Queen Latifah Teases Major Music News Ahead of The Voice Debut: “I’ve Been Holding…”

The Season 30 Coach of The Voice could be dropping some new tracks in the near future.

As the legendary Queen Latifah joins the milestone 30th season of The Voice with fellow Coaches Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and Riley Green, the multihyphenate superstar may have some new music up her sleeve.

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Watch The Voice on NBC and Peacock.

It’s been nearly 17 years since the release of Queen Latifah’s last new album — 2009’s Persona, the seventh studio album of her career. After exploding on the scene in the rap world with her debut studio album All Hail the Queen in 1989, Queen Latifah established herself as one of the most influential and innovative voices in hip hop, scoring the 1995 Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance for her hit track “U.N.I.T.Y.”

And now, it sounds like fans officially have reason to get excited again as Queen Latifah said she’s been “holding” onto new music and may even release it this year.

Queen Latifah teases that she could be releasing new music in 2026

Queen Latifah onstage at the 52nd American Music Awards at the MGM Grand Las Vegas on May 25, 2026.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

In an interview with Variety published on May 25, the same day Queen Latifah hosted the 2026 American Music Awards, the Emmy-winning actress spoke about the potential of releasing new music in the future.

“I am going to try and drop something this year,” Queen Latifah told Variety. “I guess I have to, at least start letting some of this music out that I’ve been holding on my computer for so long. I play it so much that I feel like it’s already out. I think I will actually share it with the people this year.”

Queen Latifah onstage at the 52nd American Music Awards at the MGM Grand Las Vegas on May 25, 2026.

Photo: Francis Specker/CBS

Fans should be on the lookout for new music from the Voice Coach sooner than later, because it sounds like Queen Latifah has been holding back on releasing new tunes!

As it turns out, it’s the perfect time for the star to drop a new song or two. “There’s nothing that really sounds like me or is my style that is out there. There’s bits and pieces here and there, but there’s only one me, so I think I need to put some of this music out,” she shared with Variety.

While Queen Latifah didn’t drop too many additional details, she did tease that the upcoming new songs would “be a mixture” of hip-hop, jazz, and soul.

Celebrate NBC100 by Watching These Unscripted Shows All Summer

Summer is here, and on NBC that means the return of America’s Got Talent and American Ninja Warrior. Season 21 of AGT  kicks off June 2, with new episodes airing Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock. Meanwhile, Ninja Warrior Season 18 begins June 8, with new episodes airing Mondays at 9/8c on NBC.

These exciting new seasons come in the middle of NBC’s 100th anniversary festivities. Keep reading NBC Insider all summer for fun stories celebrating this milestone—including ones about AGT and Ninja Warrior.

Queen Latifah makes her debut as Coach on The Voice Season 30

Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and Riley Green sitting on their Judge chairs during The Voice; Queen Latifah attends the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Mark Guiducci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on March 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

Photo: NBC; Getty Images

Not only do we have new music to look forward to, but The Voice Season 30 is set to premiere on NBC in September 2026 with Queen Latifah, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, and Riley Green in the red chairs.