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 (ΩΨ·ΩΩΨ©), 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.
A King and Queen Creation
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Queen Latifah the King of 45
Bringing a mixture of pure flavor
I make beats she rock rhymes so I gave a
A sample sound the she added a compound
Word this is for those who haven't heard
A King and Queen combine minds and trample
Those who oppose us here's an example
It's time to run, the King and Queen is on the set
The competition is petty and ready to step
To the first one, go ahead, rehearse one
I hope you don't know you sound like the worst one
Rhymes are smoking, concentration can't be broken
Queen Latifah's outspoken
Use your imagination, picture this
Any male or female rapper trying to diss
Here for excitement and enticement
With my competitors killed I go build with my enlightenment
Teach the youth, feed the needy
Confident descendant of Queen Nefertiti
The mother of civilization will rise
Like the cream and still build the strong foundation
Secondary but necessary to reproduce
Acknowledge the fact that I'm black and I don't lack
Queen Latifah is giving you a piece of my mind
A rhyme spoken by a feminine teacher
Rhymes I do employ, no time for slimy toys
I'm steady and stable and the label is Tommy Boy
Backed by The Unit, produced by The King
Perfection pressed with the style that we bring
For the hip-hop patients, this is a King and Queen creation
Technician, musical musician
I'm stating the facts, strictly non-fiction
In hip-hop, you wonder who's in trouble most
Creativity, you get a double dose
How can you stop me? No, I put you to a test
The rhymes are Romeo (The beat's a Juliet)
With topic blend, this makes me a hard one
Persevere, I'm here, gets taught one
Strength producer, I send you an ultimatum
Hardcore worldwide is how I take 'em
I rock, never hyperventilate
Others get tired, could use a commercial break
45 King, DJ Mark's my alias
It takes a ton of M-C's to prevail against me
Just listen, I'm unstoppable
You want a mission? This one's impossible
Beats rock all night with no curfew
My talent's advanced, you haven't a clue
How I do it, the smoothest loopest spare it
If the style fits, I wear it
Many attempts were made, none was recognized
45 King said sample soundified
I'm going to Wonderland to check, find out who's next
You pretty good, but not quite a legend yet
Studio mixer, I got the formula
And said the man from self, I'm warning you
It's my domain, just ask my chauffeur
My ride's equipped everything from a pool to a sofa
On top, it's a usual act
Can't wait to get down to 45 Studios
I'm into rap, but no urge to sing
I'm DJ Mark, 45, 45 King of Swing
The song "A King and Queen Creation" by Queen Latifah is a collaboration between two prominent hip-hop artists, Queen Latifah and The 45 King. The lyrics showcase their individual strengths in music production and rap vocals, as they present a bold and confident style. The song starts with the announcement of the arrival of the King and the Queen of rap, ready to take on any competition. The verses mainly focus on their skills, their creativity, and their willingness to educate and empower through their music.
Queen Latifah expresses her female perspective and her heritage as a descendant of Queen Nefertiti. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation and reproducing the knowledge for the betterment of society. On the other hand, The 45 King, who produced the beat, highlights his technical skills and his musical mastery. He presents himself as unstoppable and asks for a mission that is impossible.
Overall, "A King and Queen Creation" celebrates the talent, confidence, and impact of Queen Latifah and The 45 King in the hip-hop industry. It also represents a powerful collaboration between a male music producer and a female rapper, breaking gender barriers in the traditionally male-dominated music genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's start the show off sisters ago look alive
The performance is about to begin, so everyone should get ready and alert
The Queen Latifah the King of 45
Queen Latifah and DJ Mark, known as the 45 King, are the collaborators behind the song
Bringing a mixture of pure flavor
Their music brings a unique and diverse blend of sounds
I make beats she rock rhymes so I gave a
45 King creates beats and Queen Latifah writes and performs the lyrics
A sample sound the she added a compound
45 King created a basic beat, and Queen Latifah added her lyrics, making the song complete
Word this is for those who haven't heard
The song is dedicated to those who haven't listened to their music yet
A King and Queen combine minds and trample
Both artists come together to create significant music, which overpowers any criticism or opposition
Those who oppose us here's an example
Anyone who goes against them will be disappointed because their music is revolutionary and powerful
It's time to run, the King and Queen is on the set
The duo has arrived, and the performance is about to begin
The competition is petty and ready to step
Other rappers are insignificant compared to their iconic status
To the first one, go ahead, rehearse one
Any wannabe can step forward and attempt to rap
I hope you don't know you sound like the worst one
Queen Latifah challenges them to perform well and not be unworthy
Rhymes are smoking, concentration can't be broken
Their rap is flawless, and they're unstoppable
Queen Latifah's outspoken
Queen Latifah is opinionated and outspoken about her beliefs
Use your imagination, picture this
Listeners should imagine something phenomenal while listening to their music
Any male or female rapper trying to diss
Any rapper trying to oppose them will fail miserably
Here for excitement and enticement
Their music is entertaining and captivating
With my competitors killed I go build with my enlightenment
Once they defeat their opponents, they will use their wisdom and knowledge to make better music
Teach the youth, feed the needy
They intend to share their message with the younger generation and help those in need
Confident descendant of Queen Nefertiti
Queen Latifah is confident and empowered like Queen Nefertiti
The mother of civilization will rise
The mother of all civilizations will prevail
Like the cream and still build the strong foundation
Their music will be the cream of the crop while establishing a strong foundation
Secondary but necessary to reproduce
Their music is essential for the reproduction of rap music
Acknowledge the fact that I'm black and I don't lack
Queen Latifah is proud of her color and proud of who she is without any shortcomings
Queen Latifah is giving you a piece of my mind
She's speaking her mind through her music
A rhyme spoken by a feminine teacher
Queen Latifah is teaching through her feminine representation in rap
Rhymes I do employ, no time for slimy toys
Queen Latifah is serious about her craft and won't entertain any unprofessionalism
I'm steady and stable and the label is Tommy Boy
She's consistent and clear in her message, signed to the label Tommy Boy
Backed by The Unit, produced by The King
Queen Latifah is supported by her group and collaborates with the producer 45 King
Perfection pressed with the style that we bring
The perfect music style is what they bring to the listeners
For the hip-hop patients, this is a King and Queen creation
The fans of hip hop will appreciate and enjoy their creative collaboration
Technician, musical musician
45 King is a skilled technician and musically gifted
I'm stating the facts, strictly non-fiction
He accurately informs the listeners about his truth without any fictional content
In hip-hop, you wonder who's in trouble most
In the hip-hop world, people wonder who is having the hardest time
Creativity, you get a double dose
With Queen Latifah and 45 King, the audience gets a larger dose of creativity
How can you stop me? No, I put you to a test
He challenges critics to stop his music with a test
The rhymes are Romeo (The beat's a Juliet)
The rhymes are Romeo, and the beat is Juliet, meaning their music is the perfect combination of artistry
With topic blend, this makes me a hard one
45 King blends various themes into his music, making it harder and more complex
Persevere, I'm here, gets taught one
He endures and prevails despite adversity and teaches others his methods
Strength producer, I send you an ultimatum
45 King is a powerful producer, giving ultimatums to his critics
Hardcore worldwide is how I take 'em
He dominates the world with his hardcore music style
I rock, never hyperventilate
He's confident and cool in his approach and never loses control
Others get tired, could use a commercial break
Other rappers get tired, like a commercial break during a TV program
45 King, DJ Mark's my alias
DJ Mark goes by the pseudonym 45 King
It takes a ton of M-C's to prevail against me
Many rappers are needed to match his skill and dominance
Just listen, I'm unstoppable
He's unstoppable in his music and overall life
You want a mission? This one is impossible
He challenges his critics to an impossible mission
Beats rock all night with no curfew
His beats will rock listeners all night without any time constraints
My talent's advanced, you haven't a clue
His talent is unparalleled, and people don't know the full extent of his abilities
How I do it, the smoothest loopest spare it
He has a smooth and consistent style, making his music excellent
If the style fits, I wear it
He wears the style of music that corresponds to his personality
Many attempts were made, none was recognized
Many attempts were made to make a good beat, but only 45 King's beat was recognized
45 King said sample soundified
45 King's beat was the perfect sample for the song
I'm going to Wonderland to check, find out who's next
DJ Mark is on a mission to find the next best thing for his beats and music
You pretty good, but not quite a legend yet
Those DJ Mark finds are good, but not legendary like him
Studio mixer, I got the formula
He knows exactly how to mix the music to make it perfect
And said the man from self, I'm warning you
He warns critics about his vast knowledge and skill in music
It's my domain, just ask my chauffeur
His music is his domain, and even his chauffeur knows it
My ride's equipped everything from a pool to a sofa
His car has all the extras, from a pool to a sofa
On top, it's a usual act
Being on top of the music game is normal for him
Can't wait to get down to 45 Studios
He's excited to get back to the studio to work on music
I'm into rap, but no urge to sing
He's into rap and enjoys it but doesn't have an urge to sing
I'm DJ Mark, 45, 45 King of Swing
He goes by the name DJ Mark or 45 King of Swing
Lyrics Β© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY PEAKS, CURTIS ADDISON, MARK HOWARD JAMES, QUEEN LATIFAH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Day Nyte
Always loved this beat...classic!!!
Diddddumm
ME TOO BEAT STILL SICK.
Dennis Ellis
Come on this whole song should have gotten more comments. 14 ! Must be the young haters who dislike this song. This song sounds better than what most radio stations plays on the air. Mind you can understand the actual words , meaning, lyrics in the whole track . There is also no mumbling in it and it doesn't talks about murdering someone or someone having raw sex.. The song sends out a message to all competitors in the rap game during that time.. Dance for me that's another Queen Latifah classic song . I wonder whatever became of those two female twins dancers . I give this song a thumbs up..
Darrell Henderson
That beat π₯π₯
Miss Boss Campagna
Yes the Queen is for sure a bad ass! Love it!
Martin World
this is a fantastic track , the best joint on the album by mega miles . The album is surprisingly good on it's own (albeit a couple of duds) she could rap but the 45 king supplied the awesome beats that made it work
Mr. Johnson
Yup...except "Come Into My House". Wack!
Martin World
@Mr. Johnson i did say a couple of duds :) im
Antonio Gambardella
the real hip-hop π₯π£ππ€πππΌ
Sohn Christian
mark spit that! very underrated joint...latifah blessed the track and people don't realize mark brought the horns to the game....