Kimberly Jones, better known asLil' Kim, is celebrated for her influence on rap music.
Even to this day, I feel like that moment is still coming for me."
But she’s not going to force it.
“I’m living life, enjoying myself, just doing me,” she later told the magazine.
“Just enjoying what the next level could be, what it’s gonna be, whatever.”
7 in 2007, she’s still very much a force to be reckoned with.
This is what’s happened to her since her early brushes with fame.
“I have worked hard my entire life for everything I have, everything I have accomplished.”
I’m a godfearing good person."
The album was released on September 27, 2005 just a week into her sentence.
While the release caught major publications' attention and enjoyed some success, the reviews were mixed.
However, Kim toldVibethat she “met some of [her] best friends inside.”
She continued, saying, “I learned a lot.
It was like going to a very, very, very, very bad boarding school.”
In an interview withMTV News, Kim also revealed just how much rest she got when she arrived.
“When I first got to prison, I slept so good for the first three weeks.
So I never slept, never [rested] at all for two months straight.
When I got there, I kind of just collapsed.”
She issued astatementat the time, saying, “I am thrilled to be coming home.
In 2008, Kim decided to leave her record label.
Later that year, Kim would go on to release a mixtape, “Ms.
It was clear she was referencing Kim, as Kim released her mixtape exclusively through PayPal.
Many of her performances weremet with praise, including a jive performed to the track “Jailhouse Rock.”
Despite her and Hough’s best efforts, though, Kim was eliminated just before the semifinals.
The star’s television appearance may have surprised some, but it was something she was passionate about.
“I always wanted to do it.
I just felt like, when opportunity knocks twice, you have to say, ‘Wait a minute …
I have to do this.’
Dancing is in my heart,” she told MTV News.
However, Kim didn’t just take the role to prove herself she also did it for her mother.
Lil' Kim became a mom
In 2014, Lil' Kim became a mom.
Royal Reign, who is fathered by rapper Mr. Papers,has changed Kim’s life in many ways.
This is not the first time that Lil' Kim has spoken about motherhood with affection.
In 2019, Kim toldAccess Hollywoodthat then-5-year-old Royal Reign was starting to understand that her mom is famous.
In 2021, Royal Reign got a taste of fame herself when she joined her mom onstage.
The rapper posted a clip of the two performing together onInstagramto celebrate Mother’s Day.
“This was one of the biggest highlights of my career,” Kim wrote.
“My baby performing for the first time!!
This was my proud Mom moment, I wanted to cry.”
She continued, writing, “My baby DID THAT!!”
Of course, Kim knows that all too well.
“I still receive a lot of hate.”
So, I just say, ‘Yeah, OK.
I got God on my side.
What y’all gonna do with me now?'”
However, Kim previously admitted to struggling with low self-esteem.
You know, the long-hair key in.
Really beautiful women that left me thinking, ‘How [can I] compete with that?’
Being a regular Black girl wasn’t good enough.”
In 2016, Kim’s face became a hot topic of conversation.
Additionally, fans and experts alike thought Kim had gotten some extensive plastic surgery.
“[Her eyes] seem elongated and completely different.
Levine added, “She could have had Botox injections under the jaw for a more chiseled look.
And in case it’s not obvious, Kim probably had filler injected into her cheeks.”
Some fans took to social media to voice their concern for Lil’ Kim’s changed appearance.
Opinions varied, with some people feeling anger or sadness and others showing compassion for the rapper.
One fantweeted, “Lil Kim deserves words of positivity.
She needs love, support, and understanding, not shame and judgment.”
I’m so glad to see women getting our recognition and, you know, everyone celebrating us.
I think it’s a wonderful thing.”
Does that include Nicki Minaj though?
Unfortunately, this never came to be.
However, Minaj did give a shoutout to Kim in a2022 interview with Joe Budden.
“When myself or Lil' Kim goes on the internet, every day we see our influence.
Who knows, maybe their feud is finally coming to an end.
Many people have thought they knew the story of Lil' Kim, but they have no idea.”
The book was slated for release in November 2021 but has been delayed until September 2025.
Kim has undoubtedly led an interesting life thus far, so her memoir is sure to be fascinating.
Kim explained how and why she’s shifting her focus.
“I’m only working with new artists.
… That makes me feel good.
So many people helped me.
I’m giving it back, I have my friends, and people I love in the industry.
Obviously, I’ll work with them, but yeah, only new artists.”
