The feminist anthem[1] "Ladies First", featuring Monie Love, remains one of Latifah's signature songs.

In 2023, the album was selected for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

[2] The New York Times noted that "the backup tracks are sometimes rich enough to carry the album on their own, but they don't have to; some songs have vocal choruses, while in others Queen Latifah's rising and falling speech provides melody enough.

"[13] Newsday called the album "international ghetto music filtered through hip-hop's strongest feminist sensibility.

"[17] In their statement explaining their inclusion of the album, the Library of Congress said, "[Queen Latifah's] album showed rap could cross genres including reggae, hip-hop, house, and jazz – while also opening opportunities for other female rappers.