Queen Latifah is one of the most successful and influential women in the entertainment industry. She has won awards for her music, acting, and producing, and has been a role model for many young people. But behind her fame and fortune, there is a tragic story that has haunted her for decades: the death of her brother, Lancelot Owens Jr.
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Who was Lancelot Owens Jr?
Lancelot Owens Jr was born in 1969, the son of Rita Owens and Lancelot Owens Sr. His mother was a teacher and his father was a police officer. He had a younger sister, Dana Elaine Owens, who would later become known as Queen Latifah. The siblings were very close and shared a love for music and motorcycles.
Lancelot Owens Jr followed his father’s footsteps and became a police officer himself. He was also an avid motorcyclist and enjoyed riding with his sister. Queen Latifah bought him a motorcycle as a gift, which he cherished.
How did Lancelot Owens Jr die?
On February 10, 1992, Lancelot Owens Jr was riding his motorcycle in Newark, New Jersey, when he collided with a car. He was rushed to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries. He was only 23 years old.
Queen Latifah was devastated by the loss of her brother. She said that it “ruined her world” and that she “never been the same since”. She blamed herself for buying him the motorcycle and felt guilty for not being with him that day. She also struggled with depression and substance abuse as a way to cope with her grief.
How did Queen Latifah honor her brother?
Queen Latifah did not let her brother’s death stop her from pursuing her dreams. She channeled her emotions into her music and dedicated her third album, Black Reign, to him. The album featured the hit single “U.N.I.T.Y.”, which addressed issues such as sexism, racism, and violence. The video for the song showed Queen Latifah riding a motorcycle in tribute to her brother.
Queen Latifah also wore the key to her brother’s motorcycle around her neck as a symbol of their bond. She wore it in every episode of her sitcom Living Single, and reportedly still keeps it with her today.
Queen Latifah also opened up about her brother’s death in interviews and books. She said that he was her inspiration and motivation, and that she wanted to make him proud. She also credited fellow rapper Heavy D, who had also lost a brother, for being there for her when she needed him.
What is Queen Latifah’s legacy?
Queen Latifah has achieved remarkable success in various fields of entertainment. She has sold millions of albums, won a Grammy Award, starred in movies and TV shows, produced films and documentaries, hosted talk shows and award ceremonies, and launched her own cosmetics line. She has also been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Golden Globe Award, an Emmy Award, and several nominations for Academy Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Queen Latifah has also used her platform to advocate for social causes such as women’s empowerment, education, health care, LGBTQ rights, and racial justice. She has supported various charities and foundations such as the American Heart Association, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Lancelot H. Owens Scholarship Foundation (named after her brother), and the Queen Latifah Show Scholarship Fund.
Queen Latifah has said that she believes that her brother is watching over her from heaven. She has also said that she hopes to see him again someday. She has expressed her gratitude for having him in her life and for being able to share his memory with the world.
Conclusion
Lancelot Owens Jr was more than just Queen Latifah’s brother. He was her best friend, her partner in crime, her guardian angel. His death was a tragic event that changed Queen Latifah forever. But it also inspired her to overcome adversity and achieve greatness. Lancelot Owens Jr may be gone, but he is not forgotten. He lives on in Queen Latifah’s heart and in her art.
