Lil' Kim
Encyclopedia : L : LI : LIL : Lil' Kim
- ''"Kimberly Jones" redirects here. For the reporter, see Kimberly Jones (reporter).
Jones was serving a Year and a Day Prison sentence which she reported to September 19, 2005 and left July 3, 2006 which was 70% of her sentence. The other 10% (30 Days) will be served under house arrest which she is now filming the second season of Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown which is now titled Countdown Till' Off Lockdown. She is also on probation for 3 years. She is thrilled to be home and in an interview with her A&R she said she will record a lot of the songs she wrote in jail. The Naked Truth will be released again in September according to her manager, who also managed Biggie before his death. It will have a bonus DVD, along with unreleased video footge, and 3 to 6 new tracks, the other tracks recorded are for her next album which is scheduled for release in Summer or Spring 2007. She also has a book deal along with 2 movies about her life.
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. & Hard Core
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 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 selling nearly 90,000 copies in the first week. The album ended up being certified gold, for sales of 700,000 copies.
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 charts selling nearly 130,000 in its first week. This was the second highest debuting album for a female rapper in history, at the time. The album's lead single "No Time", a duet with Puff Daddy, reached the top 20 on the Hot 100 and made it to #1 on the Rap Charts for nine weeks. Follow-up singles "Not Tonight(Ladies Night)", "Big Momma Thang" (a promo-single only), and "Crush on You" proved to be even bigger sucesses. "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. Kim was nominated for many awards. The album had sold 1.4 million in the US and by 2001 was certified Double Platinum for sales of over 2.2 million copies in the US. In March 1997, her mentor and admitted secret lover Notorious B.I.G. was shot and killed in Los Angeles. Kim was devastated and said she would never be the same again, following that she went into a real deep depression and didn't want to do anything at all so she took a break from the music scene for a while.
The Notorious K.I.M.
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 in P. Diddy's "No Way Out" tour. In the same year, she launched her own label Queen Bee Entertainment. In late 1999 her friends convinced her to keep rapping and thats exactly what she did. on this album Kim used a style that few rappers use. Pop-Rap. 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, selling almost 230,000 copies in its first week. The album went on to sell 1.5 million in the US. They 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". She co-wrote every song, but also wrote most of the songs.
Moulin Rouge
In 2001, Lil' Kim teamed up with Christina Aguilera, Pink and Mya 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 hit #1 in 11 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.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
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. Other singles include "Thug Luv" and "Came Back For You" which largely improved the album's sales.La Bella Mafia debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, selling almost 170,000 copies in the first week. By the end of 2003, it went Platinum. The album has sold 1.3 million in the US. 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. Hot La Bella Mafia tracks include "Hold It Now", "Shake You Bum Bum", "This Is Who I Am", "Take me as I Am", and "Tha Beehive".
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 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 so 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 senteced to 5 months in prison, and she was ordered to report to a small womens camp in 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 has written 45 full-length songs and 67 freestlyes.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 female rapper to ever accomplish this feat. The album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200. In its second week it dropped to eighteen. In its 5th week it was at number-sixty and on week eight it was at 197. Atlantic Records and Queen Bee Entertainment both announced that they will re-release the album, the release date was changed to September or October. According to the recent Nielsen Soundscan search on their website The Naked Truth has sold 365,000 copies.
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 , 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 being producted while we speak all the way until August 12,2006. The show is not to air until Late September.
Things Going On While Kim's In Prison & Out of Prison
In May 2006, rock legend 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. Since then it has grossed under 100,000 and almost 300,000 worldwide. Despite the fact that one unsuccessful remix was released and only one commercial was made.
On July 3, 2006, Kim was released from the Philadelphia Federal Detention Center. Hundreds of fans and supporters gathered around the prison to catch the Queen Bee as she made her release, and she stepped out wearing a nice white pants suit, with white pumps, and holding a Welcome Home balloon and a dozen roses. As she waved to her fans and gave speeches to news reporters, Lil' Kim then hopped in to a brand new 2007 Bentley 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.
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 @ lilkimcares.com. 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 spokewomen for MAC Cosmetics and raised a record-breaking $4 million for people living with AIDS.
The Naked Truth Re-release projected date is about September 12, 2006. Since the album has sold only 365,000 copies, it means that the re-release will have to sell at least 700K. If doing so Kim will get one step closer to Missy elliot's Record of Five consecutive platinum albums. Meaning that one more successful album would make Kim the biggest solo female rapper of all time.
Discography
Singles
| Year | Song | US Hot 100 | US R&B and Hip-Hop | US Rap | UK singles | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "No Time" (featuring Puff Daddy) | 18 | 9 | 1 | 45 | Hard Core |
| 1996 | "Crush On You" | 34 | align="center" valign="top" | |||
| 1 | 36 | Hard Core | ||||
| 1997 | "Crush On You" UK(re-release) | align="center" valign="top" | ||||
| align="center" valign="top" | ||||||
| align="center" valign="top" | ||||||
| 23 | Hard Core | |||||
| 1997 | "Not Tonight" (remix) (featuring Left Eye, Da Brat, Missy Elliott and Angie Martinez) | 2 | 3 | 1 | 11 | Hard Core / Nothing To Lose (OST) |
| 2000 | "No Matter What They Say" | 60 | 15 | 6 | 35 | The Notorious K.I.M. |
| 2000 | "How Many Licks?" (featuring Sisqó) | 75 | 36 | 11 | align="center" valign="top" | |
| The Notorious K.I.M. | ||||||
| 2000 | "Notorious K.I.M."(airplay/promotional) | 54 | 32 | 1 | Not Released | The Notorious K.I.M. |
| 2000 | "Hold On"(Tribute To Biggie) (Tribute video) | 48 | 9 | 1 | 29 | The Notorious K.I.M. |
| 2001 | "Lady Marmalade" (with Christina Aguilera, Pink and Mya) | 1 | 12 | align="center" valign="top" | ||
| 1 | Moulin Rouge (OST)The Notorious K.I.M.'' | |||||
| 2001 | "In The Air Tonite" (featuring Phil Collins) | align="center" valign="top" | ||||
| align="center" valign="top" | ||||||
| align="center" valign="top" | ||||||
| 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 | align="center" valign="top" | |
| La Bella Mafia | ||||||
| 2003 | "Thug Luv" (featuring Twista) | align="center" valign="top" | ||||
| 60 | 14 | align="center" valign="top" | ||||
| La Bella Mafia | ||||||
| 2004 | "Can't Hold Us Down" (with Christina Aguilera) | 12 | align="center" valign="top" | |||
| align="center" valign="top" | ||||||
| 6 | Stripped | |||||
| 2005 | "Lighters Up" | 31 | 9 | 8 | 12 | The Naked Truth |
| 2006 | "Whoa" | align="center" valign="top" | ||||
| 30 | 43 | The Naked Truth | ||||
| 2006 | "Quiet" | TBR | TBR | TBR | TBR August 2006 | The Naked Truth (Re-issue) |
DVD/VHS and videos
- 2000: Best of Lil' Kim
- 2005: Meaning of Family (not released yet)
- 2006: The Brooklyn Queen (not release until July)
Filmography
- She's All That (1999)
- Longshot (2000)
- Zoolander (2001) (Cameo)
- Juwanna Mann (2002)
- Those Who Walk in Darkness (2003)
- Gang of Roses (2003)
- Nora's Hair Salon (2004)
- You Got Served (2004)
- Lil' Pimp (2005) (voice)
- There's a God on the Mic (2005) (documentary)
Awards
- Grammy Awards
- *1997: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group "Not Tonight [Remix]" (with Missy Elliott, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Da Brat, and Angie Martinez) (nomination)
- *2002: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals ("Lady Marmalade")
- *2003: Best Female Rap Solo Performance ("Came Back for You") (nomination)
- *2003: (Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals "Can't Hold Us Down" w/ Christina Aguilera) (nomination)
- *2003: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("Magic Stick" w/ 50 Cent) (nomination)
- MTV Video Music Awards
- *1998: Viewer's Choice ("All About The Benjamins")w/ P. Diddy & Fam
- *2001: Video of the Year ("Lady Marmalade")
- *2001: Best Video from a Film ("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"
- BET Awards
- 2005: Album of The Year "The Naked Truth"(nominated)
- VIBE Awards
- 2005: Best Female Rap Album The Naked Truth(won)
- Source Awards
- *2006: Best Female HipHop Artist (nomination)
External links
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