Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah Now

Queen Latifah in the 1980's

Dana Elaine Owens born in March 18, 1970 is a singer, rapper, actress, and spokes model. Dana Elaine Owens, better known for her stage name as Queen Latifah, was born in Newark, New Jersey and almost immediatly became involved in beatboxing. Her stage name Latifah is an Arabic word meaning delicate and gentle. Her first stage debut was in high school during a school play called, "The Wiz." A very well known African American version of the Wizard of Oz. After many years of being an amature beat boxer she started a beat boxing womens group called Ladies Fresh.

Queen Latifah signed with Tommy Boy Records in 1988, they then helped her release her first break through album All Hail the Queen in 1989. At this point in time she was only ninteen years old which made her one of the youngest break out female artists during the black arts movement. Then in 1998 she realeased her next album Order in the Court after featuring in many other Black Arts Movement artists albums, such as The Hustlers and DJ Mark the 45 Kings

Queen Latifah is a model for what women during the Black Arts Movement were all about. After having a rocky upbringing in the wrong part of town she still prevailed and became the success that she is today. A huge impact on her career was her brother who died in a motorcycle accident in 1992. "It gave me more drive to do what I wanted to do and made me feel that I had a gardian angel watching over me always," said Queen Latifah.