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.
Come Into My House
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When it comes to lyrics I bring them (I bring them)
In spring I sing, in fall I call out to
All the ones who had a hard day
I prepared a place on my dance floor
The time is now for you to par-tay
I thought it would be a good chance for you to move
(One nation under a groove) House music always soothes
Can you rock to a house groove tempo?
If so, then shall we let the games begin?
What better off position can you be in?
I'm on fire, the flame's too hot to douse
The pool is over, come into my house
"Don't make me wait, come into my house"
"Give me body" (Repeat 2x)
Here's a dance step, from now I'll kick a
Bass and treble flow through the speakers
Ride the rhythm, I know it's gonna reach ya
I'm the Queen, Latifah
Now it's time to run through it
45 King? (Yeah, baby?) Cue it
Yeah, there you go, I told you you could do it
Now did you enjoy it? (That was cool) I knew it
Dance to the beat of the drum, give me some
With the Flavor Unit I've come to say "Ride the grooveline"
Don't swing the pipeline, listen to the smooth line
Throw away the white line
It's a house party I'm hosting (What?)
Come and rock with the one that's chosen
It can't turn me inside out (Uh uh)
For those that dare, come into my house
"Don't make me wait, come into my house"
"Give me body" (Repeat 2x)
It's a new fusion I'm using
You ask what is it I'm doing?
Hip-hop house, hip-hop jazz, with a little pizzazz
>From the Queen, the Queen of Royal Badness
Remember me from "Wrath of My Madness?"
It's my rap that rocks this party
I'm a hijack and jack your body
This is not an erotic interlude
Keep in mind I move multitudes
The asiatic black woman, hardcore beat drumming
It's hard to keep a good woman down, so I keep coming
Blow for blow, I take and I get some
Still I rise in a civilized wisdom
I hope the lyrical display has you around
It's an open invitation, come into my house
"Don't make me wait, come into my house"
"Give me body" (Repeat 4x)
The lyrics in Queen Latifah's song Come Into My House are an invitation for people to come to her Queendom and party. She uses music as a way to soothe people who had a hard day and create a place for them to dance and forget their problems. The house music that she plays has a tempo that people can rock to and dance to. The lyrics of the song also show Latifah's confidence as she raps about herself and her abilities. The lyrics focus on unity, as she states that we are all one nation under a groove.
The lyrics show how the combination of hip-hop and house music can create an interlude that can be enjoyed by everyone. The lyrics also show how Latifah uses the music to express herself and her feelings. She also uses the music to encourage people to forget about their worries and dance with her. The use of the words "come into my house" is both literal and metaphorical, as she is inviting people into a physical space as well as into the energy and feeling of the music.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome into my Queendom (My Queendom), come one come all
Greetings and salutations, welcome to my dominion, it's open to all.
When it comes to lyrics I bring them (I bring them)
My music and poetry are my strongest skills.
In spring I sing, in fall I call out to All the ones who had a hard day
Whether it's spring or fall, I'm here to lift the spirits of those who've had a rough day.
I prepared a place on my dance floor The time is now for you to par-tay
I've made space for you on the dance floor, no need to hesitate, it's time to party.
I thought it would be a good chance for you to move (One nation under a groove) House music always soothes
Let's get moving to the rhythm, it's unifying, and house music has a calming effect.
So get with the flow, let's go, yo Can you rock to a house groove tempo?
Join in, don't be shy, can you dance to this house groove rhythm?
If so, then shall we let the games begin? What better off position can you be in?
If you can keep up, let's get started, there's no better place to be than on this dance floor.
I'm on fire, the flame's too hot to douse The pool is over, come into my house
I'm feeling great, the excitement is too much to contain, so join me and let's have fun in my house.
"Don't make me wait, come into my house" "Give me body" (Repeat 2x)
Don't keep me waiting, let's dance, and give it your all.
Here's a dance step, from now I'll kick a Bass and treble flow through the speakers Ride the rhythm, I know it's gonna reach ya I'm the Queen, Latifah
I'll show you a move, and the bass and treble of the music will just flow through the artists, and you'll be able to pick it up easily, especially since I'm your Queen, Latifah.
Now it's time to run through it 45 King? (Yeah, baby?) Cue it Yeah, there you go, I told you you could do it Now did you enjoy it? (That was cool) I knew it
Let's run through the dance, 45 King on board, Here comes the beat, as promised. See I told you, you could do it. And you did. How did it feel? Cool, I know you'd say that.
Dance to the beat of the drum, give me some With the Flavor Unit I've come to say "Ride the grooveline" Don't swing the pipeline, listen to the smooth line Throw away the white line
Get into the rhythm of the drums, we are the Flavor Unit, our message is to go with the flow, stay in the moment, and leave your troubles behind.
It's a house party I'm hosting (What?) Come and rock with the one that's chosen
It's my house party I'm hosting, and I'm inviting you all to come and have a good time with me.
It can't turn me inside out (Uh uh) For those that dare, come into my house
I'm not intimidated by anything, and if you're up for a challenge, come and join me in my house.
"Don't make me wait, come into my house" "Give me body" (Repeat 2x)
Come on in and let's dance, don't keep me waiting, and give it all you've got.
It's a new fusion I'm using You ask what is it I'm doing? Hip-hop house, hip-hop jazz, with a little pizzazz >From the Queen, the Queen of Royal Badness
This is something fresh: I'm mixing Hip-hop House, Hip-hop Jazz, with a little something extra, in way that's all my own. And by the way, I'm not the Queen for nothing.
Remember me from "Wrath of My Madness?" It's my rap that rocks this party I'm a hijack and jack your body
Do you remember me from "Wrath of My Madness?" My rap is what's making this party what it is, and I'm going to make you move in ways you never thought possible.
This is not an erotic interlude Keep in mind I move multitudes The asiatic black woman, hardcore beat drumming It's hard to keep a good woman down, so I keep coming
By the way, this is not some romantic overture, but a celebration: I've got many talents, being an Asiatic black woman who can drum with a hard core beat, and you know, it's impossible to bring me down.
Blow for blow, I take and I get some Still I rise in a civilized wisdom
I can take hard punches, hold my ground, and emerge stronger, wiser, and more in love with life.
I hope the lyrical display has you around It's an open invitation, come into my house
I hope that by hearing my skill and talent, you'll be intrigued enough to come over and join me in this party of mine. The door is open.
"Don't make me wait, come into my house" "Give me body" (Repeat 4x)
Please don't hesitate, come on in, and give it all you got. You'll have plenty of chances as we dance to the beat, the rhythm, and this unique fusion I'm creating.
Lyrics Β© Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: K, A QUEEN LATIFAH), DANA DENISE OWENS, DANA DENISE (P OWENS, MARK JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lenny Gil
This is the era when hip hop was mixing with house musicπ
Hispa Niola
@Felecia Clemons word up!
Dirk Singleton
That's when jersey was big on house music and that was very smart of her
Nailah Aisha
Well Queen and JB's are from New Jersey, house music is their thing.
Jean-Luc Manigat
@Avancer Art Group
> Mr. Lee
Get, get, get... get busy
G Strathmore
Yep
Franklyspeaking
We used to tear up the floor at Palladium NYC with this one! The roof was on fiya!!
Hispa Niola
don't forget KYZE's S.T.O.M.P
Mika Waller
Yes
G Strathmore
I bet that was amazing times!