History of Queen Latifah in Timeline

Queen Latifah, born Dana Elaine Owens, is a highly accomplished American rapper, singer, and actress. Her career is marked by numerous awards, including a Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, and multiple Screen Actors Guild and NAACP Image Awards. She earned an Academy Award nomination and, notably, became the first hip hop artist honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. Queen Latifah's success spans music and film, solidifying her status as a versatile and influential entertainer.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1989: Release of 'Ladies First' music video.

In 1989, Queen Latifah released the ‘Ladies First’ music video, in which South African culture is present, and included Afrocentric visuals and clothes that align culturally with South Africa.

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1990: Queen Latifah's art described as politically sophisticated.

In 1990, Michelle Wallace of The New York Times described Queen Latifah's art as politically sophisticated, distinguishing it from the adolescent and overtly sexual content prevalent in most rap music at the time.

1990: Referred to as the "Queen of Rap".

In 1990, New York magazine editor Dinitia Smith referred to Queen Latifah as the "Queen of Rap".

1990: Release of Ladies First.

In 1990, Queen Latifah released her single, "Ladies First".

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1991: Acting debut in Jungle Fever.

In 1991, Queen Latifah made her acting debut in the movie Jungle Fever, performing alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Halle Berry.

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1992: Death of Queen Latifah's brother.

In 1992, Queen Latifah's older brother, Lancelot Jr., died in a motorcycle accident. The motorcycle was purchased by Latifah.

1993: Release of U.N.I.T.Y.

In 1993, Queen Latifah incorporated jazz and soul sounds in her rap song, U.N.I.T.Y., to address concerns regarding harassment and domestic violence within the black community, lyrics to uplift black women, and lyrics that address misogyny within the hip hop community.

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1995: Co-launching Flavor Unit Entertainment.

In 1995, Queen Latifah co-launched Flavor Unit Entertainment with her business partner Shakim Compere.

1995: Queen Latifah was the victim of a carjacking.

In 1995, Queen Latifah was the victim of a carjacking, which resulted in the shooting of her boyfriend, Sean Moon.

1996: Arrested for possession of marijuana and a handgun.

In 1996, Queen Latifah was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and a loaded handgun.

1996: Queen Latifah's role in Set It Off sparks sexuality rumors.

In 1996, Queen Latifah's masculine role as Cleo in the film Set It Off led to increased speculation and rumors about her sexuality.

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1996: Disagreements begin between Foxy Brown and Queen Latifah.

In mid-1996, disagreements between Foxy Brown and Queen Latifah began. 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.

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1998: Foxy Brown releases diss record "10% Dis".

In 1998, Foxy Brown released a diss record titled "10% Dis", where she continually questioned Queen Latifah's sexuality and accused her of being jealous.

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1998: Super Bowl Halftime Performance.

In 1998, Queen Latifah performed in the Super Bowl XXXII halftime show, becoming the first rapper to do so.

1998: Queen Latifah responds to Foxy Brown with "Name Callin' Part II".

In late spring of 1998, Queen Latifah responded to Foxy Brown with another diss record titled "Name Callin' Part II", criticizing Brown's reliance on sex appeal.

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2000: Reconciliation between Foxy Brown and Queen Latifah.

In 2000, Foxy Brown and Queen Latifah reconciled, with Brown performing her song "Na Na Be Like" on The Queen Latifah Show.

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2002: Arrested for driving under the influence.

In 2002, Queen Latifah was arrested for driving under the influence in Los Angeles County and was placed on three years' probation after being convicted.

2003: Awarded Artist of the Year by Harvard Foundation.

In 2003, Queen Latifah was awarded Artist of the Year by the Harvard Foundation.

2004: Queen Latifah's mother Rita Owens begins battling heart failure.

In 2004, Queen Latifah's mother, Rita Owens, began battling heart failure.

2005: Sugar Water Festival Tour.

In 2005, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu toured together in the Sugar Water Festival Tour, inviting music duo Floetry as opening acts.

2006: Receives a star on the 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: Sugar Water Festival Tour.

In 2006, Queen Latifah, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu toured together in the Sugar Water Festival Tour, inviting singer Kelis as opening acts. Comedian/actress Mo'Nique served as host.

2006: Queen Latifah reveals that she still wore her brother's motorcycle key around her neck.

In a 2006 interview, Queen Latifah revealed that she still wore the key to her brother's motorcycle around her neck.

2008: Queen Latifah refuses to address speculation around her sexuality.

In 2008, Queen Latifah told The New York Times that she didn't feel the need to share her personal life and didn't care if people thought she was gay or not.

2011: Inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

In 2011, Queen Latifah was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

2017: Honored with the Entertainment Icon award.

In 2017, the American Black Film Festival honored Queen Latifah with the Entertainment Icon award.

March 21, 2018: Death of Queen Latifah's mother, Rita Owens.

On March 21, 2018, Queen Latifah's mother, actress Rita Owens, passed away due to heart failure.

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.

2018: Receives honorary doctorate.

In 2018, Queen Latifah received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree from Rutgers University.

2019: Awarded the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal.

In 2019, Harvard University awarded the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal to Queen Latifah for cultural contributions.

January 2020: Queen Latifah learns about her family history on Finding Your Roots.

In January 2020, during an episode of Finding Your Roots, Queen Latifah discovered that her family descended from freed African Americans, with ancestors listed by name in the 1860 U.S. pre-Civil War census in Virginia and also discovered the exact date her ancestors became free which was October 1, 1792.

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2020: Considered a fashion icon.

In 2020, Vogue editor Janelle Okwodu considered Queen Latifah a fashion icon who helped start a conversation about body image.

2021: Queen Latifah acknowledges her partner and son at the BET Awards.

At the 2021 BET Awards, Queen Latifah publicly acknowledged her partner Eboni Nichols and son Rebel for the first time during her acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

2021: Premiere of The Equalizer and signing deal with Audible.

In 2021, CBS premiered "The Equalizer", a reboot of the 1980s series, starring Queen Latifah in the lead role. Also, in 2021, she signed a deal with Audible.

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2021: Receives the 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.

2023: Kennedy Center Honoree.

In 2023, Queen Latifah became the first female rapper to be a Kennedy Center honoree.

2023: All Hail the Queen album added to the Library of Congress's 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, making it the earliest female rap recording to enter the Registry.