Dana Elaine Owens is a singer, an actress, a writer, a rapper, a model, and a businesswoman. She was born on March 18, 1970. She is an African American and Native American descent. Her name, Latifah, was given to her when she was eight years old by a Black Muslim cousin. Latifah means delicate and sensitive in Arabic. She was born in Newark, NJ and raised in East Orange, NJ.

She was considered intellectually gifted when she was in second grade. In high school she played basketball and got into the New Jersey state championships. Before her singing career, she worked as a Burger King employee. She started singing in Shiloh Baptist Church.

Her mother’s name is Rita Owens and she was a school teacher. Her father’s name is Lance Owens, he was a policeman. Her parents separated when she was 10 years old. Her brother, Lance Jr., died in an accident on the motorcycle his sister gave him as a present in 1993. Now, Queen Latifah wears the key around her neck as a tribute.

She wrote a lot of books like Queen of the Scene and Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman. She has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Chicago, a Grammy and an Emmy. She has starred in a lot of movies including Hairspray. She even had her own talk show.

She is known as Hip Hop’s first lady.