Queen Latifah Joins the Rock Hall, With a BET Documentary Set for Nov. 27

Queen Latifah will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 14, as a recipient of the Early Influence Award. Her BET documentary, You Can Go Home Again, premieres on Friday, Nov. 27.

The Early Influence Award honours performers whose early work shaped the music that came after them. Latifah is one of several artists in this year's class. The others are Phil Collins, Celia Cruz, Sade, Oasis, Fela Kuti, Wu-Tang Clan and MC Lyte.

The documentary turns to her hometown. Billboard reported that the film focuses on efforts to provide affordable housing for families in Newark, New Jersey, where Latifah grew up. The title points to the same theme. Her home city is at the centre of the story, not just the backdrop.

The film and the award arrive close together, and the magazine's interview with Latifah covered both. Billboard spoke with her about the documentary, what home means to her, and the Hall of Fame honour.

For a general viewer, the two events are separate. The induction is a ceremony recognising a career. The documentary is a television premiere with a social focus, aimed at a specific place. Both put her hometown in the spotlight, though the Hall itself does not run the housing work.

If you want to watch, the documentary is set for BET. Those planning to follow the induction can do so on Nov. 14, the day it takes place.