Hip-Hop legends came out in full force last night (August 11) at Yankee Stadium. The line-up for Hip-Hop 50 Live boasted several iconic acts, including rap legend, Lil Kim.
Kim is often credited for opening doors for women in rap, as she was unapologetic with her sexuality and innovative with her fashion. She came out of the gate ready to win what was previously a man’s game with her debut album, Hard Core. Hard Core dropped in 1996, and boasted several game-changing hits, including the Jay-Z-assisted “Big Momma Thang” and her breakthrough single, “Crush On You,” with her fellow Junior M.A.F.I.A. member Lil Cease.
Last night, Kim reunited with Cease to perform “Crush On You.” Throughout the course of the performance, fans reminded Kim and Cease that song has been a favorite among them for years, as the two took quick breaks while rapping, and the audience joined in, filling in the blanks.
Lil’ Kim performing ‘Crush On You’ with Lil’ Cease during Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium last night.pic.twitter.com/CN4xsdiRHm
In addition to this exciting performance, we can expect to hear a lot more from Kim soon. Last month, Kim took to Instagram to share that her long-awaited autobiography, co-written by journalist Kathy Iandoli, has completed the editing process. She also revealed that legendary fashion designer Marc Jacobs wrote the foreword.
You can see a clip of the “Crush On You” performance above.
Lil Kim is getting ready to introduce her fans to the full range of her world. Hitting Instagram, The Queen Bee announced that the edits of her autobiography are complete.
Titled The Queen Bee, Lil Kim revealed the edits are done, with Marc Jacobs on the foreword and assisted by a former journalist of The Source, Kathy Iandoli.
“It’s been a long journey beehive, edits are finally done Thank you to my bestie/soulmate @themarcjacobs for doing my forward,” Kim wrote.
Bathed in the clamor of Brooklyn’s vibrant streets, Kimberly Denise Jones, or Lil Kim, found her rhythm. A budding talent, Kim’s artistic calling was anything but conventional, much like her persona. This fierce individuality steered the wheels of her destiny, driving her into the fast lane of the music industry under the moniker Lil Kim. Her fiery spirit and lyrical finesse led her to accumulate an impressive net worth of $18 million by 2023, according to WealthyGorilla.
Crowned Queen Bee: A Decades-long Reign
Rapper Notorious B.I.G. AKA Biggie Smalls (Christopher Wallace) joined by Sean (Puffy) Combs and Lil’ Kim receives Billboard Music Award. On December 6, 1995 at The Coliseum in New York City, New York. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
Stepping onto the music scene in 1995 as part of the hip-hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A, Lil’ Kim quickly seized the spotlight with her brazen style and robust raps. The group’s debut album, Conspiracy, heralded Kim’s arrival. Tracks like “Player’s Anthem” signaled her potential to set the stage ablaze. Her solo venture, Hard Core, released in 1996, entrenched her place in the rap kingdom. Hit singles like “No Time” and “Crush on You” mesmerized the masses. The album went double Platinum and rocketed Kim to stardom. She continued to blaze trails and break records. Her subsequent albums, The Notorious K.I.M. and La Bella Mafia, received critical acclaim, while her fiery verse in the hit remix “Lady Marmalade” earned her a coveted Grammy.
Lil Kim Net Worth: Personal Journey & Transformation
Lil’ Kim during Fuse and Hot 97 Present Full Frontal Hip Hop with Host Lil’ Kim at Webster Hall in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic)
Beyond the glitz and glamour of the stage, Lil’ Kim has navigated tumultuous waters with fortitude. Overcoming adversities such as a prison sentence and media scrutiny, Kim has stood steadfast, inspiring many. An ardent advocate for women’s empowerment, Kim has used her platform to inspire. She hopes women will embrace their power and individuality, a theme often reflected in her music.
Beyond The Mic: Philanthropic Pursuits & Ventures
OXON HILL, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 05: Rapper Lil Kim speaks onstage during 2019 Urban One Honors at MGM National Harbor on December 05, 2019 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Lil Kim’s ventures extend beyond the realm of music. Kim is a shrewd businesswoman who has ventured into various fields, including fashion, makeup, and spirits, demonstrating an astute sense of market trends. Moreover, her heart beats as loudly for philanthropy as it does for music. She has been involved in numerous charitable activities, utilizing her fame to champion causes close to her heart. This includes matters concerning houselessness, education, and HIV/AIDS awareness.
To encapsulate, Lil’ Kim’s journey offers an intriguing panorama that marries talent, ambition, and resilience. As she continues to influence the world of music and beyond, one thing remains certain: the Queen Bee still reigns supreme, her legacy etched into the annals of hip-hop history. Her $18 million worth reflects not just her financial prosperity but also her indomitable spirit and ceaseless grit.
Lil’ Kim is gearing up to give fans an intimate look into her legendary career and personal life with her upcoming memoir The Queen Bee. With the support of fashion designer Marc Jacobs, who contributed the foreword, Lil’ Kim’s memoir generates immense excitement and is set to be published by Hachette Book Group. After facing […]
Lil’ Kim is gearing up to give fans an intimate look into her legendary career and personal life with her upcoming memoir The Queen Bee. With the support of fashion designer Marc Jacobs, who contributed the foreword, Lil’ Kim’s memoir generates immense excitement and is set to be published by Hachette Book Group. After facing […]
Born on this date in 1974, Bedford-Stuyvesant native Lil’ Kim has certainly paved the way for female rappers to gain traction in a highly male-dominated world of hip-hop. Making her name, sound, and style notorious (no pun intended) in her appearance on Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s debut album, Conspiracy.
Backed by hardcore lyrics filled with provocative and liberating content, Kim’s attitude and determination broke down gender barriers (which female rappers currently still face) that excelled her respect in the game.
Kim’s resume includes many Hip Hop greats, timeless tracks, fashion moments, and jaw-dropping lyrics. As the musical heiress of the Notorious B.I.G. legacy, Kim has continued to rep the memory of “the greatest rapper of all time”, even naming her sophomore 2000 release Notorious K.I.M.
Morphing from a femcee from Bed Stuy into the iconic figure she is today is a trail that has only been traced by the likes of Cardi B, Megan The Stallion and today’s entire female rap roster. They all have to salute the Queen B.
The Source Magazine sends a supreme born day shout to the Queen on her Birthday!!
Nearly four years after her debut album Hard Core rocked the world, Lil’ Kim emerged with The Notorious K.I.M. The rapper’s sophomore album was a groundbreaking one for her, achieving instant commercial success. The Notorious K.I.M. also showcased a much more mature side to Lil’ Kim. She came out swinging with her second solo effort, re-stamping her musical identity into the public’s consciousness.
Lil’ Kim became widely known for her explicit and raunchy lyrics. As a pioneer of female rappers worldwide, she has vastly been credited for paving the way for a plethora of artists today. Beyond the music, The Notorious K.I.M. became visual gold. Elevating her fashion icon status to new heights, the music videos and fashion moments during the album’s reign were phenomenal. 23 years later, and The Notorious K.I.M. is still lauded as a solid showcase of Lil’ Kim’s impressive rap prowess and iconic imagery.
Lil Kim album ” class=”wp-image-693018″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GettyImages-1420766142-1024×692.jpg 1024w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GettyImages-1420766142-300×203.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GettyImages-1420766142-768×519.jpg 768w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GettyImages-1420766142-1536×1038.jpg 1536w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GettyImages-1420766142-2048×1384.jpg 2048w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/GettyImages-1420766142-1500×1013.jpg 1500w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” />Rapper Lil Kim (Kimberly Denise Jones) poses for photos at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago, Illinois in June 2000. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Lil’ Kim rose to mainstream fame in the mid-nineties. After being discovered by The Notorious B.I.G. in 1994, she joined Junior M.A.F.I.A., contributing lyrics to their debut album Conspiracy. Two years later, her solo debut Hard Core was released to widespread acclaim. The album featured unapologetic and aggressively sexual lyrics which Lil’ Kim quickly became notable for.
While riding the high of her successful debut album, Lil’ Kim was expected to turn in a new album in no time. However, the murder of The Notorious B.I.G., her mentor, and who she had a tumultuous relationship with, hit her hard. The album serves as a memorial to him as the title suggests.
During the time between her first and second albums, Lil’ Kim achieved newer heights of fame for her style. Her bold, colorful, and high-glamor fashion choices earned her the title of Fashion Icon! She carried her stylish ensembles over into the era of her sophomore album. Indeed her image and sex appeal sparked a huge controversy, but Lil’ Kim remained unapologetic in her looks and sound.
In the summer of 1999, multiple songs that were set to appear on the album were leaked. The high-profile leak remains one of the most infamous in music history. Undeterred, Lil’ Kim and Diddy returned to the studio to create new magic. This ultimately led to multiple delays with the album’s release. She recorded The Notorious K.I.M. between 1998 and 2000 before releasing the album on June 27, 2000.
The press tour for The Notorious K.I.M. also led to significant anticipation for the musical return of Lil’ Kim. The rapper continued to reiterate that she was insistent on revealing her creativity and versatility. Ever since her debut, rumors circulated that The Notorious B.I.G. was responsible for Lil’ Kim’s rhyme and flow. She wanted everyone to know about her lyrical pen game. While she stated that the album would surely put those claims to rest, she also wanted the world to know that the album would be highly reminiscent of her mentor.
While promoting the album on BET Rap City Basement, Lil’ Kim praised B.I.G. for influencing her greatly. “BIG helped me with a lot of my stuff. He showed me how to rap. He gave me the formula,” she said. “And all I did on this album was run with the formula.”
The Notorious K.I.M. was an album meant to cater to Lil’ Kim’s wide fanbase. Although her debut, Hard Core, was a commercial success, Lil’ Kim was dissatisfied with the lack of airwave play. She decided to create a more mixed sound with her sophomore work so that older and younger fans, as well as DJs could play her music. The Notorious K.I.M. doesn’t shy away from her explicit lyricism, but there are songs on the project that were significantly toned down and without any curse words. Thus, Lil’ Kim became embraced by a wider group of fans.
On this album, Lil’ Kim maintained her feminist stance with tracks like “Suck My Dick” and “Single Black Female.” She kept her sound fresh and evolving with songs like “No Matter What They Say.” Furthermore, her emotional and vulnerable side was highlighted on “Hold On,” a deep and moving song about her rocky life with B.I.G. All in all, Lil’ Kim fought for her place at the top with the album, and over two decades later, it remains an iconic staple in rap history.
This August, Yankee Stadium will host Hip-Hop 50 Live, a star-studded concert paying homage to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. To call the lineup “star-studded” would be doing it an injustice; it’s fair to say that the names billed include nothing short of hip-hop legends. Headlined by rap pioneers Run-DMC, the lineup includes Common, Eve, Fat Joe, Ghostface Killah, Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiasco, Remy Ma, Slick Rick, Snoop Dogg, T.I., Trina, and more.
Hip-hop pioneers Grandmaster Caz, Kool Herc, Melle Mel, and Roxanne Shante will headline a Pillars of Hip-Hop set, while Eve, Kim, Remy, and Trina will front a Queens Of Hip-Hop set. DJs such as Battlecat, Clark Kent, Mannie Fresh, and Marley Marl will spin, as well.
The event is billed for August 11, 2023 — which is what’s remembered as hip-hop’s official 50th birthday, the anniversary of the Kool Herc-led block party widely recognized as the moment the culture officially gelled into the foundation of what came after. Tickets go on sale this Thursday, June 8.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Run said, “I am honored to hit the stage in the Bronx, the birthplace of Hip Hop and celebrate all of my heroes,” while his partner-in-rhyme DMC added, “August is Hip Hop’s 50th birthday! So ’Up in the Bronx’ where it all started we will be celebrating this historic moment in history! I am honored to pay tribute to the culture that allowed this little shy kid from Queens to grow up and become The Mighty King of Rock! Thank you Hip Hop!!!”
Lil Kim stands tall as an undeniable rap icon. Nevertheless, in an oversaturated landscape, new rappers emerge daily. Established rappers often go unnoticed. As such, it is crucial to seize the opportunity to acknowledge and honor her contributions. Recently, Lil Kim graced the cover of XXL magazine, where she candidly discussed her career, achievements, and pivotal moments. More specifically, Lil Kim addressed the ongoing discourse in the rap industry regarding ghostwriters and the rightful attribution of songwriting credits. She emphasized her own involvement in writing for numerous artists besides herself. It is a remarkable feat that often goes unacknowledged within the industry, even for icons like Kim.
“Everyone calls me an icon, it’s an honor to me. It makes me smile, it makes me happy to know that people look at me that way because I never really saw that for myself. It just happened organically,” Lil Kim said in her XXL interview. “There’s a few highlights of my career, but it’s funny ’cause I never had that ‘Oh my God, I made it’ moment. Even to this day, I feel like that moment is still coming. I’m so glad to see us women getting our recognition and everyone celebrating us. I think it’s a wonderful thing. And, by the way, all this talk about writing- I’ve [written] for other people. I wrote on Diddy’s album, check your credits!”
Lil Kim Fangirls Over Janet Jackson
Jermaine Dupri, Janet Jackson, Tommy Hilfiger and Lil’ Kim. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage for Tommy Hilfiger)
Lil Kim had the honor of joining Janet Jackson on her recent “Together Again” tour. The rapper she filled in for Ludacris during the Allentown, Pennsylvania stop. During her performance, Lil Kim paid tribute to Michael Jackson. Afterward, she had an emotional encounter with Janet backstage, expressing her love for the legendary singer. Kim shared her admiration, mentioning how she saw Janet as a girl version of Michael Jackson felt a connection to her energy and talent. She praised Janet’s grace, but also hinted at her fierce side, jokingly mentioning that she can fight if needed.
“She represented me, a hood girl! I’m from the hood. I knew I could rap, but I was like, I wanted to do something different,” Lil Kim said about Janet. “I didn’t want to be the normal rapper. I love MC Lyte, I love Salt-N-Pepa, I love Queen Latifah – but I was like, ‘I want to do something different! I want to be a rap Janet Jackson.’” Janet reciprocated the love by posting a selfie with Lil Kim on Instagram and expressing gratitude for her filling in on the tour.
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Thank you to my bestie/soulmate @themarcjacobs for doing my forward,” Kim wrote.
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