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Lil' Kim

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Lil' Kim

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974) [1], best known by the stage name Lil' Kim, is an American Grammy Award-winning female rapper who rose to fame in the mid 1990s. Lil' Kim is known for her hardcore, raunchy style of rapping and her controversial sexual image and lyrics.

She has released four albums in her 9-Year career. Hard Core, The Notorious K.I.M., La Bella Mafia, and The Naked Truth.



Biography

Early years

Kimberly Jones was born and raised in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, New York. At the age of nine, her parents divorced leaving her at home with her father. The relationship between Jones and her father was frequently negative and at one point ended when Kim attempted to stab him after a physical fight between father and daughter. Jones was purportedly living on the streets when she met Christopher Wallace a.k.a. rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who was a key figure in her personal and artistic life particularly when Wallace had gained popularity and influence through his relationship with Bad Boy Records.

The Junior M.A.F.I.A. and Hard Core

File:Kim hardcore.jpg
Hard Core (1996)

In late 1994, Wallace was instrumental in introducing and promoting the Brooklyn based group Junior Mafia which included Jones (aka "Big Momma" or "The Lieutenant") at the time, to the mainstream.The groups first and only album was titled Conspiracy. The group released their first single, "Playas Anthem", which went atop the Rap charts. Lil' Kim made her first appearance by writing her own 16 Bars. The next singles "Need U Tonight" featuring Aaliyah, and "Get Money" were both certified gold and made the top 20 on the Hot 100. The album debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 The album ended up being certified gold

After a year with Junior Mafia, Jones began a solo career with recording her debut Lil' Kim album. Hard Core was released on November 12, 1996. The album debuted at #11 on the [[Billboard 200]. The album's lead single "No Time", a duet with Puff Daddy, reached the top 20 on the Hot 100The album later produced the gold-selling single "Crush On You" and the platinum single "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)". "Not Tonight(Ladies Night)" saw Lil' Kim team up with Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat and Left Eye of TLC. The song was released and went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and also earned the Lil' Kim her first Grammy Award nomination. Lil' Kim won many awards for her album Hard Core. In March 1997, her mentor and admitted 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 that event, she went into a deep depression and took a break from the music scene for a while.

The Notorious K.I.M.

File:Lil Kim-Notorious Kim.jpg
The Notorious K.I.M. (2000)

From 1998-1999, Kim toured and modeled for various fashion and pop culture companies including Candies,Versace, Iceberg, Baby Phat, and MAC Cosmetics. In 1999, she performed on P. Diddy's "No Way Out" tour. In the same year, she launched her own label Queen Bee Entertainment. In late 1999, persuaded by friends to resume her career, she recorded her sophomore album, utilizing a style in hip hop known as Pop-Rap in many of her songs. On June 27, 2000, Kim released her second album The Notorious K.I.M.. The album marked a new image and revamped look for the rapper. The album contained singles "No Matter What They Say" and "How Many Licks?".The Notorious K.I.M. debuted at #1 on the Rap charts and #4 on Billboard 200 The album scored mostly mixed reviews, but lots of critics liked the songs: "Notorious KIM", "Custom Made", "Hold On", "Aunt Dot", and "Queen Bitch Part 2". To date, The Notorious K.I.M.

Moulin Rouge

In 2001, Lil' Kim teamed up with Christina Aguilera, P!nk, and Mýa to remake the soulful "Lady Marmalade", which was made by diva Patti LaBelle 25 years earlier. The song was recorded for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. The song was released in April 2001, and hit #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 all the ladies, especially Kim because this was her first #1 Hot 100 hit, and also making Lil' Kim the first and only 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 titled "Time to Rock N Roll", which is used currently during broadcasts. The single was released on WWE Anthology, a compilation of entrance theme music to various Professional Wrestling superstars.

La Bella Mafia

File:LBM2.jpg
La Bella Mafia (2003)

On March 4, 2003, Kim released her third 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. Then, came the single "The Magic Stick" feat. 50 Cent. The single hit number 2 on the Hot 100, without a video ever being shot for the single. (A video for "Magic Stick" was to be produced, however a dispute between 50 and Kim on the set resulted in the project being scrapped.)

La Bella Mafia debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, By the end of 2003 it went Platinum. 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.

Criminal conviction and The Naked Truth

File:Thenakedtruth.jpg
The Naked Truth (2005)

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 Butler), and another friend (Suif “Gutta” 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 have to serve 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, instead she was ordered to report to the Philadelphia Detention Center. Many people were outraged over this due to the fact that Martha Stewart, who was also convicted of perjury, was only sentenced to 5 months in prison, and she was ordered to report to a small women's camp at Alderson, West Virginia. 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 Reps For Kim announced that she had written 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. Atlantic Records and Queen Bee Entertainment both announced that they will re-release the album, the release date was changed to October.

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 second single, "Whoa" was released on February 17, 2006. It even 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 1.9 million viewers, 1.7 rating, 1.4 million households. A second season is currently in the works and showcase Lil' Kim in her post-prison lifestyle. The show is not to air until Late September and is reportedly titled Countdown To Out Of Lockdown.

The Brooklyn Queen is a DVD released under Queen Bee entertainment. It takes you behind the scenes of the life and career of Lil' Kim. From 1996-2006. It was released July 18, 2006.

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. It features 10 remixes of her most popular songs.

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 then left in a 2007 Rolls Royce Phantom with a driver, as she told the crowds, "Thank you, I love you all". According to her assistant, Kim was welcomed home to 5 parties, including a VIBE party.

The Naked Truth is projected to be re-released in October 2006 marking the 10th anniversary of Hard Core. The album's first single is "Quiet". It will have a video shot for it immediately after Kim is off of house arrest. Reps for Kim said they are expecting to do an access granted for it. The second single will be either "Spell Check", "Last Day", or "All Good". Rumors are circulating that the re-release will contain the unknown track Kim recorded with Korean singer Bi (aka Rain to Americans), this has yet to be confirmed.

Philanthropy

Lil' Kim started a foundation called Lil' Kim Cares. It is a charity project that gives help to anyone who contacts the foundation through email at lilkimcares.com. At Christmas 2005, Kim's charity, along with her good friend Zab Judah's charity, donated toys, clothing and food to underprivileged families in Philadelphia.

From 2000-2002, Lil' Kim and singer Mary J. Blige became spokeswomen for MAC Cosmetics and raised a record-breaking $4 million for people living with AIDS.

Discography

Main article: Lil' Kim discography

Albums

Singles

Year Song U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop U.S. Rap UK singles Album
1996 "No Time" (featuring Puff Daddy) 18 9 1 45 Hard Core
1996 "Crush on You"
(re-released in the UK) 		16 - 1 36
23 		Hard Core
1997 "Ladies Night (Not Tonight remix)" (featuring Left Eye, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, and Angie Martinez) 2 3 1 11 Hard Core
2000 "No Matter What They Say" 28 15 6 35 The Notorious K.I.M.
2000 "How Many Licks?" (featuring Sisqó) 75 36 11 - The Notorious K.I.M.
2000 "Notorious K.I.M." (airplay/promotional) 54 32 1 - The Notorious K.I.M.
2000 "Hold On" (featuring Mary J. Blige) 48 9 1 - The Notorious K.I.M.
2001 "Lady Marmalade" (with Christina Aguilera, P!nk, and Mýa) 1 12 - 1 Moulin Rouge! (OST)
2001 "In the Air Tonite" (featuring Phil Collins) - - - 26 Urban Renewal (The Songs of Phil Collins)
2003 "The Jump Off" (featuring Mr. Cheeks) 16 2 1 16 La Bella Mafia
2003 "Magic Stick" (featuring 50 Cent) 2 1 1 - La Bella Mafia
2003 "Thug Luv" (featuring Twista) - 60 14 - La Bella Mafia
2004 "Can't Hold Us Down" (with Christina Aguilera) 12 - - 6 Stripped
2005 "Lighters Up" 31 9 8 12 The Naked Truth
2006 "Whoa" - 30 - 43 The Naked Truth
2006 "Quiet" TBR TBR TBR TBR The Naked Truth (re-release)

DVD/video releases

  • 2000: Best of Lil' Kim
  • 2005: Meaning of Family
  • 2006: The Brooklyn Queen

Filmography

Awards

  • 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"
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