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Who Is Queen Latifah?
Queen Latifah is a multifaceted musician and actress whose career spans several decades. Her debut hip-hop album, All Hail to the Queen, achieved remarkable commercial success, selling over 1 million copies. The album’s single “U.N.I.T.Y.” earned her a Grammy Award in 1995, marking a significant milestone in her musical journey. In addition to her music career, Latifah has received critical acclaim for her acting performances. She garnered her first Oscar nomination for her role in the 2002 blockbuster musical Chicago, and she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her portrayal of blues singer Bessie Smith in the 2015 film Bessie.
Early Life
Born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, Queen Latifah is the second child of Lance and Rita Owens. She is widely recognized for her social activism, acting prowess, and lyrical talent. At the age of eight, a Muslim cousin bestowed upon her the name “Latifah,” which translates to “delicate and sensitive” in Arabic. Latifah began her musical journey in the choir at Shiloh Baptist Church in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and made her first public appearance singing “Home” as one of the two Dorothys in a school production of The Wizard of Oz at St. Anne’s Parochial School.
During her freshman year of high school, Latifah started informally rapping and singing in the restrooms and locker rooms. By her junior year, she formed a rap group called Ladies Fresh with her friends Tangy B and Landy D, responding to the emergence of another young women’s group. Their performances quickly gained traction, leading to appearances at various venues.
Latifah’s mother played a pivotal role in her early music career by connecting her with local students and musicians. She invited Mark James, a local disc jockey known as D.J. Mark the 45 King, to a school dance, which furthered Latifah’s exposure to the music scene. The basement of James’s parents’ house in East Orange, equipped with electronic and recording equipment, became a creative hub for Latifah and her friends, who referred to themselves as the “Flavor Unit.”
Albums and Songs
“Wrath of My Madness,” “All Hail to the Queen”
James, who was embarking on a career as a music producer, submitted a demo of Queen Latifah’s track Princess of the Posse to Fred Braithwaite, known professionally as “Fab 5 Freddy,” the host of Yo! MTV Raps. This recording caught the attention of Dante Ross, an employee at Tommy Boy Music. In 1988, the label released her debut single, “Wrath of My Madness,” which received a positive reception, allowing Latifah to embark on a European tour and perform at the renowned Apollo Theater in Harlem. The following year, she released her first album, All Hail to the Queen, which sold over 1 million copies.
“Nature of a Sista” and Management
In 1991, Latifah followed up with the album Nature of a Sista, featuring hit singles such as “Fly Girl,” “How Do I Love Thee,” and “Latifah’s Had It Up 2 Here.” Concurrently, she explored investment opportunities, including ventures in a delicatessen and a video store. Recognizing an opening in record production, Latifah established Flavor Unit Records and Management Company in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she served as CEO. By late 1993, the company had signed 17 rap groups, including the successful Naughty by Nature.
“Black Reign,” Grammy for “U.N.I.T.Y.,” “Order in the Court”
In 1993, Latifah released Black Reign, an album blending jazz and reggae influences, which sold over 500,000 copies. The standout single “U.N.I.T.Y.” earned her a Grammy Award in 1995. In 1998, she released her fourth studio album, Order in the Court, notable for being her first to carry a Parental Advisory label due to explicit lyrics.
“The Dana Owens Album,” “Trav’lin’ Light,” “Persona”
Latifah expanded her musical repertoire with The Dana Owens Album in 2004, which peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 and received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Her follow-up, Trav’lin Light (2007), achieved even greater success, winning a Grammy for Instrumental Arrangement. She returned to her rap roots with Persona (2009), although the album received mixed reviews from critics.
Film, TV & Stage
“Jungle Fever,” “Juice,” “Living Single”
Latifah transitioned into acting, making her film debut in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever (1991). The following year, she starred in the crime thriller Juice, alongside Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur. Latifah then landed a leading role in the groundbreaking sitcom Living Single, which aired from 1993 to 1998 and focused on a group of African-American women.
“Set It Off,” “Living Out Loud,” “The Bone Collector”
Continuing to showcase her versatility, Latifah co-starred in the 1996 film Set It Off, playing a lesbian bank robber alongside Jada Pinkett Smith and Vivica A. Fox. In 1998, she appeared in the comedy Living Out Loud with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito, followed by a role in The Bone Collector (1999) with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.
Oscar Nomination for “Chicago”
Latifah’s performance in the 2002 musical Chicago as prison matron Mama Morton garnered critical acclaim, showcasing her singing and acting skills. For this role, she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
“Bringing Down the House,” “Beauty Shop,” “Ice Age: The Meltdown”
In 2003, Latifah starred in the romantic comedy Bringing Down the House opposite Steve Martin, earning strong reviews. Although Taxi (2004), co-starring Jimmy Fallon, received mixed reactions, she enjoyed success with Beauty Shop (2005) and her voice role in the animated hit Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006).
“Hairspray,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” “Steel Magnolias”
In 2007, Latifah showcased her musical talents once again as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, alongside John Travolta. She starred in the crime caper Mad Money (2008), which received lukewarm reviews, but found critical success with The Secret Life of Bees (2008). During this period, she also appeared in television shows such as 30 Rock and Single Ladies, and co-starred in the 2012 TV remake of Steel Magnolias with Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad, and Jill Scott.
Talk Show, “Bessie,” “The Wiz Live!”
Having hosted a daytime talk show from 1999 to 2001, Latifah attempted to establish another version of The Queen Latifah Show in the fall of 2013. Although it was canceled in early 2015, she received acclaim for her portrayal of legendary singer Bessie Smith in HBO’s Bessie, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Later that year, she played the Wiz in NBC’s production of The Wiz Live!
“Star,” “Girls Trip,” “Flint”
Latifah starred alongside Jennifer Garner in the 2016 family drama Miracles from Heaven before taking on a leading role in Fox’s musical drama Star, which ran for three seasons. In 2017, she joined the ensemble cast of the hit comedy Girls Trip, and also played a significant role in the Lifetime drama Flint, which focused on the water crisis in Michigan, earning her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress. In November 2019, she made a notable appearance in ABC’s The Little Mermaid Live!, where her performance as Ursula received widespread acclaim.
Spokesperson and Personal Life
Beyond her work in entertainment, Queen Latifah has served as a spokesperson for CoverGirl cosmetics, even launching her own line, The Queen Collection.
Latifah’s sexuality has been a topic of speculation, but she has chosen to keep her personal life private. In a 2008 interview with The New York Times, she stated, “I don’t have a problem discussing the topic of somebody being gay, but I do have a problem discussing my personal life. I don’t care if people think I’m gay or not. Assume whatever you want. You do it anyway.”
In March 2018, Latifah publicly confirmed the passing of her mother, who had battled a long-term heart condition.