Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kimberly Denise Jones July 11, 1974 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, vocalist, songwriter, model |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Known for | Queen of Rap, provocative lyrical content, fashion trailblazer |
Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974), widely recognized by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper, vocalist, songwriter, and model. Often referred to as the Queen of Rap, she is celebrated for her provocative lyrical content and her impact on female representation within modern hip-hop. With sales reaching 45 million records, Lil' Kim stands as the second best-selling female rapper and is also acclaimed as a fashion trailblazer known for her daring aesthetic choices.
Raised in New York City, Lil' Kim experienced a turbulent adolescence, spending significant time on the streets after being expelled from her home. Inspired by pioneering female hip-hop artists such as MC Lyte and the Lady of Rage, she began honing her freestyling skills during her teenage years. In 1994, rapper the Notorious B.I.G. discovered her talent and invited her to join his group, Junior M.A.F.I.A.. Their inaugural album, Conspiracy, produced two singles that reached the top 20 on US charts and earned a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Lil' Kim's first solo album, Hard Core (1996), included hit singles like "No Time" and "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)". At its release, it set a record as the highest-charting debut by a female rap artist in the US, achieving double platinum status and selling over six million copies worldwide. It was during this era that she adopted the moniker "Queen Bee." Her sophomore effort, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000), sustained this level of commercial success. In 2001, she reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single "Lady Marmalade," which garnered a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. Her third studio album, La Bella Mafia (2003), certified platinum, featured chart-topping tracks such as "Magic Stick," which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2005, Lil' Kim served a one-year jail term following a perjury conviction connected to a shooting incident. During her incarceration, she released her fourth album, The Naked Truth, which was met with critical acclaim. This phase of her life was chronicled in the BET reality show Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown. Subsequently, she dropped her first mixtape, Ms. G.O.A.T. (2008), and took part in the television competition Dancing with the Stars in 2009. Throughout the following decade, Lil' Kim maintained an active presence in music through solo projects and collaborations with artists including Faith Evans, Remy Ma, and Fabolous. Her fifth studio album, titled 9, was released in 2019.
A notable collaboration with celebrity nail artist Bernadette Thompson resulted in the 1999 "Money Nails" design, which played a significant role in popularizing elaborate nail art within mainstream fashion; this work was later displayed at the Museum of Modern Art. Several of Lil' Kim's tracks—"No Time", "Big Momma Thang", and "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)"—appear on Complex's compilation of the 50 Best Rap Songs By Women. In 2012, she achieved the rank of number 45 on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Women in Music, marking the second-highest placement attained by a solo female hip-hop artist.
Early life and education
Born on July 11, 1974, in Brooklyn's Bedford–Stuyvesant area of New York City, Jones is the second child of Linwood Jones, a former Marine in the U.S. Armed Forces. She has an older sibling named Christopher. Her early schooling took place at Queen of All Saints Elementary School in Brooklyn. Following her parents' separation when she was nine years old, Jones was primarily raised by her father, with whom she experienced a strained relationship. By the age of fourteen, she had left her family home, endured homelessness, and discontinued her high school education.
During her adolescence, Jones encountered Christopher Wallace, also known as the Notorious B.I.G., whose association with Bad Boy Records significantly impacted both her personal development and career trajectory. She spent two and a half years at Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School before transferring to Brooklyn College Academy to complete her secondary education due to frequent absenteeism.
Career
In 1994, Wallace played a pivotal role in forming the Brooklyn-based collective Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included Jones—then adopting the stage name Lil' Kim. Their first album, Conspiracy, launched on August 29, 1995, achieved moderate commercial success and garnered mixed critical reception but entered the U.S. Billboard 200 chart at number eight with initial sales of 69,000 copies. The majority of the album’s content was written or ghostwritten by Wallace.
The album Conspiracy yielded three successful singles: "Player's Anthem," "I Need You Tonight," and "Get Money." It received Gold certification from the RIAA on December 6, 1995; both "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money" attained gold and platinum status respectively. Lil' Kim’s growing prominence within Junior M.A.F.I.A. paved the way for her to embark on a solo career soon after the album’s release, initiating work on her debut solo project Hard Core by late 1995.
1996–2002: Hard Core and The Notorious K.I.M.
After spending a year with Junior M.A.F.I.A., Lil' Kim launched her solo endeavors through features on R&B albums before releasing her debut album, Hard Core, in November 1996. The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200—setting a record at that time for female rap albums—and reached number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It sold 78,000 copies during its first week and eventually surpassed five million copies worldwide. The RIAA certified it double platinum in 2001.
The lead track "No Time", a collaboration with Sean Combs, reached number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart and earned gold certification. Additional singles included "Crush on You" and a remix of "Not Tonight" featuring Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat, and Left Eye; this remix peaked at number six on the Hot 100 chart, received a Grammy nomination, and achieved platinum status. Lil' Kim became the first female rapper to secure three consecutive number-one hits on the Hot Rap Tracks chart.
At a Warner Bros. Records shareholders meeting, activist C. Delores Tucker publicly condemned Lil' Kim's explicit lyrics, branding them as "gangsta porno rap." In 1997, Lil' Kim toured in support of Hard Core as part of P. Diddy's "No Way Out" tour, which grossed approximately $16 million and ranked among hip-hop’s most lucrative tours. That same year marked the establishment of her own label, Queen Bee Entertainment.
Between 1998 and 2000, under management by Damion "D-Roc" Butler's Roc Management, Lil' Kim engaged in touring and modeling campaigns for brands such as Candie's, Versace, Iceberg, and Baby Phat. In 1999, she initiated the "Money Nails" trend—acrylic nails embedded with authentic $100 bills—designed by Bernadette Thompson; this became a notable fashion craze. Her daring ensemble at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards attracted considerable media attention and solidified her reputation as a fashion innovator.
On June 27, 2000, Lil' Kim released her sophomore album The Notorious K.I.M., which debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and claimed the top spot on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums with first-week sales totaling 229,000 copies. The album attained platinum certification within one month of release. During this timeframe, her rivalry with Foxy Brown escalated significantly.
In 2001, Lil' Kim collaborated with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa to produce a cover of "Lady Marmalade" for the soundtrack of Moulin Rouge!. This single dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks and reached number one in fourteen countries—becoming her first and only number-one hit on that chart—and earned her a Grammy Award. She became only the second solo female rapper to top this chart.
Her single "Kimnotyze", featured on DJ Tomekk's compilation Beat Of Life, Vol 1., achieved top ten rankings in Germany—marking her third consecutive German top ten appearance following "Lady Marmalade."
In 2002, Lil' Kim recorded "Time to Rock 'n Roll" as entrance music for WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus; this track was included in the compilation album WWE Anthology. Additionally, she released "What's The Word," which peaked at number nine on Billboard's Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart despite lacking an official release; it later appeared as an exclusive bonus track on the Japanese edition of her third studio album La Bella Mafia.
2003–2005: La Bella Mafia
On March 4, 2003, Lil' Kim unveiled her third studio project, La Bella Mafia, which entered the Billboard 200 chart at number five with first-week sales of 166,000 units, securing her second straight top-five album. The record was met with generally favorable critiques, earning a score of 65 on Metacritic. A promotional single titled "Came Back For You" included reality television figure Victoria Gotti in its accompanying video.
The album's lead single, "The Jump Off" featuring Mr. Cheeks, reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its successor, "Magic Stick" featuring 50 Cent, climbed to number two on the Hot 100 and dominated the Billboard Airplay chart for three consecutive weeks despite lacking an official commercial release or music video. Another single released exclusively in the US, "Thug Luv" featuring Twista, peaked at number 60 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album achieved platinum certification in the United States, with sales surpassing 1.1 million copies.
To support the album, Lil' Kim embarked on a tour alongside DMX and Nas. She earned two Source Awards—"Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year" and "Female Single of the Year"—and garnered two Grammy nods for Best Female Rap Solo Performance ("Came Back For You") and Best Rap Collaboration ("Magic Stick"). Additionally, she received a nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Christina Aguilera for "Can't Hold Us Down" from Aguilera's Stripped.
From an academic perspective, Lil' Kim's lyricism was examined in a Syracuse University course entitled "Hip-Hop Eshu: Queen B@#$H Lyricism 101," where she participated as a guest lecturer. The course emphasized her significant influence on sexual politics within her lyrics but also attracted some criticism.
In terms of multimedia appearances, Lil' Kim lent her voice to her character in the videogame Def Jam: Fight for NY, contributing to the storyline.
In 2004, she recorded a rendition of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" serving as the theme song for Victoria Gotti's reality series Growing Up Gotti. That same year, she featured on Beyoncé's remix of "Naughty Girl." Lil' Kim also began work on a VH1 pilot titled 718 Makeover, named after Brooklyn’s area code; however, the program was never broadcast.
2005–2008: Prison, The Naked Truth and Ms. G.O.A.T
While incarcerated under federal custody, Lil' Kim released her fourth studio album, The Naked Truth, on September 27, 2005. The album received a prestigious 5 mic rating from The Source, making her the sole female rapper to attain this honor. Debuting at number six on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 109,000 copies,[1] it marked her third consecutive top-ten entry. Despite widespread critical praise, it only achieved gold certification by RIAA, largely due to limited promotional opportunities during her imprisonment.
The primary single, "Lighters Up," dominated BET's 106 & Park countdown for two weeks and secured a spot within the Top Ten on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Internationally, it reached number 67 in Germany, number 12 in the United Kingdom, and peaked at number four in Finland. The subsequent single "Whoa" attained position 22 on airplay charts.
On March 9, 2006, BET aired Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, a documentary filmed prior to her incarceration. This premiere became BET’s highest-rated debut with an audience of 1.9 million viewers.[2] In May that year, Debbie Harry released "Dirty and Deep," a protest song expressing opposition to Lil' Kim's conviction. On June 6, 2006, Lil' Kim issued her first compilation album titled Dance Remixes, compiling remixed tracks from both The Naked Truth and Hard Core. Due to lack of promotion amid her imprisonment, it did not enter music charts. Upon release from prison, she made her initial televised appearance by presenting Best Male Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.[3] Furthermore, Lil' Kim served as a judge on reality competitions such as The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll and Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious during 2007 and 2008.
In January 2008, Lil' Kim ended her contract with Atlantic Records, opting to pursue independent releases driven by confidence in managing her career autonomously.[4] Her first mixtape under this new direction, titled Ms. G.O.A.T., was released on June 3, 2008. Produced by DJs Mister Cee and DJ Whoo Kid, it was well-received and regarded as a return to her authentic street style.[5] Tito Salinas from All Hip Hop observed that her prison experience had no negative impact on her artistic approach.[6] Conversely, Ehren Gresehover of New York Mag offered a more ambivalent critique regarding the project.[7]
2009–2011: Dancing with the Stars and Black Friday
On March 10, 2009, Korean artist Seven debuted in the U.S. market with the single "Girls," featuring Lil' Kim and produced by Darkchild. Shortly after, on March 24, Lil' Kim dropped "Download," a Trackmasters-produced track featuring T-Pain and Charlie Wilson that sampled Zapp's "Computer Love." Although it did not enter the Hot 100 chart, the song reached number 21 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs list.
In March 2009, Lil' Kim participated in the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Derek Hough. Despite consistently earning high scores and strong fan support, they were voted off in May, finishing fifth out of thirteen contestants.
On February 16, 2010, Ludacris released the promotional single "Hey Ho," which featured Lil' Kim and Lil Fate, ahead of his album Battle of the Sexes. By June that year, Lil' Kim launched her first headlining tour since 2000, performing across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Lil' Kim unveiled her second mixtape, Black Friday, on February 14, 2011; its title track's music video followed two days later. The mixtape garnered predominantly negative critiques and was distributed through PayPal. In May 2011, she appeared at South Africa's ZarFest alongside artists such as Fat Joe, Timbaland, and Ciara.
On June 19, 2011, Lil' Kim performed with G-Unit's Shawty Lo, fueling speculation about a possible partnership with G-Unit Records. That same month, her vocals were removed from Monica's leaked single "Anything (To Find You)" featuring Rick Ross due to legal complications involving Notorious B.I.G.'s estate.
During August 2011, Lil' Kim took part in four shows in Australia as part of the WinterBeatz Festival alongside performers like Fabolous, Mario, 50 Cent, and G-Unit. On August 17 in Perth, she collaborated live with 50 Cent on "Magic Stick," marking their first joint performance of the track. Later that year, on November 28, she released the buzz single "I Am Not the One" and announced plans for an EP that was eventually shelved for undisclosed reasons.
2012–2016: Hard Core mixtape and Lil Kim Season
In 2011, following the resolution of contractual constraints with Trackmasters, Lil' Kim began work on her fifth studio album. On Valentine's Day 2012, she released "If You Love Me," produced by Prince Saheb of Knockout Entertainment, coinciding with her announcement to return to television on BET's Rip the Runway, marking her first televised performance in several years.
By March 2012, Lil' Kim attributed delays in releasing her album to ongoing contract disputes with Trackmasters. That month saw an online leak of "Keys to the City," a collaboration with Young Jeezy. She also disclosed plans for a track titled "I'm Ready" featuring 50 Cent and described her creative mindset as being in a "Kanye West mode," emphasizing bold artistic risks. Her Return of the Queen Tour commenced on May 17, 2012, earning favorable reviews.
Lil' Kim deferred her book project titled The Price of Loyalty to prioritize completing her album. In April 2013, she revealed an upcoming Bangladesh-produced single expected mid-year, describing it as both unique and a "sweet dessert." On July 11, 2013, she shared "Looks Like Money," produced by Rockwilder, as a complimentary download for fans.
On July 26, 2013, she announced the mixtape Hard Core 2K13, serving as a follow-up to her debut album Hard Core. Although originally planned for release on October 31, 2013, it was postponed. To compensate for this delay, Lil' Kim issued singles including "Dead Gal Walking" and "Kimmy Blanco," unveiling collaborations with artists such as French Montana, Miley Cyrus, Jadakiss, and Yo Gotti.
In August 2014, Lil' Kim declared a concert tour intended to promote the upcoming Hard Core mixtape. She also released remixes of Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj's "Flawless," which reignited tensions with Minaj. The mixtape was made available for free download on September 11, 2014. During an interview that day, she mentioned future collaborations with Iggy Azalea and T.I., explaining that pregnancy had contributed to previous delays.
In 2016, Lil' Kim delivered her fourth mixtape titled Lil Kim Season, featuring freestyles over popular tracks such as Drake's "Summer Sixteen," Rihanna's "Work," and Desiigner's "Panda." While receiving mixed feedback from critics, the project demonstrated her determination to make a strong comeback alongside new collaborators.
2017–present: Girls Cruise and 9
In February 2017, Lil' Kim announced via Instagram that a new album was in progress. That same year, she contributed to Faith Evans' album The King & I and appeared on the remix of Missy Elliott's track "I'm Better," alongside Eve and Trina. November saw the release of her promotional single "Took Us a Break," as well as a feature on Remy Ma's "Wake Me Up." In March 2018, she followed up with another promo single titled "Spicy," featuring Fabolous.
On July 11, 2018, Lil' Kim unveiled the single "Nasty One" from her upcoming album, although this track was later omitted from the final version. She announced that the album was set for a November 2018 release. The following month, an official remix of "Nasty One" featuring Kranium, HoodCelebrityy, and Stefflon Don was issued. The lead single "Go Awff" was subsequently released on February 15, 2019.
In September 2018, Lil' Kim was seen in Barbados alongside hip hop artists Mýa and Chilli, as well as MTV personalities Pretty Vee and B. Simone. This group was part of the VH1 reality series Girls Cruise, which Kim executive produced. The show chronicled a Caribbean voyage that included stops in Barbados and Trinidad during the Carnival celebrations. Debuting on July 15, 2019, the series attracted roughly 1.2 million viewers across its 11 episodes; however, no confirmation has been made regarding additional seasons.
Lil' Kim disclosed the title of her album as 9 in March 2019, initially planning for a May 17 release that was delayed due to complications with eOne Music. On September 27, she released the second single "Found You," featuring City Girls and O.T. Genasis. The album became available for pre-order on October 4, accompanied by the track "Pray For Me," which includes Rick Ross and Musiq Soulchild; its official release date was October 11, 2019.
Upon its release, 9 appeared on R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Album Sales charts but did not enter the Billboard 200 due to sales falling below 1,000 copies; none of its tracks reached either the Hot 100 or Bubbling Under charts. During a reunion episode of Girls Cruise, Kim revealed that 9 would be a two-part project and mentioned that Instagram comedian Pretty Vee would contribute to it.
In October 2019, Lil' Kim confirmed collaborations with Missy Elliott and Paris Hilton for her next project following 9, with City Girls also participating. She expressed interest in having Pretty Vee serve as host for her upcoming tour. On November 8, during an appearance on The Real, she reiterated these partnerships and described her track with Paris Hilton as embodying a contemporary classic Missy Elliott vibe.
In July 2025, Lil' Kim made a guest appearance at Wu-Tang Clan's final performance at Madison Square Garden.
Influences
Lil' Kim has acknowledged rap pioneers such as MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa, and Roxanne Shanté as key inspirations. Her influences also include Slick Rick, the Notorious B.I.G., Eric B. & Rakim, Queen Latifah, and Mary J. Blige. Furthermore, she has modeled aspects of her career after Madonna, even referring to herself as the Black Madonna.
Products and endorsements
In 1998, Lil' Kim signed with Wilhelmina Models, becoming the first rapper to endorse fashion brand Candie's. By 2000, she collaborated with fashion label Iceberg and cosmetics company MAC to promote their VIVA GLAM lipstick line alongside Mary J. Blige. The MAC campaign titled VIVA GLAM III generated $4 million within one year, marking it as the most successful in the series and leading to a continuation into a second year.
That same year, she modeled for urban clothing brand Baby Phat and appeared in an Apple Mac commercial in 2001. In 2004, Lil' Kim launched her designer watch collection called Royalty by Lil' Kim in partnership with jeweler Jacob Arabo and introduced her clothing line named Hollyhood. She also lent her voice to the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY and collaborated on footwear with Petite Peton in 2005. Additionally, she featured as a character in a limited-edition comic book produced by Marvel and Atlantic Records.
In 2010, Lil' Kim became the face of Three Olives Vodka's Purple vodka and opened a beauty salon called Salon Se Swa based in Charlotte, North Carolina. That year also saw the launch of her second clothing line, 24/7 Goddess Collection, showcased at Charlotte Fashion Week. By November 2012, she began endorsing Cîroc vodka, creating her signature cocktail named "Queen Bee" while branding herself as Cîroc's "First Lady."
Philanthropy
During the promotional period for The Notorious K.I.M. in 2000, Lil' Kim actively supported the MAC AIDS Fund, contributing to raising both substantial funds and awareness for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Her collaboration with Mary J. Blige was instrumental in generating $4 million for this cause. Additionally, she took part in MAC's Fashion Cares event held in Toronto, helping to secure nearly one million dollars for AIDS-related projects.
In October 2001, Lil' Kim appeared on the R&B rendition of "What's Going On" as a member of "Artists Against AIDS Worldwide," with all proceeds directed toward international AIDS initiatives and the September 11th Fund. That same month, she performed at the Breathe benefit concert aimed at funding breast cancer research, with donations supporting UCLA’s Breast Center along with Harlem’s Breast Examination Center.
On March 12, 2002, she contributed to the "Paws for Style" fashion event benefiting the Humane Society of New York, where auction items helped raise money. In 2004, Lil' Kim established her own charitable organization called Lil' Kim Cares, which addresses issues such as homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention, transitional housing, child neglect, and violence against women.
Her philanthropic efforts often reflect causes close to her own experiences. In April 2004, she participated in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, generating over $100,000 for children's hospitals across Southern California. Later that August, she engaged with the Rock the Vote campaign to encourage voter participation.
In 2005, Lil' Kim appeared on The Apprentice, auctioning off personal experiences to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. She also partnered with designer Marc Jacobs on a limited-edition T-shirt collection, donating all earnings to The Door charity. That year, she contributed a diamond watch to the World AIDS Day eBay auction "Bid 2 Beat AIDS," supporting LIFEbeat’s HIV/AIDS education programs. Through her foundation, she collaborated with apparel brand Mitchell & Ness and boxer Zab Judah to provide toys for disadvantaged children in Philadelphia and joined forces with MusiCares for fundraising auctions.
In 2007, Lil' Kim took part in the 4th Annual Grammy Charity Holiday Auction, which featured memorabilia from celebrities. She also hosted a celebrity basketball game alongside Preserve Our Legacy and the New Jersey Stem Cell Research and Education Foundation to promote awareness of minority health concerns.
On July 11, 2010, she introduced her signature "Queen Bee" milkshake at Millions of Milkshakes in West Hollywood; proceeds supported Wyclef Jean's Yéle Haiti Foundation. In February 2013, Lil' Kim participated in the inaugural Reality On The Runway fashion event that raised $300,000 for individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS through AIDS United.
A dedicated supporter of LGBT causes, Lil' Kim has performed at prominent pride celebrations including New York City's LGBT Pride March as well as Atlanta and D.C. Black Pride festivals.
Personal life
During her teenage years, Jones was romantically involved with Shawn Powell after meeting him at a roller rink in Brooklyn. Powell was later incarcerated and sentenced to over eight years; despite this, they remained engaged while he was imprisoned. However, Jones ended their engagement after meeting Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.) and focusing on advancing her rap career. In 1996, while working on her debut album, Jones became pregnant by Wallace but decided to terminate the pregnancy due to their unstable relationship.
Wallace contacted Jones three days before his death to declare his love for her. In a 2010 interview, Jones disclosed that Wallace had been abusive toward her, recounting an incident where he strangled her unconscious. She described their relationship as "very violent," a characterization supported by statements from Jermaine Dupri.
On July 23, 1996, Jones was arrested following a marijuana possession charge during a police raid at Wallace’s residence in New Jersey. She failed to appear at subsequent court hearings related to this case and was briefly wanted by authorities until the warrant was resolved in 2003.
Jones dated Damion "World" Hardy between 2002 and 2003; she later revealed that she endured physical abuse during this relationship which resulted in multiple surgeries on her nose. In 2003, she reported jewelry valued at $250,000 stolen at JFK Airport; these items were recovered by airline personnel ten days later.
In 2004, Jones had a brief relationship with record producer Scott Storch that lasted two months; Storch later expressed that he would have married her if they had stayed together longer. She also had a short-lived relationship with Ray J in 2007.
On March 17, 2005, Jones was convicted of conspiracy and perjury charges for providing false testimony to a federal grand jury regarding a shooting outside Hot 97 studios in 2001 involving her associates. Video footage placed her at the scene of the incident. Her co-manager and bodyguard pleaded guilty to gun-related charges; the bodyguard received a twelve-year prison sentence. Jones was sentenced to one year of incarceration and served her term fully at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia before being released on July 3, 2006.
Jones gave birth to her daughter Royal Reign on June 9, 2014. Royal began modeling and walked during New York Fashion Week in 2023. Lil' Kim was involved romantically with Royal's father, rapper Jeremy Neil (Mr. Papers), from 2012 until 2014 and again from 2020 through part of 2021. Their relationship ended amid allegations of domestic violence and public disagreements; neither party has confirmed an official separation.
As of April 2024, Lil' Kim is reportedly dating Tayy Brown, a rapper signed under her label.
Jones identifies herself as a Christian.
Foxy Brown
Lil' Kim and fellow Brooklyn artist Foxy Brown were once close friends from their high school days, despite their affiliations with competing hip hop collectives Junior M.A.F.I.A. and the Firm. Their collaboration included a 1995 remix of "No One Else" by Total, and they appeared jointly in major fashion events and magazine features. The first sign of tension emerged when their debut albums dropped within a week of each other in November 1996.
Observers pointed out the resemblance between Lil' Kim's Hard Core and Brown's Ill Na Na album covers, both showcasing the same outfit. By 1997, their relationship had soured, resulting in the cancellation of their planned joint project Thelma & Louise. The discord was partly fueled by clashes between their entourages. A brief reconciliation occurred in 1998 after they endured a shared traumatic incident during a burglary.
In 1999, Brown released Chyna Doll, which included "My Life," a track appealing for renewed friendship, yet it also contained veiled insults directed at Lil' Kim. Critics observed that Brown’s vocal delivery increasingly mirrored Lil' Kim’s style, while she showed support for Lil' Kim’s rival, singer Faith Evans. Later that year, Lil' Kim appeared on Lil' Cease's single "Play Around" alongside Diddy, who included a diss aimed at Brown in his verse. Lil' Kim also put out diss tracks such as the remix of Mobb Deep's "Quiet Storm" and "The Notorious K.I.M."
Brown countered with "Bang, Bang," featuring associates Capone-N-Noreaga, adopting elements of Lil' Kim’s style and mocking her mourning of rapper the Notorious B.I.G.. In February 2001, a shooting took place outside Hot 97 radio station shortly after Lil’ Kim’s visit; authorities linked this event to tensions arising from Brown’s diss tracks. Both artists denied any involvement.
Following this incident, Brown attempted to broker peace through Russell Simmons by proposing collaboration and dialogue. However, Lil' Kim distanced herself from Diddy and Bad Boy affiliates and refused to engage in talks. In 2005, Lil’ Kim was convicted of perjury related to the shooting episode and sentenced to prison.
While Lil’ Kim was incarcerated, both artists continued exchanging subtle diss records: Lil’ Kim with albums like La Bella Mafia, including tracks "Quiet" and "Guess Who's Back"; Brown responded with Ill Na Na 2: The Fever and various mixtape freestyles. In a 2003 interview, Brown attributed the feud partly to jealousy over Biggie including her in Junior M.A.F.I.A., hinting at an upcoming tell-all book. She recognized Lil' Kim as her main artistic adversary.
After Lil’ Kim's release from prison, she ceased acknowledging Brown publicly or professionally, whereas Brown persisted in targeting her through music and performances. In a 2012 interview on The Breakfast Club, Lil’ Kim stated she no longer knew or recognized Brown on either a personal or professional level.
Nicki Minaj
Lil' Kim has maintained a public rivalry with rapper Nicki Minaj since Minaj rose to fame with Pink Friday. Both critics and Lil' Kim herself noted resemblances between Minaj’s image on the Sucka Free mixtape and her own style, prompting Lil' Kim to accuse Minaj of imitation, famously declaring, "If you are going to steal my swag, you gonna have to pay." Minaj’s track "Roman's Revenge" featuring Eminem was interpreted by some as a response to the feud, though Minaj denied this initially.
On The Angie Martinez show, Minaj addressed the conflict by pointing out Lil' Kim's history of disputes with other artists and emphasizing her own focus on musical achievements rather than controversies. She remarked, "Put your music out, and when I see your name on Billboard, that's when I'll respond."
The rivalry intensified after Lil' Kim released the mixtape Black Friday, which referenced Minaj’s work and featured cover art depicting Minaj's decapitation. In April 2011, Minaj previewed a snippet of her diss track "Tragedy," containing lyrics aimed at Lil’ Kim. Critics later suggested that songs like "Stupid Hoe" from Minaj's sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded also contained veiled attacks. In retaliation, Lil’ Kim labeled Minaj "obnoxious" and accused her of copying unreleased material.
During a 2018 interview with Genius, Minaj implied that "Roman's Revenge" was indeed about the feud, stating, "Someone got at me. A veteran got at me, and I hit them with 'Roman's Revenge' and then I kept on going." In 2021, Lil’ Kim expressed interest in facing Minaj in a Verzuz battle during the BET Awards.
Legacy
Numerous media sources have dubbed Lil' Kim the "Queen of Rap" and also refer to her as the "Queen Bee". Newsweek labeled her the "First Lady of Rap," underscoring her prominence as one of America's most captivating cultural figures.
Her body of work prominently features themes of sex-positive feminism and female sexual empowerment through candid lyrics, directly confronting the traditionally male-dominated rap industry. Dazed described her as "the pioneering high-profile female rapper who reversed the typical female objectification narrative in rap." Jordan Bassett, editor at NME, remarked that she consistently "outdid male rappers in terms of explicitness."
Lil' Kim's inaugural album, Hard Core (1996), stood as the most commercially successful debut by a female hip hop artist at that time, merging bold sexual expression with hardcore rap styles historically dominated by men. This release opened doors for a new wave of female rappers and cemented her reputation as "the most provocative, toughest, sexiest, and glamorous woman in hip-hop." Numerous artists have emulated her distinctive style. Ranked number 80 on Complex's list of the "Best Rap Albums of the 90s," Hard Core was praised for carving out novel opportunities for women in hip-hop. According to The Village Voice, the album transformed Lil' Kim into a cultural icon who emphasized sexuality and image in female rap artistry. Additionally, Camera Obscura recognized her among late twentieth-century figures who expertly marketed female defiance alongside Janet Jackson and Tina Turner. In 2020, XXL asserted that no other rapper has had a greater impact on emerging female MCs even twenty-five years later.
Outside of music, Lil' Kim is celebrated for her daring approach to luxury fashion that has influenced many performers. She has been hailed as a fashion icon by various outlets, with Vogue's André Leon Talley dubbing her "the black Madonna." Renowned designers such as Marc Jacobs, Versace, and Giorgio Armani acknowledge her as a source of inspiration. Her partnership with nail artist Bernadette Thompson to create the iconic "money nails" represented a landmark moment in hip-hop style, contributing to the widespread acceptance of elaborate nail art within mainstream culture. Replicas of these nails are displayed at the Museum of Modern Art alongside other legendary fashion artifacts.
A wide range of artists credit Lil' Kim as an influence, including Rihanna, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Kash Doll, Bree Runway, Teyana Taylor, Doja Cat, Rosalía, Hitmaka, Casanova, Spice, Zaytoven, Stefflon Don, Flo Milli, Nicki Minaj, Ivorian Doll, Cupcakke, Saweetie, Ice Spice, Miley Cyrus, Iggy Azalea, Ms Banks, Lola Brooke, Jhené Aiko, City Girls, DreamDoll, Latto, and Erica Banks. Actress Taraji P. Henson has also acknowledged Lil' Kim as an inspiration for her portrayal of Cookie Lyon on the television series Empire.
Awards and nominations
Over the course of her career, Lil' Kim has received a wide array of accolades. Her first album, Hard Core, achieved double platinum status from the RIAA and is widely recognized as a seminal work in hip-hop. By 2007, her global album sales had surpassed 15 million. Tracks such as "No Time," "Big Momma Thang," and "Ladies Night" were featured on Complex Magazine's list of "The 50 Best Rap Songs By Women." The hit single "Lady Marmalade," a collaboration with Christina Aguilera, Mýa, and Pink, stands as one of the top-selling singles worldwide, with sales exceeding 5.1 million copies. It topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned a Grammy Award in 2002 for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
In Kool Moe Dee's 2003 publication There's a God on the Mic, Lil' Kim was named among the 50 greatest MCs. VH1 ranked her 45th in their 2012 "100 Greatest Women In Music," positioning her as one of the highest-rated female rappers. Billboard acknowledged her influence in their 2014 feature "31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop." VH1 celebrated her contributions with Hip-Hop Honors in 2016, while WEEN bestowed upon her the Icon Award recognizing her impact on hip-hop culture.
During African-American Music Appreciation Month in June 2018, Lil' Kim was honored by the New York City Council's Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, receiving a proclamation alongside the NYC 12th Council District Arts and Music Award and the Power Of Influence Award. The following year, she was presented with BET Hip Hop Awards' prestigious I Am Hip Hop Award.
Discography
Studio albums
- Hard Core (1996)
- The Notorious K.I.M. (2000)
- La Bella Mafia (2003)
- The Naked Truth (2005)
- 9 (2019)
Collaboration albums
- Conspiracy with Junior M.A.F.I.A. (1995)
Tours
Headlining
- The Notorious K.I.M. Tour (2000)
- 2010 Tour (2010)
- Return of the Queen Tour (2012)
Joint tours
- No Way Out Tour (with Puff Daddy & The Family) (1997–1998)
- Winterbeatz Australia (featuring Fabolous, Mario, 50 Cent, and G-Unit) (2011)
- Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour (2016)
Film
| 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 | |
| 2003 | Gang of Roses | Chastity | |
| 2004 | You Got Served | Herself | |
| 2004 | 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 |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Soul Train | Herself | Episode: "Lil' Kim/Levert/Ray J" |
| 1997 | 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 | |
| 2000 | ' 'It's Showtime at the Apollo | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2000' | ' 'The Cindy Margolis Show' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2001' | ' 'Making the Video' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2001' | ' 'DAG' | ' 'Gina Marie' | |
| ' '2001' | ' 'Moesha' | ' 'Diamond' | |
| ' '2001' | ' 'The Parkers' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2003' | ' 'American Dreams' | ' '[Shirley Ellis]] | |
| ' '2003' | ' 'Ride with Funkmaster Flex' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2003' | ' 'MOBO Awards' | ' 'Herself/Co-Host' | |
| ' '2004–05' | ' 'The Apprentice' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2005' | ' 'Access Granted' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2006' | ' 'Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2007' | ' 'The Game' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2007' | ' 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2007' | ' 'The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll' | ' 'Herself/Guest Judge' | |
| ' '2008' | ' 'Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious' | ' 'Herself/Judge' | |
| ' '2009' | ' 'Dancing with the Stars' | ' 'Herself - Contestant Season 8' | |
| ' '2009' | ' 'Paris Hilton's My New BFF' | ' 'Herself/Judge' | |
| ' '2011' | ' 'Love & Hip Hop: New York' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2012' | ' 'Pregnant in Heels' | ' 'Herself' | |
| ' '2014' | ' '''Celebrities Undercover'' ' | ' Jamilla (Herself)' | |
| " "2014" | " "David Tutera's CELEBrations" | " Herself" | |
| " "2017" | " "Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry" | " Herself" | |
| " "2018–19" | " "Hip-Hop Evolution" | " Herself - Recurring Guest" | |
| " "2019" | " "Girls Cruise" | " Herself - Main Cast" | |
| " "2019" | " "Song Association" | " Herself" | |
| " "2021" | " "American Gangster: Trap Queens" | " Herself/Narrator - Main Narrator Season 2" |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Def Jam: Fight for NY | Herself (voice) |
Documentary
| 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 |