Dana "Queen Latifah" Owens was born in Newark, New Jersey, living primarily in East Orange, New Jersey. Original member of the Flavor Unit crew, her song "Princess of the Posse" got the attention of Dante Ross, Tommy Boy Music employee who signed the emcee in 1988 with the help of Fab 5 Freddy, host of Yo! MTV Raps. With Tommy Boy, Queen Latifah releases "Wrath of My Madness" with "Princess of the Posse" as b-side, then publishes her debut album at the age of nineteen years old.
The productions is handled by DJ Mark the 45 King, Prince Paul, Louis "Louie Louie" Vega, Queen Latifah, Daddy-O, KRS One, Ultimatum, Doctor Jam, Soulshock and Bob Coulter. The guests are De La Soul, Daddy-O, Monie Love and the 45 King. This is the first CD for one of the best female performers in hip hop. Although the MC has brought personality, good technique and good delivery, The 45 King jazzy-funky production composed of simple and minimal rhythms, with alternative samples — he doesn't give up the usual suspects, but adds several ones at least risky — becomes soon generic and off, with several dancehall moments, it doesn't exalt the rapper's qualities and actually ends up containing them. At the low point reached on the hip house cut ("Come Into My House") which clashes with everything else, it replies an entire album really solid, albeit devoid of obvious banger.
Praised by specialized critics, supported by five singles ("Wrath of My Madness", "Dance for Me", "Ladies First", "Come Into My House", "Mama Gave Birth to the Soul Children") appreciated by crowds, the album hits #6 in the rnb chart and is one of best-selling hip-hop records of the year. After MC Lyte, female hip hop was starting to stammer because on the horizon there was no other tough girl ready to join the game and it'd be difficult to arrive: instead, Latifah denied everyone, entering with a strength, elegance and style that she'd soon distinguish her from the other participants. 8/10.
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