenberg