Lil Kim: podcast appearances and interviews

Kimberly Denise Jones, born on July 11, 1974, and widely known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and model. Recognized as the Queen of Rap, she is renowned for her sexually charged lyrics and presence, which have influenced women in contemporary hip-hop. She is the second best-selling female rapper of all time, with 45 million records sold, and has established herself as a fashion icon through her risk-taking and luxurious approach to fashion. Growing up in New York City, Lil' Kim lived much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. Influenced by fellow female hip-hop artists such as MC Lyte and the Lady of Rage, she began freestyling during her teens. In 1994, she was discovered by the rapper the Notorious B.I.G., who invited her to join his group Junior M.A.F.I.A. Their debut album Conspiracy produced two top 20 singles in the United States and was certified gold by the RIAA. Lil' Kim's debut solo album Hard Core appeared in 1996 and included hit singles like No Time, Not Tonight, and Crush on You. The album achieved double platinum status and sold over six million copies worldwide. She adopted the nickname Queen Bee during this period. She continued her success with subsequent albums including The Notorious K.I.M. and La Bella Mafia. In 2001, she topped the Billboard Hot 100 with Lady Marmalade, which earned her a Grammy Award. Lil' Kim served a prison sentence in 2005 for perjury, during which her fourth album The Naked Truth was released to critical praise. She returned to music with mixtapes and performances, maintaining her influence through collaborations and her fifth album 9 released in 2019.