Lil’ Kim, born Kimberly Denise Jones on July 11, 1974, is an iconic American rapper. Raised in New York City, she emerged from the streets after being expelled from home. Her raw talent caught the attention of fellow 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 U.S. and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Lil’ Kim’s debut studio album, Hard Core (1996), achieved double platinum status and featured hits like “No

Time,” “Not Tonight (Ladies Night),” and “Crush on You.” She continued to dominate the charts with albums like The Notorious K.I.M. and La Bella Mafia. In 2001, she topped the Billboard Hot 100 with the iconic single “Lady Marmalade,” alongside Mýa, Pink, and Christina Aguilera. Beyond her music, Lil’ Kim has been hailed as the “Queen of Rap” and has sold over 15 million albums and 30 million singles worldwide. Her impact on hip-hop culture remains indelible. So, let’s celebrate Lil’ Kim’s birthday by recognizing her immense contributions to the music industry!