''Black Reign'' is the third
studio album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...
by
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
rapper
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), known professionally as Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, actress, and singer. Born in Newark, New Jersey, she signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1989 and released her debut album ''All Hail the Que ...
, released in 1993. ''Black Reign'' was her most successful album up to that point, peaking at number 60 on the
''Billboard'' 200. The album also peaked at number fifteen on the
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a music chart published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales in the United States and is compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The chart debuted as Hot R&B LPs in the issue dated J ...
. The album sold in excess of 500,000 copies, achieving gold status.
[
]
Critical reception
''Trouser Press
''Trouser Press'' was a rock and roll magazine started in New York in 1974 as a mimeographed fanzine by editor/publisher Ira Robbins, fellow fan of the Who Dave Schulps and Karen Rose under the name "Trans-Oceanic Trouser Press" (a reference to ...
'' wrote that Latifah "rhymes over bottom-booming jeep beats and sings to sweet soul, dancehall and, in the case of 'Winki’s Theme,' a song for her late brother, a live jazz quartet."The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
'' wrote: "As one of hip-hop's true vocal virtuosos, Queen Latifah tosses off articulate, quick-changing syncopations when she raps, slipping in and out of a Jamaican accent and singing melodic choruses in a sweet, strong voice."
Track listing
#" Black Hand Side" – 3:22
#"Listen 2 Me" – 4:43
#"I Can't Understand" – 3:50
#" Rough..." (featuring Treach
Anthony Criss (born December 2, 1970), better known by his stage name Treach, is an American rapper and actor. He is perhaps best known as the lead rapper of the hip hop group Naughty by Nature.
Career
With Naughty by Nature, Treach worked ...
, Heavy D
Dwight Arrington MyersCuda, Heidi Sigmund Keeping it reel. ''Vibe'' ("born Dwight Arrington Myers")Samuels, Anita M. (January 12' 1996)Heavy D, the C.E.O. ''New York Times'' (May 24, 1967 – November 8, 2011), known professionally as Heav ...
, and KRS-One
Lawrence "Kris" Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage names KRS-One (; an abbreviation of "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone") and Teacha, is an American rapper from New York City. He rose to prominence as part of ...
) – 5:04
#"4 The D.J.'s (Interlude)" – 1:38
#"Bring tha Flavor" – 3:25
#"Coochie Bang..." (featuring Treach) – 3:46
#"Superstar" – 3:56
#"No Work" – 2:51
#"Just a Flow (Interlude)" – 1:30
#" Just Another Day..." – 4:29
#"U.N.I.T.Y.
"U.N.I.T.Y." is a song by American hip-hop artist Queen Latifah from her third studio album, '' Black Reign'' (1993). The single was released on November 9, 1993, in the United States, and on January 6, 1994, in the United Kingdom. "U.N.I.T. ...
" – 4:11
#"Weekend Love" (featuring Tony Rebel
Patrick George Anthony Barrett (born 15 January 1962), better known by his stage name Tony Rebel, is a Jamaican reggae deejay.
Career
Born in Manchester Parish, Jamaica, Barrett was initially a singer, appearing as Papa Tony or Tony Ranking in ...
) – 4:09
#"Mood Is Right" – 3:30
#"Winki's Theme" – 5:29
Music videos
* "U.N.I.T.Y.
"U.N.I.T.Y." is a song by American hip-hop artist Queen Latifah from her third studio album, '' Black Reign'' (1993). The single was released on November 9, 1993, in the United States, and on January 6, 1994, in the United Kingdom. "U.N.I.T. ...
"
* "Just Another Day Just Another Day may refer to:
Music
* ''Just Another Day'' (album), an album by Wire Daisies
* " Just Another Day...", a song by Queen Latifah
* "Just Another Day", a song by The Game from the album '' Compton''
* "Just Another Day", a song by ...
"
* " Black Hand Side"
* "I Can't Understand"
* "Weekend Love"
Influence
The album was a major influence for young adult novelist Jason Reynolds
Jason Reynolds (born December 6, 1983) is an American author of novels and poetry for young adult and middle-grade audience. Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in neighboring Oxon Hill, Maryland, Reynolds found inspiration in rap and had an ea ...
,
Certifications
References
{{Authority control
1993 albums
Motown albums
Queen Latifah albums
Vocal jazz albums