Who Is Considered the “Queen of Atlanta”? A Local’s Guide to the Title

If you spend any time in Atlanta, you’ll hear people talk about the “Queen of Atlanta”—but they often mean very different things. In this city, the title isn’t official or fixed. Instead, it reflects who holds cultural, artistic, or social influence at a given moment.

Depending on who you ask, the “Queen of Atlanta” might be:

• A legendary drag performer
• A trailblazing rapper or singer
• A beloved civic leader or cultural icon
• Or even a fictional figure representing Atlanta’s spirit

Here’s how the title is used around the city, who commonly gets called the “Queen of Atlanta,” and where you can experience their impact firsthand.

Why Atlanta Has So Many “Queens”

Atlanta has long been a cultural capital of the South—a hub for music, film, civil rights history, Black culture, LGBTQ+ life, and the arts. Because of that, people use “Queen of Atlanta” as a kind of honorary crown to recognize:

• Artistic influence
• Community leadership
• Longevity and consistency on the scene
• Representation of Atlanta’s identity locally and nationally

There’s no official award, government title, or single correct answer. Instead, it’s a nickname that shifts depending on which part of Atlanta you’re talking about—hip-hop, drag, politics, or community work.

The “Queen of Atlanta” in Hip-Hop and R&B

Atlanta is a powerhouse for hip-hop and R&B, so it’s not surprising that many people think of the “Queen of Atlanta” as a music title.

Jermaine Dupri’s “Queen of Atlanta” Comment

One widely discussed moment came when producer Jermaine Dupri publicly referred to Latto as the “Queen of Atlanta.” That sparked debate among locals and fans, because other major Atlanta women in rap and R&B also have a strong claim to the crown.

In everyday conversation, Atlanta residents often bring up:

• Monica – Frequently called a “R&B Princess of the South”, Monica grew up in College Park and has long been seen as Atlanta R&B royalty.
• Kandi Burruss – As a member of Xscape, a Grammy-winning songwriter, and a business figure based in Atlanta, Kandi is widely viewed as a music and entertainment queen in the city.
• Ciara – Though born elsewhere, Ciara is tied closely to Atlanta’s music scene, with early career roots in the area.
• Latto – From Clayton County, she’s part of the newer generation of Atlanta rappers, often discussed as a rising queen of the city’s rap scene.

Locals may also mention artists like Rasheeda, Jazze Pha collaborators, and other women who helped shape Atlanta’s sound.

If you’re visiting and want to experience this side of Atlanta’s “queens,” you might check out venues and neighborhoods central to the city’s music culture, such as:

• Downtown and Midtown music venues
• Southside and Eastside clubs known for hosting local artists
• Events around Centennial Olympic Park and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium area during major concerts and festivals

The “Queen of Atlanta” in Drag and LGBTQ+ Culture

In Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community, “Queen of Atlanta” often refers to a drag legend—someone who has performed, hosted, and mentored for years.

Drag Icons Often Seen as Queens of the City

While people may disagree on one single name, common Atlanta drag “royalty” includes long-standing performers who’ve:

• Hosted shows for decades
• Won regional or national titles (like pageant crowns)
• Mentored younger queens
• Become central figures in the city’s gay nightlife

Key places to experience Atlanta’s drag culture include:

Midtown Atlanta LGBTQ+ and Drag Hotspots

• Blake’s on the Park – 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Lips Atlanta – 3011 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
• My Sister’s Room (MSR) – 1104 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

These venues regularly feature drag brunches, pageants, and themed shows, where local performers are celebrated as queens of the scene—sometimes literally, with pageant titles attached.

If you ask a bartender, performer, or regular at these spots who the “Queen of Atlanta” is, you’ll often hear the name of a beloved local drag star rather than a mainstream celebrity.

The “Queen of Atlanta” in Civil Rights and Civic Life

Outside of nightlife and music, Atlanta has a deep civil rights and community leadership tradition. Some locals and historians talk about “queens” of Atlanta in this context too.

They may not use the exact phrase “Queen of Atlanta,” but certain women are widely seen as matriarchs or pillars of the city, including:

• Coretta Scott King – Widely respected as a global civil rights figure and a cornerstone of Atlanta’s legacy.

  • You can visit The King Center, 449 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312, to learn about her life and work.

• Mayor Shirley Franklin – The first woman to serve as mayor of Atlanta (2002–2010), often recognized for her impact on city infrastructure, ethics reforms, and civic leadership.

• Various long-serving community organizers, educators, and neighborhood leaders who are known informally as “queens” of their communities—particularly in historic neighborhoods like:

  • Sweet Auburn
  • West End
  • Old Fourth Ward

When Atlantans use royalty language here, it’s usually about respect and gratitude, not celebrity.

How Pop Culture Uses the “Queen of Atlanta” Label

The phrase “Queen of Atlanta” shows up in songs, social media, and reality TV, often as a way to:

• Assert dominance in a music genre
• Brand a performer as the face of the city
• Stir up friendly (or not-so-friendly) rivalry

For example, cast members from shows filmed in Atlanta may use queen language to describe themselves or each other, especially in:

• Reality shows based in Buckhead, Midtown, or South Atlanta
• Music and entertainment storylines centered around local studios and venues

For fans and visitors, it helps to remember that this is largely symbolic language—it reflects personal branding and fan loyalty more than any formal Atlanta title.

Where to Explore Atlanta’s “Queens” in Person

If you’re in Atlanta and you’re curious about the people who might be called “Queens of Atlanta,” you can explore the city through a few lenses:

1. Music and Entertainment

Look for:

• Concerts at local venues:
  • State Farm Arena – 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Fox Theatre – 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Music history walks or self-guided tours in:
  • Downtown
  • Old Fourth Ward
  • College Park / East Point areas, where many artists have roots

You’ll get a feel for why Atlanta women in R&B and hip-hop are often described as music royalty.

2. Drag and LGBTQ+ Culture

Check event calendars for:

• Drag brunches and nightly shows in Midtown and along Buford Highway
• Special events around:
  • Atlanta Pride (typically centered in and around Piedmont Park and Midtown)

These spaces often celebrate local performers explicitly as queens of Atlanta’s drag scene.

3. History and Civic Legacy

To understand the community and civil rights side of Atlanta’s “queens”:

• Visit:
  • The King Center – 449 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  • Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History – 101 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Explore historic neighborhoods like:
  • Sweet Auburn
  • West End
  • Castleberry Hill

Staff and exhibits often highlight Atlanta women who shaped the city’s political, cultural, and social fabric.

Quick Reference: Different Meanings of “Queen of Atlanta”

So, Who Is the Queen of Atlanta?

In everyday Atlanta conversation, there is no single, universally agreed “Queen of Atlanta.”

Instead, the title shifts based on:

• Community (music, drag, activism, neighborhood life)
• Generation (older residents vs. newer fans)
• Personal taste (who you listen to, where you go out, what you watch)

If you live in or visit Atlanta, the best way to answer the question for yourself is to:

• Listen to local artists
• Experience the drag and nightlife scene
• Learn about Atlanta’s women in history and civic leadership

From there, you’ll probably find your own answer to who truly feels like the “Queen of Atlanta”—or realize that in this city, there’s room for more than one crown.