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.
Black Hand Side
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh baby baby, ahh yeah, clap your hands y'all
Check it, dig it while I rip it
Check it while I wreck it
(give it to'm la)
Ok gimme a few seconds
And everybody in new york from to brunettes to read heads
Who got my back?
(jersey got yo back)
Yo tell me who's got my back?
(the bronx got your back)
Yo tell me who's got my back?
(brooklyn got your back)
Yo yo yo yo who's got my back
(uptown got your back)
Thank you as I come back in to the beat
Give a shout out to my brother l.a.n.c.e
Up in heaven, resting, chilling, watching over me
You know you're too good to be forgotten
Poppa wasn't here but there was lance in the house
It's only me and mommy you the man of the house
Always flip the scipt back to the old days
I used to rock it on the high school stage
I used to drink 40s back then I didn't blaze
Twitched to the pipe with the peace these days
Just go on to let you know I flow on
I'm wicked out my gluteus so ho on and ho on
(hooohhoo)
That's what we about to do
(hooohhoo)
Take you on a mission with the flavor u
Uh, me no deal with no dibby dibby flip flop
I get mad when it comes to playing hip hop
But chill
(gimme five on the black hand side)
Just chill
(gimme five on the black hand side)
Yo chill
(gimme five on the black hand side)
Uh
(gimme five on the black hand side)
Come on chill
(gimme five on the black hand side)
Check it fear don't live in here
Tears don't bring me cheers
So gear for another year because I had it up to here
Yeah, I'm about through with you
You whack and bootie pooh with
Rip up the crew left and right hear the one and the two
I'm read-to-set-it-off again
Wanna bet I can wreck you and your next of kin
In fact don't make me have to get the royal getcha
Best ta your narrow ass up off that crack
Booking any show when I know that I'll pack it
Attacking with my tactics
I'm loaded like a full metal jacket
I'll flip mines to get mines
I'm happy to get with you
But you can't come out to play
Right now you got to much shit to do
It's all game it all sounds the same
The suckas know my name is sitting on the tips of their brains
But they shame, they scared to face me
Yet they want to disgrace me, erase me
They must be freaking crazy
I'm the la la la from haulstead
Bread with the queen with a prefix
It's off with your head
And that's a promise cause I don't make threats
So mind your neck cause it's about to get set
C'mon set it off [2x]
(gimme five on the black hand side)
Uh, set it off
(gimme five on the black hand side)
Somebody set it off
(gimme five on the black hand side)
Watch somebody set it off
(gimme five on the black hand side)
Ah
Check the queen set it off
Parley
Ah uh, yeah [3x]
Black reign 1993
I'd like to welcome you to this album
Matter of fact I'd like to welcome you to a new day
A new day to hear me
Check this out ya'll
The song "Black Hand Side" by Queen Latifah is a rap song that celebrates the rapper's love and support for her African American community. In the first part of the song, Queen Latifah shouts out to her fans in both Jersey and New York, telling them that they have her back. She then takes a moment to pay her respects to her brother Lance who passed away, and reflects on how she used to perform on stage while drinking 40s. The second part of the song is a call to action, asking her fans to join her in taking on a mission to promote the flavor of rap music.
The song has a positive message and serves as a tribute to the Black community and culture. Queen Latifah celebrates the strength of her community, asking her fans to give her a "five on the black hand side," a gesture of support among Black people. She also denounces negative messages and people who try to bring her community down. The song is a testament to Queen Latifah's commitment to using her music to uplift and inspire her fans.
Line by Line Meaning
(why ya'll ain't say. yooo you know you supposed to say something to me)
Queen Latifah is greeting her audience and wondering why they aren't giving her a verbal response to her presence on stage.
Oh baby baby, ahh yeah, clap your hands y'all
Queen Latifah encourages the crowd to participate in the performance by clapping along with her.
Check it, dig it while I rip it
Queen Latifah is introducing the song and urging the listeners to pay attention while she delivers her performance.
Check it while I wreck it, (give it to'm la)
Queen Latifah boasts that she will deliver an impressive performance and urges her audience to enjoy it.
Ok gimme a few seconds
Queen Latifah is taking a moment to collect her thoughts before she continues her performance.
First I give a shout to every jersery born and bread head
Queen Latifah acknowledges and greets her fans who hail from New Jersey.
And everybody in new york from to brunettes to read heads
Queen Latifah greets her New York fans, regardless of their hair color.
Who got my back?
Queen Latifah is asking her audience if they support her and have her back.
(jersey got yo back)
An audience member responds that people from New Jersey have Queen Latifah's back.
Yo tell me who's got my back?
Queen Latifah is requesting another response from the crowd to determine who supports her.
(the bronx got your back)
An audience member responds that people from the Bronx have Queen Latifah's back.
(brooklyn got your back)
Another audience member responds that people from Brooklyn have Queen Latifah's back.
Yo yo yo yo who's got my back
Queen Latifah continues to request responses from the audience to determine who supports her.
(uptown got your back)
Another audience member responds that people from uptown have Queen Latifah's back.
Thank you as I come back in to the beat
Queen Latifah expresses gratitude as she resumes the performance.
Give a shout out to my brother l.a.n.c.e
Queen Latifah pays tribute to her deceased brother Lance.
Up in heaven, resting, chilling, watching over me
Queen Latifah believes that her brother is in heaven and is watching over her.
You know you're too good to be forgotten
Queen Latifah believes that her brother Lance was too important to be forgotten and her memories of him will always remain.
Poppa wasn't here but there was lance in the house
Queen Latifah's father was absent from her life, but her brother Lance was there for her as a father figure.
It's only me and mommy you the man of the house
Queen Latifah's mother and Lance were the only family she had, and Lance had a significant role in their household.
Always flip the scipt back to the old days
Queen Latifah reminisces about her early days as a performer and suggests that she will return to that style.
I used to rock it on the high school stage
Queen Latifah started her career by performing in high school.
I used to drink 40s back then I didn't blaze
Queen Latifah used to drink forty-ounce beers, but she didn't use drugs at that time.
Twitched to the pipe with the peace these days
Queen Latifah stopped drinking and started smoking marijuana instead.
Just go on to let you know I flow on
Queen Latifah informs her audience that she's still able to deliver an impressive performance.
I'm wicked out my gluteus so ho on and ho on (hooohhoo)
Queen Latifah has a great deal of energy and encourages her audience to continue with her.
That's what we about to do
Queen Latifah promises to deliver an exciting performance.
Take you on a mission with the flavor u
Queen Latifah is taking her audience on a musical journey full of flavor and excitement.
Uh, me no deal with no dibby dibby flip flop
Queen Latifah doesn't tolerate indecisiveness or wavering opinions.
I get mad when it comes to playing hip hop
Queen Latifah takes hip hop seriously and gets upset when it isn't valued or respected.
But chill (gimme five on the black hand side)
Queen Latifah tells her audience to relax and congratulates them with a 'high five' on the 'black hand side.'
Just chill
Queen Latifah continues to encourage her listeners to relax and enjoy the music.
Yo chill
Queen Latifah repeats her request for the audience to relax and enjoy themselves.
Uh
Queen Latifah makes a quick statement before continuing with the performance.
Come on chill
Queen Latifah encourages her audience to relax even more.
Check it fear don't live in here
Queen Latifah ensures her audience that there's no place for fear in her performance.
Tears don't bring me cheers
Queen Latifah doesn't want her audience to be sad or cry, but to be happy and celebrate her performance.
So gear for another year because I had it up to here
Queen Latifah tells her audience to prepare for another year of her music because she's had enough of what's holding her back.
Yeah, I'm about through with you
Queen Latifah suggests that she's done with people or situations that are holding her back from success.
You whack and bootie pooh with
Queen Latifah insults those who are not talented or motivated.
Rip up the crew left and right hear the one and the two
Queen Latifah boasts that she can easily defeat any rival performer with her superior talent and technique.
I'm read-to-set-it-off again
Queen Latifah is ready to give another great performance.
Wanna bet I can wreck you and your next of kin
Queen Latifah challenges any rival performers and suggests that she can defeat them and their families with her superior talent.
In fact don't make me have to get the royal getcha
Queen Latifah threatens any rivals that she's capable of defeating them with ease.
Best ta your narrow ass up off that crack
Queen Latifah warns anyone who uses drugs to stop because it's not good for them.
Booking any show when I know that I'll pack it
Queen Latifah is confident that she'll be able to sell out any performance or show she books because of her popularity.
Attacking with my tactics
Queen Latifah will use her superior talent and technique to outperform any rival performers.
I'm loaded like a full metal jacket
Queen Latifah is confident in her skills like a gun that's fully loaded and ready to fire.
I'll flip mines to get mines
Queen Latifah is willing to take risks to achieve success.
I'm happy to get with you
Queen Latifah is happy to work with anyone who is also working towards success.
But you can't come out to play
Queen Latifah doesn't have time to socialize or waste time on anything that isn't related to her success.
Right now you got to much shit to do
Queen Latifah has too many responsibilities to focus on and doesn't have time to waste.
It's all game it all sounds the same
Queen Latifah suggests that other performers sound the same and don't have anything new or unique to offer.
The suckas know my name is sitting on the tips of their brains
Queen Latifah's rivals know her name and fear her because of her superior talent.
But they shame, they scared to face me
Queen Latifah believes that her rivals are too scared to face her in competition.
Yet they want to disgrace me, erase me
Queen Latifah's rivals want to insult and discredit her in order to make themselves look better.
They must be freaking crazy
Queen Latifah thinks that anyone who tries to compete with her is crazy.
I'm the la la la from haulstead
Queen Latifah is introducing herself as the 'la la la' singer from Haulstead.
Bread with the queen with a prefix
Queen Latifah emphasizes her royal status and introduces herself as a queen.
It's off with your head
Queen Latifah suggests that she will defeat any rivals and come out on top.
And that's a promise cause I don't make threats
Queen Latifah promises her victory and doesn't make idle threats.
So mind your neck cause it's about to get set
Queen Latifah warns her rivals to be careful because she will defeat them.
C'mon set it off [2x]
Queen Latifah calls for action and asks for her audience to get excited.
Uh, set it off
Queen Latifah suggests that it's time to start the performance.
Somebody set it off
Queen Latifah encourages the audience to participate in the performance.
Watch somebody set it off
Queen Latifah asks the audience to watch her perform and enjoy the show.
Ah
Queen Latifah punctuates her performance with an exclamation.
Check the queen set it off
Queen Latifah encourages the audience to pay attention to her performance.
Parley
Queen Latifah suggests that a conversation or debate is about to happen.
Ah uh, yeah [3x]
Queen Latifah agrees and punctuates her performance with excitement.
Black reign 1993
This is the title of Queen Latifah's album and the year it was released.
I'd like to welcome you to this album
Queen Latifah greets her listeners and welcomes them to her album.
Matter of fact I'd like to welcome you to a new day
Queen Latifah welcomes her listeners to a new day and a new era of her music.
A new day to hear me
Queen Latifah encourages her audience to listen to her new music and appreciate it.
Check this out ya'll
Queen Latifah asks her audience to listen and pay attention to her performance.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dana Owens, S Reynolds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind