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.
Princess Of The Posse
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Forgive the crowds, O Lord, they know not why they sweat me
Biting's against the law in the place that I live
So I lock up the door with the keys to my crib
The call me the high priestess of this hasta
Although I'm not a dread and not a rasta
There's never been a word I can't master
I've always been, a piddly pastor
You have to listen to each and every single word I have to say
Because the Ruler Lord Ramsey is on my side
And I'm the princess of the posse, so yo, take it light
The Princess of the Posse, me say she a cool one
She rhyme on my record and she ram jam me gun
The Princess of the Posse, me say she a cool girl
She rhyme Brooklyn, the Bronx, USA, the world
You try to dissect my rhymes to see if there's a pattern
I bounced it all around you like the rings around Saturn
Let me know now if you'd like to protest
And proceeding a greeting, or would you rather progress
Onto a higher plateau, to the peak and I'm taking it slow
Enough for you to see the knowledge and to know
I'm the Q-you-E-E-N, L-A-T-I-F-A-H
Queen of the R.E. Posse the GLA which is
Get Live Alright, you standing there chewing on your fingernails
Nervous, watching me doing the live thing
Singing like a bird sing, ringing like the phone ring
I'm the Queen and you're the underling
I'm never following, I follow none
The princess of the posse is a cool one
The Princess of the Posse, me say she a cool one
She rhyme on my record and she ram jam me gun
The Princess of the Posse, me say she a cool girl
She rhyme Brooklyn, the Bronx, USA, the world
I'm the queen of the clan, with a mic in my hand
I step over suckers to position myself to rule this land
It's a concoction, for my ability
To show the skeezers the meaning of humility
Cause they don't know I'm the one to fly one or two
I'm snatching hearts cause I'm Latifah and I want to
I find it necessary to tell you to get off my tip
I'm kicking gold so grab a hold and get a good grip
Stop the lying, the trying
The time buying, you've been denying
You're dependent on me, the princess of the posse
I got the cards, so I'm dealing a death blow
You're taking no crowns, put that on cease
My DJ's name is Mark the 45 King to the posse
Peace, got to let you know where I come from
The princess of the posse is a cool one
The Princess of the Posse, me say she a cool one
She rhyme on my record and she ram jam me gun
The Princess of the Posse, me say she a cool girl
She rhyme Brooklyn, the Bronx, USA, the world
Now take run the family
Me say me have to do it for the R.E. posse
You try to be down, you can't take the crown
Maybe from someone else but not me (Repeat 2x)
In "Princess Of The Posse," Queen Latifah introduces herself as the cool high priestess of the hasta, the queen of the R.E. posse, and the princess of the posse, with a mic in her hand. She asks the Lord for forgiveness for her overwhelming appeal, as crowds know not why they sweat. In this song, biting is not just against the law but is intolerable, and she is a master of words. The queen of the clan takes out a gold crown in her grip and deals a death blow while informing you that she's the one flying one or two, snatching hearts and ruling lands. She admonishes, "You're dependent on me…stop the lying, the trying, the time buying, you've been denying."
Thus, she calls the bluff on anyone who tries to pretend to be down and take the crown, except for someone else, but never her. In this song, Queen Latifah's message is one of no-nonsense femininity, clarifying that although she is not a dread and not a rasta, she is, nonetheless, the one they call the high priestess of the hasta.
Line by Line Meaning
Basslines affect me when my rhymes direct me
The singer is responsive to the music they rap over.
Forgive the crowds, O Lord, they know not why they sweat me
The singer acknowledges their popularity with the audience.
Biting's against the law in the place that I live
Plagiarism is not tolerated in the singer's community.
So I lock up the door with the keys to my crib
The artist takes extreme measures to protect their rhymes from being stolen.
The call me the high priestess of this hasta
The artist is highly respected within their profession.
Although I'm not a dread and not a rasta
The singer doesn't subscribe to a specific aesthetic or lifestyle to embody their craft.
There's never been a word I can't master
The singer is skilled in their rhyming abilities.
I've always been, a piddly pastor
The artist has always been an authority figure when it comes to their rhymes.
I reign, the lesson of today
The artist's rhymes carry significant messages and themes.
You have to listen to each and every single word I have to say
The artist's rhymes are worth hearing in full and shouldn't be taken out of context.
Because the Ruler Lord Ramsey is on my side
The singer has the support of a powerful ally.
And I'm the princess of the posse, so yo, take it light
Despite her authority, the artist is still friendly and approachable.
I'm the queen of the clan, with a mic in my hand
The singer holds a position of power and influence within their community.
I step over suckers to position myself to rule this land
The singer will do what it takes to maintain and assert their power.
It's a concoction, for my ability
The singer's personal mix of skills and abilities is what makes them successful.
To show the skeezers the meaning of humility
The artist has a desire to teach and uplift others around them.
Cause they don't know I'm the one to fly one or two
The artist is confident in knowing their abilities can exceed expectations.
I'm snatching hearts cause I'm Latifah and I want to
The singer is able to win over the affection of their audience.
I find it necessary to tell you to get off my tip
The singer is being assertive in asking someone to stop bothering them.
I'm kicking gold so grab a hold and get a good grip
The artist's rhymes are valuable and worth paying attention to.
Stop the lying, the trying
The artist is calling out negative behavior and attitudes.
The time buying, you've been denying
The artist is exposing people who have been avoiding something or evading responsibility.
You're dependent on me, the princess of the posse
The singer is reminding others that she has an important influence over their lives or careers.
I got the cards, so I'm dealing a death blow
The artist has an advantage and is making a bold move.
You're taking no crowns, put that on cease
The singer is halting someone's attempt at gaining power or prestige.
My DJ's name is Mark the 45 King to the posse
The singer's close associate is introduced to the audience.
Peace, got to let you know where I come from
The singer is hoping to connect with or inform the audience more personally.
Now take run the family
The artist is asserting their power and influence within their community.
Me say me have to do it for the R.E. posse
The artist has a sense of loyalty and responsibility to her associates and fans.
You try to be down, you can't take the crown
The singer is warning others not to try and infringe upon her position of power.
Maybe from someone else but not me
The singer is exuding confidence in their abilities and success.
The Princess of the Posse, me say she a cool one
A chorus repeating the title of the song and praising the artist.
She rhyme on my record and she ram jam me gun
A chorus repeating the title of the song and praising the artist's rhymes.
She rhyme Brooklyn, the Bronx, USA, the world
A chorus repeating the title of the song and praising the artist's ability to rap about a variety of places.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: QUEEN LATIFAH, MARK HOWARD JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robson
Aqui no Brasil dos anos 80 e 90 dançamos e curtimos muito Queen Latifah, que delícia ,obrigado por esta joia rara do rap , muitas saudades da minha adolescência 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Ayot Adhiambo
"They call me the high priestess of this hasta
Although I'm not a dread and not a rasta
There's never been a word I can't master
I've always been, a piddly pastor"
OH WOW!🥰
valdir xavier
Eu pivete é já curtia esse som da hora hoje 34 anos depois ainda curto não tem como enjoar de um som desse
J Lewis
She was so young yet so talented
It’s amazing 🔥🥰🥰🥰🔥🔥🔥
patrick y
Around 1986 a few rap artists and groups started incorporating the reggae style in their songs due to the heavy dance hall/ drug dealing scene around the time in the tri-state ( NY, NJ, CT). I would like to mention: Master's of Ceremony, Just-Ice, KRS-One,Shinehead,Redhead Kingpin, Poor Righteous Teachers and others I surely have forgotten....Big Up 🇯🇲
Dogen70
I used to bump Shinehead in my Honda Civic Sport with a Blaupunkt system
Erica M.
Me say me name Redhead Kingpin.
Otavio Henrique
Essa música é foda!!!!! Quero ver quem fica parado numa melodia linda dessa.
Mike Headen
mad love raw till this day
Damatol Green
1989, 13 years old rewind in this tune on turntables now 2020 listening on my phone still sounds dope