Queen Latifah

Queen LatifahAnthony Quintano [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

"Me, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante, we got record deals because we're good, we deserve them, not because we're women" (Queen Latifah). Queen Latifah worked really hard to get where she is today. Lance Owens, a police officer, and Rita Owens are Queen Latifah's parents. Her given name is Dane Elaine Owens. Her Muslim cousin called her “Latifah,” meaning sensitivity and delicateness in Arabic. Later on Dana added Queen to her name to embrace the power in her African culture. She is known to be an actress, music producer, writer and, hip hop artist. Her date of birth is March 18, 1970. She was born in New Jersey. Queen Latifah is a multitalented woman who is determined when it comes to succeeding.

There are many things that could have stopped Latifah from succeeding. “Latifah's 24-year-old policeman brother, Lance, died in a motorcycle crash aboard a bike Latifah had gave him just two months earlier" ... “Latifah and her friend Sean Moon, 22, get carjacked while in her $75,000 BMW in New York City's Harlem neighborhood. Moon is shot in the abdomen - and barely escapes death" (Celebrity Central/ Top 25 Celebs /Queen Latifah Biography). Even though she has had some rough times, such as losing her brother, Dana keeps getting better when showcasing her many talents. Everyone has a special talent that they do best. Queen Latifah is best known for her social politics as well as for her gift of rhyme. She has won many awards. The Queen was the first hip hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Latifah is a woman of power from the heart. She didn't think about being famous and having money when starting her career. She did it because she enjoyed doing it. The money and being famous were just extras. Queen Latifah has become financially secure through her accomplishments.

Queen Latifah is one of the most multi-talented women this world has to offer. In addition to music, movies, and television, Latifah also found time to author a book on self-esteem, entitled "Put on Your Crown" (Dargis, Manohla). At the age of 8, she played in her first movie, "The Wizard of Oz." She made her first album and added opera in one of her songs. Her lyrics are meaningful. She sings about strong women. After releasing her best-selling memoir and her fifth album, and making PEOPLE's Most Beautiful list, Latifah endorses Cover Girl cosmetics (Celebrity Central/ Top 25 Celebs /Queen Latifah Biography). Latifah doesn't just act, sing, produce tons of albums and write; her other talent is beauty. She is a respected woman by many people.

When it comes to succeeding, Queen Latifah is determined. Being eminently hardworking has brought her extremely far in life. She is now known to be full of talent. Life would be boring if her talent had not been expressed starting at such a young age. She had time, and it made her better. Queen Latifah is very inspirational. She shows the world that she is at the top. She makes her label noticeable. She becomes more of a “queen” every day. She is a beautiful, capable woman looking to do only well. Queen Latifah isn’t only a celebrity, she is also a neverending legend.

The following section was added by The MY HERO Project in 2025

In recent years, Queen Latifah has received many awards and recognitions for her music. In 2017, she received the Entertainment Icon award at the American Black Film Festival. “It means so much to me coming from fellow entertainers and my peers,” Latifah explained to press.[1] Two years later, Harvard University honored Latifah with the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal. The medal is awarded to people who have made significant contributions to African and African American culture; it is their most prestigious award in African and African American studies.[2]

Queen Latifah’s debut studio album, All Hail the Queen (released in 1989), was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2023. The album was the earliest female rap recording to be added to the registry, and Latifah was the second female hip-hop recording artist to have been included following Lauryn Hill.[3]