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.
I Know Where I've Been
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though the night is black as my skin
There's a light burning bright showing me the way
But I know where I've been
There's a cry in distance
It's a voice that comes from deep within
There's a cry asking why
'Cause I know where I've been
There's a road we've been travellin'
Lost so many on the way
But the riches will be plenty
Worth the price, the price we had to pay
There's a dream (dream) with the future
There's a struggle that we have yet to win
And there's pride in my heart
'Cause I know where I'm going, yes I do
And I know where I've been, yeah
There's a road (there's a road) we must travel (we must travel)
There's a promise (there is a promise) we must make (that we must make)
But the riches (oh, but the riches) will be plenty
(The riches will be plenty, yeah)
Worth the risk (worth the risk) and the chances we take (and the chances we take)
There's a dream, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah with the future
There's a struggle (struggle) that we have yet to win (we have yet to win)
Use that pride (pride) in our hearts (in our hearts)
To lift us up (lift us up) up to tomorrow (ooh)
'Cause just to sit still would be a sin
I know it, I know it, I know where I'm going
Lord knows, I know
Where I've been
(Know where I've been)
I'll give thanks to my God
'Cause I know where I've been, yeah, yeah
The song “I Know Where I’ve Been” by Queen Latifah is an inspiring and powerful ballad that speaks to the struggles and triumphs of the African American community. The song is a reminder that even in moments of darkness and uncertainty, there is hope and light to be found.
The first verse of the song acknowledges the challenges that the singer faces, both as a black person in a world that can be hostile and discriminatory towards them, and as an individual trying to navigate their way through life. Despite this, the singer sees a light shining in the darkness that provides direction and reassurance.
The second verse speaks to the importance of perseverance and determination. The singer acknowledges the struggles that the community has faced, but also the progress that has been made, and the promise of a better future. The song encourages listeners to keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
Overall, “I Know Where I’ve Been” is a celebratory anthem of resilience and strength in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that no matter what challenges we face, we have the power within us to overcome them.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a light in the darkness
In the darkest of times, there is still a glimmer of hope that shines bright.
Though the night is black as my skin
Despite the darkness of the night, she identifies with the color of her skin.
There's a light burning bright showing me the way
Despite the darkness, the light guides her towards hope and a better tomorrow.
But I know where I've been
She has been through tough times before, but she is still hopeful because of where she has come from.
There's a cry in distance
She can hear the cries of those who have suffered before her.
It's a voice that comes from deep within
The cry is a part of her, as it represents the struggles she has been through.
There's a cry asking why
The cry is a plea for an explanation for the suffering and injustices that took place.
I pray the answer's up ahead, yeah
She hopes that someday there will be an explanation for the injustices, and that there will be a brighter future ahead.
'Cause I know where I've been
Despite the struggle, she is still hopeful because of what she has been through in the past.
There's a road we've been travellin'
She acknowledges the difficult journey that her ancestors and predecessors have taken.
Lost so many on the way
Many have lost their lives fighting for justice and equality.
But the riches will be plenty
Despite the losses, the reward for the journey will be great.
Worth the price, the price we had to pay
The price of fighting for a better tomorrow was high, but it is worth it.
There's a dream (dream) with the future
She envisions a brighter future ahead, full of possibilities.
There's a struggle that we have yet to win
The struggle for equality and justice is ongoing, but she is determined to win.
And there's pride in my heart
Despite the struggles, she is proud of what she has accomplished and what she represents.
'Cause I know where I'm going, yes I do
She is confident in her path and where she is headed.
And I know where I've been, yeah
Because of what she has been through, she is even more determined to keep moving forward.
There's a road (there's a road) we must travel (we must travel)
She acknowledges that there is still a long journey ahead in the fight for justice and equality.
There's a promise (there is a promise) we must make (that we must make)
She believes that the promise of a brighter tomorrow is worth fighting for.
But the riches (oh, but the riches) will be plenty
The reward for the struggle and hard work will be great.
(The riches will be plenty, yeah)
The reward for the struggle and hard work will be great.
Worth the risk (worth the risk) and the chances we take (and the chances we take)
The fight for a better tomorrow is worth the risk and sacrifices that must be made.
There's a dream, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah with the future
She envisions a bright future full of possibilities and hope.
There's a struggle (struggle) that we have yet to win (we have yet to win)
The struggle for justice and equality is not over, and it is important to keep fighting.
Use that pride (pride) in our hearts (in our hearts)
She encourages others to use their pride and determination to fuel their fight for justice and equality.
To lift us up (lift us up) up to tomorrow (ooh)
Their determination and pride will help them rise up and move forward towards a better tomorrow.
'Cause just to sit still would be a sin
It is important to keep moving forward and fighting for a better tomorrow, to stay complacent is unacceptable.
I know it, I know it, I know where I'm going
She is confident in her path and where she is headed.
Lord knows, I know
She believes that there is someone higher guiding her path towards a better tomorrow.
Where I've been
Because of what she has been through, she is even more determined to keep moving forward.
(Know where I've been)
She acknowledges and is proud of what her predecessors and ancestors have been through in their struggles for equality.
I'll give thanks to my God
She is grateful for the guidance and strength that she has received in her journey for justice and equality.
'Cause I know where I've been, yeah, yeah
Because of what she has been through, she is even more determined to keep moving forward.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Marc Shaiman, Scott Michael Wittman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Corissa Ferrara
I love this song, she's such a talent 🥰🥰
Sérgio Augusto
A melhor música do filme. I love you, Queen Latifah
Lynn Rose
She is amazingly talented.
Claudia Kemp
I love this song so much 🎉🎉🎉
Nessma
I love u Queen Latifah
Stacie Buckley
I rally hope I am not pirating your songs. Not my intent. Props.
Stacie Buckley
All children matter. Make a dog happy fix a cat donate to a local not for profit animal rescue nearest you. Hello Ton I have foster care kids here. Vote it's a right of responsibility. At least that's what my grand parents told me.
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