Key Takeaways
- Queen Latifah is a multifaceted entertainment icon who rose from pioneering hip-hop roots to become an award-winning actress, singer, and producer.
- Her groundbreaking musical career includes the Grammy-winning single “U.N.I.T.Y.” and her first gold-certified solo female rap album, while her acting achievements span critically acclaimed films like Chicago and the HBO biopic Bessie.
- In an exciting development, a biopic about her life is in production, with Will Smith’s production company collaborating to tell her inspiring story of cultural impact and artistic excellence.
Dana Elaine Owens, better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is a name common with excellence in music, film, and television.
As of January 2025, she remains active in the entertainment industry, inspiring audiences worldwide with her unparalleled talent and versatility.
Born on March 18, 1970, Queen Latifah’s journey began in the world of hip-hop.
At 19, she released her debut album, All Hail the Queen (1989), which included the iconic single “Ladies First.”
Her groundbreaking third album, Black Reign (1993), made history as the first solo female rapper’s album to achieve gold certification from the RIAA.
The album’s hit single “U.N.I.T.Y.” won a Grammy Award and became an anthem for empowering women and addressing social issues.
Latifah’s musical career continued to flourish with subsequent albums like The Dana Owens Album (2004), Trav’lin’ Light (2007), and Persona (2009), showcasing her genre-defying artistry.
From Hip-Hop Royalty To Hollywood Icon
Queen Latifah’s talents extended beyond music, earning her acclaim in Hollywood.
She starred as Khadijah James in the beloved sitcom Living Single (1993–1998) and delivered a standout performance in the musical Chicago (2002), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Her filmography features her versatility, featuring hits like Set It Off (1996), Bringing Down the House (2003), Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2005), Hairspray (2007), and Girls Trip (2017).
Latifah also lent her voice to the popular Ice Age film series and received critical acclaim for her portrayal of blues legend Bessie Smith in HBO’s Bessie (2015), which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award.
Since 2021, Latifah has starred in the CBS action-drama revival The Equalizer, further solidifying her status as a dynamic and enduring presence in television.
A New Biopic In The Works
In an exciting development, Queen Latifah’s remarkable life story is set to be immortalized on the big screen.
A biopic, the first in a series of independently financed hip-hop films, is being produced by Flavor Unit Entertainment, Westbrook Studios, and Jesse Collins Entertainment.
This project will chronicle Latifah’s rise from a trailblazing rapper to an award-winning actress and producer.
Latifah herself will serve as a producer alongside Shakim Compere, Will Smith, Miguel Melendez, Jesse Collins, and Dionne Harmon.
According to her,
“We all came into this industry together, and Hip Hop has shaped each and every one of us. It is a dream to collaborate with friends and colleagues to tell these stories that were the backdrop of our lives.”
Via Forbes
Will Smith added,
“There’s no better story to start with than the one of Queen Latifah, an undisputed legend who has both entertained and inspired us for so many years.”
Via Variety
This biopic is expected to celebrate Queen Latifah’s contributions to hip-hop, film, and culture, following the trend of successful music biopics.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Queen Latifah has resided in multiple New Jersey locations and Beverly Hills, California.
- Tragically, she lost her older brother Lancelot Jr. in a 1992 motorcycle accident involving a bike she had purchased for him.
- Her mother, actress Rita Owens, passed away on March 21, 2018, after battling heart failure since 2004.
