Set It Off is a groundbreaking film. Here's why.

Today on Hip Hop Movie Club: Set It Off, the 1996 heist movie starring Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Jada Pinkett, and Kimberly Elise that was groundbreaking – in more ways than one! Topics discussed:This is Queen Latifah's first lead role, and one of the best performances of a rapper turned actor 👑 This film is also an ode to Black women friendship and sisterhood, with strong performances from the four leads to match 👩🏾 We see an early instance of an LGBTQ relationship in a major motion picture, and it's handled well without making it a clumsy plot point 🏳️‍🌈The soundtrack is hip hop heavy and important to the heist sequences 🎤Some of the themes (police brutality, racism, sexism, systemic oppression) are sadly still relevant, which gives the film a poignant quality 😓 Also check out: The Film Experience: Gay Best Friend: Cleo (Queen Latifah) in "Set It Off" (1996)Nerdist: A Brief History of Black Queer Representation in CinemaAutostraddle: “Set It Off” Is the Queer Tribute to Black Women’s Friendship We Need After a Summer of Black MourningCreditsHip Hop Movie Club is produced by your HHMCs JB, BooGie, and DynoWright. Theme music by BooGie. Follow @hiphopmovieclub on Instagram! Keep up with all things Hip Hop Movie Club with our newsletter. Subscribe today! And remember: Don't hate...create!