Queen Latifah © Sacks & Co
Queen Latifah couldn't have picked a more appropriate stage moniker. Thanks to a brilliant mesh of social commentary and political consciousness, this queen had no problem attracting a cult-like following from the jump off. Latifah was one of the first to demand self-respect and gender equality in hip-hop. Who can forget the Grammy-winning "U.N.I.T.Y." (from Black Reign), where she made it clear that addressing her as a b***h is a quick way to get yourself "punched dead" in the face?