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 (ΩΨ·ΩΩΨ©), 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.
Pros
Queen Latifah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The brothers was looking as soon as I put a foot in
A female walked up to me and said, "Latifah bust a line"
I don't think you're on the strength, show me the time
I said, "If you really want to do this we can do this fine'
Take six paces and begin to rhyme"
As soon as attempted to make a sound
'Cause I hate it when someone challenges with me but cannot balance with me
I get annoyed when they can't go blow for blow
I get pissed when I hear the lyrics a sucker brings
Ha ha, I was thinking the same thing
Well I was approached by a whole damn group of them
Rhyme thieves, biters, and bums
Took me kind of light, said they wanted to fight
I kinda got uptight (You didn't do what I think you did?) Yeah, right!
Bash! went the first, Smash! went the next one (What about the third?)
He started, he started to run
But to his surprise, his feet must have slipped
Cause I snapped that neck before the second step
You see you may speculate, but everybody knows
Not one amateur can deal with the pros
These are the pros, coming now from Queen Latifah and Daddy-O
And if you want to hear more then just follow
If you like the smooth chanted lyrics then just say "Bo bo bo!"
There was a time that a man could go
Anyplace, anywhere without a Rambo
But now me have to keep me pistol loaded with rhyme
Have to deal with bad breath biters that step out of line
So when they make a move them surely get a taste of it
I'm Daddy-O and I don't quit
So feel the flow, y'all because you're under attack
From my rhymes, 'cause I'm writing swift rhymes in stacks
And four words to the wack, just, "Stay the hell back"
Cause it's a fact, if you're wack you ain't saying jack
So we can go rhyme for rhyme if you wish
But eating you suckers is my favorite dish
And I warned you suckers if you messed with me
You'll be the next ingredient in my recipe
Start and don't finish, I'll hunt you down
And you can't run forever, so you'll be found
And with nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide
How you want to be eaten, boy, baked or fried?
[Chorus: x 2]
It's Latifah the Queen, pioneer of the mainstream
I flow just like a pro cause it's the same thing
Suckers have to realize how foolish they sound
So button your lips and stop trying to be down
I caught you out there (How many times?)
A lot of times
Cause when it comes to mine, you know I gotta rhyme
Stepping to the right, to the left
To the best place, well I have to face
A sucker like a pooh-butt, weak and soft
Riding my bra strap trying to get off
Understand and know, if you want to go
You'd better be ready to flow 'cause I'm a pro
[Chorus: x 2]
We wax floors with bums, make mocks out of some
Sting 'em hard, and watch them complain how it stung
Kidnap the babysitter, lock 'em inside a box
Daddy-O and the true blue Queen of Rock
[Chorus: x 4]
The song "The Pro's" by Queen Latifah feat Daddy-O is a lyrical showcase of two skilled rappers taking on weaker challengers. The lyrics begin with Latifah entering a party where she is asked to freestyle by a female admirer. Latifah agrees and immediately shuts down the challenger with her superior verbal skills. Daddy-O then takes the lead and talks about the need for professionals to constantly be on guard against "rhyme thieves, biters, and bums." He warns potential challengers that crossing him will result in being "the next ingredient" in his "recipe." The chorus repeats the statement that "not one amateur can deal with the pros."
The song is a classic example of golden age hip-hop and showcases the skills and attitudes that were prevalent in the genre at the time. Queen Latifah was one of the pioneering female MCs in a male-dominated scene, while Daddy-O was a member of Stetsasonic, one of the most innovative groups of the era. The lyrics reflect the competitive nature of hip-hop, where verbal battles were common and rappers were always trying to prove themselves. The song also features a distinctively New York flavor, with references to Brooklyn and the use of slang like "pooh-butt."
Line by Line Meaning
I stepped into a basement party in Brooklyn
Queen Latifah arrived at a party in Brooklyn.
The brothers was looking as soon as I put a foot in
Men were looking at Queen Latifah when she walked in.
A female walked up to me and said, "Latifah bust a line"
A woman asked Queen Latifah to rap.
I don't think you're on the strength, show me the time
The woman doubted Queen Latifah's ability and asked her to prove it.
I said, "If you really want to do this we can do this fine'
Queen Latifah accepted the challenge.
Take six paces and begin to rhyme
Queen Latifah asked the woman to step back and let her begin to rap.
As soon as attempted to make a sound
As soon as the woman tried to rap, Queen Latifah started to rap over her.
I ate her up with the verb broke her down with the noun
Queen Latifah out-rapped and outperformed the woman.
I get annoyed when they can't go blow for blow
Queen Latifah dislikes when people can't rap as well as her.
Bash! went the first, Smash! went the next one (What about the third?)
Daddy-O knocked out two other rappers.
He started, he started to run
The third rapper tried to run away.
Cause I snapped that neck before the second step
Daddy-O stopped the third rapper from running and knocked him out too.
Not one amateur can deal with the pros
It's difficult for inexperienced rappers to compete with the professionals.
So we can go rhyme for rhyme if you wish
Daddy-O challenges other rappers to battle him.
But eating you suckers is my favorite dish
Daddy-O enjoys outperforming other rappers.
Cause when it comes to mine, you know I gotta rhyme
Queen Latifah takes rapping seriously and always wants to perform.
Stepping to the right, to the left
Queen Latifah moves around and performs on stage.
Understand and know, if you want to go
If someone wants to compete with Queen Latifah, they need to be prepared.
We wax floors with bums, make mocks out of some
Daddy-O and Queen Latifah defeat other rappers easily.
Kidnap the babysitter, lock 'em inside a box
Daddy-O and Queen Latifah use creative and humorous language in their raps.
It's Latifah the Queen, pioneer of the mainstream
Queen Latifah is a famous and influential mainstream rapper.
Suckers have to realize how foolish they sound
Queen Latifah believes that bad rappers need to recognize their lack of talent.
Daddy-O and the true blue Queen of Rock
Daddy-O and Queen Latifah are both talented and respected rappers.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLENN K. BOLTON, MARCUS MILLER, DANA OWENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Swan Jackson
To this date I think this beautiful Queen is so underrated and the don't underrate it in the rap industry she opened the door for a whole lot of female rappers
Happy birthday Debbie
Queen Latifah / Daddy-O on the same track only adds up to one venomous track. These two giants willingly pass the mic to each other with a steady and intricate delivery that would make a non-hiphop fan take note of this track. No other female rapper (with exception of ISIS aka Lin Que) blessed hiphop listeners with volumes of Afrocentric, women empowerment rhymes. Queenβs body of studio hiphop albums lasted from 1989-1998. These dates do not include her Jazz or R&B efforts. New jacks take note of Queen/ Daddy-Oβs style and technique. These spittaz are not to be played with lyrically.
Yolande Wilbourn
I Love the beatβ€β€
Sluggah Deezus
miles davis - don't lose your mind
ivanna anderson
This needs more views and likes! she's the realest rapper ever
night witch. π
Ever??....
Jay
β@night witch. π lol
Valentino kimberly
All the kings and queens of hip hop never aged they all blessed with love and the talent is out of this world β€οΈπͺπ
Lemon Dishonor
I remember back in 88-89 people were riding around my neighborhood playing this in their cars. Big album.
Jarvis Mitchell
Still banging this in 9/14/ 2022!!! Always has been one of my TOP 10's of all time