Career Timeline of Queen Latifah: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Queen Latifah made an impact.
Queen Latifah, born Dana Elaine Owens, is a highly acclaimed American rapper, singer, and actress. A recipient of numerous awards including a Grammy, Emmy, and Golden Globe, she's also earned three Screen Actors Guild Awards and two NAACP Image Awards, alongside an Oscar nomination. In 2006, she made history as the first hip hop artist to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, solidifying her status as a multifaceted entertainer and cultural icon.
1989: Afrocentric Ideals
In 1989, Queen Latifah incorporated Afrobeats and language while also centering black women within her lyrics and visuals. South African culture is present in her work, which included Afrocentric visuals and clothes that align culturally with South Africa.
1989: Debut Album Release
In 1989, Queen Latifah released her debut album "All Hail the Queen", featuring the hit single "Ladies First".
1989: All Hail the Queen album release
In 1989, Queen Latifah's first album All Hail the Queen was released by Tommy Boy Records.
1990: Release of "Ladies First"
In 1990, Queen Latifah released "Ladies First". It was referenced in hip-hop magazine Ego Trip's statement about who won the feud between Foxy Brown and Queen Latifah.
1990: Referred to as "Queen of Rap"
In 1990, Queen Latifah was referred to as the "Queen of Rap" by New York magazine editor Dinitia Smith.
1990: Afrocentric Lyrics and Persona
In 1990, Queen Latifah's lyrics were described as woman-centered and Afrocentric. Michelle Wallace of The New York Times described her art as politically sophisticated. She was also described as arguably the first MC who could properly be described as feminist.
1991: Film Career Start
In 1991, Queen Latifah began her film career by having supporting roles in House Party 2 and Juice.
1991: Acting Debut in Jungle Fever
In 1991, Queen Latifah made her acting debut in the movie Jungle Fever.
1991: Second Album Release
In 1991, Queen Latifah released her second album "Nature of a Sista'", produced by Tommy Boy Records.
1992: Film Career - Jungle Fever
In 1992, Queen Latifah's film career included Jungle Fever.
1993: Starring Role in Living Single
From 1993, Queen Latifah had a starring role on Living Single.
1993: Release of U.N.I.T.Y.
In 1993, Queen Latifah's rap song, U.N.I.T.Y. incorporates more jazz and soul sounds into her music, as well as empowering lyrics. Her lyrics address concerns regarding harassment and domestic violence within the black community, as well as lyrics to uplift black women, and lyrics that address misogyny within the hip hop community.
1995: Flavor Unit Entertainment Co-launch
In 1995, Queen Latifah co-launched Flavor Unit Entertainment with her business partner Shakim Compere.
1996: Appearance in Set It Off
In 1996, Queen Latifah appeared in Set It Off.
1996: Disagreements with Foxy Brown Begin
In mid-1996, disagreements between Foxy Brown and Queen Latifah began, where media reports indicated that Brown was a prime target of Latifah's diss record "Name Callin'", which was featured on the Set It Off soundtrack.
1998: Foxy Brown Diss Record
In 1998, Foxy Brown released a diss record titled "10% Dis", where she continually questioned Latifah's sexuality and accused her of being jealous.
1998: Supporting Role in Living Out Loud
In 1998, Queen Latifah had a supporting role in the Holly Hunter film Living Out Loud.
1998: Super Bowl Halftime Performance
In 1998, Queen Latifah performed in the Super Bowl XXXII halftime show, making her the first rapper to do so.
1998: Release of Order in the Court Album
In 1998, Queen Latifah released her fourth album "Order in the Court" with Motown Records.
1998: End of Living Single
In 1998, Queen Latifah's role in the Fox sitcom "Living Single" came to an end.
1998: Release of "Name Callin' Part II"
In late spring of 1998, Queen Latifah responded to Foxy Brown through another diss record titled "Name Callin' Part II".
1999: The Queen Latifah Show Debut
In 1999, Queen Latifah created the daytime talk show "The Queen Latifah Show".
1999: The Bone Collector and Talk Show
In 1999, Queen Latifah played Thelma in The Bone Collector and hosted The Queen Latifah Show.
2000: Reconciliation with Foxy Brown
In 2000, Foxy Brown and Queen Latifah reconciled. Brown performed her song "Na Na Be Like" on The Queen Latifah Show to prove that the truce was real.
2001: The Queen Latifah Show End
In 2001, Queen Latifah's daytime talk show "The Queen Latifah Show" ended.
2002: Nomination for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
In 2002, Queen Latifah's portrayal of Matron "Mama" Morton in the musical film "Chicago" received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
2003: Starring Role in Bringing Down the House
In 2003, Queen Latifah starred in the film "Bringing Down the House".
2004: The Dana Owens Album Release
In 2004, Queen Latifah released the album "The Dana Owens Album".
2004: Starring Role in Taxi
In 2004, Queen Latifah starred in the film "Taxi".
2005: Roles in Barbershop 2: Back in Business and Beauty Shop
In 2005, Queen Latifah starred in "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" and "Beauty Shop".
2005: Sugar Water Festival Tour
In 2005, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu toured together while inviting music duo Floetry as opening acts, for the Sugar Water Festival Tour, LLC, which they created and owned the rights to.
January 4, 2006: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On January 4, 2006, Queen Latifah received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2006: Roles in Last Holiday, Ice Age: The Meltdown, Stranger Than Fiction
In 2006, Queen Latifah appeared in "Last Holiday", voiced Ellie in "Ice Age: The Meltdown", and appeared in "Stranger Than Fiction".
2006: Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2006, Queen Latifah became the first hip hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2006: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
In 2006, Queen Latifah became the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2006: Starring Role in Last Holiday
In 2006, Queen Latifah starred in "Last Holiday".
2006: Sugar Water Tour with Kelis and Mo'Nique
In 2006, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu toured together while inviting singer Kelis as opening acts, for the Sugar Water Festival Tour, LLC, which they created and owned the rights to. Comedian/actress Mo'Nique served as host.
July 11, 2007: Hollywood Bowl Performance
On July 11, 2007, Queen Latifah performed at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles as the headlining act in a live jazz concert.
2007: Success in Hairspray and Life Support
In 2007, Queen Latifah acted, sang, and danced in Hairspray, and portrayed an HIV-positive woman in Life Support, earning awards and an Emmy nomination.
2007: The Perfect Holiday Production
In 2007, Queen Latifah produced and starred in the film The Perfect Holiday.
2007: Trav'lin' Light Album Release
In 2007, Queen Latifah released the album "Trav'lin' Light".
2007: Starring Role in Hairspray
In 2007, Queen Latifah starred in the film "Hairspray".
October 4, 2008: Saturday Night Live Appearance
On October 4, 2008, Queen Latifah appeared on Saturday Night Live as moderator Gwen Ifill.
2008: All Hail the Queen II Announcement
In 2008, Queen Latifah stated that her next album was done and would be called All Hail the Queen II.
2009: Persona Album Release
In 2009, Queen Latifah released her album "Persona".
2009: Academy Awards Presentation
In 2009, Queen Latifah was a presenter at the 81st Academy Awards and spoke at Michael Jackson's memorial service.
2009: Recording of Oh, Happy Day Title Track
In 2009, Queen Latifah, along with the NJPAC Jubilation Choir, recorded the title track on the album Oh, Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration.
February 7, 2010: Super Bowl XLIV Performance
On February 7, 2010, Queen Latifah sang "America the Beautiful" at Super Bowl XLIV.
June 27, 2010: BET Awards Hosting
On June 27, 2010, Queen Latifah hosted the BET Awards.
2011: Duet with Tony Bennett
In 2011, Queen Latifah sang "Who Can I Turn To" in a duet with Tony Bennett for his album Duets II.
2011: Inducted into New Jersey Hall of Fame
In 2011, Queen Latifah was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
January 2012: New Album Announcement
In January 2012, Queen Latifah stated that she had been working on a new album while appearing on 106 & Park with Dolly Parton.
2012: Starring Role in Joyful Noise
In 2012, Queen Latifah starred in the film "Joyful Noise".
September 16, 2013: Premiere of The Queen Latifah Show
On September 16, 2013, Queen Latifah premiered her own syndicated daytime television show titled The Queen Latifah Show.
2013: Revival of The Queen Latifah Show
In 2013, Queen Latifah revamped The Queen Latifah Show.
2013: The Queen Latifah Show Revival
In 2013, Queen Latifah revived her daytime talk show "The Queen Latifah Show" in syndication.
January 6, 2014: The Queen Latifah Show Renewal
On January 6, 2014, The Queen Latifah Show was renewed for a second season.
January 26, 2014: Officiating Weddings at Grammy Awards
On January 26, 2014, Queen Latifah officiated the weddings of 33 same-sex and opposite-sex couples at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.
November 21, 2014: Cancellation of The Queen Latifah Show
On November 21, 2014, Sony Pictures Television canceled Latifah's show due to declining ratings.
December 18, 2014: Production of The Queen Latifah Show Closed
On December 18, 2014, Production of The Queen Latifah Show closed down.
2014: Role in 22 Jump Street
In 2014, Queen Latifah appeared in the film "22 Jump Street".
March 6, 2015: Last Broadcast of The Queen Latifah Show
On March 6, 2015, New episodes of The Queen Latifah Show were broadcast until then.
2015: Emmy Nomination for Bessie
In 2015, Queen Latifah received a Best Actress Emmy nomination for her lead role as Bessie Smith in Bessie.
2015: Primetime Emmy Award for Bessie
In 2015, Queen Latifah won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie for her portrayal of Bessie Smith in the HBO film "Bessie", which she co-produced.
2015: Cancellation of The Queen Latifah Show
In 2015, Queen Latifah's daytime talk show "The Queen Latifah Show" was cancelled.
2016: Starring role in Star
From 2016, Queen Latifah starred as Carlotta Brown in the musical drama series "Star".
April 26, 2017: Executive Producer for Scream
On April 26, 2017, MTV announced Queen Latifah as an executive producer for the third season of Scream.
2017: Role in Girls Trip
In 2017, Queen Latifah appeared in the film "Girls Trip".
May 23, 2018: Named Godmother of Carnival Horizon
On May 23, 2018, Queen Latifah was named the godmother of Carnival Cruise Lines' vessel Carnival Horizon.
June 24, 2019: Scream: Resurrection Premiere Confirmed
On June 24, 2019, it was confirmed that the third season of Scream is scheduled to premiere over three nights on VH1, starting from July 8, 2019.
July 8, 2019: Premiere of Scream: Resurrection
On July 8, 2019, Scream: Resurrection premiered on VH1.
2019: W. E. B. Du Bois Medal
In 2019, Harvard University awarded the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal to Queen Latifah for cultural contributions.
2019: End of role in Star
In 2019, Queen Latifah's role as Carlotta Brown in the musical drama series "Star" came to an end.
2020: Portrayal of Hattie McDaniel in Hollywood
In 2020, Queen Latifah portrayed Hattie McDaniel in the miniseries "Hollywood".
2021: BET Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2021, Queen Latifah received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, and was the first rapper, female or male, to be so awarded.
2021: Starring Role in The Equalizer Reboot
In 2021, Queen Latifah starred in CBS's new action TV series, "The Equalizer", a reboot of the 1980s series.
2021: Lead Role in The Equalizer
Since 2021, Queen Latifah has held the lead role on CBS's revival of the action drama "The Equalizer".
2023: Kennedy Center Honoree
In 2023, Queen Latifah became the first female rapper to be a Kennedy Center honoree.
2023: Debut Album Added to National Recording Registry
In 2023, Queen Latifah's debut album All Hail the Queen, was added into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.
