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Queen Latifah
Recording U.N.I.T.Y. and starring in Living Single and Chicago.
Ladies First · U.N.I.T.Y.
- Born
- 18 March 1970
- Birthplace
- Newark, USA
More people
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah is an American rapper, singer, actor and producer. Her early music asserted women’s place in hip-hop, and she later moved between sitcoms, film musicals, drama and jazz-influenced singing.
Early life
New Jersey childhood
Grew up in New Jersey and performed in school productions.
Early rap
Began beatboxing and rapping as a teenager before signing to Tommy Boy Records.
Career
- 1989
Debut album
Released All Hail the Queen.
- 1990s
Music and television
Combined rap success with a leading role in Living Single.
- 2000s
Film and singing
Expanded into major films and vocal albums outside rap.
- Later career
Producing and drama
Continued screen work as a performer and producer.
Selected work
Ladies First
A collaboration with Monie Love asserting women’s presence in hip-hop.
U.N.I.T.Y.
A song challenging misogyny and harassment.
Chicago
Played Matron Mama Morton in the film musical.
Beyond work
Production business
Co-founded Flavor Unit, developing management and production work.
Cultural recognition
All Hail the Queen entered the US National Recording Registry in 2023.
Sources & photo credit
Life and career ↗Institutional or specialist reference ↗Photo: Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
