Lil' Kim

Kimberly Denise Jones was born in New York City and raised in Brooklyn. Her parents separated when she was a child, and she was raised by her father. She attended Queen of All Saints Elementary School, Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School, and Brooklyn College Academy.

Jones left home during her adolescence and eventually dropped out of school. As a teenager, she met Christopher Wallace, who became known professionally as the Notorious B.I.G. After hearing her freestyle, Wallace encouraged her musical ambitions and helped guide her toward a career in hip-hop.

In 1994, the Notorious B.I.G. introduced Lil' Kim as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., making her the group's only female member. Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s debut album, Conspiracy, was released in 1995 and included the singles "Player's Anthem," "I Need You Tonight," and "Get Money." The album debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Wallace played a major role in developing Lil' Kim's sound and stage persona. Her delivery combined a deep, forceful vocal style with an overtly sexual image, helping distinguish her from earlier generations of prominent female rappers.

Lil' Kim began her solo career after Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s debut and released Hard Core in November 1996. The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200, then the highest debut for a female rap album, and was eventually certified double platinum. Its singles included "No Time," "Crush on You," and "Not Tonight."

Her second album, The Notorious K.I.M., arrived in 2000 and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 2001, she joined Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa on "Lady Marmalade" for the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and earned the performers a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.

Lil' Kim followed with La Bella Mafia in 2003. The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and included "The Jump Off" and "Magic Stick," the latter featuring 50 Cent and reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

On February 26, 2001, gunfire erupted outside New York City's Hot 97 radio station after Lil' Kim's appearance there. During a later federal grand-jury investigation, she denied knowing that her manager Damion Butler and associate Suif Jackson had been present at the scene. Security footage contradicted parts of her testimony.

In March 2005, Lil' Kim was convicted of three counts of conspiracy and one count of perjury. She was sentenced to one year and a day in prison, followed by home detention and probation, and was released on July 3, 2006.

Her fourth album, The Naked Truth, was released while she was incarcerated. It debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 and received a five-mic review from The Source, making Lil' Kim the only female rapper identified in the article as having received the magazine's highest rating.

After leaving Atlantic Records in 2008, Lil' Kim pursued independent releases and issued the mixtape Ms. G.O.A.T. that year. She also appeared on reality television, served as a judge on Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious, and competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2009, finishing in fifth place.

Her 2011 mixtape Black Friday directly referenced Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday and intensified a public dispute between the two rappers. Lil' Kim later released Hard Core 2K14 in 2014 and Lil Kim Season in 2016. She continued recording and performing with artists including Faith Evans, Remy Ma, and Fabolous.

Lil' Kim served as an executive producer and cast member of the VH1 reality series Girls Cruise, which premiered in 2019. The program followed Lil' Kim, Mýa, Chilli, and other entertainers during a Caribbean cruise and ran for 11 episodes.

Her fifth studio album, 9, was released in October 2019 after several delays. The project included the singles "Go Awff" and "Found You," featuring City Girls and O.T. Genasis. Lil' Kim later described 9 as a two-part project because she had recorded enough material for a second installment.

She continued releasing and performing music, including the 2023 "Curious (Remix)" with Eric Bellinger and Lola Brooke, the 2024 song "Love For Ya" with Tayy Brown, and a 2025 remix of Honey Bxby's "Left Eye."

Lil' Kim has cited MC Lyte, Salt-N-Pepa, Roxanne Shanté, Slick Rick, the Notorious B.I.G., Eric B. & Rakim, Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, and Madonna among her influences. She has described Madonna's ability to reinvent herself as an important model for her own career.

Her blend of explicit lyrics, sexual agency, luxury, and high-concept styling helped expand the possibilities available to women in hip-hop. Artists including Rihanna, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Rosalía, Saweetie, and Ice Spice have identified Lil' Kim as an influence.

Lil' Kim's influence extended into fashion and beauty. She signed with Wilhelmina Models in 1998 and later worked with brands including Candie's, Versace, Iceberg, Baby Phat, and MAC. Her MAC VIVA GLAM campaign with Mary J. Blige helped raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS programs.

In 1999, Lil' Kim wore an acrylic manicure incorporating pieces of a $100 bill, a design created with nail artist Bernadette Thompson. The look became known as "Money Nails" and was later represented in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art. She also launched clothing lines, a watch collection, a beauty salon, and the cannabis brand Aphrodisiak.

Her screen work has included appearances in She's All That, Juwanna Mann, Zoolander, You Got Served, and Superhero Movie. She also provided her voice and likeness for the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY.