Queen Pen facts for kids

Lynise Walters (born September 24, 1972), known professionally as Queen Pen, is an American rapper, record producer, and novelist. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was discovered by record producer Teddy Riley at an IHOP restaurant in Virginia Beach. Riley later invited her to "spit lyrics" for Blackstreet's 1996 single "No Diggity", which became her and Riley's most successful recording (although she was uncredited on many publications of the song). Waters signed with Riley's Lil Man Records, an imprint of Interscope Records to release her debut album: My Melody (1997), which spawned the single, "All My Love" (featuring Eric Williams) peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album contained production largely handled by Riley and writing contributions from fellow Brooklyn native Jay-Z.

Her second studio album, Conversations with Queen (2001) contained less involvement from both and saw minimal critical or commercial response. She has not released any music afterward, and has since become an author.

Career

Her music career launched after she became a protégé of Teddy Riley, a record producer and member of the R&B group Blackstreet in the mid-1990s. Although she was not listed on the song, she was a featured artist alongside Dr. Dre in Blackstreet's 1996 hit, "No Diggity." She signed to Riley's Lil' Man label, and released My Melody (1997), her solo debut album, produced by Riley.

Her first album produced the charted singles "Man Behind the Music," "All My Love", and "Party Ain't a Party." She also gained notoriety for her song "Girlfriend" featuring Meshell Ndegeocello, where the lyrics explored same-sex relationships. In 1999, she took a three-year hiatus from performing and returned with Conversations with Queen (2001), her second album. She is now an entrepreneur and novelist. Her sons Donlynn and Quintion Walters are also rappers, who go by the handles Nefu Da Don and Q Nhannaz.

Personal life

After the release of the single, "Girlfriend," that contained themes that were taboo in the hip-hop community at the time, some media sources presumed Queen Pen to be bisexual or lesbian. ..... She also added that if she told the press she was straight, she would be viewed as a liar; in turn, if she were to say she was gay, she would be viewed as someone trying to get publicity. In 2001, Queen Pen disclosed in an interview that she was neither bisexual nor lesbian.

Novels

• Situations: A Book of Short Stories (2002)
• Blossom: A Novel (2007)

Discography

Albums

• My Melody (1997)
• Conversations with Queen (2001)

Singles

• "Man Behind the Music" (1997) – Hot Rap Singles #7, Billboard Hot 100 #84, UK #38
• "All My Love" (1998) – US Rhythmic Top 40 #14, US Hot Rap Singles #11, US Billboard Hot 100 #28, UK #11
• "Party Ain't a Party" (1998) – Rhythmic Top 40 #32, Billboard Hot 100 #74
• "It's True" (1998) – UK #24
• "I Got Cha" (2001)