Queen Latifah

Dana Elaine Owens - better known to the public as Queen Latifah is an American actress, rapper, and singer. Her career as a musician as well as a film and television artist has earned the actress the distinction of two Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Image Awards. She also won an Grammy Award as well as six additional Grammy nominations. Queen Latifah was born and lived in Newark New Jersey the daughter of Rita a schoolteacher who worked in Irvington High School and Lancelot Owens, Jr. as a police officer. Her parents divorced around the age of 10. Latifah, who was born and was raised within Newark New Jersey attended Catholic schools in Newark. The stage name Latifah is a reference to delicate and compassionate in Arabic was handed by her aunt when she was eight. Latifah is 5-foot-10" tall power forward for the high school team, was always tall. At her school's game she performed "Home" from The Wiz. Latifah first began to beatbox with the Ladies Fresh. Latifah is one of the original participants of Flavor Unit, which was at the time a group made up of DJ Mark the 45 King. Mark James aka the DJ Mark the 40 King, created a demo of the rap Princess of the Posse by Queen Latifah. The recording was given to Yo! MTV Raps which is hosted by Freddy. Dante Ross of Tommy Boy Music, who worked for Latifah at the time, was impressed by her song. The song was released in 1988. Wrath of My Madness as Latifah's debut single.