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| Queen Latifah |
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"There are a lot of people who helped make Queen Latifah who she is today. I don't forget, but a lot of people do and get big heads. My mom will make me walk the dogs or take out the trash when I go home. I'm not allowed to get a big head, I've still got to do the simple things in life."
-Queen Latifah
| Date of Birth: March 18th, 1970 |
| Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey |
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| A rapper extraordinaire and performer first, Queen Latifah broke onto the scene with the 1989 album All Hail the Queen. As she made hit singles and took home awards (including a Grammy) she was recognized as the trailblazer in female hip-hop. Latifah proved to be an excellent actress as well, starring on the TV series Living Single before doing films like Jungle Fever, Set it Off, Bringing Down the House and Chicago, for which she received an Oscar nomination. |
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| As far as accomplished singers/actresses go, Queen Latifah is one of the most successful. She can rap with the best homies out there and then turn around and act her way to an Oscar nomination. For this versatility and for her dynamic character, we give mad respect to this First Lady of Hip Hop and new queen of the big screen. |
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A native of Newark, New Jersey, Queen Latifah was born Dana Owens on March 18th, 1970. A tough childhood on the streets but nurturing environment at home helped shape her in her youth. Influenced by jazz and funk, Latifah (a name she adopted when she was 8 years old, meaning delicate and sensitive in Arabic) turned to music to reflect this atmosphere.
As with many other rappers, Latifah started out by sending her fresh rap music to local radio stations and DJs. Her mix tapes soon became a hot item and she was signed to Tommy Boy Records at 18 years old. In 1989, she released her first album, All Hail to the Queen. With the single "Ladies First" getting much airplay, Latifah was soon looked upon as one of the leaders of this new mainstream musical genre called rap.
Her second album, Nature of A Sista, showed off Latifah's true lyrical talents while her third effort Black Reign (under MoTown Records) brought in much media attention. The track "U.N.I.T.Y" was a powerful rap song that for once, brought out a positive message. She was rewarded with a Grammy for Best Solo Rap Performance in 1995.
During all this musical success, Latifah also took up acting. She appeared in Jungle Fever in '91 and Juice in '92 before landing a permanent role on the TV sitcom Living Single. The stint, which lasted from '93 to '98, was difficult for Latifah at first as she underwent the first of a number of emotional setbacks during the first season.
Her brother, riding on the motorcycle Latifah bought for him, got into an accident and passed away just as Living Single was debuting. Latifah did her best to remember her brother and established a scholarship foundation in his name.
Before her starring roles in the films Set it Off and Hoodlum were released nationwide in 1996-'98, Latifah had to go through more tough times. She was arrested for drugs and weapons charges after marijuana and a handgun were found in her car by police. After pleading guilty, Latifah was slapped with a fine, but the experience did much to shape her up. |
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