Lil' Kim

Lil' Kim

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11 1975), better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American Grammy award winning rapper. She is one of the two highest selling female hip hop artists in world history (the other being Missy Elliott). She is the first female rapper to have a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This was a huge accomplishment for Kim and female rap. She has seven number one hit singles to date. Her first three albums were highly a commercial success with platinum sales. Every album from her Sophmore project and beyond has debuted in the top 10. Her 2005 album (The Naked Truth) was awarded the prestigious 5 mics award from The Source. At current, Kim is the only female rapper to hold such a feature. Her many years in hip hop have helped to pave the way for many new and current female MC's. Her provocative style and raunchy lyrics have spawned a ton of emulators who are eager to imitate Kim's libidinous style.

Biography

Early years

At the age of nine, her parents separated, leaving her at home with her father. While struggling through her personal life, Kim met Christopher Wallace a.k.a. rapper B.I.G., who was a key figure in both her personal and artistic life, particularly when Wallace had gained popularity and influence through his relationship with Bad Boy Records. In her late teens, she allegedly became pregnant with Wallace's child but was coerced by him into having an abortion.

1993–1995: The Junior M.A.F.I.A.

In 1994, Wallace was instrumental in introducing and promoting the Brooklyn based group Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included Jones (aka "Big Momma" or "The Lieutenant") at the time. The group's first and only album was titled Conspiracy. The group released their first single, "Playas Anthem", which went on to top the rap charts. The album's second single, "I Need You Tonight" (featuring Aaliyah), was the only single released from the album that did not feature The Notorious B.I.G. The music video featured the members and Aaliyah holding a house party at Kim's house while she was away. The single reached #12 on the US Hot Rap Singles chart. The album's third single, "Get Money," was certified gold and made the top 20 on the Hot 100. The album debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200. Junior M.A.F.I.A. was known as the 1st family of hip hop.

1995–1997: The "HARD CORE" era

After a year with Junior M.A.F.I.A., Jones began a solo career by recording her debut album. Hard Core was released on November 12 1996. The album debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Rap Albums Chart's selling 74,000 copies in the first week, which broke the record as the highest debut for a female rapper at the time. The album's lead single "No Time", a duet with Puff Daddy, reached the #1 spot for nine weeks on the Rap Charts and was certified gold by the RIAA. The album later produced the single "Crush On You". A remix of the album's track "Not Tonight"(Remix). "Not Tonight"(Remix) saw Lil' Kim team up with Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat and Left Eye of TLC. The song was released as part of the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence movie "Nothing To Lose" and went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and also earned Lil' Kim her first Grammy Award nomination. Not Tonight was certified platinum by the RIAA. In March 1997, her mentor and secret lover Notorious B.I.G. was shot and killed in Los Angeles. Kim was devastated; she would often pay homage to him in her future recordings. Following this event, she sunk into deep depression, stopped promoting Hard Core, and took a break from the music scene for a while. Meanwhile, Hard Core went on to go double Platinum in the US, and broke another record, being the first female rapper to have a multi-platinum album. The song "Big Momma Thang (feat. Jay-Z) was originally recorded without Jay's verse. The verse which Jay's replaced contained disses towards Faith Evans and 2Pac. It is rumored that the verse regarding Pac was removed as a sign of respect, since he died two months before the release of the album.

1998–2000: The Notorious KIM

From 1998 to 2000, Kim continued her road to stardom under the management of BIG's best friend, Damion "D-Roc" Butler's "Roc Management", toured and modeled for various fashion and pop culture companies including Candies, Versace, Iceberg, and Baby Phat. In 1999, she performed P. Diddy's "No Way Out" tour. In the same year, she launched her own label Queen Bee Entertainment and even though she hadn't had an album of her own release, she was seen on dozens of remixes and guest appearances on other artist's records. On June 27 2000, Kim released her second album The Notorious KIM The album marked a new image and revamped look for the rapper. Despite the limited success of its singles, the album surprisingly reached #4 on the Billboard 200, and #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA, selling 1.4 million in the United States alone and 3.2 million worldwide.

2001–2004: Moulin Rouge! and La Bella Mafia and Def Jam: Fight for NY

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. The song was recorded for the Moulin Rouge! film soundtrack, released in April 2001, and stayed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. The song also went to #1 in 50 countries around the world. This was a big accomplishment for female rap, as well as for Kim, who scored her first #1 Hot 100 hit and became the first female rapper in history to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Lady Marmalade also garnered Kim her first Grammy Award.

In 2003, 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' retirement. The single was released on WWE Anthology, a compilation of entrance theme music to various Professional Wrestling superstars.

On March 4 2003, Kim released her third critically acclaimed album, La Bella Mafia. Highly rated (4.5 mics) by music magazine The Source, La Bella Mafia spawned the hit "The Jump Off" featuring Mr. Cheeks, which climbed to number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single "Magic Stick", feat. 50 Cent, hit #2 on the Hot 100 without a video ever being shot.

La Bella Mafia debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200. It soon went platinum and sold 1.1 million copies in the U.S. and over 2 million worldwide. Kim was nominated for five Source Awards and won two ("Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year", and "Female Single of the Year"). This album also got two Grammy Award nominations: 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.

Lil' Kim also made her first ever video game appearance on the multi-platform game Def Jam: Fight for NY. Kim also provided voice-overs for her part in the storyline, where the player may fight an opponent to have Lil' Kim as his girlfriend. Lil' Kim's sprite sports a BIG tattoo and orange hair with blue eyes. Kim's fighting style is that of a martial artist.

2005–2006: Criminal conviction and The Naked Truth

On March 17 2005, Kim was found guilty of conspiracy and perjury for lying to a grand jury about her friends' involvement in a 2001 shooting outside the Hot 97 studios in Manhattan — involving the entourage of rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga and her reported fellow Brooklynite rival Foxy Brown. She claimed not to have known that her manager (Damion "D-Roc" Butler), and another friend (Suif Jackson) were at the scene, despite video footage showing all three exiting the building. Both men have pleaded guilty to gun charges since. In July 2005, she was sentenced to a one-year-and-a-day in the Philadelphia Detention Center. She had requested to go to a camp center in Connecticut to be closer to her mother, but instead was ordered to report to the Philadelphia Detention Center. Her lawyer stated that, "A year and a day is actually less than a year sentence, because according to federal sentencing guidelines, if there's an extra day, time is credited to you". A parole bill was filed that reduced her sentence. Throughout her entire jail sentence, Kim's representatives declared that she was busy working; she wrote over 200 songs while in prison.

Despite her conviction, Kim released a fourth album, The Naked Truth, during her sentence on September 27 2005. It earned her a 5 mic rating from The Source, making her the first and only female rapper to ever accomplish this feat. The album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 charts, giving Kim her Third Top 10 debut on the charts. The Naked Truth didn't sell as well as her previous works, selling just 326,000 copies in its first six months of release. At current, the album has been on the market long enough to attain the 500,000 sales mark. It has been certified gold by the RIAA. All three of her previous albums have been certified platinum and Kim has said that her jail sentence left her with no time to promote the project. There have been many rumours about a re-release of The Naked Truth but nothing has been set in stone as of yet.

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 #76 on the German Single Chart, #12 on the UK Top 75 and #4 on the Finland Single Chart. The second single, "Whoa" was released on February 17 2006. It reached No. 22 on Airplay. On March 9, BET premiered the show Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, which was filmed before Kim headed to jail. The show became the highest rated premiere in BET history, with 1.7 million viewers. A second season is currently in the works showcasing Lil' Kim in her post-prison lifestyle.

In May 2006, Debbie Harry released a Lil' Kim tribute song called "Dirty and Deep" in protest of her conviction. The song is available free from the Deborah Harry Home Page.

On June 6 2006, Lil' Kim "The Dance Remixes" was released.

2006–present: Life After Prison

On July 3 2006, Kim was released from the Philadelphia Federal Detention Center. Hundreds of fans and supporters gathered around the prison as she made her release, holding a "Welcome Home" balloon and a dozen roses. After she waved to her fans and gave speeches to news reporters, Kim left in a 2007 Rolls Royce Phantom with a driver, telling the crowds, "Thank you, I love you all." According to her assistant, Kim was welcomed home by five different parties, including one hosted by VIBE magazine.

Lil' Kim is now looking for a new record deal. The rapper's attorney, L. Londell McMillan, said on Aug. 10 that Kim and her label, Atlantic Records, are currently "having discussions" about her deal and whether or not she will continue to make music under the company's title.

"We do wish Atlantic would release and simply free Kim," stated McMillan, who also said that he "cannot confirm the details at this time" regarding the possible split from Atlantic.

At this time Atlantic Records would like for Lil' Kim to continue to make music under their label, but there has been no word as of yet, whether Lil' Kim will remain with the label. According to her lawyers, Atlantic is offering Lil' Kim a whole new deal, but Interscope is trying to buy Lil' Kim's contract.

There was also discussion about a possible re-release of The Naked Truth and Lil' Kim has released a re-mastered version of "The Game's In Trouble" to radio, but nothing was officially stated. Lil' Kim also recorded a mixtape track entitled "Brooklyn 4 Life" with fellow rappers Maino and Papoose. It is unsure at this time if this track will make an official release.

Lil' Kim gave her first post-prison performance at this years VH1: Hip-Hop Honors 2006. Lil' Kim paid tribute to veteran rapper MC Lyte. Kim performed, "Lyte As A Rock" for Lyte's tribute. Lil' Kim stated "MC Lyte has paved the way for many rappers including myself, and I was honored to show respect for an amazing woman."

Lil' Kim is also slated to appear in two new movies, including one about her life. She has both a clothing and shoe line which will be available in Summer 2007. She has also signed a lucrative book deal about her life. The second season of her reality show "Countdown To Off Lockdown" will premiere in Spring 2007 on BET. In addition Kim is also a judge on the reality show Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll on the The CW Television Network network, as of March 6.

It has been recently reported on HipHopDX.com that Lil' Kim and fellow rapper, Eve have called a truce, with Eve saying, "I used to roll in the car with my high school friends listening to Biggie and Kim. (But we were) not speaking, for whatever reason. When my publicist told me we would be sitting across from each other, I was like, 'Are you serious?' There wasn't any real beef, but I just didn't want any tension. But we ended up talking, like really talking, for forty-five minutes. We even exchanged numbers. I'd love to do a joint with Kim. I really want to see her come back, you know?"

Kim can currently be heard on the remix to the popular Diddy song "Last Night" feat. Keyshia Cole. When rumors surfaced about the remix, many believed Kim woulnd't end up on the song, but they were proved wrong when it leaked. This shows the first time Kim & Diddy have worked together in many years, after a falling out. Busta Rhymes is also featured on the song.

Lil Kim is currently working on a new album with Swizz Beatz and none other than Diddy himself. This will be her 1st album since she was released from prison.

May 2007, a popular documentary surfaced on DVD from Lil Kim's former manager Damion Butler titled "Life After Death: The Movie" directed by April Maiya, the film defended Kim's convicted perjury and reprimanded her former Junior Mafia group members for testifying against her and other members of their estranged crew.

Lil' Kim can also be heard onLet it Go with Keyshia Cole and Missy Elliott.

Hot 97's Summer Jam took place on Sunday night at New Jersey's Giants Stadium, Diddy was one of the acts performing, he shocked the fans by escalating into his 1997 mega hit, "It's All About the Benjamins" - and on The Lox's quotable portion of the song, instead of asking the crowd to rhyme it, Diddy instead brought out his past notorious rivals: The Lox. By this time, the music stopped, and Diddy breathlessly announced, "Ladies and gentlemen. She's been gone for awhile but say 'what's up' to the queen." And Lil' Kim, wearing a revealing red chiffon kimono shirt, performed her verse to "Benjamins" before jumping into her song, "Lighters Up" off her 2005 album The Naked Truth. Backstage after the show, Diddy commented exclusively to VIBE. "That was planned," he said, about the surprise performance with Lil Kim and The Lox. "We've been great for a long time, and a lot of people hear about the rumors, but we’ve been great. We put it together and we wanted to show the world we could." September 2007 Kim accounced that she will make a come back to the music industry. Kim made a surprise performance with Diddy and Keyshia Cole for remix to the "Last Night" at the 2007 BET Awards. Both Kim and Diddy have stated they may be working together again in the future. Rumors have surfaced that Diddy is looking to sign Kim to Bad Boy records, but there has been no confirmation. Kim is also working on her 5th studio album. Kim is said to be working with artist Maino as well on her 5th studio album.

In an August 2007 interview with Kim's long time rival Foxy Brown, Foxy asked Kim for a truce. "As the two best to ever do it, I'm really looking forward to us putting this all to rest," stated Brown. There has been no word from Kim at this point.

Discography

Main article: Lil' Kim discography

• 1996: Hard Core
• 2000: The Notorious KIM
• 2003: La Bella Mafia
• 2005: The Naked Truth

Filmography

• 1999: She's All That
• 2001: Zoolander (cameo)
• 2002: Juwanna Mann
• 2003: Those Who Walk in Darkness (direct-to-DVD)
• 2003: Gang of Roses (direct-to-DVD)
• 2004: Nora's Hair Salon
• 2004: You Got Served
• 2005: Lil' Pimp (voice) (direct-to-DVD)
• 2005: There's a God on the Mic (documentary)

Television

• Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown (2006)
• Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll (2007)
• Moesha (as Dimond)
• The Parkers (as herself)

Awards

• Grammy Awards
  • 1997: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Ladies Night (Not Tonight remix)" (with Missy Elliott, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Da Brat, and Angie Martinez) (nominated)
  • 2002: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Lady Marmalade"
  • 2003: Best Female Rap Solo Performance for "Came Back for You" (nominated)
  • 2003: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Can't Hold Us Down" (with Christina Aguilera) (nominated)
  • 2003: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Magic Stick" (with 50 Cent) (nominated)

• MTV Video Music Awards
  • 1998: Viewer's Choice for "All About The Benjamins" (with P. Diddy and others)
  • 2001: Video of the Year for "Lady Marmalade"
  • 2001: Best Video from a Film for "Lady Marmalade"

• My VH1 Awards
  • 2001: Favorite Video ("Lady Marmalade")
  • 2001: Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just My Video? ("Lady Marmalade")
• Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
  • 1997: Best Video by a Female - Rap/R&B ("Crush On You")
  • 1998: Best Video by a Female - Rap/R&B ("Not Tonight (remix)")
• Source Awards
  • 2003: Female Artist of the Year
  • 2003: Female Single of the Year "The Jumpoff"
• Teen Choice Awards
  • 2001: Choice Song of the Summer ("Lady Marmalade")
• MOBO Awards
  • 2003: Most Stylish Artist of the Year
• Radio Music Awards
  • 2001: Song of the Year Top 40 Pop Radio-"Lady Marmalade"
• TMF Awards-Belgium
  • 2001: Video of The Year-"Lady Marmalade"
• TMF Awards-Netherlands
  • 2001: Video of The Year-"Lady Marmalade"
• ALMA Awards
  • 2002: Outstanding Song- Motion Picture Soundtrack "Lady Marmalade"
• ASCAP Music Awards
  • 2002: Song of the Year-"Lady Marmalade"
• MTV Japan Awards
  • 2002: Best Choreography "Lady Marmalade"
• MVPA Video Awards
  • 2002: Best Styling In A Video-"Lady Marmalade"
• VIBE Awards
• 2005: Album of the Year The Naked Truth (nominated)
• BET Awards
  • 2006: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (nominated)
• American Music Awards
  • 2003: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
  • 2005: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (nominated)

External links

• Official website
• Lil' Kim at IMDb
• Template:Myspace