What is Queen Latifah's real name and where was she born?
Queen Latifah's real name is Dana Elaine Owens. She was born in Newark, New Jersey, on the 18th of March 1970, and grew up primarily in East Orange, New Jersey.
Questions about Queen Latifah
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What does the name Latifah mean and how did she choose it?
Queen Latifah found the name Latifah in a book of Arabic names when she was eight years old. The word means "delicate" and "very kind" in Arabic. She added the title "Queen" herself to create a strong, self-determined Black identity.
What records did Queen Latifah's album Black Reign set?
Black Reign, released in 1993, was the first album by a solo female rapper to receive a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The album produced the Grammy Award-winning single "U.N.I.T.Y.", which reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Was Queen Latifah the first rapper to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show?
Yes. Queen Latifah performed in the Super Bowl XXXII halftime show, making her the first rapper to perform at a Super Bowl halftime show.
What Academy Award nomination did Queen Latifah receive and for which film?
Queen Latifah received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Matron "Mama" Morton in the musical film Chicago, released in 2002. She was the first woman from hip-hop to earn an Oscar nomination in an acting category.
When did Queen Latifah receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Queen Latifah received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on the 4th of January 2006, located at 6915 Hollywood Blvd. She was the first hip-hop artist to receive that honor.