Queen Latifah was celebrated along with Dionne Warwick, comedian Billy Crystal, Bee Gees member Barry Gibb, and opera star Renée Fleming on Sunday at the Kennedy Center Honors, the top U.S. honor for achievements in the arts.
President Joe Biden celebrated the five performers during a reception at the White House before the show. "The performing arts are more than just sound and scene. They reflect who we are as Americans and as human beings," he said.
Latifah was honored with performances from Hip-Hop legends Yo-Yo, MC Lyte and Monie Love. Recent Rock Hall inductee Missy Elliott spoke on the cultural importance of her stage name: Latifah is Arabic meaning “gentle” or “kind” while the queen moniker conveyed respect, dignity and a determination to play a leadership role in the culture. “She was saying, ‘You WILL respect me. I won’t just set the bar. I AM the bar,’ ” Elliott said.
