Queen Latifah

Dana Elaine Owens - better popularly referred to as Queen Latifah, is an American performer, actress and a singer. Queen Latifah's performance in the fields of music, film and television has resulted in her receiving an Golden Globe award two Screen Actors Guild Awards two Image Awards a Grammy Award Six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy Award nomination and an Academy Award nomination. Queen Latifah was born and was raised in Newark New Jersey the daughter of Rita teacher who taught in Irvington High School and Lancelot Owens Sr. as a police officer. Her parents divorced when Latifah was 10 years old. Latifah was brought up in the Baptist church, and attended Catholic schools within Newark New Jersey. Latifah is an Arabic term that translates to "delicate and gentle". Her cousin granted it to her when she was eight. Being a tall girl, the 5'10 tall Latifah was a forward on her high school basketball team. The song she sang was Home from The Wiz at a performance in high school. Latifah began beatboxing with the rap group Ladies Fresh. Latifah was a part of the Flavor Unit's first group that included several MCs as well as the producer DJ Mark 45 King. Mark James aka DJ Mark the 45 King recorded a demo recording of Queen Latifah's song Princess of the Posse. The recording was given to Yo! MTV Raps Freddy. Dante Ross of Tommy Boy Music was a member of Latifah during that time was awed by her single. In 1988, she dropped Wrath of My Madness as Latifah's first single.