Ladies First : Revelations of a Strong Woman

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"I am not a psychologist or a sociologist," Queen Latifah points out. "I don't have any degrees, and I'm not an expert on life. What I am is a young black woman from the inner city who is making it, despite the odds, despite the obstacles I've had to face in the lifetimes that have come my way." In Ladies First, she talks about the importance of women making the move to be strong and self-reliant, using her own rise to stardom as a rapper and actress as an example. The drive and ambition have been with her since childhood: when she was very young and boys would ridicule her for wanting to play basketball with them, she retorted, "I'm not a tomboy--I'm just an athlete." Later, as a teenager, she would sneak out at night and go with friends to New York City to explore the emerging hip-hop scene, eventually cutting her first single in 1987. She talks about the choices she's made about drugs and sex and how she's learned as much from her mistakes as from her successes. And she addresses, glancingly, the rumors about her sexuality that have dogged her for years, and why she'd rather just ignore them: "I want people to see me as someone who is proud and comfortable with who I am.... Be secure in yourself. You don't need me--or any other public person, for that matter--to validate you." That basic principle, applied to all aspects of life, is the core of Ladies First. --Ron Hogan

From Publishers Weekly
Queen Latifah is perhaps rap's most recognizable female artist, having parlayed a successful music career into several high-profile film and television roles. Part of her appeal stems from her relatively unique image, one that eschews spandex and innuendo for a tougher, earthier confidence. Less an autobiography than a motivational tract, this book attempts to impart the philosophy behind Latifah's image and, in so doing, "let every woman know that she, too... is royalty." She does this by basing the narrative loosely around some of the major events in her life: her parents' divorce, her experiences growing up in inner-city Newark, her initial forays into the rap scene and her brother's death in a motorcycle accident at the age of 24. Also included are Latifah's views on drug use, God, romance and sex. Her personal recollections, while frank and heartfelt, serve mainly as touchstones for aphoristic observations on self-esteem and faith; the text is peppered with assertions such as "It's harder to feel bad with your head held high" and "The key is not to rule others but to reign over yourself." While the goal here is inspiration rather than revelation, fans may feel cheated by what's left out. No insights are offered regarding Latifah's music career, creative process or her decision to move into acting; her star-making lead role on the television series Living Single is covered in half a sentence. Ultimately, however, Latifah's positive "be yourself" attitude is infectious, and readers are bound to come away from this book wanting?at least a little bit?to be like Latifah. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
YA-The rapper and actress draws on her personal experiences to share how every woman can be strong, have self-worth, and thus be a queen. The first part, "Life," recounts her childhood in the housing projects of Newark after her father left the family. Her rise to stardom, the death of her 24-year-old brother in a motorcycle accident, her consequent depression, and her eventual recovery conclude this section. The second part, "Latifah's Laws," centers on choices women must make about addiction (drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes), sex, their body, and men. Through it all, the author draws on the strength of her family and friends as well as an enduring faith in God. Throughout this honest and open book, Latifah offers positive, inspirational life lessons. "You'd be amazed at how changing your body language, lifting your head up, can give you a whole new perspective on life....It's harder to feel bad with your head held high." Song lyrics are interspersed throughout the chapters. Full of wisdom and revelations, Ladies First will inspire and motivate young women of any background to discover who they are-inside and out.Ginger J. Schwartz, Potomac Community Library, Woodbridge, VA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Lessons from the rapper's own life.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The life and times of the former Dana Elaine Owens constitute yet another true tale of how perseverance in the face of adversity--along with talent, faith, and a few breaks--"made" a showbiz phenomenon. That that phenomenon--Queen Latifah, that is--is viewed as empowered and empowering by her devotees and that this is a time when the hue and cry for strong female and minority role models continues are two big reasons this as-told-to autobiography seems a natural library circulation builder. What else need be said? Well, Queen Latifah is a strong character with strong views and the will to express them. Oh yes--is she gay? She tried dealing with the question by ignoring it, but "my ploy to get the media off track didn't work. It seems that in this country, sexuality is never a nonissue." For her idea of the inside stuff on her, this is the source, an interesting but perhaps not lasting addition to the pop culture shelves. Mike Tribby

From Kirkus Reviews
The successful actress and rap singer offers a frank, down-to-earth, but somewhat unsurprising review of the hard life lessons she has learned, about self-respect, love, and independence. There's little here that may be startling (``Too many women look for what's in a man's pocket, not what's in his heart''; ``If you're broken, no man is going to fix you''). But Latifah delivers her insights with a biographical frankness (dealing with her struggles with abusive relationships and questions of self-worth) and salty directness that her young female fans (for whom the book seems to be written) are likely to find engaging and convincing. (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly
"...readers are bound to come away from this book wanting--at least a little bit--to be like Latifah."

Entertainment Weekly
"Unlike most gushy celeb bios, [Queen Latifah's] literary debut doesn't gloss over the rough spots."

Ebony
"[Ladies First] delivers an affirming message that empowers readers with its candor and simple eloquence."

Cosmopolitan
"Breathe new life into that book club of yours with Queen Latifah's memoir."

People
"Uplifting"

Book Description
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.

About the Author
Queen Latifah devides her time between Los Angeles and New Jersey.


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Ladies First is one woman's journey to find the richesthat 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.


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