Hubbry Logo
How Many Licks?How Many Licks?Main
Open search
How Many Licks?
Community hub
How Many Licks?
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
How Many Licks?
How Many Licks?
How Many Licks?
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

"How Many Licks?"
An image of a woman wearing a pink swimsuit and swimming cap while sitting on a pink circle. The names of the single and the artist are superimposed over the image.
Single by Lil' Kim featuring Sisqó
from the album The Notorious K.I.M.
ReleasedNovember 21, 2000
Genre
Length3:52
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Mario Winans
  • Sean Combs
Lil' Kim singles chronology
"No Matter What They Say"
(2000) 		"How Many Licks?"
(2000) 		"Wait a Minute"
(2001)
Sisqó singles chronology
"Incomplete"
(2000) 		"How Many Licks?"
(2000) 		"Can I Live?"
(2001)
Music video
"How Many Licks?" on YouTube

"How Many Licks?" is a song by American rapper Lil' Kim featuring vocals by American musician Sisqó from Lil' Kim's second studio album, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000). Mario Winans and Sean Combs produced the song, and wrote it with Lil' Kim and Sisqó. The hip hop song samples the Knight Rider theme song, with lyrics expressing a woman's desire for oral sex and her sexual relationships with a variety of men. The chorus is a reference to the advertising slogan for Tootsie Pops. A remix by the Neptunes has additional vocals from American artists Kelis, Lil' Cease, and Snoop Dogg. "How Many Licks?" was released as the second and final single from The Notorious K.I.M. on November 21, 2000, by Queen Bee Entertainment and Atlantic Records.

"How Many Licks?" was praised by music critics after its release and in retrospective reviews; the Neptunes remix also received positive reviews. However, African-American studies professor Mark Anthony Neal criticized the song's treatment of black female sexuality. Commentators compared Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj's 2014 single "Anaconda" to "How Many Licks?". "How Many Licks?" peaked at number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and charted in several other countries, but was not as commercially successful as Lil' Kim's previous singles.

The song's accompanying music video was directed by Francis Lawrence and features the singer as a sex doll in three separate sexual fantasies. Sisqó did not appear in the video due to conflicts with his record label Def Jam Recordings. Although music critics praised the visual, its treatment of sexuality elicited varied opinions from academics. It was also compared to music videos by other artists, including Minaj's "Stupid Hoe" (2011) and American rapper Missy Elliott's "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" (1997). In addition to the video, Lil' Kim promoted "How Many Licks?" with live performances.

Recording and releases

[edit]

Mario Winans and Sean Combs produced "How Many Licks?" and wrote it with Lil' Kim and Sisqó, who are credited under their legal names (Kimberly Jones and Mark Andrews).[1] Sisqó wrote the song's hook[2][3] and contributed verses.[4] The vocals were recorded by Dave Wade and Stephen Dent at Daddy's House Recording Studios in New York City and Trans Continental Studios in Orlando, with Ed Raso mixing the audio.[1]

"How Many Licks?" was released as the second single from Lil' Kim's second album, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000),[5] as a 12-inch single and CD single by Atlantic Records and Queen Bee Entertainment.[6][7][8] A remix by American production duo the Neptunes was also made available,[9] with vocals by American singer Kelis and verses by American rappers Lil' Cease and Snoop Dogg.[10] The song's original version was included on several compilations, including the 2001 albums The Source Hip Hop Music Awards 2001,[11] Pure Dance 2001,[12] Hip Hop Soul Party: Episode V,[13] and 2008's 15 of the Best Urban Classics.[14]

Music and lyrics

[edit]
"How Many Licks?"
Excerpt from the song, with the sample from the Knight Rider theme song.[9] Music critics identified several different musical influences on the single, such as funk and "Daft Punk-like noises".[15][16]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"How Many Licks?" is a three-minute and 52-second hip hop song[4][17] that uses a sample from the theme song of the television series Knight Rider (1982–1986).[9] Music critic Simon Reynolds described its composition as "full of Daft Punk-like noises",[15] and an NME writer called it "pornographic funk".[16] Michael Arceneaux of VH1 wrote that the single and other tracks from The Notorious K.I.M. have a "glossier and far more commercial" sound than the rapper's previous releases.[9]

The lyrics of "How Many Licks?" are part of a movement in 1990s hip hop music to express sexuality positively. Sexuality studies professor Thomas A. Foster wrote that Lil' Kim reverses a trend in hip hop music which objectifies women for the male gaze and celebrates male sexuality.[17] In 2007, gender studies scholar Aine McGlynn described "How Many Licks?" as one of the most sexually explicit songs to receive airplay.[18]

The lyrics describe a woman's interest in oral sex, with Preezy of The Boombox calling the song a "sexual anthem".[19] Lyrics include: "Roll some weed with some tissue and close your eyes/ Then imagine your tongue in between my thighs."[20] Lil' Kim raps about having sex with men of various nationalities,[21] spanking one from "down South" and "com[ing] in his mouth".[22] The rapper notes that people masturbate or have sex to her music: "goes out to my niggaz in jail / Beating they dicks to the double X-L."[23] She re-imagines herself as "an image in a magazine, a poster, a character in a gangsta narrative, a luxury item and a bling accessary". Lil' Kim and Sisqó also exchange pick-up lines during the song.[4] The chorus refers to the advertising slogan for Tootsie Pops ("How many licks does it takes to get to the Tootsie Roll centre of a Tootsie Pop?"), and ties sexuality to consumerism according to media studies professor Scott Wilson.[21]

For the track's remix, Lil' Kim associates her rapping abilities with oral sex: "Ya neva seen this stroke of genius / [I] put tha cleanest, meanest lips on ya penis!"[24] She is also noted to popularize the word "gangstress" which she had previously used in "Spend a Little Doe", a track from her 1996 album Hard Core, and a remix of the American trio Intro's 1995 single "Funny How Time Flies".[25] The rapper further introduces herself as "the female Mack".[26]

Critical reception

[edit]

"How Many Licks?" received primarily positive reviews from music critics following its release and during retrospective reviews. Commentators praised the single for its sexual content.[3][27][28] Michelle Goldberg of Salon wrote that Lil' Kim maintained a focus on her "playfully ripe side" from Hard Core.[27] Noisey's Adria Young referred to its lyrics in 2015 as "some of the rap diva's most raunchy verses to date", citing the song as an example of how Sisqó pushed the envelope of sexuality in popular culture.[3] Brittany Vincent of Billboard noted it as an example of how the rapper was unafraid of exploring sex in her music.[28] An editor for Apple Music included the song on its "Lil' Kim Essentials" playlist, writing that Lil Kim' "more than held her own as an agile and self-possessed MC who pushed hip-hop toward its unalloyed id".[29] However, African-American studies professor Mark Anthony Neal criticized the single for perpetuating the sexual objectification of women. Comparing "How Many Licks?" with American singer Tweet's 2002 song "Oops (Oh My)", Neal wrote that Tweet's focus on masturbation was a better expression of black female sexuality.[30]

The remix of "How Many Licks?" was also praised in retrospective reviews.[9][31] In a 2015 article, Michael Arceneaux of VH1 called it "an under-appreciated gem" and suggested that Lil' Kim record another collaboration with Neptunes member Pharrell Williams in the future.[31] According to Arceneaux, the remix is treated with "great reverence" by fans.[9] Mark Anthony Neal was more critical of the remix due to Fabolous' lyrics ("Oops, there goes my kids on your face"), saying that the addition changed the song's message from "a celebration of autonomous female sexuality" to a "vulgar, demeaning moment of black female objectification".[30]

Some critics compared Nicki Minaj's 2014 single, "Anaconda" to "How Many Licks".[32][33] Alex Kristelis of Bustle noted that both songs focused on men's appreciation of the singer's body.[32] A Khaleej Times writer called "Anaconda" a "blatant copy" of "How Many Licks?", with Minaj's song sharing "the lyrical blue print and theme" of Lil' Kim's.[33] Westword's Cory Lamz wrote that Minaj parodied "How Many Licks?" and its associated visuals in the music video for her 2011 single "Stupid Hoe".[34]

Commercial performance

[edit]

According to Michael Arceneaux, "How Many Licks?" and fellow songs from The Notorious K.I.M. did not fare well on radio.[9] Although media outlets considered it a "hit",[19][35][36] the song was less commercially successful than Lil' Kim's previous releases.[19] It reached several Billboard charts in the United States,[37][38][39] peaking at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 2, 2000 and remaining on the chart for nine weeks.[37] The song also reached number 11 on the Hot Rap Songs chart on December 9, 2000, similarly remaining on that chart for nine weeks.[38] It peaked at number 36 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart that day, remaining on the chart for 20 weeks.[39]

"How Many Licks?" also charted in several other countries.[40][41][42] It peaked at number six on the Dutch Top 40 chart, and remained on the chart for 13 weeks.[40][42] The single reached number seven on the Ultratop chart in the Flanders region of Belgium, also remaining on that chart for 13 weeks.[41][42] It further peaked at number 58 on the German Singles Chart, remaining for eight editions.[42]

Music video

[edit]

Production and release

[edit]

The song's music video, directed by Francis Lawrence, was shot in the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles on October 3 and 4, 2000,[5][43] and premiered the following month. Discussing the video with MTV News, Lil' Kim said: "This is where I get to get freaky". The rapper described her performance as different personas as "something the whole world has been waiting for".[43] Brad Wete of Billboard wrote that the idea of the rapper as a sex toy was an expansion of her image as a black Barbie.[44] The video was re-uploaded to Atlantic's YouTube channel on October 26, 2009.[45] It was also featured on the 2005 release Lil' Kim: Queen Bee Video Collection.[46]

The music video follows a storyline in which the protagonist, Kim, releases a line of comestible dolls in her own likeness, intended to be used by gentlemen to practice cunnilingus.[43][47] In the initial stanza, Kim rhapsodizes over the large, heterogeneous population of men with whom she has engaged in intercourse, and how they have satisfied her sexually and non-sexually. The figurine introduced during this sequence is christened "Candy Kim." The subsequent verse goes out to her African American fans currently residing in the corrections system, specifically those individuals who enjoy cannabis and onanism while envisioning themselves coupling with Kim; the singer suggests she is so prepossessing that images of her incite fisticuffs among the internees. She dubs herself "Pin-Up Kim," whose images festoon the cells of the incarcerated. The concluding section introduces yet another incarnation, "NightRider Kim." NightRider Kim drives an ebony Lamborghini at high velocity, decelerating only when she sees a comely man. The watchword for this final section is "She doesn't satisfy you...you satisfy her." She demands that the listener appease her, admonishing that, if he fails to do so, he must attempt the task again until he succeeds.[43] She stresses that men should cunnilingus her "like it's rehearsal for a Tootsie commercial." This allusion reveals the basis for the title of the composition.[43][47]

Sisqó does not appear in the video,[2][43] explaining that his absence was due to a conflict with his record label, Def Jam, caused by the releases of the remix of his 2000 single "Thong Song" (with American rapper Foxy Brown) and his verse on American rapper DMX's 2000 single, "What These Bitches Want". In a 2017 interview with Complex, Sisqó said that he had been blacklisted by the label because of the aforementioned releases.[2]

Reception and analysis

[edit]
An image of a dark-skinned woman wearing a blonde/orange wig with the words "Candy Kim" in a pink font at the bottom of the screen
Women's studies academics Gail Dines and Jean M. Humez criticized Lil' Kim for her adherence to white female beauty standards, particularly blonde hair and blue eyes (pictured above).[48]

The music video received positive reviews in media outlets;[19][43] according to Preezy of The Boombox, it was "a staple on video countdowns" after its release. The reviewer praised "its eye-popping imagery and Kim's assets on display".[19] An MTV News writer lauded the video's concept: "The doll personas give Kim a handful of fresh, new ways to wear a whole lot of nothing as she leaves even less to the imagination than usual".[43] Jess Harvell of Pitchfork criticized the video, writing that it "is enough to make you join your local Andrea Dworkin fan club".[49]

Scholars had differing opinions on the video's representation of sexuality.[47][48][50] According to the CERCL Writing Collective, it showcases Lil' Kim's technique of "us[ing] the male body as an object of her own sexual desires and pleasures" and exemplifies a theme in the rapper's releases in which men are submissive to her sexuality.[50] Feminist scholar Leslie Heywood interpreted the video as a "playful" way to address Lil' Kim as a celebrity and "a marketed ideal", writing that the rapper's "appeal to popular fantasy" and her "tough, sexy attitude" helped expand her artistic success.[47] Alternatively, women's studies academics Gail Dines and Jean M. Humez criticized the video as "an apt metaphor for her self-commodification and use of white female beauty ideals". Even though they described the visual as "a tongue-in-cheek criticism of image making or white female beauty standards", they criticized the rapper for adhering to male fantasy through the emphasis on her blonde hair and blue eyes. They wrote that Lil' Kim would be remembered by "her participation in codes of pornographic descriptions of women" rather than her commentary on sexuality.[48]

Selected scholars compared the video to those released by other rappers.[51][52] In his essay "Supa Dupa Fly: Black Women as Cyborgs in Hiphop Videos", cultural critic Steven Shaviro wrote that the videos for "How Many Licks?" and American rapper Missy Elliott's 1997 single "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" contain “stories of black female empowerment, in the face of deeply engrained racism and sexism".[51] Feminist scholars M. L. Williams and T. C. M. Tyree wrote that the focus on beauty standards in the video continued with Nicki Minaj's video for "Stupid Hoe".[52]

Live performances and covers

[edit]

Lil' Kim rapped the first verses of "How Many Licks?" during a 2010 event at Irving Plaza. During the performance, she had a wardrobe malfunction and her top almost fell down.[53] She also performed the song in 2012 as part of her Return of the Queen Tour,[36] as well as during a one-night show at the Gramercy Theatre the following year, wearing a red bodysuit and long black hair.[35][54] In 2013, American drag queen Alaska Thunderfuck sang a cover version of "How Many Licks?", which Josh Middleton of Philadelphia praised as "outstanding".[55]

Track listing

[edit]
CD single[6]
No.TitleLength
1."How Many Licks?" (featuring Sisqó) (Soul Society Remix (Clean))3:48
2."How Many Licks?" (featuring Sisqó) (Sicknote 2 Step Remix (Clean))4:13
3."How Many Licks?" (featuring Sisqó) (Simon Vegas Remix (Clean))3:53
4."How Many Licks?" (featuring Sisqó) (Radio Edit (Clean))3:57
5."Enhanced Video"3:53
12-inch single[7]
No.TitleLength
1."How Many Licks?" (clean album version)3:53
2."How Many Licks?" (instrumental)3:57
3."How Many Licks?" (dirty album version)3:53
4."How Many Licks?" (a cappella)3:59
Neptunes Remix[56]
No.TitleLength
1."How Many Licks?" (Neptunes Remix) (explicit version)4:44
2."How Many Licks?" (Neptunes Remix) (clean version)4:43

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Notorious K.I.M..[1]

Recording locations

  • Daddy's House Recording Studios (New York City)
  • Trans Continental Studios (Orlando)

Personnel

  • Mixing – Ed Raso
  • Producer – Mario "Yellowman" Winans, Sean "Puffy" Combs
  • Recording – Dave Wade, Stephen Dent
  • Songwriting – Kimberly Jones, Mario Winans, Sean Combs

Charts

[edit]

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "How Many Licks?"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States November 21, 2000 12-inch vinyl
[71]
Germany February 9, 2001 CD Warner Music
[63]
Australia March 19, 2001 Maxi CD
[72]
Germany
[63]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

How Many Licks?

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"How Many Licks?" is a hip hop and R&B song performed by American rapper Lil' Kim featuring vocals from singer Sisqó, serving as the second single from her second studio album The Notorious K.I.M.. The track, released in late 2000 via Atlantic Records and Queen Bee Entertainment, centers on explicit lyrics in which Lil' Kim details purported sexual encounters with numerous celebrities, delivered over a production incorporating samples and a catchy chorus by Sisqó. The song achieved moderate commercial success, peaking at number 75 on the and number 36 on the chart, reflecting its niche appeal amid 's established reputation for provocative content. Its , directed with a candy-themed aesthetic portraying in various personas such as "Candy Kim," emphasized visual elements of seduction and fantasy, contributing to its enduring cult status despite limited radio play due to lyrical explicitness. Critically, the track exemplifies 's unapologetic style, which prioritized raw sexual agency and bravado, though it drew backlash for from conservative outlets while garnering praise from fans for its boldness and replay value in hip-hop circles.

Production

Recording and development

The track "How Many Licks?" was recorded at Daddy's House Recording Studios in and Trans Continental Studios in , during sessions for Lil' Kim's second studio album, . and served as producers, with Winans handling primary production duties under his alias "" and Combs contributing executive oversight through Bad Boy Entertainment's influence. Lil' Kim and Sisqó co-wrote the song, incorporating Sisqó's vocals to blend hip-hop verses with R&B hooks amid the album's broader production involving multiple collaborators like Jiv Posse and Darryl "D-Major" Andrews on other tracks. The development emphasized explicit lyrical themes of female sexual agency, aligning with 's established persona, while leveraging Sisqó's rising popularity post- for crossover appeal. Engineering credits included Dave Wade and Ed Raso, ensuring polished mixing that highlighted the track's rhythmic and sampled elements.

Release formats

"How Many Licks?" was released as a single in 2000 by in collaboration with Undeas Recordings and . The track appeared in both clean and explicit versions across formats, typically including the album version (3:53), (3:57), and (3:59). Physical releases primarily consisted of 12-inch vinyl singles and CD singles. In the United States, vinyl editions were issued on Atlantic (catalog 0-85032) and promotional variants on Atlantic (PR 300359) and Queen Bee Records (QB-001 for remixes). European vinyl releases included a 2000 pressing on Atlantic (2155) and a 2001 German edition (7567-85053-0). CD formats encompassed U.S. promotional singles on Atlantic (PRCD 300360 and PRCD 300390) and international commercial maxi-singles, such as the 2001 enhanced European version (7567-85060-2) and Australian edition (7567850192). Additional promotional items included custom CD-Rs for remixes like version and tapes for video promotion. Remix editions were featured on select releases, including a Queen Bee Records promo vinyl and various CD tracklists with Soul Society and Sicknote 2 Step remixes in clean versions. Digital download availability followed later through platforms associated with the labels, though original distribution emphasized physical media.

Composition

Musical elements

"How Many Licks?" is classified as a hip hop track with R&B influences, particularly evident in Sisqó's melodic chorus vocals layered over Lil' Kim's rap verses. The song was produced by Sean Combs and Mario Winans, who crafted a mid-tempo groove clocking in at 105 beats per minute in the key of B-flat minor. This tempo supports a bouncy, danceable rhythm conducive to early 2000s club and radio play, blending programmed drum patterns with synthesized bass lines. The production prominently features samples that define its sonic texture. It interpolates the advertising jingle "How Many Licks?" from , directly echoing the song's title and playful motif, alongside elements from Jay-Z's "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)" featuring and for rhythmic and lyrical phrasing. Additionally, the track samples the theme from the 1980s television series , composed by Stu Phillips, incorporating its iconic synthesizer riff to evoke a futuristic, electronic vibe that underscores the verses. These samples, combined with Combs' signature shiny, layered production style, create a glossy hip hop sound with hooks designed for replay value. Structurally, the song follows a conventional verse-chorus format typical of the era's rap singles: delivers explicit, narrative-driven verses over the beat, transitioning into Sisqó's sung chorus that repeats the titular for catchiness. The arrangement builds tension through minimalistic verses that spotlight the samples before releasing into fuller choruses with added vocal harmonies and ad-libs, emphasizing accessibility without complex harmonic progressions.

Lyrics and themes

The lyrics of "How Many Licks?", released in 2000 on 's album , center on explicit descriptions of the rapper's sexual experiences, with a recurring emphasis on her demand for from male partners of diverse racial backgrounds. Written by and , the verses boast of encounters such as one with "a white dude—his name was John," who "had a Queen Bee 'fix' like Solomon," and another with a black man from who "had a twelve-inch black, that's just how it was," underscoring her unfiltered recounting of physical attributes and acts without romanticization. The track interpolates the commercial slogan in its chorus, sung by : "How many licks does it take till you get / To the center of the ?", repurposed as a direct metaphor for the persistence required to achieve female via oral stimulation, with lines like "All night long, I want the dawn" reinforcing endurance in pleasuring her. Structurally, the alternates between Lil' Kim's assertive rap verses, which catalog her global and interracial liaisons—"I've been a lot of places / Seen a lot of faces / Ah hell, I even f*** with different races"—and Sisqó's melodic hooks that amplify the theme, set against a production sampling the theme for a cruising, nocturnal vibe. This framework positions the narrative as a travelogue of conquests, where Kim asserts control, as in "If you drivin' in the street / Hold onto your seat / N**z, grab your d* / And b***es, rub your tt," directing listeners toward mutual but female-centered eroticism. Thematically, "How Many Licks?" embodies a bold assertion of female sexual autonomy in hip-hop, prioritizing women's receipt of oral pleasure over penetrative acts typically glorified in the genre, which analysts interpret as subverting male-dominated sexual scripts by making cunnilingus a contractual expectation rather than an afterthought. Lil' Kim's lyrics reject passivity, framing her body as a site of empowered transaction—"He had a Queen Bee 'fix' like Solomon"—and critiquing inadequate partners who fail to deliver, as evidenced by dismissals like those unable to "go down like that." This focus on reciprocity and specificity has drawn scholarly attention for its discursive elevation of cunnilingus in popular music, contrasting with broader rap trends that objectify women, though some critiques note its alignment with pornographic aesthetics that commodify explicitness for shock value. The song's interracial elements further highlight Kim's cosmopolitan sexuality, reflecting early-2000s hip-hop's occasional nods to boundary-crossing without deeper commentary on racial dynamics.

Promotion and visuals

Marketing efforts

The marketing efforts for "How Many Licks?" centered on targeted distribution of promotional materials to facilitate radio airplay, club DJ rotations, and media exposure. and Queen Bee Records produced multiple promo formats in 2000, including 12-inch vinyl singles (e.g., Atlantic PR 300359), CD singles (e.g., Atlantic PRCD 300360 and Queen Bee PRCD 300390), custom CDRs, and even a single for video promotion. To broaden appeal across urban radio and remix markets, several versions were commissioned, including the Remix featuring and , released as a promotional and 12-inch. This approach aimed to adapt the track for diverse formats while leveraging high-profile guest features for increased buzz. These efforts aligned with the album The Notorious K.I.M.'s overall campaign, which included Lil' Kim's promotional tour visiting stores to promote AIDS awareness via the MAC Viva Glam fund, helping maintain visibility during the single's rollout in late 2000. No large-scale television or print campaigns specific to the single have been documented, with focus instead on industry-targeted assets to drive organic play and sales.

Music video production

The music video for "How Many Licks?" was directed by . Lawrence, known for prior work on high-profile music videos, oversaw the project's visual execution under the auspices of as the production company. The video premiered on October 3, 2000, aligning with the single's promotional rollout from Lil' Kim's album . Filming took place in , , where Lawrence coordinated the shoot to capture the song's provocative themes through stylized candy-themed aesthetics and performance sequences featuring and . Production emphasized bold, surreal imagery, including edible doll concepts tied to the lyrics, though specific budget figures or crew details beyond core credits remain undocumented in primary records. The process reflected Bad Boy's signature glossy style, influenced by executive input from , who co-wrote the track.

Video content and reception

The music video for "How Many Licks?", directed by and released in 2000, centers on depicted as a manufactured in a . It features an producing multiple versions of Kim as customizable dolls embodying various sexual personas, with scenes intercutting factory production, doll activation into fantasy sequences, and performance shots of Kim in revealing outfits engaging in suggestive dances. performs the chorus in isolated segments, while the visuals employ bright, candy-colored aesthetics to mirror the song's lollipop metaphor for . The video garnered attention for its explicit content, earning a reputation as highly controversial due to depictions of and simulated eroticism, which led to restricted airplay on some networks requiring edited versions. later reflected that the track and its visuals were crafted with her LGBTQ audience in mind, anticipating their enthusiastic reception to the bold narrative. Critics and observers noted the innovative, ahead-of-its-time use of vibrant fashion and conceptual doll imagery, though it faced backlash for reinforcing hyper-sexualized stereotypes in hip-hop. The production's provocative style aligned with 's established persona, contributing to discussions on female agency in explicit media, despite mixed viewer ratings averaging 5.6 out of 10 on platforms like .

Reception and analysis

Critical reviews

Critics praised "How Many Licks?" for its bold, explicit exploration of female sexual agency, particularly Lil' Kim's verses demanding proficient , framed through a playful adaptation of the commercial slogan in Sisqó's chorus. In reviewing the parent album , RapReviews described the track as X-rated and highlighted lines such as "Lick me right the first time or you gotta do it over/like it's rehearsal for a Tootsie commercial," contributing to the album's strong lyrical score of 9/10 despite musical inconsistencies. Slant Magazine's assessment of the album noted Lil' Kim's "new and inventive ways to demand oral pleasure from her men," positioning the song within a broader critique of repetitive sexual bravado, though the release earned a mixed 3/5 rating for lacking depth beyond . Retrospective analyses have emphasized the song's catchy production and provocative appeal; called its chorus and lyrics an "instant hit," while characterized it as a "pussy-eating " underscoring Lil' Kim's unapologetic persona. later included the single at number 208 in its "Rest of the Best of the Aughts" list, signaling enduring niche appreciation amid the era's hip-hop output.

Commercial performance

"How Many Licks?" was released as the second single from Lil' Kim's album The Notorious K.I.M. on October 28, 2000. The track attained moderate commercial success primarily on rhythm and urban-oriented charts. It peaked at number 75 on the Hot 100. On the chart, it reached a peak position of number 36 and spent 16 weeks on the listing. Additionally, the song climbed to number 11 on the chart, logging three weeks there, and number 8 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart over 14 weeks.
Chart (2000–2001)Peak positionWeeks on chart
75—
3616
113
Rhythmic Airplay814
The single did not receive any RIAA certifications, reflecting limited physical or digital sales impact at the time, as hip-hop singles from that era often relied more on radio than unit sales for chart performance. It charted modestly in select international markets but failed to achieve significant global traction compared to Lil' Kim's prior hits like "No Matter What They Say."

Performances and legacy

Live renditions

Lil' Kim debuted "How Many Licks?" with a live performance on MTV's Direct Effect on October 6, 2000, featuring choreography and her signature bold stage presence. She followed this with appearances at the 2000 Soul Train Awards, where she delivered the track alongside other hits from . Another early rendition occurred on BET's in 2000, during which a briefly exposed her breast, drawing media attention but not derailing the energetic set. The song saw infrequent live outings in the intervening years, with Lil' Kim performing it solo at events like a 2010 show captured in fan footage emphasizing her commanding delivery. Joint performances with Sisqó remained rare; the duo reunited for the track at the Apollo Theater on January 26, 2023, marking only their second onstage collaboration on it, followed by another at the same venue on June 22, 2023, as part of the Harlem Festival of Culture kickoff. Sisqó has occasionally rapped his verse independently, as at Bowie State University's 2016 homecoming event. In 2023, Lil' Kim included the song in festival sets, such as at the Lovers & Friends event on May 6 in Las Vegas, where it energized crowds amid a nostalgia-driven bill. These renditions typically highlight the song's playful, explicit lyrics through high-energy dancing and audience interaction, though full-scale tours featuring it have been limited compared to her earlier hits like "Crush on You."

Covers, samples, and interpolations

"How Many Licks?" interpolates the vocal hook—"How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?"—from the 1970s Tootsie Roll Industries commercial jingle of the same name, replaying the phrase with added production rather than directly sampling audio. The track also incorporates a sample from the drum pattern and instrumental elements of Jay-Z's "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)" featuring Beanie Sigel and Amil, released in 1999 on the album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. The song has been sampled in at least six subsequent recordings, primarily drawing on its vocals and lyrical . Notable examples include Brown's 2015 track "Go," which reuses vocal ad-libs and the "licks" motif, and Jazmine Sullivan's 2011 song "How Many Licks," interpolating the chorus lyrics and theme of oral fixation. Official covers remain limited, with fan and independent renditions comprising most documented versions. In , artist BOXi released a cover emphasizing the song's R&B elements via . Todisco issued a remix-style cover in 2021, retaining the original lyrics while altering the production. No major-label or chart-topping covers have been released as of 2025.

Cultural significance and critiques

"How Many Licks?" exemplifies Lil' Kim's role in advancing explicit expressions of female sexual agency within hip-hop, inverting traditional male-centric narratives by centering women's desires and control. The track's , which reference a commercial to describe preferences, underscore her unapologetic humor and demand for satisfaction, positioning it as a landmark in sex-positive representation for in rap. Released on June 27, 2000, as part of , it contributed to her legacy of challenging gender dynamics in the genre, influencing subsequent artists to embrace bold sexuality. The music video amplified this impact by depicting in multiple personas, such as "Candy Kim," which highlighted her versatility and alignment with Y2K-era aesthetics, further embedding the song in hip-hop's visual culture. This approach has been credited with pioneering performative multiplicity for female rappers, though its provocative imagery drew labels of high controversy. Critiques of the song often focus on its vulgarity and potential to reinforce stereotypes of female hyper-sexuality, with some viewing the explicit content as commodifying the body rather than purely empowering. Academic analyses note that while intended as subversive, such public performances invite surveillance and normative judgments in a male-dominated industry. Listener opinions have dismissed it as "trash" despite acknowledging technical rhyme skill, reflecting broader debates on versus in Lil' Kim's oeuvre. The containing the track faced commercial pushback partly due to its glossy explicitness, yet it blazed trails for future explicit female rap.

Credits and personnel

[Credits and personnel - no content]

Track listings

United States 12-inch single (Atlantic – 0-85032, 2000)
SideTrackVersionLength
A11How Many Licks?Dirty Album Version
A22How Many Licks?Instrumental
B13How Many Licks?Clean Album Version
B24How Many Licks?A Cappella
Germany 12-inch single (Atlantic – 7567-85053-0, 2001)
SideTrackVersionLength
A11How Many Licks?Soul Society Remix (Explicit)
A22How Many Licks?Sicknote 2 Step Remix (Explicit)
A33How Many Licks?Simon Vegas Remix (Explicit)
A44How Many Licks?Album Version (Explicit)
B15How Many Licks?Soul Society Remix (Instrumental)
B26How Many Licks?Sicknote 2 Step Remix (Instrumental)
B37How Many Licks?Simon Vegas Remix (Instrumental)
B48How Many Licks?Album Version (Instrumental)
B59How Many Licks?A Cappella (Explicit)

Charts and certifications

"How Many Licks?" debuted on the US at number 75 on the chart dated December 2, 2000, marking its peak position after one week on the chart. It simultaneously reached number 36 on the US chart. On the Rhythmic Top 40 Airplay chart, the track peaked at number 8 during the week of December 16, 2000, after debuting at number 37 on September 16, 2000, and spending 14 weeks on the listing. No certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) or equivalent bodies in other regions have been awarded to the single, despite the parent album The Notorious K.I.M. achieving platinum status for shipments of one million units on August 2, 2000.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United States200012" vinylAtlantic Records, Queen Bee Entertainment
United States2000CD single, promoAtlantic Records, Queen Bee Entertainment
Benelux2001CDAtlantic Records

References

  1. https://genius.com/Lil-kim-how-many-licks-lyrics
  2. https://www.discogs.com/master/42668-Lil-Kim-Featuring-Sisqo-How-Many-Licks
  3. https://www.whosampled.com/Lil%27-Kim/How-Many-Licks%3F/
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhCD9qxlczo
  5. https://www.discogs.com/release/2190568-Lil-Kim-The-Notorious-KIM
  6. https://www.amazon.de/-/en/How-Many-Licks-Lil-Kim/dp/B000059X13
  7. https://lilkim.fandom.com/wiki/How_Many_Licks%253F
  8. https://www.soundoflife.com/blogs/people/notable-hip-hop-artistes
  9. https://www.scribd.com/doc/316400373/Final-Exam-Summary-MUS-1302-Hip-Hop-Music
  10. https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/~dtompkin/music/track/ALLSTARS_202/ALLSTARS_202-11.html
  11. https://genius.com/Lil-kim-how-many-licks-sample
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWIegpcY4uI
  13. https://www.streetdirectory.com/lyricadvisor/song/foelof/how_many_licks/
  14. https://www.smule.com/song/lil-kim-how-many-licks-karaoke-lyrics/118909224_152493/arrangement
  15. https://www.academia.edu/22332245/_How_Many_Licks_Does_It_Take_A_Discursive_Analysis_of_Cunnilingus_in_Popular_Music
  16. https://beats-rhymes-lists.com/lyrics/meaning-of-how-many-licks-by-lil-kim-feat-sisqo/
  17. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23268743.2014.997035
  18. https://www.discogs.com/release/3683806-Lil-Kim-Feat-Lil-Cease-And-Snoop-Dogg-How-Many-Licks-Neptunes-Remix
  19. https://www.discogs.com/release/1634837-Lil-Kim-How-Many-Licks-Pt-II-The-Neptunes-Remix-Queen-Bitch-Pt-II-Remix
  20. https://wbssmedia.com/artists/detail/1556
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10106704/
  22. https://musicvideo.fandom.com/wiki/How_Many_Licks
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10106704/fullcredits/
  24. https://www.losangelesblade.com/2022/05/30/lil-kim-understands-why-shes-a-queer-icon/
  25. https://www.reddit.com/r/popheads/comments/sgg459/legendary_mcs_reveal_day_3_how_many_licks_does_it/
  26. https://www.rapreviews.com/2000/07/lil-kim-the-notorious-k-i-m/
  27. https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/lil-kim-the-notorious-k-i-m/
  28. https://www.okayplayer.com/the-19-best-lil-kim-songs/725562
  29. https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/the-meaning-of-lil-kim-motherlode-book/
  30. https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/rest-of-the-best-of-the-aughts-albums-singles-101-250/
  31. https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2001-01-20/
  32. https://www.billboard.com/charts/rap-song/2000-12-16/
  33. https://www.billboard.com/charts/rhythmic-40/2000-12-16/
  34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inXb4H1EobU
  35. https://www.facebook.com/MusicEntertainment4Life/videos/lil-kim-how-many-licks-soul-train-awards-2000/1989032738252634/
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOklLkNBLCE
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-v3xEG6WHU
  38. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEb1K4kujj0
  39. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNxeB9me_pk
  40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WoHFo6pD3Y
  41. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/202062/Lil%2527-Kim-Sisq%25C3%25B3-How-Many-Licks%253F-Tootsie-Roll-Industries-How-Many-Licks%253F/
  42. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/252592/Lil%2527-Kim-Sisq%25C3%25B3-How-Many-Licks%253F-Jay-Z-Beanie-Sigel-Amil-Do-It-Again-%28Put-Ya-Hands-Up%29/
  43. https://www.whosampled.com/Lil%2527-Kim/How-Many-Licks%253F/sampled/
  44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5GkpsGEeHM
  45. https://soundcloud.com/christodiscomusic/how-many-licks-lil-kimsisqo-cover-remix
  46. https://www.bet.com/article/aiythz/lil-kim-the-original-sex-positive-black-feminist-mc
  47. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2018-07-11/94817/lil-kim-did-it-first-the-multiple-personas-existing-in-hip-hops-queen-bee
  48. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/13h5x6r5
  49. https://www.academia.edu/87963295/_If_I_Wanna_Act_Freaky_Then_Thats_My_Business_Lil_Kim_and_the_Politics_of_Performing_Public_Sexuality_for_a_Black_Woman_Rapper
  50. https://www.reddit.com/r/90sHipHop/comments/164upcq/what_unpopular_opinions_do_you_have_about_lil_kim/
  51. https://www.vh1.com/news/e0j7c7/notorious-k-i-m-lil-kim-turns-20
  52. https://www.discogs.com/release/318197-Lil-Kim-How-Many-Licks
  53. http://www.mariah-charts.com/chartdata/PLilKim.htm
  54. https://helladoperecords.net/products/lil-kim-how-many-licks-cd-single
  55. https://www.discogs.com/release/602401-Lil-Kim-How-Many-Licks
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.