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.
Bring The Flavor
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Who brings the flavor?
That's me, that's me
Who brings the flavor? That's me i got it
Oh no, it's a scandal
I drop upon the mic like an anvil
And they'll praise me for mad thoughts
I'm crazy
I'm searchin', lookin' for the target
You don't know what hard is
This ain't all this hard yet
But I don't wanna be hard, I just wanna flow
'Cause rhymin' is my game and I
Play it like a pro
So whatchu wanna know? My name?
Dana Elaine, all hail the queen acclaimed
Drive you insane, woman with a brain
I'm a Flavor Unit MC
And that means I'm one of
The roughest, def-est, toughest, best-est
Wickedest MCs rappers in the place
But if you try get swift? I'ma
Punch you in your face
I'ma higher flier, why you wanna cry?
I'm already hot, so put me in the fire
Give me a pen and pad and it's over, bye ya!
See ya later, alligator, hey D
Bring the flavor
Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
Yup, yup, yup i be Latifah on the mic and
When I'm rhymin' don't you call my bluff
I hate it when I have to get dangerous
It divides, it loosens
And it weakens and it changes us
You want more? Sure
I fill you up like Texaco
I switch to Spanish and rock
It from here to Mexico
Record go, yo, watch the pro, let me flow
I'm raking in the dough on the down low
So me no know
Don't get me riled, I get wick-wick-wild
Flex styles by the pile, so smile for awhile
Aware, my dear kick-kick-kick, snare
That the flavor's in the air, oh yeah
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
Peep me 'cause I'm not sneaky
Or freaky on the mic
I just grab it, grip it, rip it right
And the girls know it
(know it) , and the guys know it (know it)
I'll put your best to a test
(wanna bet?) , wanna bet you'll blow it?
I'll smoke you like a cigarette
Just give me the mic
I'll give you wreck and save your
Idle threats for the next rap
I'll take it without the cream
So leave it black
But you can leave the sugar
So I can make green-like-a booger money
In the bank, no need for actin' stank
It's a sad thing to watch you
Get gassed like a tank and spank
Look at the intelligent female I N I
Don't try it, you know I don't buy it
Now, uh
If your get-up-and-go done got up and gone
I wrote this song so you can
Rock the hip-hop all night long
So I want a gigawatt in the back of your Jeep
So I can blast the shoes off your crusty feet
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
That's me, that's me
Who brings the flavor? That's me i got it
Oh no, it's a scandal
I drop upon the mic like an anvil
And they'll praise me for mad thoughts
I'm crazy
You don't know what hard is
This ain't all this hard yet
But I don't wanna be hard, I just wanna flow
'Cause rhymin' is my game and I
Play it like a pro
So whatchu wanna know? My name?
Dana Elaine, all hail the queen acclaimed
Drive you insane, woman with a brain
I'm a Flavor Unit MC
And that means I'm one of
The roughest, def-est, toughest, best-est
Wickedest MCs rappers in the place
But if you try get swift? I'ma
Punch you in your face
I'ma higher flier, why you wanna cry?
I'm already hot, so put me in the fire
Give me a pen and pad and it's over, bye ya!
See ya later, alligator, hey D
Bring the flavor
Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
Yup, yup, yup i be Latifah on the mic and
When I'm rhymin' don't you call my bluff
I hate it when I have to get dangerous
It divides, it loosens
And it weakens and it changes us
You want more? Sure
I fill you up like Texaco
I switch to Spanish and rock
It from here to Mexico
Record go, yo, watch the pro, let me flow
I'm raking in the dough on the down low
So me no know
Don't get me riled, I get wick-wick-wild
Flex styles by the pile, so smile for awhile
Aware, my dear kick-kick-kick, snare
That the flavor's in the air, oh yeah
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
The flavor's in the air
The flavor's in the air
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
Peep me 'cause I'm not sneaky
Or freaky on the mic
I just grab it, grip it, rip it right
And the girls know it
(know it) , and the guys know it (know it)
I'll put your best to a test
(wanna bet?) , wanna bet you'll blow it?
I'll smoke you like a cigarette
Just give me the mic
I'll give you wreck and save your
Idle threats for the next rap
I'll take it without the cream
So leave it black
But you can leave the sugar
So I can make green-like-a booger money
In the bank, no need for actin' stank
It's a sad thing to watch you
Get gassed like a tank and spank
Look at the intelligent female I N I
Don't try it, you know I don't buy it
Now, uh
If your get-up-and-go done got up and gone
I wrote this song so you can
Rock the hip-hop all night long
So I want a gigawatt in the back of your Jeep
So I can blast the shoes off your crusty feet
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
It's like this, it's like
This, it's like this, it's like this
(Bring the flavor, La, bring the
Flavor, bring the flavor, La
Bring the flavor)
I get down with the FU crew, the only
Way to be, the only thing to do, ooh!
"Bring The Flavor" by Queen Latifah is a bold and confident anthem that celebrates her skills, talent, and unique style as an MC. The lyrics showcase Queen Latifah's assertiveness, asserting herself as the one who brings the flavor in the rap game. She acknowledges her own greatness and warns her competitors not to underestimate her.
Queen Latifah starts by proclaiming, "Who brings the flavor? That's me, that's me," emphasizing her role as a trendsetter and innovator. She compares herself to an anvil dropping on the mic, symbolizing the impact and weight of her words. She is unapologetically herself and takes pride in her ability to deliver powerful and thought-provoking lyrics. She mentions her search for a target, indicating her determination and drive to constantly improve and surpass expectations.
The lyrics also emphasize Queen Latifah's intelligence and artistry. She states, "But I don't wanna be hard, I just wanna flow," highlighting her love for the art of rhyming and her desire to express herself authentically. She refers to herself as a Flavor Unit MC, representing her affiliation with the influential hip-hop collective Flavor Unit. Queen Latifah asserts her status as one of the best and toughest MCs, ready to face any challenge that comes her way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dana Owens, T DOFAT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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