Lil Star

"Lil Star"
Song
B-side	"80's Joint"

"Lil' Star" is the second single to be released in Europe from Kelis's Grammy-nominated 2006 album Kelis Was Here, after the minor success of Bossy. The single features Cee-Lo, who is most known for being a half of the chart-topping duo Gnarls Barkley. The track is being hailed by many music fans and critics as Kelis' 'comeback' single, despite the fact Bossy was written specifically for the return of Kelis to music.

As for the song, the soulful and pensive 'Lil' Star', features Kelis singing about the time when she has self-doubt, giving fans a look at her vulnerable side. “I can’t be confident and bold and obnoxious all the time,” Kelis says. “What kind of person would I be? I’m a human being and I have other sides, too. I’m not always secure and I’m not always confident. I have moments where I get self-conscious.”

The song was tentatively set to be released on January 08, 2007, but to allow time for promotion the release date was pushed back to February 19. However, on January 08, the song was added to the C List of BBC Radio 1 Playlist, and has since been promoted to their A List, guaranteeing at least 20 plays a week.

The video for "Lil' Star" was filmed by Marc Klasfeld, and is on rotation already, since January 13, when it was added to British urban music channel MTV Base's videos roster.

Surprisingly, "Lil' Star" debuted in the UK Official Top 40 Singles Chart at #37 on January 28, 2007. This is 3 weeks before the track gets an official physical release, which means the songs has a good chance of a high chart position upon official release. The following week high download sales enabled an 18-position rise to #19. On Feb 12th 2007 Lil Star has moved into the UK top 15 at the #13 position. During it's fourth week in the top 40, the song slid two places to #15.

Tracklist

• UK CD 1

1. Lil' Star [Radio Edit]
2. 80's Joint

• UK CD 2

1. Lil' Star [Album Version]
2. Lil' Star [Linus Loves Remix]
3. Lil' Star [Soundboy Remix]
4. Lil' Star [Future Cut Throw Back Mix]
5. Lil' Star [Video]

UK CD 1 and CD 2 are confirmed on HMV

• 12" single

Side A:

1. Lil' Star (Main)
2. Lil' Star (Instrumental)

Side B:

1. Lil' Star (Main)
2. Lil' Star (A Capella)

• Remixes Promo CD

1. Lil' Star (Linus Loves Remix)(featuring Cee-Lo)
2. Lil' Star (Linus Loves Dub)(featuring Cee-Lo)
3. Lil' Star (Future Cut Remix)(featuring Cee-Lo)
4. Lil' Star (Soundbwoy Remix)(featuring Cee-Lo)
5. Lil' Star (Soundbwoy Instrumental)
6. Lil' Star (Al Usher 12" Mix)(featuring Cee-Lo)

Video

File:Lilstarvideo.jpg

Kelis walks in her space suit in the music video.

(Shot in December 2006 at Los Angeles; directed by Marc Klasfeld, produced by Rockhard Films Co.)

The mellow and sweet video for "Lil' Star", which was directed by Marc Klasfeld -who previously worked with Kelis on "Bossy" and "Blindfold Me" earlier in 2006-, sees Kelis walking down a street in a large space suit style coat, then singing to the stars. The stars take the formation of Cee-Lo and Kelis as they both sing, all wrapped up in a very mellow and calm atmosphere, relating to the song's theme. It premiered on MTV UK on January 13th, 2007.

• Watch the "Lil' Star" video on YouTube

Chart History

Lil' Star made its debut on the UK Singles Chart at number 84 on January 21 2007 based on downloads alone five weeks before it's release and climbed the charts rapidly to number 37 because of heavy downloads. With just 3 weeks before it's initial release, the single has now peaked at #13 based on downloads alone.

Chart (2007)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	13
UK Official Download Chart	11
UK Urban Singles Chart	-
UK iTunes Singles Chart	11
UK iTunes Urban Singles Chart	1
UK Airplay Chart	3