QUEEN LATIFAH BIOGRAPHY


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Queen Latifah Biography
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(b. March 18, 1970, Newark, N.J.), African American rap artist, actress, entertainment executive, and entrepreneur.

Queen Latifah, born Dana Owens in Newark, New Jersey, was nicknamed "Latifah" (which means "delicate" and "sensitive" in Arabic) at the age of eight by a black Muslim cousin. Soon afterward her parents separated, and Latifah moved with her mother, Rita, and older brother, Lance Jr., into a housing project in East Newark.

Break Dancing
Drawing upon several African American dance forms, break dancing coalesced in the 1970s and reached its peak in popularity during the 1980s.

Determined to offer her children a better life, Rita Owens worked two jobs while attending community college. She eventually took a position as an art teacher at Irvington High School, and the family moved to a house on Littleton Avenue in Newark.

In second grade, Latifah was found to be intellectually gifted. Her mother stretched the family finances so that her daughter could attend Saint Anne's parochial school, where Latifah first performed as Dorothy in her school's production of The Wiz.

In high school, the popular Latifah played power forward on the school's basketball team. During her sophomore year, she began rapping with two friends in an all-women's group called Ladies Fresh. Encouraged by her mother, she began recording and performing, and added "Queen" to her nickname.

Latifah was attending the Borough of Manhattan Community College in Manhattan when a demo tape featuring her rap "Princess of the Posse" made its way to Tommy Boy Records, based in New York City. She was quickly signed by the label, and in 1988, she released two singles, "Wrath of My Madness" and "Dance for Me." In 1989 she toured Europe, appeared at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, and issued her first album, All Hail the Queen, to wide acclaim. The album earned her the Best New Artist Award for 1990 by the New Music Seminar of Manhattan, and subsquently went platinum. Its second single, "Ladies First," celebrated black women's contributions to the struggle for black liberation in America, Africa, and around the world. It became a rap classic, eventually named by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock 'n' Roll.

By the time her second album Nature of a Sista' came out in 1991, Queen Latifah had begun investing in small businesses in her neighborhood, and acting both in television and movies (including Spike Lee's Jungle Fever, 1992). These successes were marred by contract conflicts that caused her to leave Tommy Boy, and by her brother's tragic death in a motorcycle accident in 1992.

After signing with Motown in 1993, Latifah released her third album, Black Reign, and with her newfound clout, founded Flavor Unit Records and Management, which primarily handles rap and new-style rhythm and blues groups. "U.N.I.T.Y," the album's first single, denounced sexist attitudes and violence against women. Latifah also landed a regular spot on the highly rated television sitcom, Living Single, which lasted five seasons.

Over the next few years, the Queen went on to more film roles, including the critically acclaimed portrayal of Cleo, a lesbian bank robber in 1996's Set It Off. She also produced and guest-starred on various musical projects, managed Flavor Unit artists, and worked for numerous causes, including antidrug campaigns.

In 1997 Queen Latifah was awarded the Aretha Franklin Award for Entertainer of the Year at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. She released her fourth album, Order in the Court, in 1998.

Contributed By: Marc Mazique

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Review about Queen Latifah

The best of the best | Reviewer: Quawneisha | 11/5/09

Queen Latifah I just want to say that you are the best, and that I am doing a project on you, and I find it very easy, because I know alot about you. thank
p.s. thanks for beong the best rich person I know

j&s tutoring and mentoring program | Reviewer: robert mcdonald | 10/4/09

Dear queen,
I live in a rural area of Oglethorpe, Georgia but I was raised in Bronx, New York. After several months, it became apparent to me the urgent need to implement a youth program. There is no entertainment or recreation for the youth to get involved with in the community, such as amusement park, dance, playground, roller rink, swimming pool, theater to name but a few.
Education is a low priority. There are three schools- elementary, middle and high school.
Macon County High School failed Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) five years consecutive from 2004-2009. Macon County Middle School failed the AYP two year consecutive from 2003-2005 and failed the AYP every other year to date. Macon County Elementary School failed the AYP from 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009.
An online search provided the proximity of the nearest tutor program which is about 65 miles from Oglethorpe. These programs charge high fees. Families in these counties earn low income.
After consideration, I decided to tutor youth from this school district. I founded the J&S Tutoring and Mentoring Program to service this area. I charge a nominal fee, $55/stud/wk. Still, parents find it difficult to afford my service.
First year of operation I had a total of 8 students. All of my students did well and received promotions to high honor awards. J&S Tutoring and Mentoring Program is into its second year of operation and prays for more success.
I want to expand to accommodate space for computers, textbooks and more students. I want to ease the burden on families that want their children to learn, but who cannot afford the cost of my program. I have written a letter to Georgia Governor Purdue that addressed the problem. He referred me to the city assembly. I spoke to the town assembly with no redress. I have very limited resource. I cannot afford the 501 c3. I do not seek contribution or donation of any kind. However, if there is information your company can propose that will benefit these youth feel free to suggest. Thank you

Sincerely,
Robert McDonald, Jr.
1530 Ga Hwy 26 West
Oglethorpe, Ga 31068
478-297-3973

You got me all twisted up in the game | Reviewer: Ricky | 9/9/09

Finally i can say somethin about my role model. I never had this feeling for anyone else that i have for you Dana, not even for my mom. I read anything about you, watch any movie which you played in and listen to every speech you offer. At times i clunch ur pi'ture with tears in my eyes wishing that i can meet you one day, to greed you, chat wit you a little and stare at you for as long as i want to, not like I used to do...pausing the movie whenever your face appears on the screen. Your my star, keep on shining.
I pray for you, all the best!!!
Ricky, 23 yrs old!

Health Care Reform | Reviewer: Olga Jenkins | 9/3/09

Dear Queen Latifah
You and I know that health care is a right not a privilege. But it seems that the insurance companies, Republicans and conservative Democrats have decided that they can force President Obama to capitulate to them and not keep his campaign promise to us. We need to create a society where all our citizens are insured. Now is the time to show our solidarity with President Obama. A NATIONAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON in support of Obama’s health care initiative is needed to show congress that we demand their support And we need it now.
Can you help mobilize such a march? With you behind it such a march would have to succeed. Time is of the essence.

i love you | Reviewer: prince felix | 8/16/09

dear Latifah,.. i just went through your biography now and i was really moved and inspired,.. how i wish i could have a little privacy with you,.... i have a very big dream,which i can just wait to bring to reality,.. you really are a world queen,.. Here is another Michael Jackson,.. i have passion and love for the world,though i am an African...

I will be most grateful if you can get back to me through the email,..
I love you Latifah.
I do hope to read from you soon

i love ya | Reviewer: ira myers | 8/17/09

i really like you ihave all of your covergirl pictures.You are abeutiful woman im the one who is crazy about you.So i hope that you will probalaty write back to me.Ive saw all of your movies.Have a wonderful life.Write back

Coronation as a Queen | Reviewer: Ishmel Tee Jr. | 7/10/09

I have been so much interested in inviting this majestic Lady to my country Ghana to conorate her as real queen if only she will allow me and my team to do that. there is so much to see also in my country as the current USA president Obama is doing with his family. If she is interested in this proposal, let her managers contact me thru my email address.

i love ya | Reviewer: Iesha | 5/1/09

dear queen latifah ima jersey girl myself i love da movie set if off and life support da 2 of da best i think u eva put took wat u use to be in dat movie i respect that alot u are a big role model to me nd anyotha jersy girl i was woundering if u can maybe come back to jersey for a visit and try to tawk so since into people head dat it doesnt matter when ya from if u got talent dnt b afiad to use it p.s i hope u read dis nd think about it stronly jersey girl need sumthing dat they can relate to

Wonderful | Reviewer: Pavlos Kampanis | 2/2/09

When Queen Latifah enters a scene on film, on stage, or in private, she takes center stage; this woman has it all - talent, a good sense of humor, a warm laugh, a helping hand, a caring desposition, a good heart, and a magic that radiates all around her. Simply put - I adore this woman and admire everything that she does.

my role model | Reviewer: Aaliyah | 1/28/09

she is a great role model bcoz she shows me dat even doe i have nothing i can stil be something. i love her bcoz she has an amazing personality and she has all that i want i love er 2 bits.. may God bless you and continue giving you ur hopes and dreams and may u live happily ever after...... love u queen Lat <3 xxx

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