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 You've Been
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the darkness
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 the distance
It's a voice
That comes from deep within
There's a cry
Asking why
I pray the answer's up ahead
'Cause I know where I've been
There's a road
We've been travelin'
Lost so many on the way
But the riches
Will be plenty
Worth the price we
Had to pay
There's a dream
In the future
There's a struggle
We have yet to win
And there's pride
In my heart
'Cause I know
Where I'm going
And I know where I've been
There's a road
We must travel
There's a promise
We must make
'Cause the riches
Will be plenty
Worth the risk
And chances that we take
There's a dream
In the future
There's a struggle
We have yet to win
Use that pride
In our hearts
To lift us up
To tomorrow
'Cause just to sit still
Would be a sin
I know it, I know it
I know where I'm going
And lord knows I know
Where I've been
Oh, when we win
I'll give thanks to my god
'Cause I know where I've been
Queen Latifah's "I Know Where You've Been" is an uplifting and inspiring song highlighting the struggle and perseverance of African Americans. The first verse begins with Queen Latifah acknowledging that even in the darkness she can see a light burning bright and showing her the way. This light is not just any light, as she goes on to explain how the night is black as her skin. The light represents hope and a way out of the darkness that exists in life, especially for people of color. The cry in the distance and the voice from deep within signify the emotional pain and struggle that have been experienced by African Americans.
The second verse continues with the road that has been traveled and how many have been lost on the way. The journey has been hard, but the riches will be plenty and worth the price that has been paid. The dream that exists in the future and the struggle that is yet to be won signify the ongoing fight for justice and equality. The pride that lies within the hearts of African Americans is what will lift them up to tomorrow. To sit still would be a sin, and as Queen Latifah says, "I know where I'm going, and lord knows I know where I've been."
Overall, this song is a testament to the strength and resilience of African Americans throughout history. Despite the hardships and struggles, they continue to push forward with their heads held high towards a brighter and more just future.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a light
Despite the darkness, hope exists
In the darkness
Despite overwhelming obstacles
Though the night
Even when things seem hopeless
Is black as my skin
When faced with personal struggles
Burning bright
Hope and guidance is available
Showing me the way
Leading towards positivity
But I know where I've been
Acknowledging past struggles
There's a cry
A call for help or change
In the distance
Vague and far away
It's a voice
A plea from within
That comes from deep within
Originating from a place of truth
Asking why
Questioning the current situation
I pray the answer's up ahead
Looking towards a better future
'Cause I know where I've been
Aware of past struggles
We've been travelin'
On a long journey
Lost so many on the way
Facing difficulties and loss
But the riches
The rewards
Will be plenty
Abundant and worthwhile
Worth the price we
The effort required
Had to pay
Suffering and sacrifice endured
In the future
Looking ahead
There's a dream
Hope for a better future
We have yet to win
The struggle is ongoing
And there's pride
Sense of accomplishment
In my heart
Deeply felt
'Cause I know
Awareness of past struggles informs current outlook
Where I'm going
Direction in life is clear
And I know where I've been
Past struggles inform current outlook
There's a road
The ongoing journey
We must travel
We all must continue to journey
There's a promise
Looking forward to a better future
We must make
Action is required
Worth the risk
The potential rewards outweigh the dangers
And chances that we take
Opportunities we pursue
Use that pride
Draw strength from past struggles
In our hearts
A deeply felt sense of accomplishment
To lift us up
Inspire us towards a better future
To tomorrow
Towards a better future
'Cause just to sit still
Inactivity is unacceptable
Would be a sin
Failing to act would be a moral wrong
I know it, I know it
Her certainty and conviction
Where I'm going
Her direction in life
And lord knows I know
Acknowledging divine guidance
Where I've been
Acknowledging past struggles
Oh, when we win
When we triumph
I'll give thanks
Gratefulness for success
To my god
Acknowledging a higher power
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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