Queen Latifah is an American rapper, singer and entertainer from New Jersey whose debut album All Hail the Queen made her one of hip-hop’s foundational women. Songs including “Ladies First” and the Grammy-winning “U.N.I.T.Y.” established a commanding rap voice centered on self-respect, community and Black womanhood. She later expanded musically into jazz, soul and standards on albums such as The Dana Owens Album and Trav’lin’ Light while building an equally successful acting career. Her recording catalog remains central to her identity rather than a side effect of her screen work.
