Queen Latifah gets Hollywood star

Actress Queen Latifah has become the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

It honoured the 35-year-old, who earned a supporting actress Oscar nomination in 2003 for her performance in Chicago.

"One of the reasons for me to be here is to inspire other young women, young African-American women, young wannabe rappers or wannabe actors," she said.

Born Dana Owens, she also hoped to inspire "wannabe entrepreneurs, or full-figured, sexy women".

Grammy winner

Queen Latifah made her musical debut in 1989 with the hip-hop album All Hail the Queen, which contained the UK hit Mama Gave Birth to the Soul Children.

Her third album, Black Reign, earned her a Grammy award in 1994.

After acting in TV sitcoms Living Single and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Latifah starred in films such as Set It Off, Bringing Down the House and Beauty Shop.

But it was her performance as prison matron Mama Morton in movie musical Chicago that earned her acclaim.
Last year she released The Dana Owens Album, a jazz album that earned her a Grammy nomination.

Latifah said she had been given a "sweet spot" on the Walk of Fame, on Hollywood Boulevard in California.

"I don't live far from here, I might sneak over in disguise and just look at it sometimes," she said.