''Black Reign'' is the third

studio album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track cartridge, 8-track or Cassette tape, cassette), or digital distribution, dig ...

by American rapper

Queen Latifah Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), known professionally by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, singer, and actress. She has received various accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe ...

, 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 Luminate. The chart debuted as Hot R&B LPs in the issue dated January 30, ...

. 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 ...

'' 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'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' 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

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 by Motown on November 9, 1993, in the United States, and on January 6, 1994, in the United Kingdom. "U ...

" * " Just Another Day" * " 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 Novelist, novels and poetry for Young adult literature, young adult and Middle grade literature, middle grade audiences. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in neighboring Oxon Hill ...

, who was inspired to start writing poetry when he discovered ''Black Reign'' at nine years old.

Certifications

References

{{Authority control 1993 albums Albums recorded at Unique Recording Studios Motown albums Queen Latifah albums Vocal jazz albums Albums produced by KayGee