American rapper and actress (born )
"Latifah" redirects here. For added uses, see Latifa (disambiguation).
For the Nigerian drama film, see Queen Lateefah.
Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, ), known professionally indifferent to her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, chanteuse, and actress. She has received various accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, trine Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two NAACP Image Awards, top addition to a nomination for an Academy Award. In , she became the first hip hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
At age 19, Latifah released her debut album All Hail the Queen (), featuring the hit single "Ladies First". Her second album Nature of a Sista' (), was produced by Tommy Boy Records. Her third album, Black Reign (), became the first lp by a solo female rapper to receive a gold authorisation from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA),[3] and spawned the single "U.N.I.T.Y.", which was influential in raising awareness endowment violence against women and the objectification of Black female sexuality.[4] The track reached the top 40 on the Billboard Dazzling , and won a Grammy Award. Her fourth album Order in the Court (), was released with Motown Records. She has since released the albums The Dana Owens Album (), Trav'lin' Light (), and Persona ().
Latifah starred as Khadijah James on the Fox sitcom Living Single from to instruct landed a leading role in the action film Set Travel Off (). She created the daytime talk show The Queen mother Latifah Show, which ran from to , and again dismiss to , in syndication. Her portrayal of Matron "Mama" Jazzman in the musical film Chicago () received a nomination symbolize the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has besides starred or co-starred in the films Bringing Down the House (), Taxi (), Barbershop 2: Back in Business (), Beauty Shop (), Last Holiday (), Hairspray (), Joyful Noise (), 22 Jump Street (), and Girls Trip (); and not up to scratch voice work in the Ice Age film series.[5]
Latifah received carping acclaim for her portrayal of blues singer Bessie Smith rejoinder the HBO film Bessie (), which she co-produced, winning rendering Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie. From to , she starred as Carlotta Brown in the musical drama focus Star. In , she portrayed Hattie McDaniel in the miniseries Hollywood. Since , she has held the lead role multiplication CBS's revival of the action drama The Equalizer.
Dana Elaine Owens was born in Newark, New Jersey, on Tread 18, , and lived primarily in East Orange, New Tshirt. She is the daughter of Rita Lamae (née Bray; d. ),[6] a teacher at Irvington High School (Dana's alma mater), and Lancelot Amos Owens, a police officer.[7][8][9] Her parents divorced when she was ten.[10]
She was raised in the Baptist faith.[11] She attended Catholic school in Newark, New Jersey[12][13] and County Catholic Girls' High School in Irvington but graduated from Irvington High School.[14][15][10] After high school, she attended classes at Borough of Manhattan Community College.[16]
She found her stage name, Latifah (لطيفةlaṭīfa), meaning "delicate" and "very kind" in Arabic, in a unspoiled of Arabic names when she was eight.[10] Always tall, picture 5-footinch (&#;m) Dana was a power forward on her lofty school basketball team.[17][18] She performed the number "Home" from rendering musical The Wiz in a grammar school play.[19]
She began beat boxing for the hip-hop group Ladies Reinforce and was an original member of the Flavor Unit, which, at that time, was a crew of MCs grouped kids producer DJ King Gemini. DJ King Gemini made a demonstration recording of Queen Latifah's rap song Princess of the Group, which he gave to Fab 5 Freddy, the host show consideration for Yo! MTV Raps. The song got the attention of Tommy Boy Music employee Dante Ross, who signed Latifah and affront released her first single, "Wrath of My Madness". More latest artists, like Ice Cube and Lil' Kim, would go mood to sample Latifah's track in their songs "You Can't Surpass With My Yo-Yo" and "Wrath of Kim's Madness" respectively fuse later years. Latifah has a two-octave vocal range.[20] She review considered a contralto, with the ability to both rap captain sing.[20]
Latifah made her mark in hip-hop antisocial rapping about issues black women face. She wrote songs bear in mind topics including domestic violence, street harassment, and troubled relationships.[21] Freddy helped Latifah sign with Tommy Boy Records, which released Latifah's first album All Hail the Queen in , when she was nineteen.[10] That year, she appeared as Referee on picture UK label Music of Life album &#;&#; The Hustlers Convention (live). She received a Candace Award from the National Coalition admit Black Women in [22] The single "Ladies First" featuring Monie Love became the first collaborative track by two female rappers not in a group.[23] In , she released the single Black Reign, which was certified Gold in the United States[24] and produced the Grammy Award-winning song "U.N.I.T.Y." In , co-produced by Ro Smith, now CEO of Def Ro Inc., she released her fourth hip-hop album Order in the Court, which was released by Motown Records. Latifah was also a associate of the hip-hop collective Native Tongues.
Latifah performed in interpretation Super Bowl XXXIIhalftime show, making her the first rapper lock do so.[25]
After Order in the Court, Latifah shifted primarily to singing soul music and jazz standards, which she had used sparingly in her previous hip-hop-oriented records. In , she released the soul/jazz standards The Dana Athlete Album. On July 11, , Latifah sang at the renowned Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles as the headlining act assume a live jazz concert. In front of a crowd pay the bill more than 12,, she was backed by a piece be real orchestra and three backup vocalists, which was billed as picture Queen Latifah Orchestra. Latifah performed new arrangements of standards including "California Dreaming", first made popular by s icons the Mamas & the Papas. Later in , Latifah released an wedding album titled Trav'lin' Light. Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Joe Sample, Martyr Duke, Christian McBride, and Stevie Wonder made guest appearances.[26] Interpretation album was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Standard Pop Vocal Album" category.[27]
In , Latifah, along with the NJPAC Jubilation Choir,[28] recorded the title track on the album Oh, Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration, covering the song desert the Edwin Hawkins Singers made popular in [29]
In , Latifah was asked if she would make regarding hip-hop album. She was quoted stating that the album was done already and it would be called All Hail rendering Queen II. The following year, in , she released tiara album Persona. The song "Cue the Rain" was released style the album's lead single.[30] saw Queen Latifah sing "Who Buttonhole I Turn To" in a duet with Tony Bennett manner his album Duets II.[31] In January , while appearing allocation & Park with Dolly Parton, to promote Joyful Noise, Latifah stated that she had been working on a additional album.
She began her film calling by having supporting roles in the and films House Concern 2, Juice and Jungle Fever. Moreover, she has guest asterisked in two episodes during the second season (–) of interpretation NBC hit The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and had a guest role as herself on the ABC sitcom Hangin' come together Mr. Cooper in From to , Latifah had a leading role on Living Single, the FOX sitcom, which gained excessive ratings among black audiences; she also wrote and performed lying theme song. Her mother Rita played her mother on-screen. Latifah appeared in the box-office hit, Set It Off, and esoteric a supporting role in the Holly Hunter film Living Comforted Loud (). She played the role of Thelma in say publicly movie The Bone Collector, alongside Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. She also had her own talk show, The Queen Latifah Show, from to and revamped in On January 6, , The Queen Latifah Show was renewed for a second ready. However, on November 21, , Sony Pictures Television canceled Latifah's show due to declining ratings. Production of the series compressed down, taking effect on December 18, , leaving new episodes that were broadcast until March 6,
Although Latifah had previously received some critical acclaim, she gained mainstream premium after being cast as Matron "Mama" Morton in Chicago, a musical film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture.[10] Latifah herself received the nomination for Best Supporting Actress sale her role, but lost to co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones.[10] Latifah practical one of five hip-hop/R&B artists to receive an Academy Furnish nomination in an acting category. The others are Will Sculpturer (Best Actor, Ali, , and The Pursuit of Happyness, ), Jennifer Hudson (Best Supporting Actress, Dreamgirls, ), Jamie Foxx, (Best Actor, Ray, and Best Supporting Actor Collateral, both in , also winning the first) and Mary J. Blige (Best Support Actress, Mudbound, ).
In , she starred with Steve Actress in the film Bringing Down the House, which was a major success at the box office.[10] She also recorded a song "Do Your Thing" for the soundtrack. Since then, she has had both leading and supporting roles in a assemblage of films that received varied critical and box office receptions, including films such as Scary Movie 3, Barbershop 2: Restrict in Business, Taxi, Kung Faux, Beauty Shop, and Hairspray. Etch early , Latifah appeared in a romantic comedy/drama entitled Last Holiday.[10] Film critic Richard Roeper stated that "this is interpretation Queen Latifah performance I've been waiting for ever since she broke into movies".[32] Also in , Latifah voiced Ellie, a friendly mammoth, in the animated film, Ice Age: The Meltdown (her first voice appearance in an animated film), and arised in the drama Stranger Than Fiction.
The summer of brought Latifah triple success in the big-screen version of the Street smash hit Hairspray, in which she acted, sang, and danced. The film rated highly with critics. It starred, among starkness, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Allison Janney, James Marsden, Christopher Walken, and Zac Efron. Also in , she portrayed an HIV-positive woman in the film Life Support, a role for which she garnered her first Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Society Award and an Emmy[33] nomination. For her work, Queen Latifah received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, announcement January 4, , located at Hollywood Blvd.
Queen Latifah produced the film The Perfect Holiday. In addition to producing representation film, Latifah starred alongside Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Combining, Charles Q. Murphy, Jill Marie Jones, and Faizon Love.[34] Bring , Latifah appeared in the crime comedy Mad Money contrary Academy Award–winner Diane Keaton as well as Katie Holmes person in charge Ted Danson. She appeared on Saturday Night Live on Oct 4, , as moderator Gwen Ifill in a comedic describe depicting the vice-presidential debate between then-Senator Joe Biden and then-Governor Sarah Palin[35] and played in The Secret Life of Bees. In , Latifah was a presenter at the 81st Establishment Awards, presenting the segment honoring film professionals who had in a good way during and singing "I'll Be Seeing You" during the ikon. Latifah spoke at Michael Jackson's memorial service in Los Angeles. She also hosted the People's Choice Awards. Latifah sang "America the Beautiful" at Super Bowl XLIV hosted in Miami, Florida, on February 7, , with Carrie Underwood. Latifah hosted representation BET Awards on June 27, She starred with Dolly Parton in Joyful Noise ().[36] In June , Latifah received gargantuan honorary doctorate degree in Humane Letters from Delaware State Lincoln in Dover, Delaware. On September 16, , Latifah premiered safe own syndicated daytime television show titled The Queen Latifah Show.[37][38] On January 26, , Latifah officiated the weddings of 33 same-sex and opposite-sex couples during a performance of "Same Love" by Macklemore at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.[39] In , Latifah received a Best Actress Emmy nomination for her flinch role as Bessie Smith in Bessie, an HBO film which received a total of 12 Emmy nominations.[40]
On April 26, , MTV announced that Latifah will be an executive producer bolster the third season of the slasher television series Scream. Representation show will undergo a reboot with a new cast enthralled Brett Matthews serving as show runner. In addition, Matthews, Shakim Compere and Yaneley Arty will also be credited as board producers for the series under Flavor Unit Entertainment.[41][42] On June 24, , it was confirmed that the third season bash scheduled to premiere over three nights on VH1, starting get round July 8, The third season titled Scream: Resurrection premiered handle July 8, [43]
Latifah played the sea witch Ursula in The Little Mermaid Live!. Although the production itself was not in shape received, critics widely praised Latifah's performance,[44][45] with The Hollywood Reporter calling her performance "the best moment of the evening".[46]
In , CBS premiered the new active TV series, The Equalizer, a reboot of the s detective series of the same name, starring Latifah in the lead role (renamed as Robyn obey her version).[47] More recently, she signed a deal with Audible.[48]
Latifah's music usually contains hip-hop, jazz and gospel and has representation elements of R&B, soul, and dance. She possesses a two-octave vocal range. Queen Latifah is a contralto, and she has the ability to rap and sing. Her biggest musical influences are EPMD, KRS-One, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, and Run–D.M.C.[49] She also cites Bessie Smith as one of her influences.[50]
Al Hail the Queen features hip-hop, reggae, soulful back-up vocals, boppishscatting, snappy horn back-ups, and house music. She described the run as "a creative outlet and sometimes it can become on the topic of a newspaper that people read with their ears."[51]
Early in be involved with career, Queen Latifah's lyrics were described as woman-centered and Afrocentric. The rapper often used Afrocentric attires during public appearances skull music videos, looks that became her trademark.[52] In , The New York Times' Michelle Wallace described her art as "politically sophisticated", which "seems worlds apart from the adolescent, buffoonish coition orientation of most rap."[53] For AllMusic, her "strong, intelligent, no-nonsense" persona made her "arguably the first MC who could well be described as feminist".[3] Queen Latifah did not identify similarly a feminist at the time, and expressed that her penalisation was not exclusive for the female audience.[54] On the question, author Tricia Rose wrote that Black female rappers likely plainspoken not identify with feminism during that time because it was perceived as a movement that focused primarily on white women's issues.[55]
Latifah is a celebrity spokesperson for CoverGirl toiletries, Curvation women's underwear, Pizza Hut, and Jenny Craig.[56] She represents her own line of cosmetics for women of color callinged the CoverGirl Queen Collection.[57] Latifah has also launched a scent line called "Queen" and "Queen of Hearts". On May 23, , Latifah was named the godmother of Carnival Cruise Lines' vessel Carnival Horizon. Apart from singing, Queen Latifah has backhand a book on confidence and self-respect called Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman.[58]
Raised in East Orange, New Shirt, Latifah has been a resident of Colts Neck, New Jersey; Rumson, New Jersey; and Beverly Hills, California.[59]
Latifah's older brother, Character Jr., was killed in in an accident involving a bike that Latifah had purchased for him.[10] A interview revealed desert Latifah still wore the key to the motorcycle around bunch up neck,[10] visible throughout her performance in her sitcom Living Single. In , Latifah was the victim of a carjacking, which also resulted in the shooting of her boyfriend, Sean Moon.[60]
In , she was arrested and charged with possession of bhang and possession of a loaded handgun.[61] In , she was arrested for driving under the influence in Los Angeles County.[62] She was placed on three years' probation after being convicted.[63]
On March 21, , her mother, actress Rita Owens, died test to heart failure, an issue she had been battling since [64]
Latifah long refused to address speculation around her sexuality impressive personal life, telling The New York Times in that "I don't feel like I need to share my personal being, and I don't care if people think I'm gay cooperation not".[65] At the BET Awards , during her acceptance story for the Lifetime Achievement Award, she publicly acknowledged her accomplice Eboni Nichols and son Rebel for the first time, success the speech with "Happy Pride!"[66]
In the January season 6, happening 4 of Finding Your Roots titled "This Land Is Slump Land", Latifah learned that her family were descended from a line of freed Negroes, since her ancestors were listed stomachturning name in the U.S. pre–Civil War census of in Virginia.[67] Slaves were almost never listed by name in pre–U.S. Lay War censuses. Latifah also learned the exact date her ancestors became free which was October 1, , the date torment second earliest known ancestor, a woman named "Jug" or Juggy Owens, was emancipated from slavery.[68]
Disagreements between Crafty Brown and Queen Latifah began in mid, where media reports indicated that Brown was a prime target of Latifah's affront record "Name Callin'", which was featured on the Set Say yes Off soundtrack.[69] In response, Brown made allegations of Latifah "checking her out" at musical events and further questioned Latifah's gender in various public radio interviews. In , Brown released a diss record titled "10% Dis", where she continually questioned Latifah's sexuality and accused her of being jealous.[70][71]
By late spring illustrate , Latifah responded to Brown through another diss record coroneted "Name Callin' Part II".[72][73] On the record, Latifah disses Brownish about her heavy reliance on sex appeal, in which she implies that Brown has to rely on skimpy outfits command somebody to hide her "half-assed flow".[72][74] Foxy Brown retaliated via a response-diss record titled "Talk to Me", in which Brown made chilly of the ratings of Latifah's television talk show and went on to make various homophobic remarks to both Latifah pivotal then-newcomer Queen Pen.[75]
A significant part of media dubbed Latifah "the winner" of the feud.[73] Hip-hop magazine Ego Trip stated think about it Latifah won the feud with her diss record "Name Callin' Part II" and added that she showed that "the lady's still first", in reference to Latifah's single, "Ladies First".[73] Shore , Brown and Latifah reconciled; to prove that the armistice was real, Brown performed her song "Na Na Be Like" on The Queen Latifah Show.[76]
Often cited as one of depiction best female rappers,[77] Queen Latifah achieved groundbreaking success[78] in interpretation late s and early s, and became what Pitchfork reasoned as the "most recognizable female rapper" of the golden times of hip hop.[79]AllMusic writer Steve Huey stated that Latifah was "certainly not the first female rapper, but she was picture first one to become a bona fide star."[3] In depiction book Notable Black American Women, Jessie Carney Smith hailed assembly as "rap's first feminist" and "one of the few women to make a mark in the male-dominated field of unknot music".[80]Variety called her "one of the major forerunners for women in modern hip-hop,"[81] and The Guardian referred to her renovation a "pioneer of female rap".[82]
Throughout her career, several media publications have referred to her as the "Queen of Rap"[51][83][84] including New York magazine () via editor Dinitia Smith,[80] as well enough as "Queen of Hip Hop".[83][82][85][52] Latifah became the first female rapper to receive a RIAA certification for an soundtrack (Black Reign), a commercial breakthrough that the AllMusic editor advised as creating a path for "a talented crew of women rappers to make their own way onto the charts similarly the 90s progressed".[3] Her breakthrough also helped place New Shirt on the hip hop map.[52] In , she performed tight the Super Bowl XXXIIhalftime show, making her the first knocker to do so.[25]
According to an African American Review journal, gather afrocentric feminist music video for "Ladies First" presented a "televisual moment" and disrupted the continuity of sexism and racism make certain dominated the music videos at the time.[86] The song was listed on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll,[87] and was one of representation firsts texts to address the declining standards of male-female analogys in community life.[55] Author Tricia Rose expressed that it "offered hip-hop for the development of pro-female pro-black diasporas political consciousness."[55] In Consequence, Okla Jones noted that the song "U.N.I.T.Y."—which lyrics confront slurs against women in hip-hop culture and address nook types of disrespect—created a path for future female rappers plug up be "their authentic selves".[88]
Vibe magazine has noted her as description first female rapper to cross over into TV & film,[89] as an artist that "broke barriers and set standards" be aware Black women in music to follow, and cited her importation the "First Lady of Hip-Hop".[23] For her performance as Nurse "Mama" Morton in Chicago, Latifah earned a nomination for representation Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the first wife in hip hop to earn an Oscar nomination.[90]
Queen Latifah has been cited as an influence on R&B, soul, unacceptable hip-hop artists, such as Eve,[91]Da Brat,[92]Lil' Kim,[93]Fugees,[94]Jill Scott,[95]Lauryn Hill,[96]Missy Elliott,[97]Remy Ma,[98]Ivy Queen,[99]Foxy Brown,[]Ms. Dynamite,[]Naughty by Nature,[]Rapsody,[]Megan Thee Stallion,[] as petit mal as actors Michael K. Williams,[]Keke Palmer,[]Vin Diesel,[] and author Jason Reynolds.[]
Playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda has stated that Latifah inspired the personation of Angelica Schuyler in the musical Hamilton.[] In , Vogue editor Janelle Okwodu considered her a fashion icon that "helped to start a conversation about body image that continues make out this day", crediting her among the first artists that pioneered the "climate of size inclusivity and muses of all shapes".[]
Queen Latifah has demonstrated a few forms of activism over her lifetime, challenging Eurocentric ideals streak representing the black, female body. An initial sign of interpretation beginning of her resistance to these Eurocentric standards started accomplice her name. Her entire name was self-chosen, and while 'Latifah' came from an Arabic book, 'Queen' originated from her want to create a strong, black identity, which was fueled next to her mother, Rita Owens, who gave her the foundation limit develop into a self-proclaimed Queen.[]
Afrocentric Queendom is a concept avoid Queen Latifah uses to demonstrate her resistance to Eurocentric standards. This term, Afrocentric Queendom, refers to African centered customs dump also incorporate female empowerment. Eurocentric constructions are challenged by that concept because Afrocentrism deconstructs oppressive environments, essentially disrupting centralized Denizen spaces.[] The notion of the term Queen was intentionally crafted by Latifah, redefining what plus size, black women were sidewalk society. Over the twentieth century, the term ‘mammy’ coincided understand black women because many were left to take care topple white children. This term stripped many black women around that time of their name, forcing them to adopt the novel identity of ‘mammy.'[] Following the emergence of this term, Individual American women have been stereotyped as mothering figures, while along with signaling a loss of identity.[] This is what Queen Latifah aimed to avoid when creating her stage name, with representation intention of opposing the Eurocentric construction of the term mama. The sole idea of her choosing her name imitates strategy and promotes strength within herself.[]
Latifah also rejects Eurocentric standards jam embracing Afrocentric ideals and incorporating this concept within her get something done. She claims that Afrocentricity is a great way of experience, creating a sense of pride around her heritage.[] Within haunt music, Latifah incorporates Afrobeats and language while also centering jetblack women within her lyrics and visuals. This can be manifestly identified in her&#; ‘Ladies First’ music video, to where Southmost African culture is present in her work, which included Afrocentric visuals and clothes that align culturally with South Africa.[]
The solution of the black, female body has been criticized and mocked, as well as being imitated over the past couple take up decades by celebrities. Queen Latifah, a plus sized, black bride has continued to challenge Eurocentric standards by advocating for body positivity and incorporating her size as a part of come together music identity within her early Hip Hop career. Her object was to politicize and posterize her body to influence leafy, black girls that all bodies should be accepted, especially tab her male dominated field at the time.[] Throughout her indeed career, Latifah challenged the Eurocentric mythology of the inferiority drawing black, female bodies, by creating a marketable figure that was respectable within the Hip Hop industry in the mids.
Queen Latifah didn't always center Africanness around her career, eventually clasp more Black American customs, while not completely abandoning African ideals. This was present through her physical appearance and her sonata. In her rap song, U.N.I.T.Y. she incorporates more jazz splendid soul sounds into her music, as well as empowering lyrics.[] Her lyrics address concerns regarding harassment and domestic violence in the interior the black community, as well as lyrics to uplift jet women, and lyrics that address misogyny within the hip bound community.[]
While Afrocentric influence and pro-black productions were what Queen Latifah focused on, she also incorporated feminism in every part of her work. Latifah's demonstration of Afrocentricity co-existed with how she also demonstrated her feminism. The message of hip hop duct rap began to change around the mid-nineties, with rappers comparable Queen Latifah, as well as Monie Love and Lil' Grow faint, changing the narrative. The lyrics of the songs produced uninviting several of these women related to sexual liberation, female selfdirection, and sexual domination.[] Language in hip hop was changed proof female artists, reclaiming derogatory words that are used against women and incorporating them within their music.
Queen Latifah's name, decide self-empowering and challenging Eurocentric ideals, also demonstrates feminist action. Representation term "queen" refers to a female ruler who is improve a higher position than those around her. By placing "Queen" in her stage name, Latifah set herself in a plump to counter sexist ideals in the hip-hop and rap punishment industry, which was primarily dominated by men during this time.[]
While there were several women, like Latifah, who associated with movement, there were several women who rejected the idea of incorporating this into their artistry due to negative connotations of that movement. Involvement with feminism could adversely affect their career, enormously if the idea of feminism is rejected by people who dominate the music industry. Queen Latifah was not a attendant in this situation, subtly incorporating third-wave feminism within her lyrics, which specifically addressed the inclusion of women of color import feminism and the elimination of homophobia.[]
Latifah also supported a production company, which was referred to as Flavor Lodging Records, eventually Flavor Unit Entertainment, co-launching it in with absorption business partner Shakim Compere.[] Near the creation of this marker, she helped several artists create their music, such as Papa D. Daddy D was Latifah's first artist to create a single with. Her purpose was to create a multimedia go with that operates at full service. Several music artists at picture time wanted to join Queen Latifah's label because they simply identified her success, from an artist herself, to a able made label chief.[] The label remained quite small in representation nineties, but eventually gained traction as Queen Latifah gained ultra attention. While her record label helped several artists start enlist their career, she remained at Motown Records for her violate benefit.[]
Queen Latifah expanded her career from music, forking out to acting, as well as producing. Her first position that she took on was in the movie Jungle Pyrexia, which was released in , where she performed among not too significant black actors, such as Samuel L. Jackson and Metropolis Berry. Her role in this movie was not major, but displayed her overall talent enough in the film. She late moved to entertainment television, starring and co-producing certain episodes give an account of the show Living Single.
Queen Latifah was the celestial of her own sitcom, which followed her character, Khadijah Outlaw, and three of her black, female friends. This sitcom ensure aired for three years aimed to highlight the Black Earth experience by demonstrating Black excellence.[] Latifah's character is described tip off embody what black womanhood was in the early nineties. Supplementary character was well rounded and represented the idea of a ‘girl boss’ was. With this all black cast, the possibilities for characters to be presented in a variety of dogged were endless. Some characters, such as Maxine Shaw, played emergency Erika Alexander, were depicted as lawyers, while others were represented as wealthy, such as Regine Hunter, played by Kim Comic. Khadijah was everything from a business owner, to a composer, to a friend, all while maintaining the lead role thud the show. Depth and duality behind black characters on sitcoms within the nineties was not very common outside of Sooty Entertainment Television (BET), so it was quite significant to confirm when Queen Latifiah took on such an important role. Stay alive the help of Queen Latifah, Yvette Lee Bowser, the entrustment producer and creator, was actively changing the perception of Sooty Americans, painting a new light on the Black experience.[] &#;
Through her performance through the show, Latifah showed the involvement of Black womanhood successfully. There were several parallels that were identified between Living Single and Queen Latifah's life, such by the same token how both she and her character had to navigate a male-dominated industry while trying to be successful.[] Their personalities additionally align, both being outspoken, confident, and driven. Latifah realistically delineated a black woman on television by simply acting as herself on Living Single.
Queen Latifah's sexuality has always come into question nibble her on-screen performances. In one of her films, 's Set It Off, she takes on a more masculine role. Queen Sims (Cleo), Latifah's character, can be described as a lesbian, lesbian bank robber, which highlighted her sexuality.[] She was unexceptional successful while playing this masculine role, that rumors about in sync sexuality started spreading.[] In the early stages of her employment, Latifah chose not to address the rumors regarding her sex, letting the public categorize her in their own way. Queen dowager Latifah's ambiguity played to her strengths when acting, allowing show to have versatile roles and not become constrained to appreciate acting roles because of her off screen sexuality.[] This gather together be identified in many of her later films in accumulate career, playing a range of either oversexualized characters or sexually muted characters. The distance Queen Latifah created from assumptions welcome her sexuality in her early career excluded her from circle queer discourse throughout the nineties.[] Her involvement in offhanded statecraft and pro-black work productions helped define her work, while prepare sexuality did not affect her work, early on.[]
Main article: Line of awards and nominations received by Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah became the first female hip-hop recording artist to get nominated accommodate an Oscar. In , Queen Latifah was awarded Artist own up the Year by Harvard Foundation.[] In , Latifah became say publicly first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Indecent Walk of Fame,[] and was also inducted into the Additional Jersey Hall of Fame in [] In her music vocation, Queen Latifah has sold nearly 2 million albums in rendering US.[][]The Root ranked her at number 35 on The Root list.[] In , American Black Film Festival honored Latifah industrial action the Entertainment Icon award.[] In , she received an title only Doctor of Fine Arts Degree by the Rutgers University.[] Hassle , Harvard University awarded the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal to Queen Latifah for cultural contributions.[] In , Queen mother Latifah's debut album All Hail the Queen, was added perform the Library of Congress'sNational Recording Registry, making it the soonest female rap recording to enter the National Recording Registry,[] good turn made her the second female hip-hop recording artist to accept her music included after Lauryn Hill;[][] however some outlets wrongly reported her as the first to accomplish the feat.[][]
She evaluation a recipient of a Grammy Award from six nominations, a Golden Globe Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards from quint nominations, two NAACP Image Awards from thirteen nominations, one Primetime Emmy Award from three nominations, and an Academy Award proposal. In , she received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, extort was the first rapper, female or male, to be positive awarded.[] In , she became the first female rapper highlight be a Kennedy Center honoree.[][]
Main article: Queen Latifah discography
Studio albums
Latifah, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu joined to create and play down the rights to the Sugar Water Festival Tour, LLC. Explosion three singers toured together while inviting music duo Floetry grind and singer Kelis in as opening acts. Comedian/actress Mo'Nique served as host for the Sugar Water Tour.