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HONOUREES: Salt-N-Pepa in their heyday

FOLLOWING A six-year hiatus, VH1 Hip Hop Honors is set to make a triumphant return with a special instalment recognising the contribution of women to hip-hop.

The show, appropriately titled All Hail the Queens, will see pioneers Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah and Salt-N-Pepa honoured for their ground-breaking achievements in a male-dominated genre.

Rap duo Salt-N-Pepa, comprised of Cheryl 'Salt' James and Sandy 'Pepa' Denton alongside DJ Spinderella, made history when they became the first female rap group ever to attain platinum status, selling more than 12 million albums during their career.

The group won a Grammy Award in 1995 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for their hit "None of Your Business."

INSPIRATION: Queen Latifah

While rapper turned actress Queen Latifah has earned six Grammy nominations, as well as a Grammy win for Best Solo Rap Performance in 1994.

The 46-year-old received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Mama Morton in Miramax's Chicago, a SAG Award win for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her role in HBO's Bessie, and has won a Golden Globe and been nominated for two Emmys.

VETERAN: Missy Elliott

Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer-rapper-producer-songwriter, Elliott has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. She has been the only female rapper to have all six albums reach RIAA platinum certified or better according to People magazine.

VH1 Hip Hop Honours: All Hail The Queens will make its return next month in New York on July 11