Today, July 11, is the birthday of one of hip-hop's most famous females Lil' Kim! Today, the rap legend turns 45.
Born Kimberly Jones, the pint sized Brooklyn rapper began her music career alongside the likes of Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A and Bad Boy Records. Kim met Biggie as a teenager and the two engaged in a romantic relationship. Biggie would be a major player in Kim's early success. The Queen Bee dropped her debut album Hard Core in November 1996. The LP debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, the highest charting rap album from a female at that time. Fueled by raunchy lyrics and Kim's unabashed bravado, the Brooklynite set a new standard for women rappers in the industry.
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Queen of Rap
10. Notorious B.I.G. was her best friend.
At the time of his death they were a couple, though no one really knew how serious they were. Kim has been heard to say that no one would ever know the real relationship between the two of them since it apparently something that transcended what anyone else could understand.
9. She served a year and a day in jail for perjury in 2005.
Celebrities do actually go to jail now and gain for things that regular people do as well. But she did manage to get out early for good behavior, so she didn’t serve the year and a day, but was released a month or two early.
8. She used to work at Bloomingdale’s in New York.
She’s not the first person to work a regular job and then suddenly skyrocket into fame and fortune and it’s likely that she won’t be the last. One thing anyone can hope is that such individuals remember where they came from and every now and then give props to those that helped them get to where they’re at.
7. Notorious BIG Forbade Her From Making an Album with Jodeci.
For those of us who lived through the 90’s, we all know the musical group Jodeci. At the beginning of Lil Kim’s career, they asked her to be on their single Luv-U-4 Life. This didn’t sit well with BIG who was furious and asked her to turn it down, which she did.
6. Lil’ Kim has over 800 wigs.
Pop culture has never seen anyone quite like Lil’ Kim. In the ’90s, the hip-hop icon became infamous for her brazen lyrics, unapologetically sexy persona, fashion, make-up and hair. Yes, she has over 800 wigs.
5. She Was Released Early From Prison Due To Good Behavior.
On July 3rd 2006 she was released from prison a month early. Her sentence was originally until August of 2006.
4. Her stage name Lil' Kim really suits her. She's only 4'11
3. She was banned from recording a new album.
You heard right. When Lil Kim was released from prison back in 2007, she was unhappy with her label. She had to fight it out in court which took a little over 2 years. After that incident, she had another issue with TrackMasters. She was ordered by the court not to release any albums. It took a little over 5 years to get the final OK to release her next album.
2. She’s a very family-oriented person.
It does sound as though she enjoys being around her family and that’s an admirable trait coming from anyone. It does make a person wonder if she’s the same way at home as she is on stage, but it’s just a thought. Her career is going strong, but that hasn’t prevented Lil’ Kim from keeping her mommy duties as her main focus and spending quality time with her growing daughter, Royal Reign.
1. She Battles Low Self Esteem. At times, even the Queen has felt insecure about herself.
Lil Kim has made it clear that she suffers from low self-esteem. Stating that the men she dated have always made it a point to tell her she wasn’t pretty enough. Don’t worry Lil Kim it seems that you have the last laugh!
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