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 (ูุทููุฉ), 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.
Inside Out
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the spreaker. Hit it Mark, 45 king
I am a bill, yes I'm only a bill when
It's time to ill I get ill and time to chill
I chill, my homeboy said this was the D.A.I.S.Y. age
I take it as meaning you have to get crazy paid
You hope I'm from your borough, because I'm thorough
Go to the store and buy a brew and rock a rhyme or two
So you can bite it, you taste it, you like it
You think I'm sleeping on you? Please, don't even try it
The name is Latifah, the scene, it is mine
The 45 King keeps the beat and the time while I
Rock to the rhythm and keep it blowing out
So don't try to turn me inside out
Latifah is the name you love
Flying through rhymes like a dove
Slapping suckers with a glove
Challenge me and you will burn
Yes in the fire you will burn
It's so so simply done
When I find that I have to run
Lyrics to music by the King of Swing, The 45 King
The words we bring I write, and sing
Cause I am Latifah, the Queen of course
Don't try to get yours off, because the cause is lost
Mark conducts the beat, I watch it hit them
Won't you chill? I don't need another victim
To add to the list of aggrivation
Subtracting suckers like a math computation
We are not teaching pupils and subjects with no scruples
This is a King and Queen creation
So hello hello hello and how ya doing?
Forget the smalltalk now, it's time for me to ruin
Those who don't believe in what I'm saying
When I put up the wall of words ain't no way into my Queendom
Controlled by me, the heir to the throne is the Ruler Lord Ramsey
The Ruler Lord, to him there is no equal
He grabs it and starts bombing people
Don't listen to me to figure me out
Because you can't turn my mind inside out
Latifah is the name you love
Flying through rhymes like a dove
Slapping suckers with a glove
Challenge me and you will burn
Yes in the fire you will burn
Rhyming's not a question of one superiority
But rather how you delegate the use of your authority
I know who you are, and I know who you are to me
But I came here just to party
If it's a show you want, the show it live
And if it's trouble you seek, I have arrived
When Mark requests my approval, I nod
And after each and every single rhyme I thank God
although a taste of my body would soothe you
I give you just my voice and watch the rhythm move you
The method of my lyrics makes the funky people feel it
And Lord have mercy on those that try to steal it
Latifah is a name meaning "delicate and sensitive"
But I have no problem formulating sentences
To break you down to the ground
I won't use violence, the color of this is brown
And I am down, but never ever down and out
So don't try to turn me inside out
Latifah is the name you love
Flying through rhymes like a dove
Slapping suckers with a glove
Challenge me and you will burn
Yes in the fire you will burn
Jah know? Cause ah...
Music, 45 King, music Latifah the Queen
Music, domination to bring the world
Irie, say in the fire you will burn (Repeats to fade)
The song "Inside Out" by Queen Latifah features the rapper asserting her lyrical prowess and repping her name. She introduces herself with confident lyrics and starts rapping about how she gets ill when it's time to ill and chills when it's time to chill. She also references the Daisy Age, suggesting that to make it to the top, you have to be crazy paid. Latifah's lyrics signify strength and power in the rap game that is dominated by men. She challenges anyone who tries to turn her inside out, suggesting that she cannot be manipulated or controlled.
The song is full of metaphors like "I am Latifah, the Queen of course," which shows she is not just any rapper, but a leader in her own right. She also mentions that her name means "delicate and sensitive," but her lyrics suggest that she has no problem formulating sentences to break down her opponents. She also references Lord Ramsey, who is the heir to her throne, meaning that she is not the only one in charge, but there are other powerful individuals who support her. With a combination of powerful lyrics and a catchy beat, Queen Latifah's "Inside Out" is a timeless classic that showcases the strength of a female rapper in a male-dominated industry.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a bill, yes I'm only a bill when
I am not important in other instances, but only relevant when it is time to perform or act with passion.
It's time to ill I get ill and time to chill
I know what to do when I am required to show my intensity, and also when to relax.
You hope I'm from your borough, because I'm thorough
You wish I am from the same region as you, as I am known to be efficient and comprehensive.
You want me to be down with you, to be seen walking around with you
You desire my companionship, to have me around with you, to be visible together in public.
Go to the store and buy a brew and rock a rhyme or two
Let's get some drinks, go back to the house and enjoy some rhythmic tunes together.
So you can bite it, you taste it, you like it
You can try it, you will love it after tasting it.
You think I'm sleeping on you? Please, don't even try it
Don't assume I am indifferent to you, you are not that important to me.
The 45 King keeps the beat and the time while I
The beat and the timing are on my side, I am backed by the talented 45 King.
Rock to the rhythm and keep it blowing out
I stay up to date with the tempo and continue to put on an amazing show.
When I find that I have to run
Whenever I am in a difficult situation, or if something needs urgent attention, I will go.
We are not teaching pupils and subjects with no scruples
I am not trying to educate without principles or integrity.
Forget the smalltalk now, it's time for me to ruin
Our casual conversation has ended, let me show you how great I am in action.
When Mark requests my approval, I nod
I give the nod of consent to Mark if he needs my approval.
And after each and every single rhyme I thank God
After every successful performance or act, I thank God for my talent.
Latifah is a name meaning "delicate and sensitive"
The title 'Latifah' translates to being tender and considerate.
But I have no problem formulating sentences
My gentle nature does not hinder my ability to create awe-inspiring phrases.
To break you down to the ground
To show you how great I am, compelling you to respect me.
I won't use violence, the color of this is brown
I refuse to resort to violence, in any circumstances. And also, I am a proud representative of dark-skinned women.
And Lord have mercy on those that try to steal it
Pity those who attempt to infringe on my work or take my value.
Cause ah...
As a matter of fact,
Music, domination to bring the world
With music, we can conquer the world.
Irie, say in the fire you will burn
Agreeable, be aware that if you challenge me or offend me, I will retaliate and you will be in trouble.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: QUEEN LATIFAH, MARK HOWARD JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Erica M.
This song was too mature for me to lyrically understand. 30 years older, this is definitely lyrical genius.
Gerald Tap
Powerful lyrics ahead of her time in today's world
Star Child
This album is incredible!!!
Brokeman music
a true classic right here.
Corey Jenkins
First joint I heard of The Queen June of 1989 in East Elmhurst, NY. Still hittin`!
Vito Andolini
Still banging!
MoonEmpressMovies
Her most underrated song, but lyrically the best
Satonia Smith
Prophetic no one can do it like Latifah.
Shekela Farmer
So awesome; I owned; and loved the whole ๐ฟ CD musical joint; Inside Out, were on.๐โLove peace & respect to Queen Latifah for sharing such beauty of hers that plays importance in my life.โ๐
oskamadison
Those horns are too fly!! That damn 45 King!! ๐ช