Queen Latifah's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 16, 2025

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Queen Latifah.

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

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".

2003: Awarded Artist of the Year by Harvard Foundation.

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

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.