Hubbry Logo
Lil' KimLil' KimMain
Open search
Lil' Kim
Community hub
Lil' Kim
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974),[2] better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and model. Referred to as the "Queen of Rap", Lil' Kim is known for her sexually charged lyrics and presence, which influenced women in contemporary hip-hop.[3] She is the second best-selling female rapper of all time with 45 million records sold, and is also a fashion icon for her risk-taking and luxurious approach to fashion.[4][5]

Key Information

Lil' Kim was born and raised in New York City and lived much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. In her teens, she would freestyle rap, influenced by fellow female hip-hop artists like MC Lyte and the Lady of Rage. In 1994, she was discovered by fellow rapper the Notorious B.I.G., who invited her to join his group Junior M.A.F.I.A.; their debut album, Conspiracy, generated two top 20 singles in the United States and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

In 1996, Lil' Kim released her debut album, Hard Core, which spawned the singles "No Time", "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)", and "Crush on You". The album became the highest debut in the US for a female rap album at the time, received a double platinum certification, and sold more than six million copies worldwide.[6][7] During this period, she adopted the nickname "Queen Bee". Her following album, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000), achieved similar success. She topped the Billboard Hot 100 by featuring on the 2001 single "Lady Marmalade", winning the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Her third album, La Bella Mafia (2003), was also certified platinum and spawned the singles "The Jump Off" and "Magic Stick", the latter of which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2005, Lil' Kim served a one-year prison sentence for lying to a jury about her friends' involvement in a shooting four years earlier. During her incarceration, her fourth album, The Naked Truth, was released that same year to positive reviews from critics. A reality series covering her sentence, Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, premiered on BET in 2006. She then released her first mixtape, Ms. G.O.A.T. (2008), and returned to the public eye in 2009 with an appearance on Dancing with the Stars. Throughout the 2010s, she continued to release music and perform sporadically, collaborating with artists such as Faith Evans, Remy Ma, and Fabolous. Her fifth studio album, 9, was released in 2019.

Lil' Kim's collaboration with celebrity nail artist Bernadette Thompson for the 1999 "Money Nails" design she wore is credited with bringing intricate nail art into mainstream fashion and has been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art.[8] Her songs "No Time", "Big Momma Thang", and "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)" were each listed on Complex's list of the 50 Best Rap Songs By Women.[9] In 2012, she was listed on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music list at number 45, the second-highest position for a solo female hip-hop artist.[10]

Early life and education

[edit]

Jones was born on July 11, 1974, in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, the second child of Linwood Jones, a former U.S. Marine.[11] She has an older brother, Christopher.[12] As a child, Jones attended Queen of All Saints Elementary School in Brooklyn.[13] When she was nine years old, her parents separated, and Jones was raised by her father, with whom she had a tumultuous relationship.[13] At fourteen, she left home, began living on the streets, and ultimately dropped out of high school.[14]

As a teenager, Jones met Christopher Wallace, known professionally as the Notorious B.I.G. Wallace was a key figure in both her personal and artistic life, particularly after he gained popularity and influence through his relationship with Bad Boy Records.[15] Jones attended Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School for two-and-a-half years. She and her friends often skipped school. As she was not completing her schoolwork, the decision was made for her to transfer to Brooklyn College Academy to finish her remaining year and a half of high school.[16]

Career

[edit]

In 1994, B.I.G. was instrumental in introducing and promoting the Brooklyn-based group Junior M.A.F.I.A. Jones, who had adopted the stage name Lil' Kim, was a member of the group. The group's debut album, Conspiracy, was released to mediocre reviews and moderate sales on August 29, 1995, but debuted at number eight on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 69,000 copies in its first week of release. Wallace wrote and ghostwrote most of the album's material.[17] Three hit singles came from Conspiracy: "Player's Anthem", "I Need You Tonight", and "Get Money“.[18] The RIAA certified Conspiracy a Gold album on December 6, 1995. "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money" were certified gold and platinum respectively.[19] Lil' Kim's increasing popularity as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A. allowed her to start a solo career shortly after the Conspiracy album was released. By late 1995, she began working on what would become her debut album, Hard Core.

1996–2002: Hard Core and The Notorious K.I.M.

[edit]

After a year with Junior M.A.F.I.A., Lil' Kim began her solo career by making guest performances on R&B albums and recording her debut album, Hard Core, which was released in November 1996. The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200, the highest debut for a female rap album at that time,[20] and number 3 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,[21] selling 78,000 copies in its first week of release and has sold over 5 million copies worldwide.[17] It was certified double platinum by the RIAA on March 14, 2001, after having been certified gold on January 6, 1997, and platinum on June 3, 1997.[22]

The album's lead single "No Time", a duet with Combs, reached the top spot of the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart[15] and was certified gold by the RIAA.[22] The following single was "Crush on You", a remixed version of the track that appeared on Hard Core. A remix of the album's track "Not Tonight" saw Lil' Kim team up with Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat, and Left Eye of TLC with the song peaking at 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was part of the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence movie Nothing to Lose, nominated for a Grammy Award, and certified platinum.[22] She became the first female rapper to have three consecutive number ones on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart.[23]

In one stockholders' meeting of Warner Bros. Records, activist C. Delores Tucker criticized the label "for producing this filth", referring to perceived graphic sexual content in Lil' Kim's lyrics, and labeling them "gangsta porno rap“.[24] In 1997, Lil' Kim promoted Hard Core by performing on P. Diddy's "No Way Out" tour.[25] The tour continued through to 1998 and became one of the highest-grossing hip-hop tours of all time, grossing an estimated $16 million.[26] That same year, she launched her own label, Queen Bee Entertainment.[27]

From 1998 to 2000, Lil' Kim continued working under the management of B.I.G.'s best friend, Damion "D-Roc" Butler's "Roc Management", touring and modeling for various fashion and pop culture companies including Candie's, Versace, Iceberg, and Baby Phat.

In 1999, for a denim campaign fashion shoot, Lil' Kim debuted "Money Nails" designed by nail artist Bernadette Thompson.[8] Thompson gave Lil' Kim a manicure with acrylic nails and pieces of an actual $100 bill.[28] The look became an instant trendsetter spawning a wave of imitation looks[29] and a trending search topic on Google (at a time before the internet was ubiquitous).[28]

Her outfit at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards received widespread media attention, fueled by the "shocked" response of presenter Diana Ross, who approached and jiggled Kim's exposed breast on national television. The Washington Post considered that the incident solidified Lil' Kim's "image of sexual fearlessness" and her career as "a fashion trendsetter“.[27]

On June 27, 2000, Lil' Kim released her second album, The Notorious K.I.M. The album marked a new image and revamped look for the rapper. Despite the limited success of its singles, the album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 229,000 copies in its first week.[17] It was certified platinum by the RIAA, four weeks after its release.[22] It was on this LP that the well-known hip-hop feud between Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown escalated. In 2001, Lil' Kim teamed up with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa to remake "Lady Marmalade", which was originally written about a bordello in New Orleans and performed by the group Labelle (which included diva Patti LaBelle) 25 years earlier.[30]

The song was recorded for the Moulin Rouge! film soundtrack, released in April 2001, and stayed at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. The song also went to number 1 in 14 countries around the world. This was a major accomplishment for female rap, as well as for Lil' Kim, who scored her first and only number 1 Hot 100 hit[31] and became the second solo female rapper in history to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.[30] "Lady Marmalade" also garnered Lil' Kim her first Grammy Award. The second single, "Kimnotyze", was released as the lead single of record producer DJ Tomekk's compilation album Beat Of Life, Vol 1. It was released in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany only. The song was successful, becoming Lil' Kim's third consecutive top 10 hit in Germany after her number 5 hit "Lady Marmalade“.

In 2002, Lil' Kim recorded a new entrance theme for then World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Women's Champion Trish Stratus entitled "Time to Rock 'n Roll", which was used during broadcasts, until Stratus's retirement. The single was released on WWE Anthology, a compilation of entrance theme music to various professional wrestling superstars.[32] Lil' Kim released the song "What's The Word" in mid-2002. Despite not having an official release, it went on to peak at number 9 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[33] It would later be released on the Japan edition of her third studio album, La Bella Mafia, as a bonus track.

2003–2005: La Bella Mafia

[edit]

On March 4, 2003, Lil' Kim released her third studio album, La Bella Mafia. It debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 166,000 copies in its first week,[34] giving Lil' Kim her second consecutive top 5 album. The album received generally positive reviews from critics, receiving a score of 65 on Metacritic.[35] A buzz single, "Came Back For You", was released ahead of the album, the music video for the song featured reality television personality Victoria Gotti.[36]

The first single, "The Jump Off", featuring Mr. Cheeks, peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Follow up single, "Magic Stick", featuring 50 Cent, peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for three weeks. The song did not have a commercial release or a music video but was successful due to high radio airplay, peaking at number one on the Billboard Airplay chart. A third US-only single, "Thug Luv", featuring Twista, was released in the last quarter of 2003 and peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album was certified platinum in the US,[22] selling over 1.1 million copies.[37]

Lil' Kim promoted the album with a string of concerts, which also featured DMX and Nas.[38] Lil' Kim was nominated for five Source Awards and won two ("Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year", and "Female Single of the Year"). The album also got two Grammy Award nominations for Best Female Rap Solo Performance ("Came Back For You") and Best Rap Collaboration ("Magic Stick"). She was also nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with singer Christina Aguilera for the song "Can't Hold Us Down", from Aguilera's album Stripped.

Greg Thomas, an English professor at Syracuse University, began teaching "Hip-Hop Eshu: Queen B@#$H Lyricism 101“. Lil' Kim herself was a guest speaker. Professor Thomas considered Lil' Kim's lyrics "the art with the most profound sexual politics I've ever seen anywhere“.[39] David Horowitz criticized the course as "academic degeneracy and decline“.[40] Lil' Kim also made an appearance on the multi-platform videogame Def Jam: Fight for NY. Lil' Kim provided voice-overs for her part in the storyline, where the player may fight an opponent to have Lil' Kim as their girlfriend.[41]

In 2004, Lil' Kim recorded a cover of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" which was used as the opening theme for Victoria Gotti's reality series Growing Up Gotti. That same year, Lil' Kim was featured on the remix of "Naughty Girl" by Beyoncé. In December 2004, Lil' Kim began recording a pilot for a VH1 reality show titled 718 Makeover.[42][43] The 718 in the title is the area code for Brooklyn, where she grew up. The show did not make it to air.

2005–2008: Prison, The Naked Truth and Ms. G.O.A.T

[edit]
Lil' Kim performing at Way Out West festival, 2008

Lil' Kim released her fourth album, The Naked Truth, on September 27, 2005, while serving a federal prison sentence. It earned her a 5 mic rating from The Source, making her the only female rapper to ever receive a 5 mic rating. The album debuted at number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 109,000 copies in its first week of release,[44] giving Lil' Kim her third top 10 debut on the chart. The Naked Truth did not sell as well as her previous works, it only managed to reach a gold certification by RIAA. She said that her prison sentence left her with no time to promote the project.

The music video for The Naked Truth's first single, "Lighters Up", was number one on BET's 106 & Park for two weeks. "Lighters Up" was a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The single also reached number 67 on the German Single Chart, number 12 on the UK Top 75 and number 4 on the Finland Single Chart. The second single, "Whoa" was released on February 17, 2006. It reached number 22 on Airplay.

On March 9, 2006, BET premiered the show Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, which was filmed before Lil' Kim headed to prison. The show became the highest rated premiere in BET history, averaging 1.9 million viewers.[45] In May 2006, Debbie Harry released a song in tribute to Lil' Kim called "Dirty and Deep" in protest of her conviction. The song was available for free from her official website. Dance Remixes, her first compilation album, was released on June 6, 2006. The album featured remixes of songs from The Naked Truth and Hard Core. A limited pressing released only in the US, it received no promotion due to Lil' Kim being in prison at the time of release and failed to chart. On August 31, 2006, Lil' Kim presented the award for Best Male Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards; it marked her first televised appearance since being released from prison.[46] She also made appearances on the show The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll and Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious in 2007 and 2008 as a judge.

In January 2008, Lil' Kim announced that she had parted ways with Atlantic Records, choosing to release future projects independently. She stated she had no hard feelings toward Atlantic, but felt comfortable enough with her knowledge of the music business to do it alone.[47] Lil' Kim released her first mixtape Ms. G.O.A.T., an acronym for "Greatest of All Time",[48][49] on June 3, 2008.[50] It was produced by New York City DJs Mister Cee and DJ Whoo Kid.[51] Among critics, the mixtape received generally positive reviews.[52][53][54] It has been called a representation of Lil' Kim's return to the streets.[55] Tito Salinas of All Hip Hop says "Lil' Kim shows that her time behind bars did not rust all of her swag away" on Ms. G.O.A.T.[53] On the other hand, Ehren Gresehover of New York Mag says that although one of the tracks "The Miseducation of Lil' Kim" is not bad, he wished it was Lauryn Hill making a comeback instead.[56]

2009–2011: Dancing with the Stars and Black Friday

[edit]

On March 10, 2009, the song "Girls" by Korean singer Seven featuring Lil' Kim was released through digital stores as his U.S. debut single. Lil' Kim appeared in the music video that was released on the same day. "Girls" was produced by Darkchild. On March 24, 2009, she released the song "Download" featuring R&B singers T-Pain and Charlie Wilson. It was written by Lil' Kim and T-Pain and produced by Trackmasters. The song samples "Computer Love" by Zapp. Although it missed the Hot 100, it did chart on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 21.

Lil' Kim appeared on the eighth season of reality series Dancing with the Stars, which began airing on March 9, 2009. She was paired with professional dancer Derek Hough. They were eliminated on May 5, 2009, against Ty Murray and his partner Chelsie Hightower, putting Lil' Kim at fifth place among all thirteen contestants that season. Her elimination was met by many boos from the audience, as she was a consistent high-scorer and fan favorite.[57]

On February 16, 2010, the Ludacris song "Hey Ho", which featured Lil' Kim and Lil Fate, was released as a promo single for his seventh studio album Battle of the Sexes.[58] In June 2010, Lil' Kim started her 2010 Tour, her first headlining tour since 2000. It took her across the US, as well as Canada and Europe.

Lil' Kim released her second mixtape, Black Friday, on February 14, 2011. The video for the title track was released on February 16, 2011. The mixtape received mostly negative reviews from critics. It was made available for purchase via PayPal. In May 2011, Lil' Kim performed in South Africa as part of the music festival ZarFest alongside Fat Joe, Timbaland, and Ciara.[59]

On June 19, 2011, Lil' Kim performed alongside G-Unit member Shawty Lo and hinted a possible working relationship with G-Unit Records. That same month the song Lil' Kim, along with Rick Ross, was featured on titled "Anything (To Find You)", by R&B singer Monica was leaked. The song, which samples the Notorious B.I.G.'s "Who Shot Ya?", initially featured just Lil' Kim, but her second verse was removed to make room for Ross. Her vocals were then removed fully due to contractual issues with B.I.G.'s estate.[60]

In August 2011, Lil' Kim performed four dates in Australia as part of the WinterBeatz Festival alongside Fabolous, Mario, 50 Cent and G-Unit. During the August, 17 date in Perth, she joined 50 Cent on stage for a performance of "Magic Stick“. It marked the first time the pair had performed the song together.[61] On November 28, 2011, Lil' Kim released a buzz single called "I Am Not the One“. She also announced that she would release an EP, but it was later shelved for unknown reasons.[62]

2012–2016: Hard Core mixtape and Lil Kim Season

[edit]

In the summer of 2011, Lil' Kim began recording material for her fifth studio album. She had previously been under a restriction banning her from releasing new material as a result of her settlement with Trackmasters, but it had now been lifted.[63][64][65] On Valentine's Day 2012, Lil' Kim released the song "If You Love Me" produced by Prince Saheb of Knockout Entertainment as a gift to her fans. That same month, it was announced she would make her return to the stage on BET's Rip the Runway.[66] It marked her first televised performance in years.

In March 2012, during an interview with MTV's Sucker Free, Lil' Kim revealed that contract issues with production duo Trackmasters were the reason behind her album delay, saying „...contractually, by the courts, I could not record any music – I wasn't supposed to put any music out“.[67] On March 23, 2012, the song "Keys to the City", a collaboration with Young Jeezy, was leaked to the Internet. Lil' Kim first mentioned the song during an interview with MTV's RapFix, saying "I have a song with another celebrity person that I know the world and my fans are gonna love... It's vintage Kim mixed with the new Kim“. During the same RapFix interview, Lil' Kim also revealed another song, titled "I'm Ready", which she hopes to do with rapper 50 Cent. Lil' Kim also commented on the direction of her music, saying she was in "Kanye West mode“, adding „...You do whatever you want to do ...it's all about taking chances“.[68] Lil' Kim kicked off her Return of the Queen Tour on May 17, 2012, to positive reviews.[69]

In a radio interview at Miami's 99 Jamz, Lil' Kim stated that her book, The Price of Loyalty, was on hold to coincide with the release of her new album.[70][71] During an interview with XXL on April 26, 2013, she revealed that she does not have a name for the album yet, but the first official single would be out by mid year.[72] Lil' Kim described the single, produced by Bangladesh, as "different" and "sweet dessert“.[72][73] On July 11, 2013, Lil' Kim released the Rockwilder-produced single "Looks Like Money" as a free download for her fans on her birthday.[74]

On July 26, 2013, Lil' Kim announced and released the cover art for a new mixtape, Hard Core 2K13, which would also serve as a sequel to her critically acclaimed debut album, Hard Core.[75] The mixtape was originally set to be released on October 31, 2013, but for then unknown reasons, was pushed back. To make up for not releasing the mixtape, Lil' Kim released the singles "Dead Gal Walking" and "Kimmy Blanco" to the public, along with the track list. The track list revealed collaborations with French Montana, Miley Cyrus, Jadakiss, and Yo Gotti.

On August 2, 2014, Lil' Kim announced via her Twitter page that she would launch a concert tour to promote her forthcoming Hard Core Mixtape.[76] Throughout the remainder of August, Lil' Kim released a number of remixes to popular songs, including Beyoncé's and Nicki Minaj's collaboration on "Flawless“, seemingly as a diss to Minaj, reigniting the feud between the two rappers.[77][78]

On September 11, 2014, the Hard Core mixtape was released as free download on Kim's official website.[79] In an interview with Revolt TV on the same day, she revealed that she, Iggy Azalea, and T.I. would collaborate on a song sometime in the future, saying "I don't know if it's going to be for my album or if we're just going to…we have other plans for it as well. But, I think we're going to do a double release“. In the same interview, she explained why the mixtape was pushed back twice, stating "When this project was supposed to come out I had got pregnant. I didn't know. [...] Once I became fully pregnant, I was working in the studio but at one point I couldn't work anymore, obviously“.[80]

In 2016, her fourth mixtape Lil Kim Season was released.[81] On the mixtape, she freestyles over several popular beats, Drake's "Summer Sixteen“, Rihanna's "Work“, and Desiigner's "Panda“.[82] It received mixed reviews from critics.[83][84] Jen Yamato from The Daily Beast wrote, "if anything, Lil Kim Season indicates that Kim's got her sights set on returning in a big way—and that she's collecting collaborators who might help her achieve it“.[85]

2017–present: Girls Cruise and 9

[edit]

In February 2017, Lil' Kim announced via her Instagram and an interview that she was working on a new album.[86] Singer Faith Evans featured her on the song "Lovin You for Life" on the album The King & I, released on May 19, 2017.[87] That same month, Lil' Kim along with Eve and Trina was featured on the remix of "I'm Better" by Missy Elliott. In November, Lil' Kim released a promotional single "Took Us a Break“,[88] and was featured on the song "Wake Me Up" by rapper Remy Ma.[89] In March 2018, Lil' Kim released another promotional single, "Spicy“, featuring rapper Fabolous.[90]

On July 11, 2018, Lil' Kim released the single "Nasty One" from her highly anticipated album, but ultimately the track was not included on the album.[91] That same day during an interview with Billboard, she said the album would be released in November of that year.[92] A remix for the single was released on October 26, 2018, and featured Kranium, HoodCelebrityy, and Stefflon Don.[93]

In September 2018, she announced that the debut single for her album "Go Awff" would be released at a later date. The song was eventually released on February 15, 2019. That same month, Kim was spotted in Barbados with fellow hip hop stars Mýa and Chilli, friends Char DeFrancesco (husband to Marc Jacobs and one of Kim's best friends) and Tiffany, as well as MTV personalities Pretty Vee and B. Simone from MTV's Wild 'n Out.[93]

It was later revealed that this was part of a VH1 reality show, Girls Cruise, for which Kim would serve as an executive producer. The show followed the group as they set sail to embark on a 10-day cruise in the Caribbean, visiting the countries of Barbados and Trinidad just in time for Carnival festivities. It also documented the group's bonding and new friendships with one another. The show premiered on July 15 with approximately 1.2 million viewers and ran for 11 episodes. It is unclear if there will be another season of the series.[94][95]

In March 2019, Kim revealed that her new album would be titled 9 and added "There's a lot of meaning behind that“. Later that month, she announced that the album would be released on May 17, 2019.[96] After a minor setback with her record label, eOne Music, that caused the album not be released on the original planned date, the project was postponed. On September 27, 2019, Kim released a second single, "Found You“, featuring City Girls and O.T. Genasis. The album later became available for pre-order on all digital-download platforms on October 4, 2019 (along with the track "Pray For Me" featuring Rick Ross and Musiq Soulchild), with a release date of October 11, 2019.[97]

Upon its first week of release, the album charted on the R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Album Sales, Digital Albums, Top Albums Sales, Independent Albums and Rap Album Sales.[98][99] However, the album failed to chart on the Billboard 200 due to selling less than 1,000 copies, and no song from the album landed on the Hot 100 or Bubbling Under.[100][101] During one of the reunion episodes for Girls Cruise, Kim revealed that the album would be a two-part project, stating "I recorded so many songs. I have a part one and a part two“. She also shared that her co-star, the Instagram comedian Vena "Pretty Vee" Excell, would appear on the record.[102]

In October 2019, Kim revealed that she would collaborate with Missy Elliott and Paris Hilton on the follow-up to 9.[103][104] In an interview with New York Radio 103.9, Kim confirmed that the City Girls would be involved with the follow-up to 9. She also stated that she would "love" to have Pretty Vee host her tour.[105] On her November 8, 2019 appearance on The Real, Kim again confirmed that Paris Hilton and Missy Elliott would appear on 9's follow-up; she said the song "sounds like a classic Missy Elliott record but 'now.'"(1:20[106])

In July 2025, Kim appeared as a guest for the Wu-Tang Clan's final show at Madison Square Garden.[107]

Influences

[edit]

Lil' Kim cited as her rap influences MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa and Roxanne Shanté.[108] She was also influenced by Slick Rick, the Notorious B.I.G., Eric B. & Rakim, Queen Latifah and Mary J. Blige. Lil' Kim also cited Madonna as an influence, saying she modeled her own career on Madonna's, and labeling herself as the "Black Madonna".[109][110]

Other ventures

[edit]

Products and endorsements

[edit]

In 1998, Lil' Kim signed with Wilhelmina Models.[111] That same year, she was announced as the face for the fashion brand Candie's alongside Brandy. She became the first and only rapper to endorse the brand to date. In 2000, Lil' Kim signed a deal with fashion house Iceberg,[112] and also with cosmetics brand MAC to help endorse their VIVA GLAM line of lipsticks and lip glosses alongside Mary J. Blige.[113]

The MAC VIVA GLAM III campaign, which was built around a plum-brown lipstick, helped raise $4 million for the company in one year and became the most successful VIVA GLAM campaign to date.[114][115] Due to the success, the two signed on for a second year. The rapper also modeled for the urban fashion line Baby Phat in August 2000. In March 2001, Lil' Kim, along with several other artists, were in an Apple Mac computer commercial, demonstrating how to burn custom CDs on a Mac.[116]

In 2004, she launched a designer watch collection with manufacturer and jeweler Jeweler Jacob Arabo, Royalty by Lil' Kim.[117][118] She also debuted her first clothing line, Hollyhood.[119] She lent her voice to the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY, in which she was featured.[41] In 2005, she collaborated on a shoe line with high-end brand Petite Peton. That same year, she appeared as a character in the limited-edition comic book "The Heist“, a collaboration between Marvel and Atlantic Records.[120]

In August 2010, Lil' Kim signed a deal with Three Olives Vodka as the face for their Purple vodka.[121] In September of that same year, she, along with her cousin Katrise Jones, opened their first beauty salon in Charlotte, North Carolina called Salon Se Swa.[122] That same month, she launched her second clothing line, 24/7 Goddess Collection, at Charlotte, North Carolina's Fashion Week.[123] In November 2012, Lil' Kim began endorsing Cîroc vodka, revealing her own cocktail, "Queen Bee“, and announcing herself as the "First Lady" of the brand.[124]

Philanthropy

[edit]

In 2000, Lil' Kim embarked on a promo tour for her second studio album, The Notorious K.I.M., and the MAC AIDS Fund. She visited MAC cosmetics counters, interacted with fans, and helped raise money and awareness for people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide.[125] She took part in MAC's Fashion Cares show in Toronto, Canada, raising close to one million for its AIDS committee.[126] Her endorsement of MAC, with Mary J. Blige, raised $4 million for the fund.

In October 2001, Lil' Kim was featured on the R&B mix of the song "What's Going On“. She, along with several other popular recording artists, released the song as "Artists Against AIDS Worldwide“, with proceeds going to AIDS programs worldwide and also the September 11th Fund of the United Way.[127] That same month, Lil' Kim performed at Breathe, a benefit concert for breast cancer research and treatment.[128] Proceeds from the concert went to the UCLA Breast Center and the Breast Examination Center of Harlem, an outreach program of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.[129]

On March 12, 2002, Lil' Kim walked her dogs in the 3rd annual "Paws for Style" fashion show. The event is held by Animal Fair magazine as a benefit for the Humane Society of New York.[130] Items worn by the animals were later auctioned off online.[131] In 2004 she launched her own foundation called Lil' Kim Cares.[119] The foundation raises funds, resources and awareness for national programs that assist with issues such as homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, transitional living, child neglect, and violence against women.[132]

Speaking of the foundation, Lil' Kim stated she planned to be primarily involved in causes that had affected her personally.[133] On April 17, 2004, she participated in the 28th annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. The event helped raise more than $100,000 for "Racing for Kids“, a non-profit program benefiting Southern California children's hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County.[134] On August 24, 2004, Lil' Kim encouraged others to vote in the United States presidential election through the Rock the Vote campaign.[135]

On March 10, 2005, Lil' Kim, along with several other artists, appeared in an episode of The Apprentice. Each artist was approached by contestants to donate a "personal experience" to be auctioned off for charity through music channel Fuse's "Daily Download" program, with proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.[136] In September 2005, she teamed with fashion designer Marc Jacobs for a limited edition T-shirt line featuring images of the rapper. Marc Jacobs Loves Lil' Kim was sold exclusively at Marc Jacobs stores, with 100% of the proceeds going to a charity called The Door.[137]

In 2005 Lil' Kim donated a diamond watch from her "Royalty" line to the World AIDS Day eBay auction, "Bid 2 Beat AIDS“. Proceeds went to LIFEbeat, an organization providing HIV/AIDS information to millions of young people annually.[138] Through her foundation, Lil' Kim has given back to many, including teaming up with apparel company Mitchell & Ness and boxer Zab Judah to donate toys to underprivileged youth in Philadelphia in 2005,[139] and joining MusiCares in 2007 for a silent auction, held at the Grammys On The Hill ceremony, to help raise funds for the foundation.[140]

In 2007 Lil' Kim was a part of the 4th Annual Grammy Charity Holiday Auction, featuring a large variety of celebrity-signed memorabilia that people could bid on through eBay.[141] On December 1, 2007, Lil' Kim partnered with Preserve Our Legacy and the New Jersey Stem Cell Research and Education Foundation to host a celebrity basketball game to raise awareness about various health issues plaguing minority communities.[142]

On July 11, 2010, Lil' Kim launched her signature milkshake, the "Queen Bee“, at Millions of Milkshakes in West Hollywood, with proceeds going towards Wyclef Jean's Yéle Haiti Foundation.[143] On February 9, 2013, she took part in the first annual Reality On The Runway fashion show. The event helped raise $300,000 for people infected with HIV/AIDS and increase awareness. All designs from the show were auctioned off online following the event, with a portion of the proceeds going to AIDS United.[144]

Lil' Kim has been a longtime LGBT advocate,[145][146] and has participated in many gay pride festivals, including the LGBT Pride March in New York City, as well as performing at Atlanta Black Pride and D.C. Black Pride.[145]

Personal life

[edit]

In her teens, Jones dated Shawn Powell. The pair met at the Empire Roller Skating rink in Brooklyn. After a couple of months of seeing each other, Powell was arrested for robbery and sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. Jones and Powell continued their relationship, with Jones visiting frequently. They kept in touch by writing letters. The couple became engaged while Powell was incarcerated.[147]

During this time, Jones met Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.). She focused on starting her rap career and called off the engagement with Powell.[147] In 1996, during the recording of her debut album, Jones became pregnant with Wallace's child.[148] She did not make it public until 1999 during an interview with The Source. Jones decided to terminate the pregnancy. "I already knew the kind of relationship that Biggie and I had, and I knew that [having a child] was something that couldn't take place..“.[149]

Wallace called Jones three days before his death and told her he loved her.[150] In a 2010 interview with Ed Lover on Power 105, Jones revealed that Wallace assaulted her and she described an incident where he choked her to unconsciousness.[151] In 2017, Jones admitted her relationship with Wallace was "very violent" after Jermaine Dupri claimed that he witnessed Wallace pull a pistol out on Jones.[152]

On July 23, 1996, Jones was arrested for possession of marijuana after police raided Wallace's Teaneck, New Jersey home. Police smelled marijuana inside the home when they went to ask for someone to move an illegally parked car. Jones denied she was smoking, claiming she was "upstairs all day sleeping“.[153] On March 17, 1999, Teaneck police issued an arrest warrant after Jones failed to turn up for court dates stemming from the arrest.[154]

The warrant was not a top priority for the police, and was not made public until September 2003, after a story was published online by The Smoking Gun. Jones was later removed from Teaneck's wanted list in October 2003, after $350 in bail was posted on her behalf.[155] Jones' attorney told reporters that she did not appear in court because she believed the case had been resolved.[156]

In 2002, Jones started dating Damion "World" Hardy. The couple split in 2003, and she stated she was a victim of physical abuse leading to multiple nose jobs as a result of being punched.[157][158]

On June 20, 2003, Jones had $250,000 worth of jewelry stolen while catching a flight at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport after a bag, which she intended to carry on, was mixed up with eight other pieces of her luggage.[159] The missing jewelry was recovered 10 days later, found wrapped up in a rag in a locker room for airline employees by a United Airlines worker.[160][161]

In 2004, Jones dated record producer Scott Storch, whom she met when he offered her a ride to her hotel.[162] The couple split after two months.[163] In 2013, Storch revealed that he would have married Jones if the relationship had worked out.[162] In 2007, Jones and Ray J briefly dated.[164]

On March 17, 2005, Lil' Kim was convicted of three counts of conspiracy and one count of perjury for lying to a federal grand jury about her and her friends' involvement in a 2001 shooting outside the Hot 97 studios in Manhattan.[165] During the trial of her co-manager, Damion "D-Roc" Butler, and her bodyguard, Suif "Gutta" Jackson, a former member of the hip hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A., she testified before a grand jury that she did not know they were at the scene.[166] However, video footage from a security camera placed all three at the scene, exiting the building.[167]

Butler and Jackson pleaded guilty to gun charges. Jackson was sentenced to twelve years in federal prison as part of plea bargain in which he admitted to firing at least twenty rounds during the incident. The length of the sentence was said to have been influenced by his previous gun-related convictions.[166]

In July 2005, Lil' Kim was sentenced to one year in prison, thirty days' home detention upon release from custody, and three years of probation. She served the entirety of her sentence at the Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia in Center City, Philadelphia. She was released on July 3, 2006, after serving approximately 12 months.[167] Her Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) supervision ended on August 2, 2006.[168][169]

On June 9, 2014, Jones gave birth to a daughter named Royal Reign.[170][171] Royal has started modeling, walking the catwalk in the New York Fashion Week Show in 2023 as part of the 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show.[172]

Lil' Kim was in a relationship with Royal's father, Jeremy Neil, who goes by the rap name Mr. Papers from 2012 to 2014, and then again from 2020 through at least part of 2021. He has called her his "wife" before although they have never been legally married.[1] Their initial breakup was somewhat contentious, with Lil' Kim claiming that he was a domestic abuser and Mr. Papers alternatively dissing her and performing somber freestyle raps lamenting the circumstances and lack of access to Royal.[173] They have not mentioned being a couple on social media since 2021 and Mr. Papers was referred to as Lil' Kim's ex again in news reports that were released in 2022,[174] but they never formally broke up with each other publicly.[172]

According to an interview released in April 2024, Lil' Kim is currently dating Tayy Brown, a rapper who is signed to her record label.[175]

Jones identifies as a Christian.[176]

Feuds

[edit]

Foxy Brown

[edit]

Once high school friends, Lil' Kim and fellow Brooklyn rapper Foxy Brown originally remained close despite becoming associates of clashing hip hop groups Junior M.A.F.I.A. and the Firm, respectively.[177] In 1995, they collaborated with Da Brat for the remix of "No One Else" by Total. The following year, they were featured in the Hot 97 NY Fashion Show[178] and appeared on the covers of The Source and Vibe.[179][180] However, their first dispute developed after both of their debut studio albums were scheduled for release a week apart in November 1996.[179]

In 1996, Media outlets noted similarities between the sleeve covers of Lil' Kim's debut album Hard Core and Brown's debut album Ill Na Na, where the two were shown wearing the same outfit.[181] In 1997, the feud led to the deterioration of their friendship, and resulted in the cancellation of a collaborative album Thelma & Louise. Brown noted that the breakdown of their relationship was influenced by their conflicting entourages.[177] They first attempted a reconciliation in 1998 after Lil' Kim called Brown and her mother after the two were held at gunpoint during a house burglary.[177][182][183]

In January 1999, critics noted the track "My Life" from Brown's second studio effort Chyna Doll as being an "open appeal" to their friendship. In the song, Brown describes their relationship being "lost for pride". Later in the album, however, Brown attacks "mistresses“. As music journalist Evelyn McDonnell noted, this seemed pointed at Lil' Kim.[184][185][186] Critics thought the records were a subtle diss to Lil' Kim, especially since during this time Brown had supported Lil' Kim's rival, singer Faith Evans, in multiple interviews.[185] In February 1999, some music critics noted that Brown "suddenly sounded 'exactly' like Lil' Kim“.[187]

In late May 1999, Lil' Cease's single "Play Around", featuring Lil' Kim and Diddy, was released and featured on his debut The Wonderful World of Cease A Leo.[179] In the song, after Lil' Kim's verse, Diddy raps: "Stop trying to sound like her too bitches"; a diss aimed at Foxy Brown.[179] The line spurred enough controversy that a writer remarked, "It's finally coming out. Foxy Brown bites worse than a pit bull“.[188] Additionally, Lil' Kim's guest appearance on the remix version of Mobb Deep's song "Quiet Storm" and her second album's title track, "The Notorious K.I.M“., were both released as diss records aimed at Foxy Brown.[179]

Angered by Lil' Kim's response, Brown collaborated with longtime associates Capone-N-Noreaga on the track, "Bang, Bang“.[179] In the track, Brown mimicked Lil' Kim's interpretation of MC Lyte's famous disstrack "10% Dis", and went on to recite: "You and Diddy y'all kill me with that subliminal shit“.[179] Towards the end of her verse, Brown mocked Lil' Kim's grieving for the loss of rapper the Notorious B.I.G. by remarking: "Let the nigga [Biggie] rest in peace, and hop off his dick, bitch do you“.[179][189]

On February 26, 2001, at 3 p.m., as Lil' Kim left New York radio station Hot 97, over twenty shots were fired between two groups of three men.[190][191] One of the men, Capone of Capone-N-Noreaga, was entering the Hot 97 building promote DJ Clue's new album, The Professional 2 (which happened to have also featured Lil' Kim).[192] An affiliate, Efrain Ocasio from Capone's entourage, was shot in the back; both Lil' Kim's and Capone's groups denied any involvement in the shooting.[192] However, detectives later informed The New York Daily News that it was a result of the verses Foxy Brown recited in "Bang, Bang“.[192]

Shaken up by the incident, Brown tried to reach out to Lil' Kim for a truce.[193] Brown stated, "I really don't know how it started. But Russell [Simmons] and I, we got together, and I said, 'Russell, I want to call a truce.' I want to have a sit-down with Kim. I don't care what it is. Let's just end it. We can even do a collaboration. We're bigger than this. If it has to start with me, let it start with me“.[193] Brown extended an olive branch to Lil' Kim's camp, however Lil' Kim had cut all ties with Diddy and Bad Boy associates and wanted no communication with Brown whatsoever.[193] In March 2005, Lil' Kim was convicted of lying about the shooting to a federal grand jury.[194] On July 6, 2005, she was sentenced to prison for three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy.[195]

During the four years before Lil' Kim's sentencing, she and Brown exchanged subtle diss records, among them Lil' Kim's La Bella Mafia,[196][197] "Quiet“,[198] and "Guess Who's Back";[199] and in turn, Brown's Ill Na Na 2: The Fever and various mixtape freestyles.[200][201] In the midst of these diss recordings, radio host Doug Banks interviewed Brown in 2003, hoping she would disclose further details pertaining to their dispute.[202] Brown claimed that Lil' Kim was allegedly jealous that Biggie was to include Brown in his Junior M.A.F.I.A. collective.[202] Brown also added that a tell-all book disclosing the feud would be released for Christmas 2003.[202] In her final comments on the dispute, Brown stated: "Kim is the only female artist that keeps me on my toes. She's the only one that I can look at; and any other artist that says they don't have that one person that keeps them driven... is lying“.[202]

Following her release from prison, Lil' Kim no longer acknowledged Brown.[203][204] Brown, on the other hand, has consistently targeted Lil' Kim in her music and concert venues since the latter's prison release.[205][206][207][208][209]

On May 17, 2012, Lil' Kim gave an interview to a radio show, The Breakfast Club.[210] When asked about whether or not she had spoken to Brown at all in recent years, she replied, "I don't even know her. And when I say that; I don't know who she is to these days. I wouldn't even know what her voice sounds like“.[210]

Nicki Minaj

[edit]

Lil' Kim has been embroiled in a feud with rapper Nicki Minaj since Minaj's success with Pink Friday.[211] With Lil' Kim and media critics noticing resemblances with her on the Sucka Free mixtape,[212] Lil' Kim accused Minaj of copying her image saying, "If you are going to steal my swag, you gonna have to pay. Something gotta give. You help me, I help you. That's how it goes to me“.[212] Minaj's single "Roman's Revenge" with Eminem was believed by critics to be a response to Lil' Kim's comments,[213] although at the time she denied this.[214]

Minaj responded to the situation in an interview on The Angie Martinez show, saying "She picked a fight with Foxy, then she picked a fight with Eve, then she picked a fight with Remy, then it was Mrs. Wallace, then it was Nicki Minaj. Every time you in the news, it's 'cause you gettin' at somebody! Where's your music? Put your music out, and when I see your name on Billboard, that's when I'll respond to you. Other than that, goodbye. It's Barbie, bitch“.[215]

Lil' Kim reignited the feud following the release of her mixtape Black Friday, an album that directly referenced Nicki Minaj, via her debut album title and freestyling on Minaj's songs such as "Did It On'em" (that became "Pissin' On'em"). The mixtape cover featured artwork that showed Lil' Kim decapitating Minaj with a sword.[216] A fragment of Minaj's diss track "Tragedy" was released online in April 2011, featuring lyrics "Pink Friday, Eminem, 8 Mile/ It must hurt to sell your album on PayPal“.[217] Following the release of Minaj's second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, critics suggested that the tracks "Stupid Hoe"[218] may have contained attacks at Lil' Kim. Lil' Kim later suggested in an interview with Power105's Breakfast Club that the song "Automatic" from Minaj's second album was similar to her unreleased material, also calling Minaj "obnoxious" and "catty“.[219]

In a 2018 interview with Genius, Minaj alluded to the situation with Lil' Kim, seemingly confirming that the track "Roman's Revenge" was about the feud, saying, "Someone got at me. A veteran got at me, and I hit them with 'Roman's Revenge' and then I kept on going“.[220] In 2021, Lil' Kim stated on the red carpet of the BET Awards that she would like to do a Verzuz with Minaj.[221]

Legacy

[edit]

The idea of female rappers owning their sexuality is nothing new in the modern hip hop landscape. However, this wasn't always the case, and there's arguably one woman to thank -- Lil' Kim ... Before she came out, it was argued that sexy women in hip hop were exploited by the industry, reduced to mere video girls cast to dance around the male breadwinner. Kim reversed this notion, announcing her arrival to hip hop with a provocative promo poster that saw her clad in a leopard print bikini and matching feather-trimmed robe.

—i-D writer Jake Hall.[222]

Several media outlets have referred to Lil' Kim as the "Queen of Rap“,[223][224] and by the alias she uses, "Queen Bee“.[225][226][227][228] Newsweek has called her the "First Lady of Rap“, with editor Allison Samuels writing in 2000 that she has "transcended the male-dominated world of rap to become one of America's sassiest, most engaging icons“.[225]

Lil' Kim's music catalog features undertones of sex-positive feminism and the importance of female pleasure, instead of the man as the "dominant priority“, through explicit lyrics about sex.[222] Dazed considered her "the first high-profile female rapper to flip the script on female objectification in the rap industry“.[6] For NME's editor Jordan Bassett, she "out-filthed the male rappers at every turn“.[229]

According to BBC News, Hard Core (1996) was the most successful debut album by a female hip hop artist at the time; the album saw her "inhabit the territory of sexual edginess and hardcore rap, traditionally the preserve inhabited by male artists“.[226] In 2000, Los Angeles Times writer Isaac Guzman wrote that her debut solo album created a path for a new wave of female rappers, with her at the forefront of her generation, and established her as "the raunchiest, hardest, sexiest, most glamorous woman in all of hip-hop“.[230]

During that time, several new female hip hop artists modeled themselves after her stylistically.[231] Placing Hard Core at number 80 on their list of "Best Rap Albums of the 90s“, Complex magazine stated, "when Lil Kim released her debut album—women in hip-hop finally had options, paths to follow and models [...] she was the raunchiest woman you ever heard on the mic“.[232] The Village Voice writer Joan Morgan contended that the album "transformed her into a cultural icon“, opining that it put an emphasis on sex appeal, looks, and packaging as a priority for female rappers.[233] Camera Obscura listed her as one of the late twentieth-century "self-marketers of female trouble" in music, along with Janet Jackson and Tina Turner.[234] In 2020, XXL wrote that "twenty-five years later, no rapper is more influential to the new female rhymers“.[235]

Aside from music, Lil' Kim is also known for a risk-taking and luxurious approach to fashion that has inspired many artists. She has been named as a fashion icon by various media outlets.[4][5][236] Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley called her "the black Madonna“.[225] Designers such as Marc Jacobs, Versace, and Giorgio Armani have credited Lil' Kim as an inspiration.[4][5] Her collaboration with [[[Nail art|nail artist]] Bernadette Thompson in wearing her "money nails" is described by Harper's BAZAAR to have been "a defining moment in the history of hip-hop and beauty"[237] and lead to mainstream fashion's acceptance of intricate nail art.[8] A replica of the money nails she wore has been exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art alongside other notable fashion items such as the Wonderbra and red lipstick.[8]

Some artists who have named Kim as influence include Rihanna,[238] Cardi B,[239] Megan Thee Stallion,[240] Kash Doll,[241] Bree Runway,[242] Teyana Taylor,[243] Doja Cat,[244] Rosalía,[245] Hitmaka,[246] Casanova,[246] Spice,[246] Zaytoven,[246] Stefflon Don,[247] Flo Milli,[248] Nicki Minaj,[249] Ivorian Doll,[250] Cupcakke,[251] Saweetie,[252] Ice Spice,[253] Miley Cyrus,[254][255] Iggy Azalea,[256] Ms Banks,[257] Lola Brooke,[258] Jhené Aiko,[259] City Girls,[260] DreamDoll,[261] Latto,[262] and Erica Banks.[263] Actress Taraji P. Henson said that Lil' Kim inspired her portrayal of Empire character Cookie Lyon.[264]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
See also: List of awards and nominations received by Lil' Kim

Throughout her career, Lil' Kim has earned numerous honors and awards. Her debut Hard Core was certified double platinum by the RIAA, and is considered a classic hip-hop album.[265][266] As of 2007, Lil' Kim has sold over 15 million albums worldwide. Her songs "No Time“, "Big Momma Thang" and "Ladies Night" were listed on Complex Magazine's "The 50 Best Rap Songs By Women“, at number 24, 13, and 7, respectively.[9] Her song "Lady Marmalade" with Christina Aguilera, Mýa, and Pink, is one of the best-selling singles of all time worldwide, with sales of over 5.1 million worldwide.[267] Lady Marmalade went number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, making her one of only a few female rappers to have a number one on that chart. The song won a 2002 Grammy Award in the category of "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals“.

Lil' Kim was ranked as one of the top 50 greatest MCs of all time in Kool Moe Dee's 2003 book, There's a God on the Mic.[268] In 2012, Lil' Kim was honorably listed on VH1's "100 Greatest Women In Music" at number 45, placing her in the fourth highest position for a female rapper.[269] In 2014, she was included in Billboard's list of the "31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop“.[270] In 2016, VH1 honored Lil' Kim with VH1 Hip-Hop Honors and WEEN Award honored Kim with Icon Award because of her contribution to hip hop.

In June 2018, Lil' Kim was honored with a proclamation by the New York City Council's Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus (BLAC) as part of the annual African-American Music Appreciation Month for her contributions to hip-hop. Along with the proclamation, she also accepted the New York City 12th Council District Arts and Music Award and the city's Power Of Influence Award.[271] In 2019, Lil' Kim was honored by BET Hip Hop Awards with the I Am Hip Hop Award.[272]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Lil' Kim discography
See also: Junior M.A.F.I.A. discography

Studio albums

Collaboration albums

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

Joint tours

Filmography

[edit]
Main article: Lil' Kim videography

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1999 She's All That Alex
2000 Longshot Herself
2001 Zoolander Herself
2002 Juwanna Mann Tina Parker
2003 Those Who Walk in Darkness Soledad O'Roark
Gang of Roses Chastity
2004 You Got Served Herself
Nora's Hair Salon Herself
2005 Lil' Pimp Sweet Chiffon Video
2008 Superhero Movie Xavier's daughter
2021 Miracle Across 125th Street Zsa Zsa Hottest [274]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1997 Soul Train Herself Episode: "Lil' Kim/Levert/Ray J"
It's Showtime at the Apollo Herself Episode: "Episode 10.16"
1999 V.I.P. Freedom Fighter Episode: "Mao Better Blues"
2000 Total Request Live Herself Episode: "Lil' Kim"
It's Showtime at the Apollo Herself Episode: "Episode 14.5"
The Cindy Margolis Show Herself Episode: "Big Pimpin'"
2001 Making the Video Herself Episode: "Lady Marmalade"
DAG Gina Marie Episode: "Guns and Roses"
Moesha Diamond Episode: "Paying the Piper"
The Parkers Herself Episode: "Take the Cookies and Run"
2003 American Dreams Shirley Ellis Episode: "Another Saturday Night"
Ride with Funkmaster Flex Herself Episode: "Lil' Kim"
MOBO Awards Herself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
2004–05 The Apprentice Herself Episode: "Crimes of Fashion" & "Bling It On"
2005 Access Granted Herself Episode: "Lil Kim: Lighters Up"
2006 Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown Herself Main Cast
2007 The Game Herself Episode: "Media Blitz"
Boulevard of Broken Dreams Herself Episode: "Glenn Quinn/Lil' Kim"
The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll Herself/Guest Judge Episode: "Welcome to the Dollhouse"
2008 Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious Herself/Judge Main Judge
2009 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant: Season 8
Paris Hilton's My New BFF Herself/Judge Episode: "Have My Back"
2011 Love & Hip Hop: New York Herself Episode: "A Toast To Kimbella"
2012 Pregnant in Heels Herself Episode: "Rosie's Relationship Retreat"
2014 Celebrities Undercover Jamilla (Herself) Episode: "Fantasia Barrino and Lil Kim"
David Tutera's CELEBrations [275] Herself Episode: "Queen B's Baby Bash"
2017 Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry Herself Episode: "Lil' Kim/Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Lance Bass/Dr. Drew"
2018–19 Hip-Hop Evolution Herself Recurring Guest
2019 Girls Cruise Herself Main Cast
Song Association Herself Episode: "Lil' Kim"
2021 American Gangster: Trap Queens Herself/Narrator Main Narrator: Season 2

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Artist
1988 "Teenage Love" Slick Rick
1993 "Party and Bullshit" The Notorious B.I.G.
1996 "Floatin' On Your Love" The Isley Brothers featuring Angela Winbush
"If Your Girl Only Knew" Aaliyah
1997 "Hot Like Fire"
"The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" Missy Elliott
"Sock It 2 Me" Missy Elliott featuring Da Brat
"We'll Always Love Big Poppa" The LOX
2000 "It's So Hard" Big Pun featuring Donell Jones
"I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" Jay-Z
2001 "Feelin' on Yo Booty" R. Kelly
2002 "Miss You" Aaliyah
"Go Head" Queen Latifah
2003 "These Days" Alien Ant Farm
2005 "Rumors" Maino
2012 "Everywhere We Go" French Montana & Wale
2019 "The Golden Child" Papoose & Remy Ma & Angelica Vila

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role
2004 Def Jam: Fight for NY Herself (voice)

Documentary

[edit]
Year Title
2005 There's a God on the Mic
2007 Life After Death: The Movie – Ten Years Later
2017 Can't Stop Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lil' Kim

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974), known professionally as Lil' Kim, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actress, model, and entrepreneur of African American and Native American descent.
She gained prominence in the mid-1990s as a member of the hip-hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A. and through her solo debut album Hard Core (1996), which was certified double platinum by the RIAA for sales exceeding two million copies in the United States and featured explicit lyrics that emphasized female sexual agency in a male-dominated genre.
Lil' Kim's career includes over 15 million albums and 30 million singles sold worldwide, a Grammy Award for her featured performance on "Lady Marmalade," and recognition as a fashion icon whose bold style and provocative imagery influenced subsequent female rappers by challenging traditional expectations of femininity in hip-hop.
Her path has also involved legal troubles, including a 2005 perjury conviction leading to a one-year prison sentence for lying to federal investigators about a shooting incident tied to her association with associates of the late Notorious B.I.G., as well as later financial issues culminating in a 2018 bankruptcy filing.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Kimberly Denise Jones was born on July 11, 1974, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of , New York. Her parents, Linwood Jones and Ruby Mae Jones, both originated from Trinidad. The family resided in a working-class area characterized by economic challenges and cultural vibrancy, including early influences from the burgeoning hip-hop scene that permeated 's streets during the 1970s and 1980s. Jones's parents divorced when she was nine years old, following a marriage marked by volatility and reported abuse. Custody arrangements favored her mother, leading to periods of housing instability, including temporary homelessness for Jones, her mother, and older brother Christopher as they navigated the aftermath. Her father maintained a strict disciplinary approach, enforcing rigid rules and physical punishments, which contrasted sharply with her mother's more lenient parenting style amid the disruptions of single parenthood and financial strain. These dynamics contributed to an unstable home environment that alternated between her parents' households, fostering early independence in Jones amid ongoing familial tensions.

Educational and adolescent challenges

Jones was expelled from her father's home around age 13 following conflicts over her emerging independence, leading to extended periods of homelessness on the streets of . This familial rupture directly precipitated chronic instability, manifesting in that undermined her formal education at Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School, from which she ultimately dropped out without graduating around age 16. The causal chain from household expulsion to adolescent aligned with broader patterns in urban environments like , where concentrated and familial disruptions correlated with elevated risks of educational disengagement; dropout rates in comparable neighborhoods surpassed 25 percent, disproportionately affecting Black youth from single-parent or unstable homes. life became an adaptive mechanism for survival amid neglect, involving navigation of informal social hierarchies rather than structured opportunities, though this exposed her to heightened dangers without mitigating underlying vulnerabilities. Empirical trends indicate such responses stemmed from immediate necessities—securing and sustenance—over sustained academic investment, reflecting rational prioritization under constraint rather than inherent defiance. Through these trials, Jones cultivated self-reliance via immersion in Brooklyn's hip-hop underbelly, participating in street corner freestyle raps and battles that sharpened her lyrical prowess as a non-professional outlet for expression and peer validation. This grassroots honing of skills, independent of commercial aspirations at the time, exemplified resilience forged in adversity, enabling verbal and social navigation amid isolation from institutional support.

Entry into music

Formation of Junior M.A.F.I.A.

In 1994, Kimberly Jones, known as Lil' Kim, then aged 20, was discovered by rapper Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) amid Brooklyn's underground rap circuits, where she performed freestyle battles and honed her skills in local venues. Wallace, recognizing her lyrical potential and charisma, recruited her into Junior M.A.F.I.A., a collective of young Bedford-Stuyvesant artists he mentored, positioning her as the group's only female member alongside rappers like Lil' Cease, Buggsy, and Nino Brown. The ensemble coalesced around shared street narratives and loyalty to Wallace's vision, drawing from Brooklyn's hustler ethos without formal contracts initially, though tensions simmered over creative credits and spotlight allocation. Lil' Kim's verses on the debut album , released August 29, 1995, via Undeas Recordings, featured raw, sexually explicit content that contrasted the male-dominated flows and previewed her provocative persona, appearing on tracks like "Player's Anthem" and "." The album debuted at number 8 on the , propelled by the group's gritty authenticity in an era of East Coast rap dominance. "Player's Anthem," the lead single produced by DJ Clark Kent, highlighted Lil' Kim's assertive delivery amid ensemble boasts of wealth and resilience, earning gold by the RIAA for over 500,000 units sold and aiding the group's underground traction through radio play and club spins in New York. Internal dynamics strained as Lil' Kim's standout presence fueled her solo trajectory, with members pursuing divergent paths amid label pressures and personal hustles, effectively dissolving the unit by late 1996 without acrimonious splits or rival beefs.

Association with The Notorious B.I.G.

Lil' Kim's professional association with began in the early 1990s when he discovered her potential and took on a role, coaching her to adopt a more aggressive lyrical style and commanding stage presence during studio sessions. This guidance was instrumental in refining her delivery, transitioning her from informal freestyling to structured verses that emphasized raw confidence and street authenticity, directly facilitating her entry into recording opportunities under his influence. Their dynamic extended beyond into a romantic involvement starting around 1994, which Kim later characterized as intensely passionate yet marred by violence, infidelity, and emotional turbulence—elements she attributed to Biggie's controlling tendencies and concurrent marriage to . Despite these exploitative aspects, including Biggie's extramarital affairs that strained their bond, Kim credited the relationship with accelerating her artistic growth, though it also positioned her publicly as his protégé and occasional "mistress" figure in hip-hop narratives. This personal entanglement causally intertwined their careers, with Biggie featuring her on his debut album (released September 13, 1994), where she provided additional vocals and appeared in a skit, marking her earliest credited contributions to a major release. As their association evolved, Lil' Kim shifted from mentee to collaborative peer, evidenced by joint appearances on tracks like the remix by Junior M.A.F.I.A., which highlighted her sharpened verses alongside Biggie's alongside Biggie's production input from 1995. This progression underscored a mutual creative , where her honed aggression complemented his narrative depth, fostering tracks that blended bravado with commercial edge. Following Biggie's murder on March 9, 1997, Lil' Kim experienced profound grief, openly stating she mourned more visibly than Evans at his funeral and struggled to recover emotionally for years. Professionally, however, she channeled this loss into assertive independence, retaining the lyrical edge Biggie instilled while distancing from dependency on his legacy to avoid mere extension of his shadow, though the relationship's toxic undercurrents—such as documented physical confrontations—temper romanticized views of their partnership.

Solo career beginnings

Hard Core (1996–1997)

Hard Core, Lil' Kim's debut solo album, was released on November 12, 1996, by Undeas Recordings in conjunction with Big Beat Records and . The project featured production from Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs as executive producer, alongside contributions from , , and others, emphasizing polished East Coast beats amid the prevailing hip-hop rivalries between Bad Boy Entertainment and West Coast labels. Lyrically, the album foregrounded unreserved explorations of female sexuality, materialism, and street dynamics, with tracks like "Big Momma Thang" and "Not Tonight" delivering provocative content that contrasted sharply with prevailing norms in rap. This approach drew immediate controversy for its explicitness, with critics and commentators decrying it as overly raunchy while others praised its bold reclamation of agency in a genre dominated by male perspectives on similar themes. The lead single "No Time," featuring Puff Daddy and Lil' Cease, achieved gold certification by the RIAA and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, bolstering the album's chart performance to a debut at number 11 on the Billboard 200. Follow-up singles "Crush on You" and "Big Momma Thang" further propelled visibility, contributing to initial sales momentum during a period heightened by East Coast-West Coast tensions following the murders of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. By June 3, 1997, Hard Core earned RIAA platinum certification for shipments exceeding one million units in the United States, reflecting strong commercial uptake despite the polarized reception to its content. Critically, the album garnered acclaim for its technical rhyme schemes and unfiltered authenticity, with The Source magazine hailing it as a "solid debut" anchored in strong beats and delivery. Lil' Kim received five nominations at the 1997 Source Hip-Hop Music Awards, securing wins for Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year and related categories, underscoring early industry recognition. However, the explicit themes prompted backlash from conservative outlets and some feminist critics who viewed the sexuality as performative rather than empowering, though sales exceeding two million units domestically by later counts affirmed its market resonance.

Breakthrough hits and mainstream recognition

Following the release of Hard Core in November 1996, Lil' Kim achieved mainstream breakthrough with singles that crossed over from rap charts to the , bolstered by collaborations emphasizing her bold, sexually explicit persona. The lead single "No Time," featuring Puff Daddy and released in October 1996, peaked at number 18 on the in March 1997 and topped the chart, marking her first significant pop exposure through radio airplay and video rotation on . This track, produced under Bad Boy Entertainment's influence, highlighted her association with Puff Daddy's emerging pop-rap empire, while a remix of "Crush on You" featuring —a remnant of Junior M.A.F.I.A.—further solidified her ties to Biggie Smalls' circle, peaking at number 2 on the chart despite modest entry. The pivotal "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)" remix, issued in July 1997 with features from Left Eye, , Missy Elliott, and , propelled her to pop-rap stardom by peaking at number 6 on the Hot 100 in August 1997, driven by its empowering female-led narrative and heavy video play. This earned a for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 40th in 1998, underscoring industry validation amid debates over explicit content in female rap. The single's success, certified by the RIAA for over 500,000 units, amplified her visibility, with appearances cementing her as a provocateur—exemplified by her 1997 Video Music Awards ensemble of a beaded Cleopatra-inspired two-piece that blended hip-hop edge with high-fashion opulence. These hits fostered her "Queen Bee" moniker, self-adopted amid Hard Core's double-platinum sales trajectory, portraying her in media as rap's unapologetic matriarch through interviews and performances that emphasized autonomy over collaborative dependencies. Her presence, including custom looks accentuating bold makeup and form-fitting attire, positioned her as a influencing hip-hop's fusion with luxury designers, distinct from male-dominated narratives. This era's crossover appeal, evidenced by Hot 100 longevity, shifted perceptions from underground affiliate to solo powerhouse, though critics noted reliance on Bad Boy's promotional machinery for broad reach.

Mid-career developments

The Notorious K.I.M. and La Bella Mafia (1998–2003)

Lil' Kim released her second studio album, The Notorious K.I.M., on June 27, 2000, through Atlantic Records. The album debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, selling 229,000 copies in its first week. It was certified platinum by the RIAA on August 2, 2000, for shipments of one million copies. Key tracks included "How Many Licks?" featuring Sisqó, which peaked at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 36 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In 2001, Lil' Kim collaborated with , Mýa, and on a cover of for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack, released on March 27, 2001. The track topped the for four weeks and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the in 2002. Lil' Kim's third studio album, , followed on March 4, 2003, also via , serving as a post-mortem reflection amid her associations with ' legacy. It debuted at number five on the , moving 166,000 units in its opening week. The album achieved RIAA platinum certification for one million shipments. Notable singles included "The Jump Off" and featuring , with the latter incorporating themes of resilience; the project featured a tribute element in "Heavenly Father," sampling . These releases demonstrated sustained commercial viability, with both albums reaching platinum status and highlighting Lil' Kim's pivot toward broader production collaborations while maintaining her core affiliation with hip-hop's East Coast sound. On February 25, 2001, a erupted outside the Hot 97 radio studio in Manhattan's , involving members of Lil' Kim's entourage firing bullets from at least five guns shortly after she exited the building following an on-air appearance with Junior M.A.F.I.A. associates. The incident stemmed from altercations tied to her professional associations, resulting in no fatalities but prompting a federal investigation into the participants' involvement. Lil' Kim, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, later testified before a federal that her Jamal "Gravy" Turner and friend Dwayne Cherry were not present in her vehicle during the exchange, despite eyewitness and forensic evidence—including bullet casings and witness statements—indicating otherwise. This false testimony, motivated by an intent to shield associates from prosecution, formed the basis of her legal troubles, illustrating how personal loyalties within hip-hop circles can precipitate self-inflicted legal vulnerabilities through obstruction of justice processes. In March 2005, after a trial in federal court, a convicted Jones on three counts of and one count of for her deliberate lies under oath, while acquitting her of obstruction of justice; her assistant Monique Dopwell was similarly convicted on related charges. The convictions hinged on contradictory evidence, such as phone records and ballistic matches linking her entourage to the gunfire, underscoring the causal consequences of prioritizing group allegiance over truthful accountability in high-stakes inquiries. On July 6, 2005, U.S. District Judge Frederic Block sentenced Jones to one year and one day in , plus a $50,000 fine, rejecting her pleas for by emphasizing that undermines the integrity of legal proceedings regardless of cultural norms around loyalty. She surrendered to authorities on September 19, 2005, to serve her term at the Federal Detention Center in , a low-security facility, which enforced a career hiatus amid ongoing promotional obligations for her music releases. Jones was released on July 3, 2006, after approximately 10 months, having earned reductions for good behavior, but the episode highlighted the tangible costs of such entanglements in fostering environments where impulsive associations escalate into prosecutable deceptions.

Post-incarceration career

The Naked Truth, Ms. G.O.A.T., and Black Friday (2005–2011)

Lil' Kim released her fourth studio album, The Naked Truth, on September 27, 2005, while incarcerated at the Federal Detention Center in for her conviction. The album, recorded prior to her imprisonment, debuted at number six on the chart, selling 109,000 copies in its first week. The lead single, "Lighters Up," peaked in the top ten on the chart, showcasing a shift toward more introspective and confessional themes amid skit-heavy production that drew mixed critical responses, with some praising its raw energy and others criticizing its uneven execution. Amid ongoing tensions with , including lawsuits from associates over prior collaborations and delays in new material, Lil' Kim parted ways with the label in early 2008 to pursue independent ventures. This transition enabled her to release her debut , Ms. G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), on June 3, 2008, via her own imprint in collaboration with DJs and Whoo Kid. The project received positive feedback within hip-hop circles for its aggressive lyricism and freestyles, though it lacked major commercial metrics typical of her earlier studio albums. By 2011, escalating rivalries, particularly with following the latter's success, prompted Lil' Kim to drop the Black Friday on February 14 via direct sales at $9.99 per download. The release featured multiple diss tracks targeting Minaj and others, framing it as a retaliatory strike but prioritizing beef over broader artistic innovation. Lil' Kim claimed over 113,000 units sold in the first 28 hours, generating more than $1 million, though these figures faced and no independent verification. This performance, while notable for a digital-only , marked a stark decline from her multimillion-selling album era, underscoring commercial hurdles in the post-label landscape.

Mixtapes, reality television, and intermittent releases (2012–2016)

In 2014, Lil' Kim released her third , Hard Core 2K14, on September 11 through her independent label and Grimey Records. The project, titled as a nod to her 1996 debut Hard Core, featured 13 tracks with guest appearances from artists including , Foxy , and , emphasizing raw lyrical content and production reminiscent of her early career style. Initially announced in 2013, the 's delay reflected ongoing challenges in securing a major label deal for a full studio , leading her to opt for free via platforms like to maintain fan engagement without traditional commercial backing. The received mixed reception, with some critics praising its return to aggressive, street-oriented bars but others noting limited innovation amid the rapper's prolonged absence from mainstream charts. During this era, Lil' Kim supplemented her music output with sporadic live performances, including dates on her "Return of the Queen" tour in , which drew modest crowds focused on her classic hits rather than new material. These efforts underscored a of intermittent releases to sustain visibility, as full-length albums remained stalled due to contractual disputes and industry shifts favoring younger artists. In 2016, she followed with her fourth , Lil' Kim Season, released independently on March 28. The 10-track effort included freestyles over contemporary hits such as Drake's "," Rihanna's "Work," and Desiigner's "Panda," alongside original tracks like "Mine" featuring and "Fountain Bleu." Distributed for free, it aimed to reclaim seasonal relevance but garnered limited chart impact, highlighting her pivot to mixtape formats for direct fan access amid reduced radio play and sales viability for veteran hip-hop acts. Television endeavors were sparse, with no major reality series commitments, though guest spots on music programs reinforced her enduring without translating to broader commercial revival.

Recent activities

Collaborations, television appearances, and 9 album (2017–2023)

In 2017, Lil' Kim provided a featured verse on Remy Ma's single "Wake Me Up," released November 16, which peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On June 9, 2018, she gave birth to her daughter, Royal Reign, with rapper Mr. Papers, an event she later described as instilling a sobering mindset amid her career resurgence efforts. In 2019, Lil' Kim starred as the lead and executive producer in the reality series Girls Cruise, which premiered on July 15 and followed her and friends including Mýa, Chilli of TLC, B. Simone, and Pretty Vee on a cruise focused on personal growth and adventure; the show ran for one season of eight episodes. Later that year, on October 11, she released her fifth studio album 9 via and eOne Music, marking her first full-length project in nearly a decade since Black Friday (2011); the title referenced the ninth overall project in her catalog, the March 9 anniversary of 's death, and her daughter's June 9 birthdate. The album featured collaborations including and on "Pray for Me," on "Catch My Wave," and with O.T. Genasis on "Found You," alongside production from Mike Will Made-It and others; "Go Awff" had dropped on February 15. 9 did not enter the , reflecting limited commercial traction with first-week pure sales of 2,627 units and total album-equivalent units under 10,000 including streams, though it reached the top 10 on independent rap sales charts. Streaming data underscored its niche appeal, as the project garnered modest plays on platforms like relative to her catalog's classics, with overall artist monthly listeners hovering around 5-6 million driven largely by pre-2000s hits rather than new material. In 2020, amid planning for subsequent releases, Lil' Kim announced as an for her next album, signaling continued feature-oriented collaborations, though no joint tracks materialized publicly by 2023.

2024–2025 events, financial resolutions, and public statements

In October 2024, Lil' Kim resolved a $150,775 federal imposed by the in May 2024, stemming from unpaid taxes dating back several years, marking a significant step in addressing her prior financial challenges including a 2018 filing. This settlement, confirmed through public records, demonstrated fiscal prudence amid ongoing efforts to stabilize her s, which had previously involved substantial debts exceeding $4 million. On June 9, 2025, Lil' Kim joined emerging R&B artist Honey Bxby for a live performance of their collaborative "LEFT EYE" remix during the pre-show, energizing the audience with a blend of her classic rap style and contemporary beats. The appearance highlighted her continued relevance in hip-hop collaborations, though it elicited mixed fan reactions, with some praising the pairing while others critiqued the execution. In September 2025, Lil' Kim made multiple appearances at , including front-row seating at The Blonds spring/summer show and LaQuan Smith's presentation, where she reunited with figures like and mingled with contemporaries such as . She also attended events featuring her daughter Royal Reign on the runway for and Rookie In The City, underscoring her involvement in family-oriented fashion initiatives. Public statements in early 2025 drew scrutiny when, on , Lil' Kim posted on X expressing prayers for victims of wildfires and wishing for a "" to extinguish them, prompting backlash for perceived insensitivity given the risk of flooding in the region. She defended the remark on January 16, clarifying it as a fervent plea for divine intervention without intent to harm, and dismissed critics as misunderstanding her empathy. Later posts hinted at emerging professional prospects, stating "new doors are opening," though specifics remained undisclosed.

Artistic style and influences

Musical and lyrical influences

Lil' Kim's lyrical approach was shaped by early female hip-hop artists who emphasized bold, assertive flows and thematic innovation within the genre. She has specifically credited Salt-N-Pepa for their suggestive rhymes and group dynamic, MC Lyte for her commanding presence and gangsta imagery, and Roxanne Shanté for pioneering battle rap cadences that informed her delivery. In a 2019 discussion, Kim highlighted how these figures influenced her style during her formative years freestyling in Brooklyn's hip-hop circles. Musically, her sound emerged from the East Coast hip-hop ecosystem of the mid-1990s, characterized by boom-bap beats with layered drum patterns, basslines, and soul samples reflective of New York production norms. This is evident in her 1996 debut album Hard Core, where tracks like "No Time" feature sparse, hard-hitting percussion and interpolated hooks akin to contemporaries from Bad Boy Records. Her mentorship under The Notorious B.I.G., beginning with her 1994 integration into Junior M.A.F.I.A., further embedded elements of his narrative lyricism and street authenticity into her framework, though Kim has maintained her flows derived from personal adaptation rather than direct ghostwriting. Subsequent releases incorporated R&B and pop sensibilities, blending hip-hop verses with melodic choruses and guest features from singers, as seen in collaborations on albums like (2000), which sampled tracks such as Diana Ross's "Muscles" to fuse rap with soulful undertones. This evolution reflects broader genre crossover trends in late-1990s urban music, prioritizing commercial accessibility without diluting core hip-hop roots.

Themes of sexuality, materialism, and gender dynamics

Lil' Kim's debut album Hard Core (1996) prominently featured explicit depictions of sexuality intertwined with , portraying sexual agency and luxury acquisition as pragmatic responses to her Bedford-Stuyvesant upbringing amid and challenges. Tracks like "Big Momma Thang" and "Not Tonight" detailed encounters involving and financial demands, framing them as empowered exchanges rather than victimhood, with lines such as "I used to be scared of the dick / now I throw lips at the shit" reflecting a shift from fear to dominance. These motifs drew from her reported experiences of early independence and street hustling, where —evident in boasts of designer goods and cash—served as markers of ascent from hardship, aligning with a raw, unfiltered realism over romanticized narratives. Critics have debated these themes' implications for gender dynamics, with some academic analyses viewing Lil' Kim's self-objectification as a form of liberation that subverted male-dominated rap by asserting female sexual control, as in her reversal of traditional power imbalances through dominance in "Suck My Dick." However, content analyses of rap videos from the era, including those influenced by her style, document heightened emphasis on and , correlating with broader trends in post-1990s media where explicit sexual references in female rap rose alongside objectification stereotypes targeting Black women. Empirical studies link such portrayals to increased sexual behaviors among youth exposed to rap videos, raising questions of causal encouragement for transactional relationships over mutual dynamics, though Lil' Kim maintained personal accountability for her image as a deliberate amid industry pressures. Over time, her work evolved from Hard Core's aggressive bravado toward vulnerability, particularly in The Naked Truth (2005), where tracks exposed emotional rawness behind the facade, such as reflections on betrayal and loss that humanized the earlier materialism-driven persona without diluting its core. This progression highlighted tensions in rap's expectation of hyper-sexualization for viability, as later releases balanced survivalist edge with introspective critiques of relational costs, contrasting the unyielding dominance of her output.

Business ventures

Fashion endorsements and product lines

Lil' Kim has pursued several fashion endorsements aligning with her provocative image, beginning prominently in the late . In , she served as a spokesperson for footwear campaign, featuring the "Lunchbox Boot" and collaborating with for promotional events, including a launch at New York City's Fashion Cafe. This deal capitalized on her urban appeal to market affordable, trendy shoes to young consumers, though specific revenue figures remain undisclosed. In 2000, Lil' Kim partnered with for the Viva Glam III lipstick campaign alongside , promoting a product where all proceeds supported the MAC AIDS Fund. The initiative raised $4 million overall, demonstrating her ability to drive charitable sales through bold advertising, but her personal earnings from the endorsement were not publicly detailed. She also modeled for urban apparel brands like in 2000, reinforcing her influence in streetwear-to-luxury crossovers. These alignments showcased business acumen in leveraging celebrity for brand visibility, yet amid fluctuating music success, they highlighted a shift toward image-driven ventures rather than sustained high-revenue product launches. Lil' Kim has maintained visibility in high fashion through New York Fashion Week appearances, including attending Christian Siriano's Spring 2025 runway show on September 6, 2024, where she wore corset ensembles. Such events underscore ongoing ties to designers favoring dramatic silhouettes, but without confirmed personal product lines like a dedicated Queen Bee apparel range yielding verifiable sales, her fashion pursuits appear more endorsement-oriented than entrepreneurial in generating independent revenue streams. Critics note this reliance on endorsements may reflect challenges in diversifying beyond persona amid career ebbs, as her estimated net worth hovers around $500,000 in 2025, suggesting limited long-term financial impact from these deals.

Philanthropic initiatives and activism

Lil' Kim established the Lil' Kim Cares Foundation, which aimed to raise funds and awareness for issues including , prevention, , and support for survivors of . The foundation's efforts included assisting women escaping abusive situations and addressing violence prevention, though specific donation amounts or program outcomes beyond general remain sparsely documented in . In collaboration with ' Viva Glam campaign, Lil' Kim partnered with starting in 2000 to promote awareness, with 100% of lipstick sales proceeds directed to the MAC AIDS Fund; this initiative contributed to raising $4 million in a single year by 2001 and supported broader fundraising totaling $20 million over six years. She has headlined events like the AIDS Walk Atlanta in September 2024 and Florida's AIDS Walk in 2021 to further educate on prevention. These appearances align with her support for organizations like MusiCares, but empirical evidence of sustained, large-scale personal donations—relative to her career earnings or peers in hip-hop —indicates a more limited scope, often tied to promotional or event-based engagements rather than ongoing programmatic impact. Her against draws from personal experiences with abuse, including allegations against former partners, and extends through foundation-backed for victim support services. In a 2007 Fox News appearance, she discussed aiding homeless individuals, particularly Black communities, but the segment was abruptly ended, highlighting occasional public relations challenges in her charitable outreach. Overall, while these initiatives reflect targeted involvement in social causes, verifiable records show inconsistent activity levels, with critiques noting potential alignment with career over transformative charitable scale.

Personal life

Romantic relationships and family

Lil' Kim's early romantic involvement with (Christopher Wallace), spanning the mid-1990s, exemplified volatile dynamics common in hip-hop affiliations, marked by mutual attraction amid professional collaboration but strained by infidelity and external pressures, including Wallace's concurrent marriage to , who separated upon discovering the affair. This turbulence contributed to emotional themes in her debut album Hard Core (1996), yet the relationship's abrupt end with Wallace's murder on March 9, 1997, prompted a period of grief that intersected with her rising solo career, temporarily diverting focus from new releases. Subsequent partnerships followed similar patterns of intensity and brevity within rap circles, often amplifying public scrutiny and interpersonal strains that mirrored hip-hop's competitive environment. In 2012, Lil' Kim entered a relationship with rapper Mr. Papers (Jeremy Neil), culminating in the birth of their daughter, Royal Reign Jones, on June 9, 2014. The pregnancy and postpartum phase shifted her priorities toward parenting, which she described as a sobering influence fostering maturity and resilience, correlating with a temporary slowdown in album production as she adapted to single motherhood after their 2015 split. Co-parenting Royal has shaped Lil' Kim's routine, with empirical ties to enhanced personal stability despite custody logistics, enabling resumed touring and features post-2014 while underscoring motherhood's role in mitigating earlier relational chaos. As of October 2025, she maintains single motherhood status, raising the now-11-year-old Royal amid sporadic, high-profile romances like the 2024–2025 liaison with rapper Tayy Brown, which dissolved publicly amid mutual accusations of manipulation and withheld support, perpetuating cycles of instability that have periodically interrupted consistent artistic output.

Health, cosmetic surgeries, and physical transformations

Lil' Kim initiated cosmetic surgeries in the late 1990s after sustaining facial injuries from an abusive relationship, including a and split lip inflicted by her then-boyfriend in 1999. Rather than concealing the damage with makeup, she underwent procedures such as and lip injections to alter her features permanently, as she detailed in a 2005 interview with . Subsequent interventions from the early 2000s onward encompassed multiple rhinoplasties, , cheek and chin implants, and , progressively reshaping her face and body into a form markedly dissimilar from her original appearance. These choices, extending beyond initial injury repair, amplified insecurities stemming from trauma and perceived industry demands for Eurocentric ideals, which Kim later described as favoring lighter skin, blonde hair, and slender builds. Her skin tone lightened noticeably over time, with public photos from the showing a fair complexion attributed by observers to bleaching creams or treatments, procedures linked to health risks including , , and elevated odds. Kim has not explicitly confirmed bleaching but rebutted accusations in 2016 by attributing her to tanning bed use and , amid fan backlash decrying the erasure of her natural features. By the mid-2010s, repeated facial surgeries rendered her unrecognizable to many, prompting widespread commentary on potential body dysmorphia and surgical addiction, with plastic surgeons warning of complications like nasal collapse from over-operated septa and chronic dissatisfaction fueling endless revisions. In reflections, Kim expressed regret for excessive alterations, acknowledging in interviews that early trauma catalyzed a cycle of self-modification she could not halt, yielding physical distortions without resolving underlying emotional voids.

Controversies and criticisms

Interpersonal feuds in hip-hop

Lil' Kim's interpersonal feuds within hip-hop primarily involved other prominent female rappers and stemmed from professional rivalries, accusations of stylistic imitation, and perceived betrayals in artist affiliations. These conflicts often manifested through diss tracks, public statements, and media confrontations, reflecting broader tensions in the genre's competitive landscape during the late 1990s and 2010s. The rivalry with Foxy Brown began in the mid-1990s, rooted in divided loyalties between hip-hop camps: Lil' Kim aligned with Bad Boy Records and Junior M.A.F.I.A., while Brown was associated with Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella and Nas's circle. Despite an initial collaboration on Total's 1995 track "No One Else," tensions escalated amid East Coast rap divisions following the deaths of Tupac Shakur in 1996 and The Notorious B.I.G. in 1997. A key incident occurred during a 1997 Hot 97 radio appearance, where Lil' Kim confronted Brown over alleged disloyalty, leading to a near-physical altercation that required intervention. The feud intensified through late-1990s diss tracks and interviews, with Lil' Kim accusing Brown of biting her flow and image on tracks like those from her 1999 album No Matter What, while Brown countered with claims of Lil' Kim's aggression stemming from jealousy over her rapid rise. No formal chart data directly attributes sales shifts to these exchanges, though both artists maintained strong commercial outputs—Lil' Kim's The Notorious K.I.M. (2000) debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, and Brown's Chyna Doll (1999) hit No. 1. Lil' Kim's feud with emerged around 2010, triggered by Lil' Kim's public accusations that Minaj was a "copycat" who appropriated her provocative style, colorful wigs, and lyrical themes without acknowledgment. Minaj, in early and interviews, referenced Lil' Kim as an influence but dismissed direct imitation claims, while fans and media fueled comparisons via visual parallels in album artwork and performances. The conflict peaked with Lil' Kim's release of the Black Friday on November 13, 2010, featuring tracks like "I Am Not the One," where she mocked Minaj's Barbz fanbase and accused her of industry favoritism; Minaj responded indirectly through subliminal disses on her album (November 22, 2010), including lines interpreted as shading Lil' Kim's relevance. Both traded claims of style theft—Lil' Kim alleging Minaj replicated her motif, and Minaj's supporters pointing to Lil' Kim's prior nods to other artists—though Black Friday achieved limited chart success compared to 's No. 1 debut and over 300,000 first-week sales. The subsided without resolution, with Lil' Kim later expressing mixed sentiments in 2012 interviews. A lesser rivalry with surfaced in the early 2000s, involving perceived slights and subtle lyrical jabs amid competition for female rap dominance. Eve recounted in feeling snubbed by Lil' Kim during an early encounter, prompting defensive responses that escalated rumors of beef, including interpretations of Eve's 2001 track "" as containing veiled disses. Lil' Kim addressed these in a response, questioning the persistence of such narratives and emphasizing no ongoing animosity. The tension, never reaching the scale of other feuds, resolved amicably by the late , with both artists acknowledging mutual respect in later discussions. In August 2000, a occurred outside a radio station between members of Lil' Kim's entourage and associates of rival rapper Ma$e, resulting in gunfire exchanged from her vehicle; she was later charged with for lying to a federal in 2001 about the presence of her associates during the incident, claiming she rode alone despite security footage evidence. Convicted in March 2005 on three counts of and one count of conspiracy to commit , she was sentenced in July 2005 to one year and one day in federal prison plus three years' supervised release and a $50,000 fine, highlighting risks from loyalty to an entourage involved in street-level violence. Prosecutors argued her false testimony obstructed justice in a case tied to hip-hop rivalries, underscoring patterns of poor judgment in protecting associates amid escalating interpersonal conflicts. Lil' Kim has faced recurrent financial troubles indicative of mismanagement, including a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing in June 2018 amid debts exceeding $1 million in unpaid rent, taxes, and loans, followed by multiple IRS liens. In May 2024, the IRS filed a $150,775 lien against her for unpaid 2022 federal taxes, which she resolved by October 2024 through payment, though this came after prior settlements and countersuits alleging gross mismanagement in business ventures. Such issues, including a 2013 $15 million countersuit from an ex-partner claiming abuse of corporate control and waste, reflect repeated failures in fiscal oversight despite career earnings. Public missteps include the September 1999 , where co-presenter playfully touched Lil' Kim's exposed breast—accentuated by a purple jumpsuit with a visible pastie—during an onstage moment, drawing widespread media scrutiny for its overt sexuality and contributing to perceptions of provocative excess. In January 2025, amid devastating wildfires, she posted on praying "that God make it in LA" to combat the fires, prompting backlash for ignoring risks like mudslides and flooding from heavy rains in burn-scarred areas, which she later defended as a call for needed . Critics highlighted the comment's insensitivity, amplifying critiques of impulsive public statements disconnected from practical realities.

Cultural and personal critiques

Lil' Kim's and persona have drawn criticism for glorifying sexual promiscuity and , with columnist DeWayne Wickham arguing in 2005 that her music is "laced with that glorify promiscuous and gratuitous ." Empirical studies on rap music's effects support concerns about negative influence, showing correlations between exposure to hip-hop content emphasizing and increased proneness to and aggressive among adolescents. Similarly, research links rap's frequent depiction of and risky sexual themes to heightened acceptance of sexual aggression and , particularly among teens, with genres like rap containing higher than others. Critics from conservative perspectives, such as in , contend that hip-hop artists like Lil' Kim reinforce harmful stereotypes of adversarial thuggishness and materialism, contributing to broader cultural moral decay by normalizing responses that hinder social progress in black communities. While some defenders frame her explicit style as authentic gender politics challenging male dominance in rap, this view is contested by evidence of her work's alignment with exploitative tropes rather than subversive empowerment. On a personal level, Lil' Kim's extensive cosmetic surgeries have been critiqued as driven by and insecurity, with her own admissions revealing influences from pressure to achieve "" and feelings of inadequacy, resulting in a drastically altered appearance that alienated fans and shifted her from natural appeal to artificial excess. This transformation is cited as a factor in her perceived decline, prioritizing superficial changes over artistic evolution and contributing to a of self-sabotage through rather than external industry alone. Her career trajectory reflects empirical downsides, with debut Hard Core (1996) selling over 2 million copies in the , followed by diminishing returns: The Notorious K.I.M. (2000) at 1.05 million, (2003) lower still, and later releases like The Naked Truth (2005) debuting at 109,000 first-week units amid personal choices overshadowing musical output. By 2019, her album 9 projected under 1,000 opening-week units, underscoring a stall attributed more to image-driven decisions and failure to adapt substantively than to pioneering status being overrated in retrospect.

Legacy and impact

Contributions to female rap and hip-hop culture

Lil' Kim advanced female representation in rap by delivering explicitly sexual that asserted women's agency and control in intimate scenarios, diverging from the more restrained themes prevalent among earlier artists. Her 1996 debut album Hard Core featured tracks such as "Big Momma Thang," where she rapped about sexual dominance and pleasure on her terms, expanding the boundaries set by predecessors like , whose 1980s and early 1990s work included suggestive content but less graphic detail. This shift positioned female rappers as active participants rather than objects in male-centric narratives, influencing the genre's lyrical norms despite backlash from conservative sectors. The "Queen Bee" persona Kim cultivated emphasized unapologetic bravado, femininity, and commanding presence, which helped normalize bold self-expression for women in hip-hop. By blending gangster rap elements with overt confidence and style, she challenged stereotypes and inspired a wave of artists adopting multifaceted identities that balanced toughness with allure. This archetype, rooted in her 1990s output, facilitated greater acceptance of female rappers owning their sexuality without apology, though its emulation often amplified by later figures with extended commercial runs. Kim's approach directly shaped contemporary female rappers, evident in the stylistic and thematic echoes in and Thee Stallion's work, such as the 2020 single "WAP," whose video aesthetics and explicit bravado drew from Kim's performance looks and lyrical candor. Artists like these have cited her as a blueprint for combining sexual agency with rap prowess, yet their adaptations have sustained broader mainstream dominance, with achieving nine top-10 entries by 2023 compared to Kim's primary peaks in the late 1990s. This emulation underscores Kim's foundational role while highlighting how successors built upon her innovations for prolonged impact.

Awards, nominations, and commercial achievements

Lil' Kim's debut album Hard Core (1996) earned a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in 1998, marking an early peak in critical recognition for her solo work. The album achieved double platinum certification from the RIAA, denoting sales exceeding two million units in the United States. Her collaboration on "Lady Marmalade" with Christina Aguilera, Mýa, and Pink won Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards on February 27, 2002. Subsequent Grammy nominations included Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Let It Go" (featuring Keyshia Cole, T.I., and Missy Elliott) at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008 and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Magic Stick" (with 50 Cent) at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards in 2004. She secured multiple , including Best Female Hip-Hop Artist in 2001, alongside nominations in subsequent years such as 2006 and 2016. Additional honors encompass Source Awards for Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year and Female Single of the Year in the late . Commercially, Lil' Kim has sold over 15 million worldwide across her catalog, with Hard Core remaining her highest-certified release. Post-2000s output garnered fewer major nominations and certifications, aligning with reduced sales and chart peaks compared to her late- breakthrough.

Debates on influence, decline, and societal effects

Critics have divided over Lil' Kim's portrayal of female sexuality, with some viewing her explicit lyrics on albums like Hard Core (1996) as a form of that asserted black women's agency in a male-centric , challenging norms by flipping objectifying tropes into self-directed narratives. Others, including feminist scholars, contend this approach reinforced objectification by commodifying her body and aligning with hip-hop's misogynistic undercurrents, potentially internalizing external male gazes rather than transcending them. These debates highlight tensions in third-wave feminism's embrace of sexual liberation, where Kim's work is credited with broadening expressions but critiqued for prioritizing shock over substantive critique, especially given academia's tendency to frame such content through lenses favoring systemic victimhood over individual agency. Explanations for her post-2000 commercial and cultural decline emphasize personal decisions over industry-wide sexism, including protracted feuds that consumed public attention and resources, such as her 2010-2013 clashes with , which yielded diss tracks like Black Friday but no sustained hits. Repeated cosmetic surgeries, starting after a 2001 assault that scarred her face but extending to fillers and implants by her own admission, shifted her aesthetic from raw edge to an exaggerated, less recognizable form that fans and observers linked to diminished appeal. Legal entanglements, including a 2005 perjury conviction leading to a year in , further disrupted momentum, with causal factors tracing to choices like loyalty to associates over rather than irremediable barriers for female rappers. Lil' Kim's era marked a pivot toward overt in female rap, correlating with broader shifts where explicit themes in tracks like "Big Momma Thang" (1996) normalized women boasting about encounters, influencing successors but also amplifying debates on whether this fostered liberation or normalized degradation. Her blueprint was eclipsed commercially by , whose (2010) debuted at No. 1 with over 375,000 first-week US sales and spawned multi-platinum singles like "" (certified 9x platinum by 2025), dwarfing Kim's later outputs like The Naked Truth (2005), which peaked at No. 6 but sold under 500,000 copies amid feuds and label shifts. While Kim's innovations in unfiltered expression endure, they were undercut by self-inflicted distractions, underscoring how individual agency—via feuds and image alterations—can override pioneering contributions in competitive fields like hip-hop.

Works

Discography

Lil' Kim's debut studio album, Hard Core, released on November 12, 1996, via Undeas Recordings and , earned double platinum certification from the RIAA for over 2 million units sold in the United States and has surpassed 6 million copies worldwide. The album debuted at No. 11 on the and produced singles including "No Time," featuring Puff Daddy, which peaked at No. 18 on the and topped the chart. Her follow-up, The Notorious K.I.M., issued on June 27, 2000, achieved platinum status by the RIAA, while (March 4, 2003) also received platinum certification, debuting at No. 5 on the with first-week sales of 229,000 units. The Naked Truth followed on September 27, 2005, peaking at No. 4 on the but with more modest sales nearing 500,000 units domestically. Notable singles across her catalog include "Lady Marmalade" (2001, with , Mýa, , and ), which hit No. 1 on the and earned multi-platinum certification. Later studio efforts such as Black Friday (2011) and 9 (September 13, 2019) marked a sharp decline in commercial performance, with 9 projected to sell fewer than 1,000 units in its debut week amid reduced label support and shifting industry dynamics. Mixtapes like Ms. G.O.A.T. (2008), Lil' Kim Season, and Hard Core 2K14 (2014) supplemented her output, focusing on freestyles and collaborations but without major certifications or high chart placements. Overall, while early albums drove cumulative U.S. sales exceeding 4 million units, post-2000s releases reflected diminishing returns, totaling under 10% of her peak-era figures.

Tours

Lil' Kim's initial forays into live performances occurred as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., where she supported mid-1990s tours linked to and , including shows at venues like Wings Stadium in , on dates such as those documented in 1995 live footage. These group efforts often featured larger-scale productions, drawing crowds through the collective star power of the roster. After her solo breakthrough with Hard Core in 1996, Lil' Kim promoted the album via targeted U.S. tours and appearances, building on her rising profile with performances that emphasized high-energy sets of tracks like "Crush on You." Her involvement extended to broader hip-hop packages, such as the 1997 Puff Daddy & The Family World Tour stop at on December 1 and the 1999 on October 2 in New York. In , Lil' Kim mounted her first headlining tour since 2000, performing at mid-sized clubs and theaters including in West Hollywood on July 16, Rrazz Room in , The Back Alley in on an unspecified date, and in New York on June 3, with setlists averaging career-spanning selections. The 2012 Return of the Queen Tour marked her subsequent U.S. headlining outing, consisting of 22 dates from May 11 in , to June 13, featuring opening acts and guests like Missy Elliott, , and Cassidy, though confined largely to theaters and clubs such as in New Haven on May 17 and Paradise Theater in New York on May 18. Following her 2006 release, Lil' Kim's touring activity shifted to sporadic festival slots, guest appearances, and shorter sets rather than sustained headlining runs, exemplified by her inaugural post-incarceration performance at Hip-Hop Honors on October 17, 2006, and later events like the 30-minute set at in Newark on July 13, 2025, amid shared bills. Post-2012 shows increasingly favored smaller or multi-artist venues, such as parks and mid-sized halls, reflecting a scaled-back draw absent specific large-arena headliners. Reviews of her live outings indicate middling reception, with shows described as unremarkable in distinction based on sampled critiques.

Filmography

Lil' Kim has maintained a limited presence in film and television, primarily through cameo appearances and supporting roles that often draw on her persona as a rapper rather than showcasing dramatic range. Her credits span the late to the but remain sparse, with most roles confined to brief on-screen moments or reality formats, frequently portraying urban or hip-hop archetypes without significant character development. This output reflects a career pivot toward music and over sustained pursuits.
YearTitleRoleType
1999AlexFilm (supporting)
2001L'il KimFilm (cameo)
2002Tina ParkerFilm (supporting)
2003Lil' KimFilm (lead)
2004HerselfFilm (cameo)
2004Self (voice)Animated film
2006Reality CheckTiaFilm (supporting)
2008Xavier's DaughterFilm (supporting)
2021Miracles Across 125th StreetZsa Zsa HottestFilm (lead)
In television, appearances include guest spots on scripted shows like Moesha (as Diamond), DAG (as Gina Marie), and V.I.P. (as Freedom Fighter), alongside reality series. She competed on season 8 of Dancing with the Stars in 2009, placing ninth, and executive produced and starred in the 2019 VH1 reality series Girls Cruise, which followed her and friends on a Caribbean voyage but emphasized personal drama over narrative depth. Documentaries featuring her include Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story (2017), focusing on Bad Boy Records, and Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell (2021), centered on The Notorious B.I.G.'s life. Her involvement in music videos extends to performances in her own productions, such as "No Matter What They Say" (2000) and "The Jump Off" (2003), as well as guest spots, though these align more with promotional extensions of than standalone endeavors. Overall, the body of work underscores a reliance on , with critics noting the absence of roles demanding emotional or transformative performances.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0428591/bio/
  2. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/734490-lil-kim-best-selling-album
  3. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/lil-kim-hard-core-foxy-brown-ill-na-na-anniversary-7572692/
  4. https://wbssmedia.com/artists/detail/1556
  5. https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/musicdb/artists/9758/lil-kim
  6. https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/-62596/lil-kim-hard-core-62619/
  7. https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/rapper-lil-kim-sentenced-to-a-year-in-prison-for-perjury/
  8. https://www.edshawlaw.com/blog/2018/06/bankruptcy-filing-for-rapper-lil-kim/
  9. https://www.biography.com/musicians/lil-kim
  10. https://www.hiphopscriptures.com/lilkim
  11. https://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_regal_life_of_queen_bee_lil_kim
  12. https://www.gothamgazette.com/demographics?start=77
  13. https://nces.ed.gov/pubs91/91053.pdf
  14. https://www.facebook.com/rapvillainy/posts/during-her-teenage-years-lil-kim-immersed-herself-in-brooklyns-hip-hop-scene-she/625835216683052/
  15. https://www.yahoo.com/news/evolution-lil-kim-90s-211536698.html
  16. https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/lil-kimkimberly-jones-1974/
  17. https://www.hiphopscriptures.com/junior-mafia
  18. https://thesource.com/2025/08/29/today-in-hip-hop-history-junior-mafias-debut-album-conspiracy-theory-turns-30-years-old/
  19. https://wtlcfm.com/playlist/on-this-day-august-29-1995-junior-m-a-f-i-a-released-their-debut-album-conspiracy/
  20. https://www.facebook.com/TheNewOldHead/posts/conspiracy-by-the-junior-mafia-was-released-today-1995-biggies-squad-of-rhyme-sp/1391581386309343/
  21. https://xxlmag.com/junior-mafia-conspiracy-album/
  22. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DENBd0WO0jf/?hl=en
  23. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2018-08-17/43929/revisiting-the-female-rap-bible-lil-kims-hard-core
  24. https://www.bet.com/article/fsqkrx/lil-kim-speaks-on-her-violent-relationship-with-biggie
  25. https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/the-meaning-of-lil-kim-motherlode-book/
  26. https://allhiphop.com/features/lil-kim-shares-favorite-ready-to-die-memory-with-b-i-g/
  27. https://genius.com/Junior-mafia-gettin-money-get-money-remix-lyrics
  28. https://www.facebook.com/OldschoolEra/posts/the-notorious-big-left-us-28-years-ago-today-lil-kim-cried-more-than-faith-evans/1223890309100667/
  29. https://www.facebook.com/undergroundhiphopmixtapes/posts/lil-kim-after-biggie-died-lil-kim-never-lost-that-swag-she-got-from-biggie-she-j/1547320506243768/
  30. https://www.hiphopgods.com/lil-kim/
  31. https://www.discogs.com/release/455458-Lil-Kim-Hard-Core
  32. https://www.crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/lil-kims-hard-core-was-a-defining-moment-for-female-sexual-agency-in-hip-hop/
  33. https://www.nylon.com/articles/lil-kim-hardcore-twentieth-anniversary
  34. https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/lil-kim-hard-core-album-anniversary-466518/
  35. https://thedoctorlane.com/2011/03/roasting-the-beef-pink-friday-vs-hardcore/
  36. https://www.facebook.com/hiphopclassic/posts/review-of-lil-kims-hardcore-from-the-dec-96-issue-of-the-source-magazine/3257578201019865/
  37. https://www.bestsellingalbums.org/album/26876
  38. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1997-03-01/
  39. https://www.billboard.com/lists/hot-rap-songs-chart-25th-anniversary-top-100-songs/
  40. https://www.espeakers.com/marketplace/profile/37337/lil-kim
  41. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1997-08-30/
  42. https://www.oldtimemusic.blog/the-meaning-behind-the-song-not-tonight-by-lil-kim/
  43. https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/lil-kim-not-tonight-ladies-night-remix-essay-49248756
  44. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/queen-bee-17-lil-kim-110257120.html
  45. https://www.essence.com/beauty/lil-kim-beauty-iconic-moments-all-time/
  46. https://andscape.com/features/in-the-history-of-hip-hop-fashion-theres-no-ignoring-lil-kim/
  47. https://www.racked.com/2016/3/3/11151790/lil-kim-style
  48. https://genius.com/albums/Lil-kim/The-notorious-kim
  49. https://www.revolt.tv/article/lil-kim-albums-ranked
  50. https://www.gottahaverockandroll.com/lot-37880.aspx
  51. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/lady-marmalade-song-feature/
  52. https://hiphopdx.com/editorials/lil-kim-la-bella-mafia-20-year-anniversary/
  53. https://www.shazam.com/song/76150340/heavenly-father-feat-big-hill/music-video
  54. https://nypost.com/2001/02/27/rap-diva-has-lil-to-say-on-shooting/
  55. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=108920&page=1
  56. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/27/nyregion/police-say-shooting-may-be-linked-to-rap-feud.html
  57. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/prosecutor-lil-kim-lied-about-shooting-63915/
  58. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/mar/02/arts.usa
  59. https://nypost.com/2005/03/18/the-lyin-kim-guilty-of-fibbing-to-grand-jury-in-hot-97-shootout/
  60. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rapper-lil-kim-guilty-of-perjury/
  61. https://www.today.com/popculture/lil-kim-convicted-perjury-wbna7222867
  62. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/18/nyregion/rapper-guilty-of-telling-lies-about-gunfight.html
  63. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jul/07/arts.usa
  64. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2005/07/07/lil-kim-gets-1-year-fine-for-perjury/cb8a60ef-526a-4eac-a93f-22e232262340/
  65. https://www.xxlmag.com/lil-kim-one-year-prison-sentence/
  66. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-sep-21-et-quick21.5-story.html
  67. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-07-03/lil-kim-released-from-jail/1792966
  68. https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/m4dp/
  69. https://www.xxlmag.com/lil-kim-splits-with-atlantic-records/
  70. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/arts/music/10arts-LILKIMSUEDOV_BRF.html
  71. https://www.xxlmag.com/today-hip-hop-lil-kim-drops-ms-g-o-t/
  72. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lil-kim-claims-paypal-sales-record-for-mixtape-nicki-minaj-replies-473020/
  73. https://www.essence.com/entertainment/lil-kim-disses-nicki-minaj-in-new-track/
  74. https://theboombox.com/lil-kim-1-million-black-friday-mixtape/
  75. https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/kid-furys-blog-lil-kim-black-friday-review-75496/
  76. https://www.rap-up.com/article/2014/08/08/lil-kim-announces-hard-core-mixtape-release-date
  77. https://genius.com/albums/Lil-kim/Hard-core-2k14
  78. https://hiphopdx.com/release-dates/lil-kim-hard-core-2k14-mixtape/
  79. https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/lil-kim-return-of-the-queen-tour-arrivals
  80. https://pitchfork.com/news/64416-lil-kim-releases-lil-kim-season-mixtape/
  81. https://www.spin.com/2016/03/lil-kim-new-mixtape-lil-kim-season-download-stream/
  82. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0428591/
  83. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOEzjT-SED0
  84. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni57985885/
  85. https://www.vh1.com/shows/girls-cruise
  86. https://genius.com/albums/Lil-kim/9
  87. https://music.apple.com/us/album/9/1482194409
  88. https://thatgrapejuice.net/2019/10/lil-kims-9-misses-billboard-200-entirely-debuts-top-10-rap-hip-hop-charts/
  89. https://open.spotify.com/artist/5tth2a3v0sWwV1C7bApBdX
  90. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2020-03-24/79141/lil-kim-reveals-tory-lanez-is-executive-producing-her-next-album
  91. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rapper-lil-kim-settles-massive-224503099.html
  92. https://www.lawyer-monthly.com/2024/10/lil-kim-resolves-150000-tax-lien-after-years-of-financial-struggles/
  93. https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/lil-kim-pays-off-150000-tax-lien-years-after-bankruptcy-drama/
  94. https://www.bet.com/bet-awards/video-clips/oqt9iv/bet-awards-2025-honey-bxby-and-lil-kim-left-eye
  95. https://blueprintmiami.com/lil-kims-bet-awards-pre-show-performance-divides-fans/
  96. https://pagesix.com/2025/09/17/style/wendy-williams-hangs-with-hip-hop-a-list-lil-kim-and-ice-spice-at-laquan-smith-show/
  97. https://www.theroot.com/black-moments-you-missed-at-new-york-fashion-week-2025-2000062521
  98. https://sandrarose.com/2025/09/lil-kim-and-royal-reign-attend-the-macys-and-rookie-in-the-city-fashion-show/
  99. https://people.com/lil-kim-addresses-backlash-after-she-called-for-monsoon-to-combat-los-angeles-fires-whats-the-issue-8776448
  100. https://nypost.com/2025/01/17/entertainment/lil-kim-slams-trolls-after-praying-for-monsoon-for-la-fires/
  101. https://www.tmz.com/2025/01/16/lil-kim-los-angeles-wildfires-monsoon-backlash/
  102. https://www.instagram.com/lilkimthequeenbee/?hl=en
  103. https://www.okayplayer.com/lil-kim-details-early-rap-influences-reflects-on-backlash-and-impact-of-iconic-hardcore-squat/575072
  104. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbzGHNvAYzQ
  105. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/lil-kim/hard-core/
  106. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2018-07-11/94817/lil-kim-did-it-first-the-multiple-personas-existing-in-hip-hops-queen-bee
  107. https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2015/11/how-about-some-hardcore-lil-kim-brought-so-much-more-than-sex-to-hip-hop/
  108. https://ratedrnb.com/2020/06/7-times-lil-kim-celebrated-rnb-on-the-notorious-k-i-m/
  109. https://inreviewonline.com/2019/05/28/hard-core/
  110. https://medium.com/black-feminist-thought-2016/suck-my-dick-the-intentionally-hypersexualized-persona-of-lil-kim-c690dfd984a2
  111. https://www.bet.com/article/aiythz/lil-kim-the-original-sex-positive-black-feminist-mc
  112. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232932971_Controversial_Rap_Themes_Gender_Portrayals_and_Skin_Tone_Distortion_A_Content_Analysis_of_Rap_Music_Videos
  113. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360579716_Music%27s_Impact_on_the_Sexualization_of_Black_Bodies_Examining_Links_Between_Hip-Hop_and_Sexualization_of_Black_Women
  114. https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1230&context=jmle
  115. https://www.shatterthestandards.com/p/anniversaries-the-hard-truth-by-lil-kim
  116. https://fuckyeslilkim.tumblr.com/post/100741039260/lil-kim-candies-lunchbox-boot-campaign-ad
  117. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/lil-kim-and-brandy-during-launch-of-new-candies-campaign-news-photo/107470868
  118. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4yizXnPaiy/
  119. https://www.thebody.com/article/mary-j-blige-lil-kim-viva-glam-campaign
  120. https://allhiphop.com/news/lil-kim-mary-j-blige-hook-up-with-m-a-c/
  121. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=793335726260669&id=100067527462017&set=a.366349948959251
  122. https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1139460172
  123. https://wwd.com/pop-culture/celebrity-news/lil-kim-new-york-fashion-week-christian-siriano-spring-1236579411/
  124. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/09/06/christian-siriano-nyfw-front-row-lil-kim-cyndi-lauper-tiffany-haddish/75110000007/
  125. https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1953726-lil-kim-net-worth-2025-money-make-have-earnings
  126. https://rollingout.com/2025/07/11/lil-kim-turns-51-her-influence-and-wins/
  127. https://www.looktothestars.org/charity/lil-kim-cares-foundation
  128. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/nine-top-rappers-who-give
  129. https://thegrio.com/2023/05/05/ten-world-hip-hop-stars-giving-back/
  130. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/blige-lil-kim-raise-4m-for-aids-80512/
  131. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240903730599/en/Lil-Kim-to-Headline-AIDS-Walk-Atlanta-Fundraiser-and-Festival
  132. https://www.davidatlanta.com/lil-kim-to-headline-aids-walk-atlanta-fundraiser-and-festival/
  133. https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/lil-kim
  134. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxDSmFRJq6c
  135. https://www.facebook.com/groups/beatsrhymeslounge/posts/29206520892329630/
  136. https://www.hivedmusic.com/p/lil-kim-the-undisputed-queen-bee-of-hip-hop-x5918fs64bdgd46l1
  137. https://www.whosdatedwho.com/dating/lil-kim
  138. https://www.thelist.com/1795940/meet-lil-kim-daughter-royal-reign-jones/
  139. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/905889-lil-kim-tayy-brown-relationship-rant-hip-hop-news
  140. https://people.com/all-about-lil-kim-daughter-royal-reign-8639000
  141. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQvoD95S5Iw
  142. https://www.goalcast.com/lil-kim-plastic-surgery-truth/
  143. https://internationalplus.net/lil-kim-plastic-surgery/
  144. https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/lil-kim-instagram-photos-fuel-debate-societys-ideal/story?id=38921503
  145. https://pagesix.com/2016/04/25/doctor-worries-lil-kim-faces-plastic-surgery-addiction/
  146. https://www.vox.com/2016/5/2/11535904/lil-kim-skin-bleaching
  147. https://rollingout.com/2016/02/15/lil-kim-weighs-in-on-skin-bleaching-rumors/
  148. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p_tliGceY4
  149. https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/gbi2td/lil-kim-vs-foxy-brown-a-brief-history/i375ns
  150. https://www.complex.com/music/a/insanul-ahmed/a-history-of-lil-kim-nicki-minajs-beef
  151. https://www.ranker.com/list/foxy-brown-vs-lil-kim/anncasano
  152. https://americansongwriter.com/behind-the-beef-lil-kims-cross-town-feud-with-foxy-brown/
  153. https://www.xxlmag.com/lil-kim-foxy-brown-relationship-rivalry/
  154. https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/music/why-nicki-minaj-lil-kim-beef-timeline-feud-explored
  155. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/949748-beef-women-in-hip-hop-timeline
  156. https://www.bet.com/article/9naqk7/lil-kim-responds-to-eve-over-their-alleged-beef
  157. https://theboombox.com/lil-kim-beefs/
  158. https://www.xxlmag.com/eve-recalls-awkward-encounter-with-lil-kim/
  159. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/238925-lil-kim-can-now-go-awff-since-shes-reportedly-no-longer-bankrupt-news
  160. https://www.today.com/popculture/lil-kim-countersued-ex-business-partner-15-million-6c9814722
  161. https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/lil-kim-diana-ross-epic-1999-mtv-vmas-moment-a-look-back/
  162. https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/jazz-was-denounced-by-some-black-leaders-too
  163. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344596067_Violent_and_Angry_in_the_Age_of_Hip_Hop_Exploring_The_Relationship_between_The_Behavior_and_the_Music
  164. https://uca.edu/cahss/files/2020/07/Gray-CLA-2019.pdf
  165. https://mprcenter.org/review/musics-influence-on-risky-sexual-behaviors-examining-the-cultivation-theory/
  166. https://www.city-journal.org/article/how-hip-hop-holds-blacks-back
  167. http://altcitizen.com/beyond-earshot-the-forgotten-gender-politics-of-lil-kim/
  168. https://www.facebook.com/61556992666665/posts/lil-kim-has-been-open-about-undergoing-plastic-surgery-particularly-after-suffer/122233350890233088/
  169. https://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/entertainment/lil-kim-photos
  170. https://thelifestylerepublic.com/content/2780
  171. https://bestsellingalbums.org/artist/7709
  172. https://thatgrapejuice.net/2019/10/lil-kims-nine-projected-sell-under-1000-units-its-opening-week/
  173. https://www.hercampus.com/school/washington/how-lil-kim-s-sexually-explicit-lyrics-revolutionized-women-hip-hop/
  174. https://genius.com/a/how-lil-kim-paved-the-way-for-todays-female-rappers
  175. https://www.vogue.com/article/cardi-b-megan-thee-stallion-wap
  176. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2020-08-07/72478/fans-point-out-lil-kims-influence-in-cardi-b-and-megan-thee-stallions-wap-video
  177. https://www.vibe.com/lists/rappers-infuenced-by-lil-kim/
  178. https://thatgrapejuice.net/2020/08/megan-thee-stallion-covers-talks-influence-lil-kim-nicki-minaj-cardi/
  179. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2024-01-11/347646/11-reasons-lil-kim-is-the-blueprint-for-female-rappers
  180. https://lilkim.fandom.com/wiki/Grammy_Awards
  181. https://www.grammy.com/videos/44th-annual-grammy-awards-best-pop-collaboration-with-vocals
  182. https://www.grammy.com/artists/lil-kim/12527
  183. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0428591/awards/
  184. https://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/lil_kim/awards.html
  185. https://www.wbssmedia.com/artists/detail/1556
  186. https://www.facebook.com/globalgrind/posts/-okayplayer-today-in-hip-hop-lil-kim-released-her-debut-studio-album-hard-coreaf/960815356083811/
  187. https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/lil-kims-hard-core-was-a-defining-moment-for-female-sexual-agency-in-hip-hop/
  188. https://study.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/03_Perry_Pg136.pdf
  189. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/13h5x6r5
  190. https://ew.com/article/2010/11/29/lil-kim-nicki-minaj-battle/
  191. https://www.thelist.com/1333647/what-happened-lil-kim/
  192. https://atlantablackstar.com/2018/07/12/lil-kim-says-she-influenced-female-rappers-to-openly-rap-about-sex-i-was-nervous/
  193. https://thatgrapejuice.net/2013/02/lil-kim-speaks-nicki-minaj-success-super-bass-hits-45-million-sold/
  194. https://fastercapital.com/articles/Nicki-Minaj-vs-Lil-Kim--Who-Has-the-Bigger-Business-Impact.html
  195. https://www.nickiswift.com/652083/tragic-details-about-lil-kim/
  196. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/657102-lil-kims-best-songs-from-hip-hops-golden-era
  197. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/queen-rap-albums-check-ranking-150000944.html
  198. https://www.facebook.com/undergroundhiphopmixtapes/posts/-yo-lets-dive-into-the-real-talk-about-lil-kims-joint-the-naked-truth-dropped-ba/1372317250410762/
  199. https://www.billboard.com/artist/lil-kim/
  200. https://genius.com/artists/Lil-kim/albums
  201. https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/junior-mafia-23d69c0b.html
  202. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hjoasDChgY
  203. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/lil-kim--2
  204. https://www.jambase.com/band/lil-kim/tour-history/2010
  205. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/lil-kim/2010/fillmore-at-irving-plaza-new-york-ny-3bd43454.html
  206. https://www.songkick.com/artists/400617-lil-kim
  207. https://www.xxlmag.com/lil-kim-announces-return-of-the-queen-tour-dates/
  208. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/lil-kim/2012/toads-place-new-haven-ct-4bca071e.html
  209. https://www.today.com/popculture/lil-kim-give-first-post-prison-performance-1c9431285
  210. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/lil-kim/2025/prudential-center-newark-nj-33428ce1.html
  211. https://www.liverate.com/artists/lil-kim
  212. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/lil-kim
  213. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/lil-kim/credits/3000200589/
  214. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0196229/characters/nm0428591/
  215. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/02/12/zoolander-movie/80275598/
  216. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/57553-lil-kim?language=en-US
  217. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10106674/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.