QUEEN LATIFAH TO BE HONORED AT "VH1 HIP HOP HONORS: ALL HAIL THE QUEENS"

EVENT TO HONOR THE TRAILBLAZING LADIES OF HIP HOP

MONDAY, JULY 11 AT 9PM ET LIVE FROM NEW YORK

NEW YORK, NY, June 13, 2016 - VH1 announced today that multifaceted superstar Queen Latifah is the first legendary artist being honored at VH1 HIP HOP HONORS: ALL HAIL THE QUEENS. Latifah will also serve as an executive producer of the upcoming event through Flavor Unit, marking an ongoing collaboration with VH1 after the success of the one-hour special DEAR MAMA earlier this year.

After a six-year hiatus, the revered VH1 HIP HOP HONORS is back celebrating the best and brightest in hiphop with a twist. This year's live event will pay homage to the female pioneers, trailblazers and trend-setters who led a movement and infiltrated the ranks of the male-dominated genre to make their voices heard and still do today. The other hugely influential female artists being honored will be announced later this week.

A true trailblazer in the world of hip hop, Queen Latifah has earned acclaim in all facets of her career. She is one of music's most well respected rappers and has earned six Grammy nominations as well as a Grammy Award for Best Solo Rap Performance in 1994. Also known for her incredible singing ability, in 2005, she was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album and in 2008 she was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. As an actor, Latifah received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Mama Morton in Miramax's Chicago and a SAG Award win for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her role in Bessie. She has also won a Golden Globe and been nominated for two Emmys.

"VH1 HIP HOP HONORS: ALL HAIL THE QUEENS" will air Monday, July 11th at 9PM ET LIVE from New York

Since its inception in 2004, "VH1 HIP HOP HONORS" has recognized the luminaries who broke new ground and propelled the genre into the cultural phenomenon it has become. From Hip Hop's pioneers like Public Enemy and Tupac Shakur to Def Jam Records and Russell Simmons, VH1 has honored Hip Hop from its origins through the numerous phases of its musical evolution.

Current sponsors of the "VH1 HIP HOP HONORS: ALL HAIL THE QUEENS" special event include MetroPCS(R) and Taco Bell(R).

Join the conversation on Twitter with @VH1 and @VH1Music using #HipHopHonors For additional updates, 'LIKE' VH1 and VH1 Music on Facebook, or go to HipHopHonors.VH1.com

"VH1 HIP HOP HONORS" is being produced by Flavor Unit with Shakim Compere and Queen Latifah as Executive Producers along with Monami Productions with Mona Scott-Young as Executive Producer and blacjac Entertainment Group with Jac Benson II as an Executive Producer. For VH1, Amy Doyle, Ryan Kroft and Keshia Williams are Executive Producers, Elena Diaz is Executive in Charge of Talent and Leah Lane and Joe Buoye are Executives in Charge of Production.

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