Coordinates	43°10′″N44°49′″N
Name	Queen Latifah
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Dana Elaine Owens
Birth date	March 18, 1970
Death	March 25, 2011
Origin	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Instrument	Piano, vocals
Genre	R&B;, soul, jazz, hip hop
Occupation	Singer-songwriter, record producer, rapper, actress, comedian, spokesperson, author
Years active	1988–present
Label	Verve, Interscope, Motown, Tommy Boy, Warner Bros., PolyGram
Website	QueenLatifah.com

Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper and actress. Queen Latifah's work in music, film and television has earned her a 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.

Early life

Latifah was born and raised primarily in East Orange, New Jersey (she briefly resided in the Co-op City section of the Bronx from 1980 to 1984). The daughter of Rita (née Bray), a schoolteacher who worked at Irvington High School, and Lancelot Owens, Sr., a police officer, her parents divorced when Latifah was ten. Latifah was raised in the Baptist church and attended Catholic school in Newark, New Jersey. Her stage name, ''Latifah'' (لطيفة), meaning "delicate" and "very kind" in Arabic, was given to her by her cousin when she was eight. Always a tall girl, the 5'10" Latifah was a power forward on her high school basketball team. She performed the number "Home" from the musical ''The Wiz'' in a high school play.

Music career

Beginning (1988–1989)

She started beatboxing for the rap group ''Ladies Fresh''. Latifah was one of the members of the original version of the Flavor Unit, which, at that time, was a crew of MCs grouped around 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 Tommy Boy Music employee Dante Ross, who signed Latifah and in 1988 issued her first single, "Wrath of My Madness".

Rapping (1989–2002)

Freddy helped Latifah sign with Tommy Boy Records, which released Latifah's first album ''All Hail the Queen'' in 1989, when she was nineteen. That year, she appeared as Referee on the UK label Music of Life album "1989—The Hustlers Convention (live)". In 1998, Co Produced by Ro Smith, now CEO of Def Ro Inc., she released her fourth hip-hop album ''Order in the Court''.

Singing (2003–2007)

After ''Order in the Court'', Latifah shifted primarily to singing in soul music and jazz standards, which she had used sparingly in her previous hip-hop-oriented records. In 2004, she released the soul/jazz standards ''The Dana Owens Album''. On July 11, 2007, Latifah sang at the famed Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles as the headlining act in a live jazz concert. Before a crowd of more than 12,400, she was backed by a 10-piece live orchestra and three backup vocalists, The Queen Latifah Orchestra. Latifah performed new arrangements of standards including "California Dreaming", first made popular by '60s icons The Mamas & the Papas. Later in 2007, Latifah released an album entitled ''Trav'lin' Light''. Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Joe Sample, George Duke, Christian McBride, and Stevie Wonder made guest appearances. It was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" category.

In 2009, Latifah, along with the Jubilation Choir, recorded the title track on the album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration, covering the song the Edwin Hawkins Singers made popular in 1969.

Return to hip hop (2008–present)

In 2008, Latifah was asked if she would make another hip-hop album. She was quoted saying the album was done already and it would be called "All Hail the Queen II". It was rumored that the album would be named "The 'L' Word". When asked about the rumor, she stated it was her attempt to "mess with people's heads" referring to rumors that she is lesbian". The song "Cue the Rain" was released as the album's lead single. She also has a song with Missy Elliott.

Film and television

Early career (1991–2001)

From 1993–1998, Latifah had a starring role on ''Living Single'', a Fox sitcom, which gained high ratings among black audiences; she also wrote and performed its theme music. Her mother Rita played her mother on-screen. She began her film career in supporting roles in the 1991 and 1992 films ''House Party 2'', ''Juice'' and ''Jungle Fever''. She had her own talk show, ''The Queen Latifah Show'', from 1999 to 2001. She also had recurring roles during the second season (1991–1992) of the NBC hit ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air''. She made a guest role as herself on ''Hangin' with Mr. Cooper'' in 1993. Latifah appeared in the 1996 box-office hit, ''Set It Off'' and subsequently had a supporting role in the Holly Hunter film ''Living Out Loud'' (1998). She played the role of Thelma in the 1999 movie ''The Bone Collector'', alongside Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie.

Mainstream success (2002–present)

Although she had already received some critical acclaim, she gained mainstream success after being cast as Matron "Mama" Morton in the Oscar-winning film adaptation of the musical ''Chicago'', the recipient of the Best Picture Oscar. Latifah received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role, but lost to co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones. Latifah is one of three hip-hop artists to receive an Academy Award nomination in an acting category (Best Supporting Actress, ''Chicago'', 2002). The others are Will Smith (Best Actor, ''Ali'', 2001, and Best Actor, ''The Pursuit of Happyness'', 2006), and Mark Wahlberg (Best Supporting Actor, "The Departed", 2006).

In 2003, she starred with Steve Martin in the film ''Bringing Down the House'', which was a major success at the box office. She also recorded a song "Do Your Thing" for the soundtrack. Since then, she has had both leading and supporting roles in a multitude of films that received varied critical and box office receptions, including films such as ''Scary Movie 3'', ''Barbershop 2: Back in Business'', ''Taxi'', ''Kung Faux'', ''Beauty Shop'', and ''Hairspray''. In early 2006, Latifah appeared in a romantic comedy/drama entitled ''Last Holiday''. Film critic Richard Roeper stated that "this is the Queen Latifah performance I've been waiting for ever since she broke into movies". Also in 2006, Latifah voiced Ellie, a friendly mammoth, in the animated film, ''Ice Age: The Meltdown'' (her first voice appearance in an animated film), and also appeared in the drama ''Stranger Than Fiction''.

The summer of 2007 brought Latifah triple success in the big-screen version of the Broadway smash hit ''Hairspray'', in which she acted, sang, and danced. The film rated highly with critics. It starred, among others, John Travolta (''Grease''), Michelle Pfeiffer (Stardust), Allison Janney (''Juno''), James Marsden (''Enchanted''), Christopher Walken (''Catch Me If You Can'') and Zac Efron (''High School Musical''). Also in 2007, she portrayed an HIV-positive woman in the film ''Life Support'', a role for which she garnered her first Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and an Emmy nomination. For her work, Queen Latifah received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on January 4, 2006, located at 6915 Hollywood Blvd.

Latifah produced the 2007 film ''The Perfect Holiday''. In addition to producing the film, Latifah starred alongside Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union, Charles Q. Murphy, Jill Marie Jones, and Faizon Love. In 2008, Latifah appeared in the crime comedy ''Mad Money'' opposite Academy Award-winner Diane Keaton as well as Katie Holmes and Ted Danson. She appeared on ''Saturday Night Live'' on October 4, 2008, as moderator Gwen Ifill impersonator in a comedic sketch depicting the recent vice-presidential debate. In 2009, Latifah was a presenter at the 81st Academy Awards, presenting the segment honoring film professionals who had died during 2008 and singing "I'll Be Seeing You" during the montage. Latifah spoke at Michael Jackson's memorial service in Los Angeles. She also hosted the 2010 People's Choice Awards. Latifah sang ''America the Beautiful'' at Super Bowl XLIV hosted in Miami, Florida on February 7, 2010 with Carrie Underwood. Latifah hosted the 2010 BET Awards on June 27, 2010. She is scheduled to appear in the forthcoming ''Joyful Noise'' with Dolly Parton.

Products and endorsements

Latifah is a celebrity spokesperson for CoverGirl cosmetics, Curvation ladies underwear, Pizza Hut and Jenny Craig. She represents her own line of cosmetics for women of color called the CoverGirl Queen Collection. Latifah has also launched a perfume line called "Queen."

Personal life

Raised in East Orange, New Jersey, she has been a resident of Colts Neck, New Jersey.

Latifah was asked by Maya Angelou, who was unable to attend, to recite a poem written by Angelou at the memorial service for Michael Jackson in July 2009.

Family tragedies

Latifah's older brother, Lancelot, Jr., was killed in 1992 in an accident involving a motorcycle that Latifah had recently bought him. Latifah still wears the key to the motorcycle around her neck, which can be seen throughout her performance in her sitcom ''Living Single''. She also dedicated ''Black Reign'' to him. In her 1999 autobiography, ''Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman'', Latifah discussed how her brother's death had led to a bout of depression and drug abuse, from which she later recovered. In 1993, Latifah was the victim of a carjacking, which also resulted in the shooting of a friend.

Legal issues

In 1996, she was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a loaded handgun.

Breast reduction surgery

In early 2003, Latifah had breast reduction surgery which downsized her F size breasts to a double D cup size, as a way to reduce back and shoulder pain. She also works out with a trainer and kickboxes.

Sexual orientation

For years, there has been speculation about Latifah's sexual orientation, as she has never been seen with or spoken about a male partner. On May 14, 2010, ''The Advocate'', the largest gay and lesbian magazine in the United States, wrote that Queen Latifah and her personal trainer, Jeanette Jenkins, purchased a home together in the Hollywood Hills and placed both of their names on the deed. Some magazines have suggested that because of this, they are living together as partners.

Discography

1989: ''All Hail the Queen''

1991: ''Nature of a Sista''

1993: ''Black Reign''

1998: ''Order in the Court''

2004: ''The Dana Owens Album''

2007: ''Trav'lin' Light''

2009: ''Persona''

Tours

''Sugar Water Festival Tour (2005), (2006)

Queen Latifah, Jill Scott & Erykah Badu joined together to create and own the rights to the Sugar Water Festival Tour, LLC. All three performers toured together, while inviting music duo Floetry in 2005 and singer Kelis in 2006 as opening acts. Comedian/actress Mo'Nique served as host for the 2006 Sugar Water Tour.

Filmography

Film
Year	Film	Role	! Notes
	''Jungle Fever''	Lashawn
''House Party 2''	Zora
1992		Ruffhouse M.C.
1993	''Who's the Man?''		cameo role
1993		Theresa
1996	''Set It Off''	Cleopatra 'Cleo' Sims
1997		Sulie
	''Living Out Loud''	Liz Bailey	Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
	Alice "Teeny" Fletcher
	''The Bone Collector''	Thelma
''Bringing Out the Dead''	Dispatcher Love
		Matron "Mama" Morton
	Dove (English voice)
	Francine	Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
''The Country Bears''	Cha-Cha
	''Scary Movie 3''	Aunt Shaneequa
	Charlene Morton	''Producer''	NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion PictureNominated — BET Awards>BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Box Office MovieNominated — Black Reel Awards
		Belle
''[[The Cookout''	Security Guard	(also producer)
''Barbershop 2: Back in Business''	Gina
2005	''Beauty Shop''	Gina Norris	''Producer''	Nominated — BET Awards
		Penny Escher
''[[Ice Age: The Meltdown''	Ellie	Voice	Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards>Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie
	Georgia Byrd	Nominated — Black Movie Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading RoleNominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
		Motormouth Maybelle
''The Perfect Holiday''	Mrs. Christmas	Producer
		Nina Brewster
	Dr. Twitchell
	August Boatwright	Black Reel Award for Best ActressHollywood Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble CastNominated — Black Reel Award for Best EnsembleNominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
2009	''Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs''	Ellie	Voice
		Paula Thomas
''Just Wright''	Leslie Wright	Producer	Nominated- Teen Choice Award
2011		Susan Warner
	''[[Ice Age: Continental Drift''	Ellie	Voice
	Vi Rose Hill
Television Films
! Year	! Title	! Role	! Notes
1998	''Mama Flora's Family''	Diana
2002		Midge Harmon
2005	''The Muppets' Wizard of Oz''	Aunt Em
2007		Ana	Producer	Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television FilmTelevision
! Year	! Title	! Role	! Notes
1993–1998	''[[Living Single">Gracie Allen
Television
! Year	! Title	! Role	! Notes
1993–1998	''[[Living Single''	Khadijah James	Main Role
Television guest appearances
! Year	! Title	! Role	! Notes
	''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air''	Dee Dee / Marissa Redman
''Whitest Kids You Know''	Cameo in skit "Sex Robot"
2001	''Spin City''	Robin Jones
		Simone
''The Fairly Oddparents''	Pam Dromeda
	''Sweet Blackberry Presents''	?
	Herself
2010	''30 Rock''	Regina Bookman

References

External links

Queen Latifah at TV.com

Category:1970 births Category:American dance musicians Category:African American rappers Category:American television talk show hosts Category:American voice actors Category:Baptists from the United States Category:Best Miniseries or Television Movie Actress Golden Globe winners Category:Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners Category:Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Screen Actors Guild Award winners Category:Female rappers Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Hip hop singers Category:Living people Category:Tommy Boy Records artists Category:Verve Records artists Category:A&M; Records artists Category:Motown artists Category:Native Tongues Posse Category:Actors from New Jersey Category:Rappers from New Jersey Category:People from Newark, New Jersey Category:People from Colts Neck Township, New Jersey Category:People from Rumson, New Jersey Category:People from East Orange, New Jersey Category:African American television actors Category:African American female singers

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Coordinates	43°10′″N44°49′″N
Name	Monie Love
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Simone Riscoe
Alias	Monie LoveSimone Johnson
Birth date	July 02, 1970
Origin	London, England
Genre	Hip hopBritHopNew jack swing
Years active	1989–present
Label	Warner Bros.Tuff Groove
Associated acts	Native TonguesDave Angel
Notable instruments	}}

Simone Riscoe (born 2 July 1970), better known by her stage name Monie Love, is an English emcee and former radio personality in the United States. She was a well-respected figure in British hip hop, and made an impact with American hip hop audiences as a protégé of female American emcee Queen Latifah, as well as through her membership in the late 1980s/early 1990s Native Tongues. Love was one of the first BritHop artists to be signed and distributed worldwide by a major record label.

Early years

Love was born in the Battersea area of London. She is the younger sister of techno musician Dave Angel, and was a daughter of a London-based, jazz musician father.

Musical career

Love began her hip hop/BritHop career as an emcee in the British Jus Bad crew, which featured DJ Pogo, Sparki, and MC Mell'O'. The group released the single "Free Style/Proud" on the independent Tuff Groove record label in 1988.

Love first gained critical and commercial notice in the United States in 1989 for her cameos in Queen Latifah's Grammy Award-winning and pro-woman single "Ladies First," in the Jungle Brothers' well-received single "Doin' Our Own Dang," and in De La Soul's hit single "Buddy." The acclaim led her to a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records, making Love one of the few British hip-hop efforts released by a major label.

Love also has a place in hip-hop history as a member of the Native Tongues, a positive-minded hip-hop collective that included Queen Latifah, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, the Jungle Brothers, and a number of other acts. Her versatility was demonstrated with her involvement in the emerging popularity of House music, with her own single Grandpa's Party as well as providing rap for the The Dancin' Danny D Remix of Adeva's house hit Respect.

Love's debut album, ''Down To Earth'', spawned two, Grammy-nominated hits, "Monie in the Middle" (a high school-set track dealing with a woman's right to determine what she wants out of a relationship) and "It's a Shame (My Sister)" (which sampled The Spinners' "It's a Shame" written for the band by Stevie Wonder) and featured house-music vocalist and then-labelmate Ultra Naté. The album reached #26 on the Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Love also appears on the song titled UNITED on INNER CITY's 3rd album called PRAISE.

Love was featured on her brother Dave Angel's remix of Whitney Houston's R&B; hit "My Name Is Not Susan" in 1991, and appeared in the music video alongside Houston. Love's 1992 single, "Full-Term Love," from the ''Class Act'' movie soundtrack, reached #7 on the Hot Hip-Hop Singles chart.

Love collaborated with Marley Marl on her second album, ''In a Word or 2'' (1993), which featured the Prince-produced single "Born To B.R.E.E.D." (which reached #1 on the Hot Dance Music chart and #7 on the Hot Rap Singles chart), as well as a re-release of "Full-Term Love." Love's departure from WPHI followed soon after her December 2006 interview with Young Jeezy, where the two argued over whether hip hop is dead.

Love is also an Official MySpace.com DJ, according to her MySpace page.

Love currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is the single mother to four children.

Currently, she has a radio show on XM Satellite Radio called Ladies First Radio with Monie Love. It airs Thursdays 6PM ET and Sundays 8PM ET.

Discography

Albums

{|class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2"| Year !rowspan="2"| Title !colspan="2"| Chart positions |- ! U.S. ! U.S. R&B; |- |1990 |''Down to Earth''

Released: 30 October 1990

Label: Warner Bros.

|align="center"|109 |align="center"|26 |- |1993 |''In a Word or 2''

Released: 23 March 1993

Label: Warner Bros.

|align="center"|– |align="center"|75 |}

Solo EPs/Singles

Album information
	*Released: 2 May 2000	*Chart positions:	*RIAA certification:

Featured singles

"Ladies First" (Queen Latifah featuring Monie Love)

References

External links

[ AllMusic.com Biography - Monie Love]

Monie Love's myspace.com page

Monie Love Discography on Discogs

A site focusing on the early days of Hip Hop development in the UK

Category:1970 births Category:Living people Category:American radio personalities Category:British expatriates in the United States Category:English dance musicians Category:English rappers Category:English female singers Category:Female rappers Category:Musicians from London Category:Native Tongues Posse Category:People from Battersea Category:People from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

de:Monie Love