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.
Latifah's Law
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me steady rhyming, and I'm so sick and tired of
Being forced to put suckers in their place
You make me mad enough to punch you in the face
But I'm not trying, so never sound like I don't bone to pick with you
Show and prove that you can stand on your own two
I speak the poetry, dissing those who keep on quoting me
Try to play me, cease it, you don't know me
I'm not an idiot, so who you think you lying to?
Queen Latifah's here to lay the law down
So speed it up or shake it around because it's a showdown
The 45 King is arising, surprising, hypnotising star, he's up to par
So I hope you've prepared yourself for what you're in for
This is Latifah's Law
BMW's and gold rope chains don't impress me
Or get you closer to the point you can undress me
Get skeezed, you nose will bleed, that's how they live life
Prepare to feel the wrath of the giver of all life
Fire and desire make you go a little higher
When I grab the wire of the mic
And get hype, I'm sorry you sound dot
Cause I roll like the homicide squad
You must be broke and, hoping that I'm soft but I'm dope and
Left you in the litter to consider coping with
Life, it's trife yeah, but these things happen
You need to make it better, stop trying to be the mack again
Get a grip on the African way
Cause there's a sucker born every day
Crime's the way for you to see what the Queen saw
And this is Latifah's law
Now DJ Mark made up a beat that he can bring you
And I of course supply the rhyme that you can swing to
The Flavor Unit keeps all, and keeps a way to band
And slides keep the hardcore fall, cause I'm heavy-handed
Whip out a .45 caliber pen and begin
A funky message from beginning to end
Peace be to Africa, can't forget my other land
Won't fulfill my heart unless I speak about the motherland
You say you're living right, but we know it's nonsense
In case you forgot, just check your conscience
At showtime, I blow lines, you don't get yours, I get mine
Your showtimes, you behind, the Queen Latifah divine
Rule number one: don't step across the line that I drew
Number two: don't take credit for something that you didn't do
Number three: check your heart, every man has a call
It's time for me to go, but I'll be back, y'all
In Queen Latifah's song "Latifah's Law," the artist delivers a powerful message about standing up for oneself, speaking out against those who try to undermine and takes credit for your work. Through the lyrics, Queen Latifah expresses her frustration with those who try to put her down and those who take advantage of her without giving her the credit she deserves. She asserts herself as a powerful force - one who will not back down, who will not be silenced, and who will always stand up for what she believes in.
Through the lyrics, Queen Latifah speaks to the importance of being true to oneself and one's values. She emphasizes the need to address those who try to take advantage of us and to stand up for ourselves in the face of adversity. The song is a call to action for individuals to be strong, assertive, and to take control of their lives and their circumstances.
Overall, "Latifah's Law" is a powerful song that speaks to the importance of being true to oneself, standing up for what one believes in, and taking control of one's life. Its energetic beat and powerful lyrics are a testament to Queen Latifah's strength and resilience, making it a timeless anthem for self-empowerment and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright listen, I'm back again cause that's what you required of
I'm here again because you asked me to be
Me steady rhyming, and I'm so sick and tired of
I'm tired of always having to rap
Being forced to put suckers in their place
Having to confront those who disrespect me is tiring
You make me mad enough to punch you in the face
Your disrespect makes me angry, but I won't resort to violence
But I'm not trying, so never sound like I don't bone to pick with you
I'm not purposely trying to start a problem, but I won't tolerate disrespect either
Show and prove that you can stand on your own two
Prove yourself and earn my respect
I speak the poetry, dissing those who keep on quoting me
I express myself through my poetry, and criticize those who mimic me
Try to play me, cease it, you don't know me
Don't try to deceive me, because you don't truly know me
So smile in my face, behind my back take a line or two
Don't be fake and talk behind my back
I'm not an idiot, so who you think you lying to?
Don't assume I'm ignorant and can't recognize lies
Queen Latifah's here to lay the law down
I'm here to set things straight and demand respect
So speed it up or shake it around because it's a showdown
Either step up and prove yourself, or back down and avoid a confrontation
The 45 King is arising, surprising, hypnotising star, he's up to par
My collaborator is talented and impressive
So I hope you've prepared yourself for what you're in for
You should be ready for what's about to happen
This is Latifah's Law
I'm in charge and I demand respect
BMW's and gold rope chains don't impress me
Material possessions don't impress me
Or get you closer to the point you can undress me
Don't think that flaunting material possessions will make me want to be intimate with you
Get skeezed, you nose will bleed, that's how they live life
Living a life of promiscuity can lead to violence and negative consequences
Prepare to feel the wrath of the giver of all life
Be ready to face the consequences of your actions from a higher power
Fire and desire make you go a little higher
Passion can bring you to new heights
When I grab the wire of the mic
When I take hold of the microphone
And get hype, I'm sorry you sound dot
I apologize if you can't keep up with my energy and excitement
Cause I roll like the homicide squad
I'm serious and not to be messed with
You must be broke and, hoping that I'm soft but I'm dope and
Don't assume I'm weak just because of your own insecurities
Left you in the litter to consider coping with
Left you to deal with your own problems
Life, it's trife yeah, but these things happen
Life can be tough and unfair, but that's how it is
You need to make it better, stop trying to be the mack again
Instead of trying to be a player or a pimp, work on bettering yourself
Get a grip on the African way
Embrace your cultural heritage
Cause there's a sucker born every day
There will always be people who fall for scams and manipulation
Crime's the way for you to see what the Queen saw
Don't resort to criminal activity to try and gain what I have
And this is Latifah's law
I demand respect and won't tolerate disrespect
Now DJ Mark made up a beat that he can bring you
My collaborator DJ Mark crafted a beat for you
And I of course supply the rhyme that you can swing to
And I provide the lyrics that you can vibe with
The Flavor Unit keeps all, and keeps a way to band
My group, Flavor Unit, stays together and sticks together
And slides keep the hardcore fall, cause I'm heavy-handed
Our music keeps the fans coming back because of my powerful delivery
Whip out a .45 caliber pen and begin
I take out my pen and start writing some hard-hitting lyrics
A funky message from beginning to end
My lyrics are funky and meaningful
Peace be to Africa, can't forget my other land
I acknowledge my African roots and my love for other places
Won't fulfill my heart unless I speak about the motherland
My heart feels incomplete unless I talk about my homeland
You say you're living right, but we know it's nonsense
Don't pretend to live a virtuous life, because we know the truth
In case you forgot, just check your conscience
If you're unsure of your actions, listen to your inner voice
At showtime, I blow lines, you don't get yours, I get mine
When it's time to perform, I deliver my lines flawlessly, while you struggle
Your showtimes, you behind, the Queen Latifah divine
You can't keep up with me, because I'm a divine talent
Rule number one: don't step across the line that I drew
The first rule is to respect my boundaries
Number two: don't take credit for something that you didn't do
The second rule is to not try and claim someone else's work as your own
Number three: check your heart, every man has a call
The third rule is to examine yourself inwardly, because everyone has a purpose
It's time for me to go, but I'll be back, y'all
I've said what I needed to say, but I'll return later
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: QUEEN LATIFAH, LOUIS VEGA, LOUIS A VEGA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
G Glover
Thee 11 dislikes are mumble fans lol. This is pure lyrical venom at its finest.
Music Lover Chicago
Brilliant album. This particular song is the most beautiful I think. It's very lush, love the tempo, love that it's danceable.
NZA DAT NEEZY
Classic album
onlythatfunkyshit
The fact that Lil Louie Vega co-produced this just blew my mind! This guy is everywhere! Legend!
onlythatfunkyshit
Thanks for the correction! Just pulled it up on Discogs, never knew there were two Louie Vega’s.
Luis Vega
Not little Louie but Luis phatkatvega producer of nice and smooth gangstarr masta ace look it up
Tc_kidsolo
I was 11 when this dropped dope as shit am 43 now got me chilling like a villain called Max in a relaxing I bet you young kids ain't going to understand a word I just said for real money grip know what I'm saying got to respect the classics for me this was brand new and dope in 88
Karen Garrett
Good sound and beat!!
G Glover
Hello Real Rap. Queen latifah verbally destroyed these current wack ass sissy rappers with her first verse. I dig it. Queen is a bonifide legend mc.
DISCO-INFERNO-70
Damn, this beat is underrated as fuck.