Dana Elaine Owens better known as Queen Latifah,. Queen Latifah, rapper, actress, singer, model, and CoverGirl. Latifah's work in the industry 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. Latifah was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Rita, a schoolteacher who worked at Irvington High School, and Lancelot Owens, a policeman. Her stage name, Latifah, meaning "delicate" and "gentle" in Arabic, was given to her by her cousin when she was eight. Latifah started her career beatboxing for the rap group Ladies Fresh original Flavor Unit, which, at that time, was a crew of emcees grouped around producer DJ Mark the 45 King. Latifah signed with Tommy Boy Records and released All Hail the Queen in 1989, at age 19. 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. Latifah wrote an autobiography, which was published in 1999 by Harper Collins - Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman 1988–2000: Rapping 2003–2007: Singing 2008–present: Return to hip hop 1993- 2008: Film and television All hail to the queen. Queen Latifah truly lives up to her name. She is a perfect example of hope and determination. All you need is hope and you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. The skies the limit. I'm quite sure Queen Latifah never thought that her career would be the way it is now. However you see just what a little of faith and allot of determination can do? So let no one tell you you can't, because Queen shows you that you can. Keep your head up and believe. NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS