Queen Latifah: Racism is 'alive and kicking'

The 46-year-old star has urged black women to "demand respect" and "change the attitude" of others in order to help change the world's outlook on race.

She said: "Listen, we all know that the world - and our world - is really tense right now. It's a lot of tension, it's a lot of angst, it's a lot of hurt, a lot of pain.

"I'm hoping that we can somehow manage to channel all of these emotions that we have in a positive way by not taking no [for an answer] and really do something to change our world ... Racism is still alive and kicking and we have to change that ... We've got to change this attitude and we must demand respect as women."

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And the 'Bessie' star also went on to tell her male counterparts in the hip-hop industry to listen to women as they can "show them a couple of things" about music too.

Speaking at VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail the Queens, she said: "There's so much going on out in the world. I just really appreciate a night where we can just pause and celebrate something that's really great.

"All of these queens in this building, we built hip-hop. And there's no way that I can allow us to be erased from the history or future of hip-hop so understand that this has been happening for a long time and it will continue. I ask you to listen and open your ears to some music from the females in this game. We can show you a couple of things about music."