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The Dana Owens Album (2004)

Where the lyrics of The Dana Owens Album take you, and where it was really made.

A hip-hop artist's album with almost no rapping: Queen Latifah's fifth studio album is built from jazz, soul, and R&B covers and marks a clear departure from her hip-hop releases.

Key places

Recorded at Right Track in New York (2004)

Recording site MSR Studios — Right Track Recording in New York City is listed among the studios where this album was recorded. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles (2004)

Recording site Capitol Studios — Capitol Studios in Los Angeles is listed among the recording locations for this album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Conway Studios in Los Angeles (2004)

Recording site Conway Recording Studios — Conway Studios in Los Angeles is listed among the recording locations for this album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Record Plant in Los Angeles (2004)

Recording site Record Plant (Los Angeles) — Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles is listed among the recording locations for this album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at O'Henry Studios in Burbank (2004)

Recording site The Enterprise (Burbank) — O'Henry Studios in Burbank is listed among the recording locations, and the point is placed at the city center. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• The Dana Owens Album is the fifth studio album by American hip-hop artist Queen Latifah
• It is a cover album of jazz and R&B songs
• Released September 28, 2004 through A&M Records
• The title takes Latifah's birth name, Dana Elaine Owens
• Unlike her previous hip-hop and R&B oriented albums, it showcases a jazz vocal performance
• The track list covers songs by artists such as Al Green, Bill Withers, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Background

• The album marks a departure from her previous hip-hop releases
• It earned a Grammy nomination in 2005 in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Album
• It has been certified gold in the United States by the RIAA
• Personnel lists Al Green on vocals, Herbie Hancock on piano, and James Moody on alto saxophone as guest artists

Recording

• Recording locations listed include Right Track Recording in New York City
• Capitol Studios, Conway Studios, and Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles are also listed as recording locations
• O'Henry Studios in Burbank is listed among the recording locations
• Co-production is credited to Tal Hertzberg and Joe Mardin on several tracks

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• Born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970 in Newark, New Jersey; grew up mainly in East Orange, New Jersey.
• Started as a beatboxer and rapper for the Flavor Unit crew; signed to Tommy Boy Records and released debut album All Hail the Queen in 1989 at age 19.
• Black Reign (1993) became the first album by a solo female rapper certified Gold by the RIAA; its single "U.N.I.T.Y." won a Grammy Award.
• Order in the Court (1998) was released through Motown Records; later albums include The Dana Owens Album (2004), Trav'lin' Light (2007), and Persona (2009).
• Performed at Super Bowl XXXII halftime show as the first rapper to do so.
• Starred on the Fox sitcom Living Single (1993–1998) and hosted The Queen Latifah Show (1999–2001, 2013–2015).
• Earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Chicago (2002), and a Primetime Emmy Award for the HBO film Bessie (2015).
• Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006, becoming the first hip-hop artist to do so.
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2026.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• AllMusic editor Andy Kellman called the album a real delight, very classy and a lot of fun
• Kellman wrote that Owens ought to consider doing this type of thing more often
• Rolling Stone critic Pat Blashill said Queen Latifah does not take many chances on the album
• Blashill described the record as warm and familiar as a new down comforter
• Blashill added that for some Norah Jones fans this may be enough

Records

• Peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200
• Peaked at No. 11 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart
• Earned a 2005 Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album
• Certified gold in the United States by the RIAA
• Released through A&M Records on September 28, 2004

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The album is credited as the first in which she simply sings instead of raps, according to the Italian article
• The track list ends with Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life", listed at 4:25
• "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" is credited to Gail Fisher, Vincent Levy, and Joe Zawinul
• The album is listed on Discogs and MusicBrainz as external references

Sources: it.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org

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