Lessons learnt from the Hot Girls Podcast
1. Celebrate the little wins
Queen Latifah was a determined and ambitious child who loved performing. Her first star role was as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz in an elementary school play. She received praise for her role, and she took this in her stride. She took this as a sign, and it gave her the confidence to want to move forwards in the entertainment industry. Queen Latifah’s self-belief and confidence has been crucial to her success. It is important to embrace every compliment, stopping self-deprecation and doubt is essential to success.
2. Channel your pain into art
Queen Latifah was very close to her brother Lance. Her brother had been her best friend since childhood and the rock she knew she could always rely on. Unfortunately, whilst riding his motorcycle he was involved in an accident that resulted in his untimely passing. Losing a sibling or anyone that you are close with is tough. She channelled the energy she had into work and wrote and recorded her next album, titled “Black Reign”. It was written through a lot of pain and kind of suction of joy – the joy that she had from the energy of her brother. Sometimes you may go through disheartening situations, it’s important to attempt to draw strength from the situation and convert it into something positive.
3. Switching it up is good
Queen Latifah’s biggest selling album was a jazz album she released in 2004. The album was eponymously named after her birth name The Dana Owens Album. This album allowed her to exhibit her singing ability and showcase a side of her artistry that she had not yet shown. The success of this project highlights the importance of not placing yourself in a box and allowing your work to be a true representation of your diverse interests. Deviating from your norm can be a great way to reinvigorate your love for something. Queen Latifah returned to rap with her next album, highlighting the fluidity of her career and that she is not restrained by people’s perceptions of what she should make.
4. Consistency is always key
Queen Latifah has an amazing career that has spanned over 30 years. This is due to her relentlessness and evolution, in an industry that doesn’t offer you natural progressions. Her sheer dedication to her craft leaves us in awe of her work ethic and also solidifies her legacy. Remaining in any field for a pro-long period and continuously producing top-quality works is admirable. Whether you have to switch it up or try a different take, its important to always refresh your outlook so your passion doesn’t become stale and is instead fruitful.
5. Put in the hours
Queen Latifah works for 12-14 hours a day. Although this isn’t plausible for everyone, this dedication to her craft is a key contributor to how she has remained at the top of her game. This work ethic has led her to be an inspiration to her peers in the music industry. Finding a passion and continuously working on it is a skill that Queen Latifah has personified and it has paid off.
