Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman

by Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah is a sensation. At nineteen, she was the first female solo rapper to have a major record deal. Four years later she had become a top television actress and movie star. She earned a Grammy, started a record label, and became the president of her own company. Today she is rap music's most enduring female force. But how did Dana Owens, a young girl from Newark, New Jersey, become Queen Latifah and make it to the top of the charts? The most powerful voice in rap has always been quiet about her life. Until now. At once autobiographical and inspirational, Ladies First is the story of a young woman, making tough decisions and terrible mistakes -- about sex and drugs and about who was real and who wasn't -- before she was old enough to drive. It is about the reign of depression that descended on her after her brother's tragic death and how she found a sustaining love in God when it seemed the world was trying to break her. Ladies First is about being confident and sensual in a big, strong body and about blocking out the junk to let in the good. It is about how anyone -- whether from the poorest means or the richest -- can hold her head high in a world full of attitude. In a queen's universe, each experience is a lesson. Keeping it real and making no excuses, Queen Latifah shares her truth about what's important in life. Full of wisdom and revelations, Ladies First will instill in you the same self-esteem, respect, and courage that brought Queen Latifah peace and her independent edge. Allow her to guide you to discover who you are -- inside and out-as you discover who she is. Ladies First is one woman's journey to find the riches that were in her life all along, and it is a message of majesty for everyone.With Ladies First, the queen who lives within all of us will rise.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

173 pages, Hardcover

First published December 16, 1998

About the author

Dana Elaine Owens, better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, singer, model, actress and CoverGirl model. Latifah's work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy Award nomination and an Academy Award nomination.

Reviews

[Nausheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find your inner Queen
Superfast read.

[Adrienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Queen shared about the movie "Set it Off", how people assumed she was gay after this movie and the relationships she had that did not work out...loss of her brother, etc. I love queen as a rapper, singer (does better), and actress! She set me off when she did "Set it Off" exceptional acting of all time!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Latifah grew up and how she got her name, how she evolved into a superstar!

[Ivan Magnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We can cause our own heartache. But we can also prevent it. You don't have to wake up in some strange bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling like crap. Just think - first. Know that the most important person you have to be true to, and the only person you have to answer to, is yourself."

[Leticia Adames · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very inspiring. There was an excerpt of her introduction in my english text book, I enjoyed it so I took a copy out of my local libray. I really liked it and I would recomend it to others. Her mission is to empower women and with her book she suceeds. She was very relatable and spoke openly and humbly about things that I believe a lot of women feel but never voice. She made a very strong case why every woman should be a quenn and she is a good role model for women everywhere.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Queen Latifah. This book is a great reminder of the Queen we all are.

[Reda · Rating 5 out of 5]

a good ideas and clear language about women

[Kara Merry · Rating 4 out of 5]

inspiring

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very positive, inspirational read. All Hail the Queen!

[Cleopatra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good so far. Its the story of her life and whatever.

[Sista Sue]

A book about how Queen Latifah came to be who she is.

[Kayla Tronvold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed Queen Latifah as she presents herself and interacts with the world. Her book is filled with grace, honest self-reflection, grief, forgiveness, and an affirmation of the value of her readers. Reading her first book reminded me of all the reasons she demands respect in the world and lives life without apology.

[Rotosca Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very great book. She gave a lot of insight on her childhood & how her mother set great examples for her!

[Carla Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read this book today. I appreciate Queen Latifah's honesty about her personal journeys, family life, and forays into the music business.

[Maiya Spell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really nice book. Also, an easy read!

[J]

Picked for a reading challenge activity.

[Gail Johnson, Ph.D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice to meet you, Dana Elaine Owen's aka Queen Latifah. Thanks for sharing some your words of wisdom.

[angela ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book has made me love this woman so much more

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always adored The Queen and this book is a must read for every woman, young and old. She starts off by introducing us to her childhood growing up in underprivileged neighborhoods of New York. The strength of her mother was the focal point of her own self being. Although she mentioned how her dad was her King, Winki, her brother, was truly her life. She talked about how she found peace after her struggles through many life's battles and how God became a powerful force in her life. Appreciating the small things is what kept her stable. And through many bad decisions, she admitted how she's not perfect or better than anyone else, yet, she remembered Dr. Maya Angelou's encouraging words to the poem, "Phenomenon Woman" is what taught her to appreciate who she was just the way God designed her quoting her mother's words, "God don't make no junk." She carries herself with dignity and pride--The Queen, strongly encouraging other women not to be a doormat to others but to seek the Queen within themselves. Awesome read!!

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a couple of rules when I listen to music:
1. I have to be able to understand what they're saying
2. There's a no repeat rule (repeat something too many times and I shut you off)
3. No misogyny

Queen Latifah has always followed my rules and she's frequently in my playlist. I love that she's a strong woman, doing what she loves, and doing it well. Ladies First is an explanation of how she got to be so strong and the amazing support system she's built that keeps her that way.

I want to give this book to all the young women I know. Actually, all the women I know, young and old. Everyone could benefit from Latifah's wisdom and the way she's dealt with the tragedies, triumphs, and bad decisions she's made.

[Ocean · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is pretty good, i'm about 1/2 way through. it did make this intriguing-looking librarian return my smile for the first time ever, so that's pretty exciting.

....okay, so i finished it. not bad, as far as ghostwritten celebrity bios go. i especially enjoyed the part where she addresses "the gay rumors" and says, "just because i dance at a lesbian bar doesn't make me a lesbian. just because i dance at straight bars doesn't make me straight." sassy!

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent "believe in yourself" book from the Queen herself. Her honesty about the ups and downs of her own life, and how she went from the projects to the big time, is endearing. A great book to share with the young women in your life who need to hear the message of staying true to yourself during turbulent times.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one book I would recommend to all my girlfriends. For a woman in the public eye, Queen Latifah has a head on her shoulders. I would encourage young girls to read this and try to emulate their lives after her. She is an incredible role model.

[Mrs. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every young woman should read this book -- Queen Latifah has a true way with words, shoots straight from the hip and lays down the law.
Amazing words about how to become the young woman God wants you to be and respecting yourself more than anyone else on the planet.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a primary source of her life. She basicly wrote this herself. It's in good detail, and says so much about her strong feelings.

[Tarrastarr · Rating 3 out of 5]

i second that my she-ro comment.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queen Latifah should have been a counsellor or someething...her ability to make you feel good about yourself is incredible

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a good read. Really made me look at her in a different life and realize how many lies are tryly in the media.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love my oakland library branch melrose. After reading this book I resolved to try and look good for me, something that's not easy when you are a mother of a two year old. I love the queen.

[Josh Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for learning how to feel empowered while at the same time Learning how she got through her struggles and trials.