Queen Latifah returns to the AMAs after 31 long years
Rolling Out
Last updated: May 26, 2026
Queen Latifah is hosting the 52nd American Music Awards solo for the first time in 31 years, marking a significant milestone in her career. This event highlights her unparalleled achievements and barrier-breaking legacy in the entertainment industry.
- Queen Latifah is hosting the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) solo, making her the first person to host both the Grammy Awards and the AMAs alone.
- Her career is marked by numerous "firsts," including being the first female rapper nominated for an Academy Award, the first hip-hop artist with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the first female rapper to receive a Kennedy Center Honor.
- Latifah's 1993 album "Black Reign" was the first gold-certified album by a solo female rapper, featuring the Grammy-winning song "U.N.I.T.Y."
- She also made history as the first hip-hop artist to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show and will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- The 52nd AMAs will also feature performances and awards for artists like Billy Idol, Karol G, and others, but Latifah's hosting is the central focus.
- Beyond hosting, Latifah has a consistent presence in television with "The Equalizer," and upcoming roles in "The Voice" and the animated film "Ice Age: Boiling Point."
