Birth name Dana OwensBorn March 18, 1970Genres R&B, soul, jazz, hip – hop

Dana Elaine Owens, better known as, Queen Latifah, was born on March 18, 1970. Queen Latifah is famous for being a rapper, actress, and singer. The Queen’s work in music, film, and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy Award nomination, and an Academy Award nomination.

Queen Latifah was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. Her mother, Rita, is a schoolteacher who worked at Irvington High School. Queen’s father, Lancelot Owens, was a police officer. Dana’s parents divorced when she was ten.

She performed the number “Home” from the musical, The Wiz, in a high school play. Now you know Dana Elaine Owens’ life from 1970 – 1988.

1988 - present

Queen Latifah

Latifah started beat boxing for a group called, Ladies Fresh. Latifah was one of the members of the original version of Flavor Unit, which at that time, was a crew of the MCs grouped producer DJ Mark the 45 King. Mark James aka “DJ Mark the 45 King” made a demo recording of Queen Latifah’s rap, “Princess of the Posse.” He gave the recording to the host of Yo! MTV Raps Fab 5 Freddy. The song got the attention of a Tommy Boy Music employee, Dante Ross, who signed Latifah in 1988 issued her first single, “Wrath of my Madness”.

Mark James aka “DJ Mark the 45 King” helped her sign with Tommy Boy Records.

After Order In The Court, Dana primarily shifted to singing lyrics in soul and jazz music standards, which she had used sparingly in her previous hip – hop oriented records. In 2004, she released the soul/jazz standards in her record, The Dana Owens Album.

Later in 2007, Latifah released and album entitled, Trav’lin’ Light.

In 2008, Latifah was asked if she could make another Hip – Hop album. She was quoted saying the album was done already and it would be called, All Hail the Queen 2. The song, “Cue the Rain” single. She also had a song with Missy Elliott.

I have been watching movies with Queen Latifah in it since I was a little girl. I also admire her for all her awards and achievements. That is why I like Queen Latifah.

I learned that being famous doesn’t just happen overnight. You have to work for awards, like, a Golden Globe Award, as Dana Owens did. Just remember, if you ever want to be famous, you have to work your way to the top.

Queen Latifah still lives on this planet and is very famous.

The End