Queen Latifah: American Rapper Biography
Real Name: Dana Elaine Owens
Stage Name: Queen Latifah
Date of Birth: March 18, 1970
Place of Birth: Newark, New Jersey, USA
Nationality: American
Profession: Rapper, Singer, Actress, Producer, Talk Show Host, Entrepreneur
Genres: Hip-hop, soul, jazz, R&B
Height: 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm)
Weight: Approx. 90 kg (198 lbs)
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Brown
Education
High School: Irvington High School, New Jersey
College: Borough of Manhattan Community College (studied Communications – did not complete)
Family
Father: Lancelot Owens Sr. (Police officer)
Mother: Rita Owens (Schoolteacher, passed away in 2018)
Siblings: One brother, Lancelot Jr. (deceased)
Marital Status: Private about personal relationships
Children: Welcomed a child with longtime partner in 2019 (not publicly named)
Career Highlights
Queen Latifah began her career in music in the late 1980s. At age 19, she released her debut album “All Hail the Queen” (1989), pioneering female empowerment in hip-hop. Her iconic song “UNITY” from the 1993 album Black Reign earned her a Grammy.
Notable Music Albums:
All Hail the Queen
(1989)
The Nature of a Sister
(1991)
Black Reign ( 1993)
The Dana Owens Album
(2004 – jazz/soul focus)
Acting & Films:
TV: Living Single (1993–1998), The Queen Latifah Show, The Equalizer (2021–present)
Films:
Set It Off (1996)
Chicago (2002) – Oscar nomination
Beauty Shop (2005)
Hairspray (2007)
Girls' Trip (2017)
Bessie (2015) – Emmy-winning biopic
She also runs a production company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, producing films and TV content.
Net Worth
Estimated Net Worth:
$70 million (as of 2025)
Earnings Source:
Music, film & TV, production, endorsements (eg, CoverGirl, Pizza Hut)
Awards & Recognition
Grammy Award –
Best Rap Solo Performance (UNITY, 1995)
Academy Award Nomination – Chicago (2003)
Golden Globe Award –
Life Support (2008)
Emmy Award –
Bessie (Producer, 2015)
SAG Award – For Chicago
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star – 2006
BET Lifetime Achievement Award – 2021
Summary
Queen Latifah is a trailblazer in entertainment, seamlessly transitioning from hip-hop pioneer to award-winning actress and producer. Her legacy spans music, television, and activism, making her one of the most respected and versatile artists of her generation.
