Lil’ Kim

In her teenage years, Lil’Kim was in a relationship with Shawn Powell. They dated for a couple of years in the midst of which Powell was convicted and imprisoned for robbery. They got engaged while he was incarcerated. Lil’Kim wanted to pursue a career as a rapper and that led to the end of her relationship with Shawn Powell.

During this period she met rapper Christopher Wallace and began an off and off relationship with him. This continued until his death in 1997. At the time of Wallace’s death, she was pregnant with his child, however, she decided not to keep this child and spoke to the media about this much later.

In 2002, she began dating Damion "World" Hardy, who was known to be involved in drug dealing. Lil’ Kim has stated that she suffered physical abuse in the relationship and subsequently the couple split a year later, in 2003.

Lil’ Kim was born Kimberly Denise Jones on 11 July 1975 at Brooklyn, New York, to Linwood Jones and Ruby Jones. Her father was a former US marine. She has an older brother named Christopher.

Her parents separated when she was nine years old following which she started living with her father. However, she had a strained relationship with her father.

She did her initial schooling from Queen of All Saints Elementary School, Brooklyn. Later, she went to Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School for a few years and was shifted to the Brooklyn College Academy to complete her school education.

At the age of sixteen, she was kicked out of the house by her father. Subsequently, she dropped out of high school and started living out on the streets.

During her teen years she was introduced to The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls, who played a key role in her personal and artistic life. In 1994, he was instrumental in initiating and promoting the Brooklyn-based group, Junior M.A.F.I.A which she was part of.

‘Conspiracy’, the first album of the group was released in 1995 to moderate reviews. Lil’ Kim came into the limelight with the album’s single ‘Player’s Anthem’. Her voice was appreciated by the industry.

In 1996, she released, ‘Hard Core’, her debut work as a solo artist. Her unapologetic style and lyrical wordplay made the album a success. The album debuted at No.11 on the Billboard 200, which was the highest debut for a female rapper at the time. The album went on to be certified double Platinum by the RIAA in 2001.

In 1998, she was signed by agency Wilhelmina Models. She was also made the face of fashion brand ‘Brandy’, making her the first rapper to endorse the brand till date. Other brands that she has worked with include cosmetics brand MAC, clothing brand, Old Navy, AOl Internet Service.

Following the success of the album ‘Hard Core’, Lil’ Kim was preparing a show in New York City when she got the news that the team’s mentor Biggie has been killed. As a result of Biggie’s death, Lil’ Kim and her team faced uncertain future. She cancelled her plans for a sophomore album, and featured in projects by Puff Daddy and Mobb Deep.

Lil’ Kim is known for her powerful voice and uninhibited style of rapping. Her most popular works include ‘Hard Core’ (1996), ‘The Notorious K.I.M’ (2000) and ‘La Bella Mafia’ (2003). She rose to stardom with the remake of single ‘Lady Marmalade’ for ‘Moulin Rouge’ with artists Mýa, Pink and Christina Aguilera.