Let's make this birthday one to remember.

53 years old (Born on March 18, 1970)

American musician; She is famous from Rapper, Actress.

She was nicknamed "Latifah" (Arabic for delicate and sensitive) by a cousin while she was in her teens. She is the first female rapper to be nominated for an Academy Award. Had to coach her Bringing Down the House (2003) co-stars Steve Martin and Eugene Levy in hip-hop slang. Her older brother Lance Owens, who was a police officer, died in an accident on the motorcycle Latifah bought for him as a present. She still wears the motorcycle key around her neck. Ranked #72 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll.

She appears in the Aaliyah tribute video "Miss You".

She was listed as a potential nominee on the 2005 Razzie Award nominating ballot. She was listed as a suggestion in the Worst Actress category for her performances in the films Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004), The Cookout (2004), and Taxi (2004/I), however, she failed to receive a nomination.

DJ Tocadisco`s song "Nobody (Likes The Records That I Play)" is based on a sample from the film Juice (1992) spoken by Queen Latifah.

Her Grammy award winning song samples "Message From The Inner City" by The Crusaders.

Had not done any musical theatre since high school prior to her role in Chicago (2002).

Played power forward on the Irvington Public High School girls' basketball team and led them to two New Jersey state championships.

In July 2007, it was revealed Queen Latifah planned to open her ‘Fat Burger’. The first restaurant, one of a franchise, will be built in South Beach, Miami.

In 2004, Queen Latifah released her first Non-rap album titled "The Dana Owens Album" which shows off her talents as a singer as well.

With Last Holiday (2006), she becomes the first woman to share a role with Sir Alec Guinness.

Queen Latifah won a Grammy in 1994 for Best Rap Solo Performance : "U.N.I.T.Y."

Co-CEO of Flavor Unit Entertainment.

Arrested for assaulting a photographer. [6 February 1996]

She played power forward on the Irvington Public High School girls` basketball team and led them to two New Jersey state championships.

With Last Holiday (2006), she becomes the first woman to share a role with Sir Alec Guinness.

Carjacked and a friend was shot. [July 1995]

Became the first hip-hop artist honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [4 January 2006]

She won a Grammy in 1994 for Best Solo Rap Performance for "U.N.I.T.Y."

She appears in Notorious B.I.G.`s video "One More Chance".

She was ranked #72 on VH1`s 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll.

Queen Latifah quit smoking after she saw The Oprah Winfrey Show guest Dr Mehmet Oz demonstrate the effects of cigarettes.

Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2005 Razzie Award nominating ballot. She was listed as a suggestion in the Worst Actress category for her performances in the films Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004), The Cookout (2004), and Taxi (2004/I), however, she failed to receive a nomination.

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [January 4, 2006].

Queen Latifah is of African American descent.

Was set to star in Monster's Ball (2001) with Robert De Niro and Sean Penn. Unfortunately, producers could not set up the film in time and it was delayed and recast. Her role went to Halle Berry, DeNiro's to Billy Bob Thornton, and Penn's to Heath Ledger.

She was carjacked and a friend was shot. [July 1995]

She was nicknamed "Latifah" (Arabic for delicate and sensitive) by a cousin while she was in her teens.

She became the first hip-hop artist honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [4 January 2006]

When Queen Latifah was just three years old, she tripped over a phone cord while playing with her brother.

Producers of the USA Network Show Monk originally considered offering the role of Sharona Fleming to Queen Latifah. The role was played by Bitty Schram.

On January 13, 2008, Queen Latifah won the Golden Globe Award in the "Actress In A Leading Role - Mini-Series Or Television Movie" category for her performance in Life Support.

Arrested for carrying a loaded pistol & marijuana. [3 February 1996]

On January 27, 2008, Queen Latifah won the Screen Actors Guild award in the "Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries" category for her performance in Life Support.

On February 3, 1996, she got arrested for carrying a loaded pistol and marijuana. She got arrested for assaulting a photographer three days after.

Older brother Lance Owens, who was a police officer, died in an accident on the motorcycle Latifah bought for him as a present. She still wears the motorcycle key around her neck.

She has stated in an interview with AOL that her first musical interest was to be a singer, not a rapper.

Queen Latifah does voice-overs on the Pizza Hut commercials.

She was set to star in Monster`s Ball (2001) with Robert De Niro and Sean Penn. Unfortunately, producers could not set up the film in time and it was delayed and recast. Her role went to Halle Berry, DeNiro`s to Billy Bob Thornton, and Penn`s to Heath Ledger.

DJ Tocadisco's song "Nobody (Likes The Records That I Play)" is based on a sample from the film Juice (1992) spoken by Queen Latifah.

She had to coach her Bringing Down the House (2003) co-stars Steve Martin and Eugene Levy in hip-hop slang.

First female rapper to be nominated for an Academy Award.