Lil' Kim, born Kimberly Denise Jones, is an American rapper from New York City. After a difficult adolescence, she turned to music, inspired by female hip-hop icons. Her talent caught the attention of The Notorious B.I.G., leading her to join Junior M.A.F.I.A. Their debut album, "Conspiracy," achieved gold certification and produced two hit singles, solidifying Lil' Kim's place in the 1990s hip-hop scene.
On July 11, 1974, Kimberly Denise Jones, who would later be known as Lil' Kim, was born in New York City.
The original version of "Lady Marmalade" by the group Labelle, which Lil' Kim would later remake with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa, was released in 1974.
In 1994, Lil' Kim was discovered by The Notorious B.I.G., leading to her joining his group, Junior M.A.F.I.A. This marked a significant turning point in her life and career.
The Notorious B.I.G. played a pivotal role in introducing and promoting the Brooklyn-based group Junior M.A.F.I.A., of which Lil' Kim was a member, in 1994.
On August 29, 1995, Junior M.A.F.I.A., the group that Lil' Kim was part of, released their debut album, "Conspiracy."
Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s debut album, "Conspiracy," is certified gold by the RIAA on December 6, 1995.
Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown collaborated on the remix of "No One Else" by Total, along with rapper Da Brat, in 1995.
On July 23, 1996, Lil' Kim faced legal trouble when she was arrested for marijuana possession after a police raid on The Notorious B.I.G.'s home in New Jersey.
The release of Lil' Kim's "Hard Core" and Foxy Brown's "Ill Na Na" within a week of each other in November 1996 ignited a rivalry between the two rappers.
Lil' Kim's solo career kicks off with the release of her debut album, "Hard Core," in November 1996.
Media outlets pointed out similarities between the album covers of "Hard Core" and "Ill Na Na" in 1996, further fueling the rivalry between Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown.
In 1996, Lil' Kim's debut album, "Hard Core," achieved a milestone as the most successful debut album by a female hip hop artist.
During the recording of her debut album in 1996, Lil' Kim became pregnant with The Notorious B.I.G.'s child. She kept this private until 1999, and ultimately, she decided to terminate the pregnancy.
Lil' Kim releases her debut album, "Hard Core," in 1996, which achieved commercial success and critical acclaim.
Lil' Kim's debut album, "Hard Core," is certified gold by the RIAA on January 6, 1997.
"Hard Core" by Lil' Kim is certified platinum by the RIAA on June 3, 1997.
In 1997, Lil' Kim faced criticism from activist C. Delores Tucker regarding her lyrics. She also embarked on the highly successful "No Way Out" tour with P. Diddy and established her own label, Queen Bee Entertainment.
The rivalry between Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown led to the end of their friendship in 1997 and canceled their collaborative album "Thelma & Louise".
The "No Way Out" tour, featuring Lil' Kim and P. Diddy, continued into 1998, becoming one of the highest-grossing hip-hop tours.
Lil' Kim began working under the management of Damion "D-Roc" Butler's "Roc Management" in 1998.
Lil' Kim ventured into modeling by signing with Wilhelmina Models and became the face of Candie's, marking the first rapper to endorse the brand.
Lil' Kim reached out to Foxy Brown and her mother in 1998 after they were victims of a house burglary, leading to a brief attempt at reconciliation.
Foxy Brown's song "My Life," released in January 1999, was interpreted as an attempt to address and possibly reconcile her feud with Lil' Kim.
Music critics in February 1999 noted similarities between Foxy Brown's sound and Lil' Kim's style, sparking further debate about their rivalry.
Adding to her legal woes, a warrant for Lil' Kim's arrest was issued on March 17, 1999, due to her failure to appear in court regarding the 1996 marijuana possession charge.
Lil' Kim's appearance on Lil' Cease's May 1999 single "Play Around" included a verse from Diddy that was widely seen as a diss directed at Foxy Brown, further escalating their feud.
Lil' Kim's outfit at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards garnered significant media attention, particularly due to Diana Ross's reaction to her attire. This event solidified her image as a fashion-forward and daring artist.
Lil' Kim's second album, "The Notorious K.I.M.," marked a shift in her image and sound, debuting at number 4 on the Billboard 200 on June 27, 2000.
In August 2000, Lil' Kim furthered her presence in the fashion world by modeling for the popular urban fashion line, Baby Phat.
By 2000, Lil' Kim's influence became even more apparent, as she was credited for inspiring a new generation of female rappers with her raw and bold style, solidifying her place as a pioneer.
Demonstrating her commitment to philanthropy, Lil' Kim embarked on a promotional tour for her album and the MAC AIDS Fund in 2000. Her work with MAC, alongside Mary J. Blige, raised a significant $4 million for the fund.
In 2000, Newsweek recognized Lil' Kim as a groundbreaking figure, dubbing her the "First Lady of Rap" for her impact on the male-dominated genre and her influence on aspiring female rappers.
Lil' Kim secured deals with fashion house Iceberg and cosmetics brand MAC, promoting their VIVA GLAM lipstick line alongside Mary J. Blige.
Lil' Kim's last headlining tour before 2010 took place in 2000.
Lil' Kim's second studio album, "The Notorious K.I.M.," was released in 2000.
Lil' Kim's time working with Roc Management came to an end in 2000.
On February 26, 2001, a shooting occurred outside Hot 97 as Lil' Kim was leaving, involving her entourage and a group associated with rapper Capone.
"Hard Core" by Lil' Kim achieves double-platinum certification by the RIAA on March 14, 2001.
Lil' Kim's debut album, "Hard Core," achieves double-platinum certification in March 2001, marking significant commercial success.
Showcasing her tech-savviness, Lil' Kim appeared in an Apple commercial in March 2001. The ad featured her and other artists demonstrating how to burn custom CDs on a Mac computer.
The "Lady Marmalade" remake, featuring Lil' Kim, Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa, was released as part of the "Moulin Rouge!" film soundtrack in April 2001. It achieved massive success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and reaching number one in 50 countries.
Lil' Kim used her platform to support multiple causes in October 2001. She joined other artists in releasing "What's Going On" as "Artists Against AIDS Worldwide" and performed at the "Breathe" benefit concert for breast cancer research.
The existing feud between Lil' Kim and fellow rapper Foxy Brown intensified in 2001. That same year, Lil' Kim collaborated with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa for a remake of "Lady Marmalade."
In 2001, a shooting took place outside Hot 97 studios in Manhattan involving Lil' Kim's entourage and another group, leading to her subsequent conviction for lying to a grand jury about the incident.
Showcasing her love for animals, Lil' Kim walked her dogs in the "Paws for Style" fashion show on March 12, 2002, benefiting the Humane Society of New York.
In 2002, Lil' Kim recorded the entrance theme "Time to Rock 'n Roll" for WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus. She also released the song "What's The Word."
In 2002, Lil' Kim, alongside Christina Aguilera, Mýa, and Pink, won a Grammy Award for "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals" for their hit single "Lady Marmalade."
Lil' Kim began dating Damion "World" Hardy in 2002.
On March 4, 2003, Lil' Kim released her third studio album, La Bella Mafia.
On June 20, 2003, Lil' Kim had $250,000 worth of jewelry stolen from her luggage at JFK airport. The jewelry was later recovered by an airline employee.
In September 2003, a warrant for Lil' Kim's arrest, related to a previous incident, was made public after being reported on by The Smoking Gun.
In October 2003, Lil' Kim was removed from Teaneck's wanted list after her bail was paid. Her attorney stated that she did not appear in court because she believed the case was already resolved.
Lil' Kim's third studio album, "La Bella Mafia," was released in 2003.
In 2003, Lil' Kim's lyrical prowess was acknowledged when she was ranked among the top 50 greatest MCs of all time in Kool Moe Dee's book "There's a God on the Mic."
In 2003, Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown continued their feud by exchanging diss tracks, including Lil' Kim's "Quiet" and "Guess Who's Back" and Brown's freestyles. During a radio interview, Brown claimed that Lil' Kim's jealousy stemmed from Biggie's intention to include Brown in Junior M.A.F.I.A.
In 2003, La Bella Mafia's singles achieved significant success. "The Jump Off" peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Magic Stick" reached number two.
Lil' Kim and Damion "World" Hardy broke up in 2003, with Lil' Kim alleging physical abuse during their relationship.
Lil' Kim participated in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race on April 17, 2004, contributing to raising over $100,000 for children's hospitals in Southern California.
Believing in the power of voting, Lil' Kim joined the "Rock the Vote" campaign on August 24, 2004, urging citizens to vote in the presidential election.
In December 2004, Lil' Kim began recording a pilot for a VH1 reality show titled 718 Makeover, focused on her Brooklyn upbringing.
Lil' Kim and record producer Scott Storch dated for two months in 2004 after meeting when he offered her a ride to her hotel.
Expanding her entrepreneurial ventures, Lil' Kim launched a designer watch collection, "Royalty by Lil' Kim," with Jacob Arabo in 2004. The same year, she debuted her first clothing line, "Hollyhood."
Dedicated to giving back, Lil' Kim established her own foundation, "Lil' Kim Cares," in 2004, aiming to address issues like homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and violence against women.
Lil' Kim joined fellow artists on "The Apprentice" on March 10, 2005, donating a personal experience to be auctioned for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
In March 2005, Lil' Kim was convicted of lying to a federal grand jury about the 2001 shooting outside Hot 97 studios, leading to her prison sentence.
On March 17, 2005, Lil' Kim was convicted on charges of conspiracy and perjury for lying to a grand jury about a 2001 shooting.
On July 6, 2005, Lil' Kim was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of perjury and conspiracy related to the 2001 Hot 97 shooting incident.
In July 2005, Lil' Kim was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by home detention and probation, for her conviction on conspiracy and perjury charges.
Blending fashion and philanthropy, Lil' Kim collaborated with Marc Jacobs on a limited-edition T-shirt line in September 2005, with proceeds donated to the charity "The Door."
On September 27, 2005, Lil' Kim released her fourth album, The Naked Truth, while imprisoned.
In 2005, Lil' Kim began a one-year prison sentence. During this time, her fourth album, "The Naked Truth," was released.
In 2005, Lil' Kim continued to make her mark on different industries. She collaborated with high-end brand Petite Peton on a shoe line and even appeared as a character in a limited-edition Marvel and Atlantic Records comic book, "The Heist."
Continuing her support for HIV/AIDS awareness, Lil' Kim donated a watch from her "Royalty" collection to the "Bid 2 Beat AIDS" auction in 2005, benefiting LIFEbeat.
On February 17, 2006, Lil' Kim released "Whoa" as the second single from her album The Naked Truth.
On March 9, 2006, BET premiered Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, documenting her time before imprisonment.
In May 2006, Debbie Harry released "Dirty and Deep," a song supporting Lil' Kim during her conviction.
On June 6, 2006, Lil' Kim released Dance Remixes, a compilation album featuring remixes from The Naked Truth and Hard Core.
Lil' Kim was released from prison on July 3, 2006, after serving a year-long sentence for perjury and conspiracy.
Lil' Kim's federal supervision, following her release from prison, ended on August 2, 2006.
On August 31, 2006, after her release from prison, Lil' Kim presented at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
The reality series "Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown," which documented Lil' Kim's prison sentence, premiered on BET in 2006.
On December 1, 2007, Lil' Kim partnered with Preserve Our Legacy and the New Jersey Stem Cell Research and Education Foundation to host a celebrity basketball game, raising awareness for health issues affecting minority communities.
By 2007, Lil' Kim's impact was undeniable, with over 15 million albums sold globally and recognition for her hit songs that topped charts and solidified her place in hip-hop history.
In 2007, Lil' Kim appeared as a judge on The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll.
In 2007, Lil' Kim contributed to the Grammy Charity Holiday Auction, offering signed memorabilia for fans to bid on, with proceeds going to charity.
Lil' Kim and singer Ray J briefly dated in 2007.
In January 2008, Lil' Kim announced her departure from Atlantic Records to pursue independent projects.
On June 3, 2008, Lil' Kim released Ms. G.O.A.T., her first mixtape.
Lil' Kim released her first mixtape, "Ms. G.O.A.T.," in 2008.
Lil' Kim returned as a judge for The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious in 2008.
Lil' Kim joined the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars, partnering with Derek Hough, on March 9, 2009.
On March 10, 2009, Lil' Kim was featured on Korean singer Se7en's U.S. debut single, "Girls."
On March 24, 2009, Lil' Kim released "Download," featuring T-Pain and Charlie Wilson.
On May 5, 2009, Lil' Kim was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars, finishing in fifth place.
Lil' Kim returns to the public eye in 2009 with an appearance on the popular dance competition show "Dancing with the Stars."
On February 16, 2010, Ludacris released "Hey Ho," featuring Lil' Kim and Lil Fate.
Lil' Kim embarked on her 2010 Tour in June, marking her first headlining tour since 2000.
Blending sweet treats with a good cause, Lil' Kim launched her signature "Queen Bee" milkshake on July 11, 2010, with proceeds donated to the Yéle Haiti Foundation.
In August 2010, Lil' Kim signed a deal to be the face of Three Olives Vodka's Purple vodka.
In 2010, Lil' Kim shared details about her tumultuous relationship with The Notorious B.I.G., describing a past incident where he had physically assaulted her.
On February 14, 2011, Lil' Kim released her second mixtape, Black Friday.
Lil' Kim released the music video for "Black Friday" on February 16, 2011.
In April 2011, Lil' Kim reignited her feud with Nicki Minaj through her mixtape "Black Friday," which featured artwork of Lil' Kim decapitating Minaj. The mixtape included disses towards Minaj, escalating the tension between the two rappers.
In May 2011, Lil' Kim performed at the ZarFest music festival in South Africa.
On June 19, 2011, Lil' Kim performed alongside G-Unit's Shawty Lo.
Lil' Kim joined the WinterBeatz Festival in Australia, performing alongside Fabolous, Mario, 50 Cent, and G-Unit in August 2011.
On November 28, 2011, Lil' Kim released the buzz single "I Am Not the One."
In 2011, Lil' Kim started recording her fifth studio album after a legal restriction preventing her from releasing new music was lifted.
During an interview in March 2012, Lil' Kim disclosed that contract issues with Trackmasters had caused her album delay. She also hinted at a new musical direction, describing it as being in "Kanye West mode."
On March 23, 2012, "Keys to the City," Lil' Kim's collaboration with Young Jeezy, was leaked online.
Lil' Kim kicked off her Return of the Queen Tour on May 17, 2012, which was met with positive reviews.
Furthering her involvement with the spirits industry, Lil' Kim became the brand ambassador for Cîroc vodka in November 2012. She even created her signature cocktail for the brand, "Queen Bee."
On Valentine's Day 2012, Lil' Kim released the single "If You Love Me." That same month, she made her return to televised performances on BET's Rip the Runway.
In 2012, Lil' Kim was recognized for her influence and impact on music by being included in VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Women in Music at number 45.
Lil' Kim and Jeremy Neil, known as rapper Mr. Papers, began their relationship in 2012.
In 2012, Lil' Kim's significant contributions to music earned her a spot on VH1's prestigious list of the "100 Greatest Women In Music," ranking her as one of the most influential female rappers.
Lil' Kim participated in the first annual Reality On The Runway fashion show on February 9, 2013. This event raised funds and awareness for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
In an interview on April 26, 2013, Lil' Kim shared details about her upcoming album, revealing that the first single, produced by Bangladesh, would be released by mid-year.
On July 11, 2013, Lil' Kim released the Rockwilder-produced single "Looks Like Money" as a free download in celebration of her birthday.
On July 26, 2013, Lil' Kim announced and unveiled the cover art for her new mixtape, "Hard Core 2K13." The mixtape, intended to be a sequel to her debut album, was initially scheduled for release on October 31, 2013.
Lil' Kim's mixtape "Hard Core 2K13" was delayed from its initial release date of October 31, 2013. The reasons for the postponement were not disclosed.
In 2013, Scott Storch revealed that he would have married Lil' Kim if their relationship had lasted.
Lil' Kim gave birth to her daughter, Royal Reign, on June 9, 2014.
On September 11, 2014, Lil' Kim's mixtape "Hard Core" was released as a free download. In an interview that same day, she revealed she had been pregnant during the mixtape's production, which contributed to its delay.
Lil' Kim's impact on hip-hop was further solidified in 2014 when Billboard included her in their list of "31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop," cementing her legacy as a game-changer.
Lil' Kim and Mr. Papers ended their relationship in 2014, with Lil' Kim alleging domestic abuse. Mr. Papers denied these claims.
In 2016, Lil' Kim's contributions to hip-hop were celebrated at the VH1 Hip-Hop Honors, and she received the prestigious WEEN Icon Award, acknowledging her significant influence and impact.
Lil' Kim released her fourth mixtape, "Lil Kim Season," in 2016, featuring freestyles over popular beats. The mixtape garnered mixed reviews from critics.
In February 2017, Lil' Kim shared news of working on a new album through an interview and her Instagram.
Lil' Kim was featured on Faith Evans's album "The King & I" on the song "Lovin You for Life," which was released on May 19, 2017.
In 2017, Lil' Kim further confirmed that her relationship with The Notorious B.I.G. was characterized by violence, supporting claims made by others.
Lil' Kim dropped "Spicy," a promotional single featuring Fabolous, in March 2018.
In June 2018, Lil' Kim received recognition from her hometown when the New York City Council honored her with a proclamation, the New York City 12th Council District Arts and Music Award, and the city's Power Of Influence Award.
Lil' Kim released "Nasty One," a single initially planned for her highly anticipated album but ultimately not included, on July 11, 2018. During an interview that day, she indicated the album would be out in November of that year.
In September 2018, Lil' Kim announced that "Go Awff" would be the lead single for her upcoming album, although its release was scheduled for a later date.
A remix of Lil' Kim's single "Nasty One," featuring Kranium, HoodCelebrityy, and Stefflon Don, was released on October 26, 2018.
In 2018, Nicki Minaj hinted that her song "Roman's Revenge" was directed at Lil' Kim, confirming suspicions about the target of the track and shedding light on their past feud.
Lil' Kim released "Go Awff," the debut single from her forthcoming album, on February 15, 2019.
Lil' Kim revealed the title of her new album as "9" in March 2019, noting its significance, and announced its planned release date as May 17, 2019.
Lil' Kim's album "9" was initially scheduled for release on May 17, 2019. However, due to setbacks with her record label, eOne Music, the release was postponed.
On September 27, 2019, Lil' Kim released "Found You," her second single featuring City Girls and O.T. Genasis, from her upcoming album.
Lil' Kim's album "9" became available for pre-order on October 4, 2019, accompanied by the release of the track "Pray For Me" featuring Rick Ross and Musiq Soulchild.
After a series of postponements, Lil' Kim's album "9" was officially released on October 11, 2019.
In October 2019, Lil' Kim shared plans for collaborations with Missy Elliott and Paris Hilton on the follow-up to her album "9."
On November 8, 2019, during an appearance on "The Real," Lil' Kim confirmed an upcoming collaboration with Missy Elliott and Paris Hilton for the follow-up to her album "9."
In 2019, Lil' Kim's legendary status in hip-hop was affirmed when she received the prestigious I Am Hip Hop Award at the BET Hip Hop Awards.
In 2019, Lil' Kim released her fifth studio album titled "9."
In 2020, Lil' Kim's enduring influence on fashion was acknowledged, highlighting her risk-taking and luxurious style that continues to inspire artists today, cementing her status as a fashion icon.
Lil' Kim and Mr. Papers rekindled their relationship in 2020.
In 2021, Lil' Kim expressed interest in participating in a Verzuz battle with Nicki Minaj, suggesting a potential reconciliation and a celebration of their respective discographies.
Lil' Kim and Mr. Papers' relationship status became ambiguous after 2021, with conflicting reports and no public confirmation of a formal breakup.
Mr. Papers was referred to as Lil' Kim's ex in 2022 news reports, suggesting a potential end to their on-again, off-again relationship.
In 2023, Royal Reign participated in the New York Fashion Week, walking the catwalk at the 13th Annual Rookie USA Fashion Show.
An interview released in April 2024 revealed that Lil' Kim is currently dating rapper Tayy Brown, who is signed to her record label.