The legacy continues with Grammy winning hip-hop icon/actress Queen Latifah, born Dana Owens in East Orange, NJ. In the late 1980’s, at the young age of 18, she worked as the human beatbox alongside Ladies Fresh. Her style consisted of a distinct blend of reggae, jazz and soul traditions. In 1988, her debut single “Wrath of My Madness” was released. Just one year later, Owen’s debut album “All Hail the Queen” was released and loved by many. Although Queen Latifiah’s name means “delicate and sensitive” in Arabic, she has often been anything but while honoring her commitment to dismantling misogyny in a male-dominated industry. Queen Latifah has been a prominent pioneer in hip-hop for decades. She has made outstanding strides in movies, television and artist management with her management company, Flavor Unit. Latifah has diligently built a timeless and lasting career that continues to flourish and soar to great heights.