HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE QUEEN
QUEEN LATIFAH was Born on March 18, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, Queen Latifah is the daughter of a police officer and a schoolteacher. Her rap career began in high school when she won a talent show with a group called Ladies Fresh. In 1987, she handed her demo tape to a DJ friend, leading to a record deal by the following year. Tommy Boy Records released her debut album, “All Hail The Queen,” in 1989, which blended house, reggae, and jazz influences. Often referred to as the “Aretha Franklin of rap,” Latifah also gained recognition in the acting world after her film debut in Spike Lee’s 1991 film “Jungle Fever.”
She soon landed a role in the ensemble sitcom “Living Single,” and her performance in “Set It Off” earned her a Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress. Latifah co-starred with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito in “Living Out Loud,” receiving critical acclaim. In 1999, she appeared in “The Bone Collector” alongside Denzel Washington. Her role as Mama Morton in “Chicago” brought her rave reviews, an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe nomination, and a SAG Award nomination.
Latifah became the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 4, 2006. She continued to release successful albums, including “Black Reign,” featuring the Grammy-winning single “Unity.” Diversifying her career, she became a chat show host with “The Queen Latifah Show,” which ran successfully for three years starting in 1999.
Flavor Unit Entertainment, her production company with partner Shakim Compere, has become a significant player in the film industry. They executive produced hits like “Bringing Down the House” and “Beauty Shop,” and co-produced “Bad Girls” and “The Cookout.” We cannnot leave out her pivotal role in “THE EQUALIZER” the series, based on the movies starring Denzel Washington.
Beyond music, film, and television, Queen Latifah authored a book on self-esteem, “Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman.” Her commitment to excellence is evident in her numerous awards for film and music. She is also known for her philanthropy, dedicating resources to charitable organizations. Every year, she co-chairs the Lancelot H. Owens Scholarship Foundation, Inc., established by her mother, Rita Owens, to honor the memory of a beloved son and brother by providing scholarships to academically gifted students with financial needs.