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.
Just Another Day
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We gon take this one over to 275 Paulstand
384 Steuyversant, we gon take it over to
155 Morgan
144 Harrison
Chorus: (1x)
Just Another Day, living in the hood
Feelin good today, feelin lovely-yay
Just another day, living in the hood
Just another day around the way
Feelin good today
I hear the(gunshot), but I'm here to stay
[Verse 1]
Well it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
A beautiful day in the neighbor-hood
Can't go wrong, I feel strong and the flavor's good
I'm wit whateva comes my way, hip-hop hooray
Latifah's on vacation, I'm just plain on day to day
I strap out, step out in every direction
Glock, tech's, jimmy hat's, in case I need protection
So I land cruise, play I want to be's
A kid in the increase gettin jack right in front of me
So I pull the tech close, my finger's on the trigger
Don't want to get wet, so they step
Cause mine's is slighty bigger
But better yet, I'ma threat, so ya better walk
Or get sketched out in chalk, cause I don't want to talk
I stay true blue, I'm hopin it's you too
I got the fever for the flava of a??????
So it's back to the block time to play
It's just another day around the way, hey
[Chorus: 1x]
[Verse 2]
Time to chill, hit the hill, uptown let's keep it sight's
Shoot some pool, act a fool, cause it's own tonight
I'm doin the knowledge, it's not easy, easy
Watchin a cop cuff a kid for sellin a clip to a D.T.
But it's home, so I flex, get pressure's off my chest
Slip in a tape, now which hood should I hit next
Stomach ache, had a steak, and take for a bean pie
Get a final call for the brother in a bow-tie
I'm from little kid's, dream, and fiend for fun
Lots of laughter moms, no pops playin wit her son
I pass by a girl wake, they say she died at seven
Hit by a stray, but I pray their's a hood in heaven
Fake brother's claim their's no shame in they're game
You know my name, show me a real nigga wit a brain
Too it's back to the block time to play
It's just another day around the way, hey
[Chorus: 1x]
[Verse 3]
You know I gotta get props, I can't stop, wit out y'all
I be nothin, no wreckin, no checkin, no rhymin, no cuttin
No stages from pages, no phones, no beeper's
No reason to put Queen in front of the name Latifah
I come with the real like respectin in rule
Cause me and my peoples around the way remain cool
So it's back to the block time to play
It's just another day, around the wha, around the muthafuckin way
[Chorus until fade]
Queen Latifah's "Just Another Day" is a song that depicts the daily struggles and joys of living in the hood. The opening lines of the song refer to specific streets in different neighborhoods, highlighting the various locations the singer is passing through. The first verse starts off on a positive note, emphasizing the beauty of the day and the singer's positive mindset. However, the tone quickly shifts as the singer describes having to be prepared for anything, carrying weapons for protection. The verse ends with the singer witnessing a shooting and being forced to defend themselves with their own weapon.
The second verse describes the singer's plans for the day, including hanging out with friends, playing pool, and listening to music. The singer also observes police brutality and the pain of losing a child in the neighborhood. The verse ends with the singer calling out those who pretend to be tough, emphasizing the need for genuine, smart leaders in the community.
The final verse sees the singer expressing gratitude for their community and the support of their fans. They recognize the need for respect and unity, pointing out that they and their people remain cool despite the struggles they face. The song's chorus is repeated throughout, emphasizing the idea that every day living in the hood is just another day, with good and bad moments.
Line by Line Meaning
We gon take this one over to 275 Paulstand 384 Steuyversant, we gon take it over to 155 Morgan 144 Harrison
Starting this song, Queen Latifah takes the audience through the streets of different locations she is familiar with, including Paulstand, Steuyversant, Morgan and Harrison Street.
Just Another Day, living in the hood Just another day around the way Feelin good today, feelin lovely-yay Just another day, living in the hood Just another day around the way Feelin good today I hear the(gunshot), but I'm here to stay
Latifah explains that in the hood, gunshots are a frequent occurrence and that they have become a normalcy to the residents. She's feeling good despite the incident and it will not scare her off.
Well it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood A beautiful day in the neighbor-hood Can't go wrong, I feel strong and the flavor's good I'm wit whateva comes my way, hip-hop hooray Latifah's on vacation, I'm just plain on day to day I strap out, step out in every direction Glock, tech's, jimmy hat's, in case I need protection
Queen Latifah acknowledges she lives in the hood and despite this fact, the day is beautiful, and she feels good. She is ready for anything life throws at her and only hopes she is adequately prepared against adverse events.
So I land cruise, play I want to be's A kid in the increase gettin jack right in front of me So I pull the tech close, my finger's on the trigger Don't want to get wet, so they step Cause mine's is slighty bigger But better yet, I'ma threat, so ya better walk Or get sketched out in chalk, cause I don't want to talk I stay true blue, I'm hopin it's you too I got the fever for the flava of a?????? So it's back to the block time to play It's just another day around the way, hey
Queen Latifah admits that criminality is typical in her hood, with people being mugged or robbed right in front of her. She's ready to defend herself and hopes her prowess will deter the criminals from attacking her. She still loves her hood and enjoys living there despite the ongoing dangers.
Time to chill, hit the hill, uptown let's keep it sight's Shoot some pool, act a fool, cause it's own tonight I'm doin the knowledge, it's not easy, easy Watchin a cop cuff a kid for sellin a clip to a D.T.
Queen Latifah relaxes and goes out to have some fun with her friends. However, she's aware that the police often go after those involved in criminal activities, and it is not an easy life out there for those who indulge.
But it's home, so I flex, get pressure's off my chest Slip in a tape, now which hood should I hit next Stomach ache, had a steak, and take for a bean pie Get a final call for the brother in a bow-tie I'm from little kid's, dream, and fiend for fun Lots of laughter moms, no pops playin wit her son I pass by a girl wake, they say she died at seven Hit by a stray, but I pray their's a hood in heaven Fake brother's claim their's no shame in they're game You know my name, show me a real nigga wit a brain Too it's back to the block time to play It's just another day around the way, hey
Queen Latifah narrates some of the experiences she has had while in the hood, including losing friends and family to stray bullets. She marvels at the audacity of some people who claim that there is no shame in crime. She still loves and cherishes her hood and looks forward to spending more time there.
You know I gotta get props, I can't stop, wit out y'all I be nothin, no wreckin, no checkin, no rhymin, no cuttin No stages from pages, no phones, no beeper's No reason to put Queen in front of the name Latifah I come with the real like respectin in rule Cause me and my peoples around the way remain cool So it's back to the block time to play It's just another day, around the wha, around the muthafuckin way
Queen Latifah appreciates her fans who have made her who she is today. She identifies with the struggles of those in the hood and wants to maintain the connection she has with her roots. She goes back to the hood to unwind and engage with the local people there.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEITH CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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We here!!
@ImageByMalcolm
Love this woman. She has always carried herself on a positive level, never got into no silly sh*t, and sheโs very private. Much respect to this sista.
@williejrobinson9902
Woman ๐ฉ ๐ power
@slappygilmour1984
One of my favorite movies is the Equalizer, she does it justice too, super talented
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