Queen Latifah
Famed rapper, singer, model and actress Dana Elaine Owens, better known by … Read Full Bio ↴Famed rapper, singer, model and actress Dana Elaine Owens, better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, was born on March 18, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey. Her debut album All Hail to the Queen sold more than 1 million copies, and the single U.N.I.T.Y. earned Latifah her first Grammy Award. Latifah has also garnered acclaim for acting; she earned her first Oscar nomination (best supporting actress) for her performance in the blockbuster musical Chicago. She has also earned a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy Award nomination and an Academy Award nomination.
Latifah was born and raised in the public housing projects of Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Rita, a schoolteacher who worked at Irvington High School, and Lancelot Owens, a policeman. Her parents divorced when Latifah was ten. Latifah performed the number "Home" from the musical The Wiz in a high school play. Her stage name, Latifah (لطيفة), meaning "kind" in Arabic, was given to her when she was eight by her cousin. Latifah was raised in the Baptist church, and, while in high school, was a power forward on her basketball team.
She started her career beatboxing for the rap group Ladies Fresh. Latifah was one of the members of the original version of the Flavor Unit MC's, which, at that time, was a crew of MC's grouped around producer DJ Mark The 45 King. In 1988, DJ Mark the 45 King heard a demo version of Latifah's single Princess of the Posse and gave the demo to Fab 5 Freddy, who was the host of Yo! MTV Raps. The recording captured the attention of Tommy Boy Music employee Dante Ross, who immediately signed Latifah, and in 1988 issued her first single, Wrath of My Madness. The track met with a positive response and afforded her the opportunity to launch a European tour, and to perform at the Harlem's famed Apollo Theater. The next year Latifah released her first album, All Hail the Queen, which went on to sell more than 1 million copies.
As she began to earn money, Latifah displayed an interest in investment, putting money into a delicatessen and a video store on the ground floor of the apartment in which she was living. She came to realize that she had a knack for business, and realized that there was an opening for her in record production. In 1991, Latifah organized and became chief executive officer of the Flavor Unit Records and Management Company, headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey. In the same year she was released her sophomore album, called Nature of a Sista'. It was the final album on Tommy Boy Records. By late 1993, the company had signed 17 rap groups, including the very successful Naughty by Nature. In 1993, Latifah recorded a jazz- and reggae-influenced album titled Black Reign. While the album sold more than 500,000 copies, the single U.N.I.T.Y. earned Latifah her first Grammy Award in 1995. In 1998, Co Produced by Ro Smith now CEO of Def Ro Inc. she released her fourth hip hop album Order in the Court. After Order in the Court, Latifah shifted primarily to sung lyrics in soul music and jazz standards, which she had used sparingly in her previous hip hop-oriented records.
In 2004, she released the soul/jazz standards The Dana Owens Album. On July 11, 2007, Latifah sang at the famed Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles as the headlining act in a live jazz concert. Before a crowd of more than 12,400, she was backed by a 10-piece live orchestra and three backup vocalists, The Queen Latifah Orchestra. Latifah performed new arrangements of standards including California Dreaming, first made popular by '60s icons The Mamas & the Papas. In 2007, Latifah released an album entitled Trav'lin' Light. Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Joe Sample, George Duke, Christian McBride, and Stevie Wonder made guest appearances. It was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" category. On September 12, 2008, Rolling Stone reported that Queen Latifah is working on a new album that is due in sometime in 2009; this album will be, at least partially, produced by Dr. Dre. She will also work with Missy Elliott.
Acting Success
In the 1990s, Latifah branched out into acting. She made her big screen debut in Spike Lee's interracial romance drama Jungle Fever (1991). The following year, Latifah appeared in the crime thriller Juice with Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur. She soon landed a leading role on the small screen, appearing in the sitcom Living Single from 1993 to '98. The comedy, which also starred Kim Coles, Kim Fields and Erika Alexander, proved to be a ground-breaking show. It remains one of the few sitcoms to focus on a group of African-American women.
A talented performer, Latifah continued to tackle both comedic and dramatic parts. She co-starred in 1996's Set It Off with Jada Pinkett Smith, Kimberly Elise and Vivica A. Fox, playing as a lesbian bank robber. Two years later, Latifah teamed up with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito for the comedy Living Out Loud (1998). She also appeared with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie[[i]i] in The Bone Collector (1999).
Perhaps Latifah's most acclaimed film role to date came in the 2002 hit musical Chicago, starring Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger. Her portrayal of prison matron Mama Morton gave her a chance to show off both her singing talents and acting skills. For her work in the film, Latifah earned an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress. She lost to Chicago co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Latifah went on to receive strong reviews for 2003's romantic comedy Bringing Down the House co-starring with Steve Martin. The following year, she experienced some disappointment with Taxi, which co-starred Jimmy Fallon. The comedy proved to be a critical and commercial dud. She fared better with Beauty Shop (2005) and her voice-over work in the hit animated film Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006).
In 2007, Queen Latifah again delighted movie-goers with her musical talents. She appeared as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray with John Travolta. Her crime caper Mad Money (2008) with Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes received much colder reception. Returning to drama, Latifah gave a strong performance in The Secret Life of Bees (2008).
On the small screen, Latifah has made a number of guest television appearances over the years, including on the shows 30 Rock and Single Ladies. She also co-starred in the 2012 TV remake of Steel Magnolias with Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad and Jill Scott. Latifah branched out in a new direction the following year. She will enter the daytime television market with a new talk show. The Queen Latifah Show will debut in the fall of 2013. The program promises to be a mix of interviews and comedic and musical performances, according to BET.com.
In addition to acting, Queen Latifah serves as a spokesperson for CoverGirl cosmetics. She even has her own line with the company: The Queen Collection.
Latifah was born and raised in the public housing projects of Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Rita, a schoolteacher who worked at Irvington High School, and Lancelot Owens, a policeman. Her parents divorced when Latifah was ten. Latifah performed the number "Home" from the musical The Wiz in a high school play. Her stage name, Latifah (لطيفة), meaning "kind" in Arabic, was given to her when she was eight by her cousin. Latifah was raised in the Baptist church, and, while in high school, was a power forward on her basketball team.
She started her career beatboxing for the rap group Ladies Fresh. Latifah was one of the members of the original version of the Flavor Unit MC's, which, at that time, was a crew of MC's grouped around producer DJ Mark The 45 King. In 1988, DJ Mark the 45 King heard a demo version of Latifah's single Princess of the Posse and gave the demo to Fab 5 Freddy, who was the host of Yo! MTV Raps. The recording captured the attention of Tommy Boy Music employee Dante Ross, who immediately signed Latifah, and in 1988 issued her first single, Wrath of My Madness. The track met with a positive response and afforded her the opportunity to launch a European tour, and to perform at the Harlem's famed Apollo Theater. The next year Latifah released her first album, All Hail the Queen, which went on to sell more than 1 million copies.
As she began to earn money, Latifah displayed an interest in investment, putting money into a delicatessen and a video store on the ground floor of the apartment in which she was living. She came to realize that she had a knack for business, and realized that there was an opening for her in record production. In 1991, Latifah organized and became chief executive officer of the Flavor Unit Records and Management Company, headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey. In the same year she was released her sophomore album, called Nature of a Sista'. It was the final album on Tommy Boy Records. By late 1993, the company had signed 17 rap groups, including the very successful Naughty by Nature. In 1993, Latifah recorded a jazz- and reggae-influenced album titled Black Reign. While the album sold more than 500,000 copies, the single U.N.I.T.Y. earned Latifah her first Grammy Award in 1995. In 1998, Co Produced by Ro Smith now CEO of Def Ro Inc. she released her fourth hip hop album Order in the Court. After Order in the Court, Latifah shifted primarily to sung lyrics in soul music and jazz standards, which she had used sparingly in her previous hip hop-oriented records.
In 2004, she released the soul/jazz standards The Dana Owens Album. On July 11, 2007, Latifah sang at the famed Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles as the headlining act in a live jazz concert. Before a crowd of more than 12,400, she was backed by a 10-piece live orchestra and three backup vocalists, The Queen Latifah Orchestra. Latifah performed new arrangements of standards including California Dreaming, first made popular by '60s icons The Mamas & the Papas. In 2007, Latifah released an album entitled Trav'lin' Light. Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Joe Sample, George Duke, Christian McBride, and Stevie Wonder made guest appearances. It was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" category. On September 12, 2008, Rolling Stone reported that Queen Latifah is working on a new album that is due in sometime in 2009; this album will be, at least partially, produced by Dr. Dre. She will also work with Missy Elliott.
Acting Success
In the 1990s, Latifah branched out into acting. She made her big screen debut in Spike Lee's interracial romance drama Jungle Fever (1991). The following year, Latifah appeared in the crime thriller Juice with Omar Epps and Tupac Shakur. She soon landed a leading role on the small screen, appearing in the sitcom Living Single from 1993 to '98. The comedy, which also starred Kim Coles, Kim Fields and Erika Alexander, proved to be a ground-breaking show. It remains one of the few sitcoms to focus on a group of African-American women.
A talented performer, Latifah continued to tackle both comedic and dramatic parts. She co-starred in 1996's Set It Off with Jada Pinkett Smith, Kimberly Elise and Vivica A. Fox, playing as a lesbian bank robber. Two years later, Latifah teamed up with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito for the comedy Living Out Loud (1998). She also appeared with Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie[[i]i] in The Bone Collector (1999).
Perhaps Latifah's most acclaimed film role to date came in the 2002 hit musical Chicago, starring Richard Gere, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger. Her portrayal of prison matron Mama Morton gave her a chance to show off both her singing talents and acting skills. For her work in the film, Latifah earned an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress. She lost to Chicago co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Latifah went on to receive strong reviews for 2003's romantic comedy Bringing Down the House co-starring with Steve Martin. The following year, she experienced some disappointment with Taxi, which co-starred Jimmy Fallon. The comedy proved to be a critical and commercial dud. She fared better with Beauty Shop (2005) and her voice-over work in the hit animated film Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006).
In 2007, Queen Latifah again delighted movie-goers with her musical talents. She appeared as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray with John Travolta. Her crime caper Mad Money (2008) with Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes received much colder reception. Returning to drama, Latifah gave a strong performance in The Secret Life of Bees (2008).
On the small screen, Latifah has made a number of guest television appearances over the years, including on the shows 30 Rock and Single Ladies. She also co-starred in the 2012 TV remake of Steel Magnolias with Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad and Jill Scott. Latifah branched out in a new direction the following year. She will enter the daytime television market with a new talk show. The Queen Latifah Show will debut in the fall of 2013. The program promises to be a mix of interviews and comedic and musical performances, according to BET.com.
In addition to acting, Queen Latifah serves as a spokesperson for CoverGirl cosmetics. She even has her own line with the company: The Queen Collection.
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Queen Latifah Lyrics
A King and Queen Creation Let's start the show off sisters ago look alive The…
As Time Goes By This day and age we're living in Gives cause for apprehensi…
Baby (Leonard Feather) [This song was a hit for Dinah Washingto…
Bananas [Chorus: x2] Who you gonna call when it's time to brawl? Sta…
Bananas ) [Chorus: x2] Who you gonna call when it's time to brawl? S…
bananas (who you gonna call [Chorus: x2] Who you gonna call when it's time to brawl? Sta…
Bananas (Who You Gonna Call) Chorus x2: Who you gonna call when it's time to brawl standi…
Bananas (Who You Gonna Call?) (feat. Apache) Who you gon' call when it's time to brawl? Standin' 'round,…
Be Anything Be a beggar, be a thief Be my sunshine or my…
Betcha Got a Chick on the Side Betcha got a chick on the side, sure you got…
BIG BLONDE & BEAUTIFUL Yeah, well well, ah, yeah yeah Bring on that pecan pie Pour…
Black Hand Side (why ya'll ain't say. yooo you know you supposed to…
Black On Black Love Black on black love That's what I'm thinking of That's what …
Bring The Flavor Who brings the flavor? That's me, that's me Who brings the f…
California Dreamin' All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray Away…
Cell Block Tango And now the six merry murderesses of the Crookem County…
Class Whatever happened to fair dealing? And pure ethics And nice …
Close Your Eyes Something dreamy for dancing While we're here romancing It's…
Come Into My House Welcome into my Queendom (My Queendom), come one come all Wh…
Come So Far Ooh-ooh-ooh Hey old friend let's look back On the crazy clo…
Coochie Bang Brothers better strap they thang-thang Ladies, don't let the…
Court Is in Session Chorus All rise for me (all rise for me all eyes…
Cue The Rain You know it's over (yeah) But you don't wanna say (uh-uh) …
Dance for Me It's a fact I'll attest to, mess around and I'll…
Do Your Thing [Queen Latifah] Southside, Northside Eastside, Westside Alri…
Don't Cry Baby Don't cry, don't cry, baby Don't cry, baby Dry your eyes And…
Element I'm Along Booty rappers posin' as gunclappers get bitch smacked...need…
Evil That Men Do You asked I came so behold the Queen…
Fast Car (Know, know what I mean) Fast car, fast car I wanna meet…
Fix Me Jesus Fix me Jesus, fix me Oh fix me, oh fix me,…
Fly Girl Well it's almost nightfall And there's no forecast of rainf…
Georgia Rose Georgia Rose, Georgia Rose, you're the most precious rose, …
Give Me Your Love What this madness in my mind Never really knew love before…
Give Your Love To Me All the lady max that’s hustling on my track say:…
Goin' Out Of My Head Well I think I'm going out of my head Yes…
Gone Away I try to reason and tell myself you'll return But you…
Hard Times Close, your eyes And rest your tired body, next to mine Nobo…
Hello Stranger (shoo-bop, shoo-bop, my baby) (shoo-bop, shoo-bop) Hello, s…
How Do I Love Thee (Chorus) How Do I Love Thee Let Me Count The Ways How Much…
How Long Betcha got a chick on the side, sure you got…
I I put a spell on you because you're mine You better…
I Can't Understand I can't understand... (I'm going crazy, you're going crazy…
I Don Oh I don't know And it makes me scared Because I'm falling…
I Don't Know ) Oh I don't know And it makes me scared Because I'm falling…
I Know Where I There's a light in the darkness Though the night black as…
I Know Where I've Been There's a light in the darkness Though the night is black…
I Know Where You've Been There's a light In the darkness Though the night Is black as…
I Love Being Here With You What you mean, wanna know how I feel about you,…
I Put A Spell On You I put a spell on you because you're mine You better…
I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl Want a little sugar In my bowl I want a little sweetness Dow…
I'm Gonna Live Til I Die I'm gonna live till I die! I'm gonna laugh 'stead…
I'm Not In Love I'm not in love So don't forget it Its just a silly…
If I Had You I could show the world how to smile I could be…
If You Don Oh I don't know And it makes me scared Because I'm falling…
If You Don't Know Oh I don't know And it makes me scared Because I'm falling…
Inside Out Uh huh, well the name is Latifah, you hear me…
It Takes Two The Queen is hyped up The Queen is hyped up…
It's Alright When I'm sexin' you When I'm next to you I know It's alright…
Jersey Yo what's up this is Queen Latifah in the house Definitely…
Just A Flow What are you doin'?! Sid, you burnin' shit! It's just a flo…
Just Another Day (Queen Talking) We gon take this one over to 275 Paulstand 3…
Ladies First The ladies will kick it the rhyme that is…
Ladies First (feat. Monie Love) [Queen Latifah] The ladies will kick it, the rhyme that is…
Latifah's Had It Up 2 Here The Queen is hyped up The Queen is hyped up…
Latifah's Had It Up To Here The queen is hyped up, the queen is hyped up The…
Latifah's Law Alright listen, I'm back again cause that's what you require…
Life Guilt stains on my pillow Blood on my terraces Torsos in m…
Listen 2 Me Listen to me, hear me now Listen to me, hear me Listen…
Lush Life I used to visit all the very gay places Those come…
Mama Gave Birth to the Soul Children featuring De La Soul Possy Dovey! (Yes mama?) Time to…
Mercy My baby, she may not look Like one of those bunnies…
Mercy Mercy Mercy My baby, she may not look Like one of those bunnies…
Mood Is Right Gotta get up when the mood is right I'm ready to…
Moody's Mood For Love There I go, there I go, there I go Pretty baby,…
Name Callin' 1 - Name callin' hasn't fallen into what I'm runnin' …
Nature of a Sista' Coming from the bitty bitty Bottom of the basement The first…
No Work Sorry, I have no, would you please to me? Thank…
No Yes Its been too long since you kiss Me do you want…
Not Enough Not enough, not enough, not enough love Not enough, not enou…
Nuff Get funky with it I told you before: you burn when…
Oh Happy Day Oh, happy day (Oh, happy day) Oh, happy day (Oh, happy da…
One Mo' Time Come! Well my name is Latifah (yeah) Well my name is Latifa…
Out of My Head Well I think I'm going out of my head Yes…
Paper [Repeat: x6] Refugees go 'head and do it Paper Go…
Paper ) [Repeat: x6] Refugees go 'head and do it Paper Go…
Parlay Parlay? Hardly get money all day Slip? You fall prey, go…
People Oh mm [Chorus] People going to let you down Don't expect fo…
Phone Call *ringing* girl: Hello? girl's man: Hey, what's good? girl: …
Poetry Man You make me laugh Cause your eyes they light the night The…
Poor Unfortunate Souls I admit that, in the past, I've been a nasty They…
Princess Of The Posse Basslines affect me when my rhymes direct me Forgive the cro…
Pros I stepped into a basement party in Brooklyn The brothers…
Queen Of Royal Badness Let me remind you on how to unwind your body So…
Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars Quiet nights 'n quiet stars, Quiet chords from my guitar Flo…
Rough... (Heavy D) This One goes out to the rough And…
Set It Off [AM] Do we look? Where is love? Has it gone? Do we…
Simply Beautiful If I gave you my love, I'll tell you what I'd…
So Tough It's all around us everywhere we Look you see it everyday My…
Superstar [Chorus] You ain't gotta be no superstar I only want to find…
The Lady Is A Tramp I've wined and dined on Mulligan Stew And never wished for…
The Light I'm trav'lin' light Because my man has gone But from now on …
The Pros I stepped into a basement party in Brooklyn The brothers…
The Same Love That Made Me Laugh Come on now, I'm the one you love I'm the one…
The World (The world oh, oh, oh the world x2) I smoked pot…
Trav'lin Light I'm trav'lin' light Because my man has gone But from now on …
Trav'lin' Light I'm trav'lin' light Because my man has gone But from now o…
Turn You On Did I make you hot? Tell me I didn't mean to…
U.N.I.T.Y Uh, U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity U.N.I.T.Y., lov…
Weekend Love [Queen Latifah] Weekend love Gonna spend a weekend love Week…
What 'Cha Gonna Do? If there is a problem, solve the problem! People suffering A…
What Love Has Joined Together It would be easier to take the wet from water Or…
What Ya Gonna Do Someone out there is heartbroken, mmmhmm Someone out there f…
When You're Good to Mama And now, ladies and gentlemen The Keeper of the Keys, the…
Winki's Theme (talk) This jam is dedicated to my brother Winki who…
With You What you mean, wanna know how I feel about you,…
Wrath of My Madness My mellow Latee was kicking flavor The R.E. posse said "Yo…
You can't stop the beat You can't stop an avalanche As it races down the hill You…