“Empire” produced some solid music, but ABC’s “Queens” may have just torched the Lyons’ whole catalog with one song.
As someone who graduated high school in 1999 (and may have owned a Ruff Ryders bandana at the time), I’m here to assure readers that the lead single from ABC’s “Queens,” “Nasty Girl,” is a BANGER. The Swizz Beatz beat is killer, Eve and Brandy bookend the the verses beautifully — a real chef’s kiss from this TV editor. And the music video by Tim Story is so late-90s perfect…
But please don’t take this 40-year-old white journalist from the suburb’s word for it — watch the music video above.
If you thought Brandy was pulling up to that yacht any other way…please.
“Queens” stars Eve, Naturi Naughton, Nadine Velazquez and Brandy as four ’90s hip-hop legends, now in their 40s, who reunite for a chance to recapture their fame.
Eve plays Brianna aka Professor Sex, Naturi Naughton is Jill aka Da Thrill, Nadine Velazquez is Valeria aka Butter Pecan and Brandy plays Naomi aka Xplicit Lyrics.
“As artists who came up in the ’90s, ‘Nasty Girl’ is our love letter to the groundbreaking music and hip-hop culture of the era,” those four stars said in a joint statement. “Filming the music video on a yacht in Miami, with the Champagne flowing and pyrotechnics blasting, stirred up a sense of nostalgia and pride in how far we have come as artists. To still be in the game today and supporting each other along the way is what our show ‘Queens’ is all about.”
Additionally, the series stars Taylor Sele as Eric Jones and Pepi Sonuga as Lil Muffin.
Swizz Beatz oversees all of the original music for the ABC drama, so the pedigree will continue. New music will be released from every episode via Def Jam, which has joined the show as its official label partner for all original music.
“To see these Queens come together in unity is amazing in 2021,” Swizz said in a statement. “This show is special in many ways to me and it’s an honor to be the executive music producer.”
“Queens” is produced by ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios. The pilot episode was written by Zahir McGhee and directed by Tim Story. Zahir McGhee, Sabrina Wind and Tim Story are executive producers. Story has directed music videos for ‘NSync, India Arie, Monica, K-Ci & JoJo, Monica, The Lox, Tyrese and others.
“Queens” debuts Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 10 p.m. on ABC.