Queen Latifah

Lyrics

[Intro]
Uh, U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity
U.N.I.T.Y., love a black man from infinity to infinity
(Who you callin' a bitch?)

[Hook]
U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity (You gotta let him know)
(You go, come on, here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., love a black woman from (Uh, you gotta let him know)
Infinity to infinity (You ain't a bitch or a ho, here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity (Uh, you gotta let him know)
(Come on, come on, now here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., love a black man from (Yeah, you gotta let him know)
Infinity to infinity (You ain't a bitch or a ho)

[Verse 1]
Instinct leads me to another flow
Every time I hear a brother call a girl a bitch or a ho
Tryna make a sister feel low
You know all of that gots to go
Now everybody knows there's exceptions to this rule
Now don't be gettin' mad, when we playin', it's cool
But don't you be calling me out my name
I bring wrath to those who disrespect me like a dame
That's why I'm talkin', one day I was walkin' down the block
I had my cutoff shorts on right 'cause it was crazy hot
I walked past these dudes when they passed me
One of 'em felt my booty, he was nasty
I turned around red, somebody was catchin' the wrath
Then the little one said, "Ha ha, yeah me, bitch," and laughed
Since he was with his boys, he tried to break fly
Huh, I punched him dead in his eye
And said, "Who you callin' a bitch?" Yeah!
[Hook]
U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity (Here we go, you gotta let him know)
(You go, come on, here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., love a black woman from (You gotta let him know)
Infinity to infinity (You ain't a bitch or a ho, here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity (Uh, you gotta let him know)
(You go, come on here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., love a black man from (Yeah, you gotta let him know)
Infinity to infinity (You ain't a bitch or a ho)

[Verse 2]
I hit the bottom, there ain't nowhere else to go but up
Bad days at work give you an attitude and you erupt
And take it out on me but that's about enough
You put your hands on me again I'll put your ass in handcuffs
I guess I fell so deep in love I grew dependent see
I was too blind to see just how it was affectin' me
All that I knew was you was all the man I had
And I was scared to let you go
Even though you treated me bad
But I don’t want to see my kids see me gettin' beat down by daddy smackin' mommy all around
You say I'm nothin' without ya but I'm nothing' with ya
A man don't really love you if he hits ya
This is my notice to the door, I'm not takin' it no more
I'm not your personal whore, that's not what I'm here for
And nothing good gon' come to ya til you do right by me
Brother you wait and see (Who you callin' a bitch? Uh!)
[Hook]
U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity (Here we go, you gotta let him know)
(Come on, here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., love a black man from (Yeah, you gotta let him know)
Infinity to infinity (You ain't a bitch or a ho, here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity (Uh, you gotta let him know)
(Come on, here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., love a black woman from (Yeah, you gotta let him know)
Infinity to infinity (You ain't a bitch or a ho)

[Verse 3]
What's goin' on in your mind is what I ask ya
But like Yo-Yo, you don't hear me though
You wear a rag around your head
And you call yourself a "gangsta bitch"
Now that you saw Apache's video
I saw you wildin', actin' like a fool
I peeped you out the window jumping girls after school
But where did all of this come from?
A minute ago, you was a nerd and nobody ever heard of ya
Now you a wannabe...hard
You barely know your ABC's, please
There's plenty of people out there with triggers ready to pull it
Why you tryna jump in front of the bullet (Young lady)?
Uh, and real bad girls are the silent type
Ain't none of this worth gettin' your face sliced
'Cause that's what happened to your homegirl, right?
(Barking with no bite!)
She got to wear that for life
(Who you callin' a bitch? Uh!)
[Hook]
U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity (Here we go, you gotta let him know)
(Come on, here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., Love a black woman from (You gotta let him know)
Infinity to infinity (You ain't a bitch or a ho, here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity (Gotta let him know)
(Come on, here we go)
U.N.I.T.Y., Love a black man from (You must let him know)
Infinity to infinity (You ain't a bitch or a ho)

If there's one song that epitomizes the essence of Queen Latifah, it's "U.N.I.T.Y." This Grammy Award-winning single, featured on her fourth album, Black Reign, is a stirring statement against the mistreatment of women in hip-hop culture and society as a whole. Catchy, powerful, and impactful, "U.N.I.T.Y." is more than just a song - it's a powerful call to action that inspires people to stand up against the forces of misogyny, harassment, and violence.

About U.N.I.T.Y.

"U.N.I.T.Y." is arguably one of the most iconic songs in Queen Latifah's discography, as well as one of the most notable feminist anthems of the 1990s. Released on January 6, 1994, the song was an instant success, reaching #23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In the years since its release, the song has only grown in importance, becoming a timeless classic that still resonates with listeners today.

The song's title, "U.N.I.T.Y.," is short for "Unity", which represents Queen Latifah's call for solidarity among women and men in the face of injustice and inequality. The song's lyrics are powerful and straightforward, calling out the mistreatment of women in society and the hip-hop industry. In the first verse, Queen Latifah raps about being harassed on the street and the importance of respecting women. The second verse addresses the issue of domestic violence and the need to prevent such acts from happening. Finally, the third verse takes aim at the derogatory language used in hip-hop culture and challenges male rappers to change their ways.

One of the song's most notable features is the sample used from the track "Message from the Inner City" by The Crusaders. This sample serves as the foundation of the song, providing a lush, soulful backdrop for Queen Latifah's lyrics. The use of the sample was a stroke of genius, as it adds depth and impact to the song's message.

But it's not just the lyrics and sample that make "U.N.I.T.Y." so timeless - it's also Queen Latifah's delivery. The rapper delivers her lines with a powerful sense of authority and conviction, making it clear that she's not here to play games or waste time. Her voice is clear and confident, and she uses it to great effect to convey the song's message.

Ultimately, "U.N.I.T.Y." is a song that is more relevant today than ever before. Its message of unity and respect is one that the world needs to hear, and Queen Latifah's masterful delivery ensures that the message is received loud and clear.

Why U.N.I.T.Y. is a Classic

What makes "U.N.I.T.Y." such a classic? For starters, it's the song's message. The mistreatment of women is a pervasive problem that still plagues society today, and Queen Latifah's call for unity and respect is a powerful one. Beyond the message, however, the song is also a masterclass in production and delivery.

One of the things that makes "U.N.I.T.Y." so effective is its use of the sample from The Crusaders' "Message from the Inner City." This sample gives the song a timeless quality, creating a lush and soulful backdrop that perfectly complements Queen Latifah's lyrics. The use of the sample is also a testament to Queen Latifah's production skills, as she was able to take an obscure sample and turn it into a classic hip-hop track.

The song's delivery is also top-notch. Queen Latifah's vocal performance is commanding and confident, making it clear that she's not here to mess around. Her flow is smooth and measured, allowing her to pack a lot of meaning into each line. And her use of metaphor and analogy is subtle but effective, adding depth and nuance to the song's message.

But perhaps the most important thing that makes "U.N.I.T.Y." a classic is its impact. The song was a huge commercial success, but more than that, it became a feminist anthem that inspired a generation of women to stand up against injustice. Even today, the song is still played at protests and rallies, a testament to its enduring relevance and importance.

Wrapping Up

With its timeless message, masterful production, and impactful delivery, "U.N.I.T.Y." is a classic song that will always stand the test of time. Queen Latifah's call for unity and respect is as relevant today as it was in 1994, and the song's impact will continue to be felt for many years to come. Whether you're a fan of hip-hop, feminism, or just great music, "U.N.I.T.Y." is a song that everyone needs to hear.

• Release Date: November 16, 1993
• Artist: Queen Latifah