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fuckyeslilkim · 2 years ago

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Rapper Lil' Kim Has Had A Profound Impact On Fashion Over The Years

hen Lil’ Kim made her debut with the 1996 album Hard Core, she utterly and completely changed the rap game. A protege of Notorious B.I.G., and the sole female member of his hip-hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A., Lil’ Kim, aka Kimberly Denise Jones, had a flow that was raw and gritty, with raunchy, sexually liberating lyrics that made critics clutch their pearls. Hard Core went on to become certified double platinum by the RIAA, cementing the then-22-year-old as a bona fide hip-hop god. But it wasn’t just Lil’ Kim’s lyrical prowess that set her apart from her contemporaries that came before her. Her sense of style also made her a trailblazer, solidifying her as a pop culture fashion icon.

While other women rappers like Queen Latifah, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Da Brat favored more androgynous clothing, like oversize T-shirts and baggy jeans, Lil’ Kim’s outfits were ultra-feminine, bold, risqué, and revealing — as provocative and outrageous as her songs. She wore teeny-tiny bikinis, see-through silhouettes, candy-colored wigs, and equally vibrant fur coats. She also helped popularize ’90s and noughties logomania, a trend in which designer branding is made overtly obvious on one’s clothing and accessories (the antithesis to “quiet luxury”). In Kim’s case, logomania also applied to hairstyles, as she famously wore wigs with Chanel’s double “C” logo and Versace’s Greek key motif. (The move made sense for someone who frequently name-dropped designers in her lyrics). Aside from head-to-toe designer monograms, Kim has worn a sparkly catsuit made with 965,000 crystals, embellished headpieces with matching thongs, and a gray, floor-length chinchilla coat (which she modeled next to mob daughter Victoria Gotti in the video for 2003’s “Came Back for You”). The list goes on.

“She was bringing something new that we hadn’t really seen before,” says Elizabeth Way, fashion historian and associate curator at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). “For so long, female rappers had been kind of marginalized and really tried to fit in with their male counterparts, especially with their style. Lil’ Kim rejected that and embraced her femininity in both her style and her lyrics.” Marissa Pelly, stylist for the rapper Ice Spice, shares a similar sentiment, pointing out how the industry made female musicians feel like they couldn’t boldly embrace their sexuality while simultaneously being perceived as “chic” or “luxury” — as if the two concepts could not co-exist. “Now when I see female artists owning their sexuality, while also being muses for some of fashion’s most elite houses, I think of — and I thank — Lil’ Kim.”

Behind every celebrity style icon is a brilliant stylist; a wizard behind the velvet curtain, so to speak. For Lil’ Kim, it was Misa Hylton. One cannot discuss Kim’s vestiary tours de force without mentioning the industry legend by her side, who had already been masterminding looks for Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Jodeci, and her then-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs. But theirs was a match made in fashion heaven; the two women felt an immediate kinship. “I think that Kim and I were magical together and when you have that type of synergy only greatness can come forth. We were thinking outside of the box and unapologetically taking risks. People gravitate to that type of authentic and creative energy,” Hylton told Dazed in 2018.

The two women set the bar high high from the beginning with a legendary look the promotional poster for Hard Core, Kim’s debut album: a leopard print bikini and a sheer, marabou-trimmed duster. The one-piece was designed by Sex and the City costume designer Patricia Field, who owned a store in New York City from 1996 until 2016. It was known to be a hot shopping spot for fellow performers like Debbie Harry, Lady Gaga, and Kim’s friend and frequent collaborator Missy Elliott. Hylton and Kim frequented Field’s boutique almost daily. In the years — and decades — that followed, both the look, and Kim’s signature squatting pose, would be replicated by the likes of Teyana Taylor, Nicki Minaj, GloRilla, and countless others.

Hylton and Kim also went all out for the “Crush on You” music video, directed by Lance Rivera. Inspired by the The Wiz’s color-changing Emerald City disco dance sequence, the video featured the star in monochromatic technicolor outfits and matching wigs — and instantly catapulted her to mainstream MTV fame. “When you think of the blueprint for most female musicians’ styles today, you think the designer logos; the iced-out, statement jewelry; and different styles of wigs — that was all her,” explains stylist Estelle Aporongao. “Kim’s DNA runs through the contemporary fashion industry’s veins.”

In 1998, Kim donned a bejeweled caged headpiece and matching arm sleeves to the 1998 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, which felt like the ultimate statement. But the rapper topped herself yet again a year later when she attended the MTV Video Music Awards in a purple wig and lilac-colored, sequined jumpsuit, complete with a single purple pasty that garnered an unforgettable reaction from Diana Ross. The moment would become the stuff of award show legend.

That same year, Kim covered Interview magazine’s November issue wearing only a Louis Vuitton headgear and LV logos painted all over her body, a moment described as a “cultural reset” by celebrity stylist Audrey Brianne, who works with Chris Tucker and Tyler Posey. “At the time, it was a fresh idea no other star had rocked quite so boldly. If people weren’t already paying attention to Lil’ Kim by then, they were now,” she says.

To be clear, Lil’ Kim was interested in fashion long before she dressed in colorful furs. “Her high school friends recounted how she would spend her allowance on clothes and had Gucci before they even knew what it was,” explains Nygel Simons, a stylist and archivist, noting that the artist also worked at Bloomingdale’s prior to rapping full time. “It really shines through when an artist genuinely loves fashion.” Nowadays, it’s not out of the ordinary for a designer to dress hip-hop artists for red carpets or sit them front row at Fashion Week, but in the 1990s, that relationship didn’t really exist. Lil’ Kim had a je ne sais quoi that both attracted and inspired designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani, Betsey Johnson, John Galliano, and Donatella Versace, who would dress her for her 1999 Met Gala debut.

Way long before Barbiecore would become a part of the cultural zeitgeist, Lil’ Kim sported a pink, full-length mink coat with a studded pink bra, matching hot pants, and pink snakeskin boots for the “Rock Style”-themed Met Gala. “Donatella is my girl. We’ve loved each other from the moment we first saw each other,” Kim told Vogue in 2020. “At the Met, you’re a designer’s muse, [and] she loved the fact that I have fun in her clothes.”

Lil’ Kim has also walked the runway for designers including Baby Phat, The Blonds, and VFiles. But her closest friendship is with fashion designer Marc Jacobs, whom she calls her “bestie” and who has played a significant role in her life and career. Jacobs dressed Kim for her court appearances and subsequently became her prison pen pal when she served a one-year sentence for lying to protect friends involved in a 2001 shootout. Kim sent Jacobs the Bratz doll coloring pages she painted, which he then had framed and hung in his house. Jacobs is also writing the foreword for her forthcoming memoir, The Queen Bee.

“These were interesting and important alliances for her during the early 2000s because it further legitimized the message to her fans and the public that her empire and reach extended well beyond music,” says stylist Alison Brooks, who works with television personality and hairstylist Jonathan Van Ness. “I believe it was a turning point, not so subtly signaling to other artists to bling themselves out in designer looks with confidence and embrace their curves with body positivity before body positivity became a thing.”

When it comes to her own work, Pelly says she’s strongly influenced by Lil’ Kim. “I love how effortlessly she would combine her own fun custom pieces with luxury ones, while also demonstrating a great deal of high-end fashion knowledge.” Pelly says she had this approach in mind while styling Ice Spice for the “Barbie World” music video, pairing a custom Chanel-inspired, Christian Cowan tweed set with a Barbiecore bra by Laser Kitten, custom Emilio Pucci, and pieces from the Gaultier archives. “It’s that duality that’s so inspiring to me and creates the most interesting, well-rounded looks every time.” She also drew ideas from Kim’s 2003 “Summer Jam” performance, in which she wears SS03 Jean Paul Gaultier script belts around her waist and chest. “I love when artists love the same brands I do... I tracked down the same belts for Ice’s Paper Magazine cover back in April as a nod to the OG style icon.”

It’s difficult to imagine what would have happened if Lil’ Kim hadn’t paved the way for women in hip-hop to take fashion risks. Cardi B might not have worn archival Mugler to the 2019 Grammy Awards, and who knows if Megan Thee Stallion would have modeled for Calvin Klein. Then there’s the countless Kim homages artists have paid over the years: Beyoncé replicated several of Kim’s famous looks for Halloween 2017; Rihanna has cited the rapper’s penchant for experimenting with different looks as a major influence on her own fashion sense; and Miley Cyrus dressed in Kim’s MTV VMAs look for Halloween back in 2013, purple pasty and all. It’s for reasons like these that stylists like Simons believe Lil’ Kim deserves official acknowledgement for her legacy, particularly from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. (For years, fans have been calling on the CFDA to honor Kim with its annual Fashion Icon award.)

One thing’s for sure: You’d be hard-pressed to find another hip-hop fashion icon with the same enduring legacy. “Lil’ Kim is the blueprint,” says Simons. “Whenever you think you’re being presented with something new, if you search hard enough, you’ll find that Kim has already done it at some point.”

#lil kim #lil' kim #rap #queen of rap #rapper #fashion #fashion icon #cfda #hiphop #female rap #female rapper #queen bee #naomi campbell #hip hop

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airadam · 4 months ago

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Episode 189 : To The Heavens

"I don't need a reason."

- Che

February is here once again, and as always we pay tribute to many of our Hip-Hop community who have transitioned; J Dilla, Trugoy, Big L, and Big Pun are all in the mix this month. Of course, it's also important to show love to the legends who are still with us while they can smell their flowers, and we have some brand new releases from veterans right next to some classics that still stand up to this day. The short length of some of the tracks brings the episode length down a touch, but it's concentrated dopeness...

Mastodon : @[email protected]

Twitch : @airadam13

Playlist/Notes

Paul Wall & DJ.Fresh : Woke Up A Millionaire

I've been playing this recent release a lot, and with the track starting off the way it does, it's perfect to kick off an episode. DJ.Fresh's production is centred around what sounds like a drastically-slowed sample - though one I can't place - and he tops it with a clean drum machine beat. North Houston legend Paul Wall is in full motivation mode as he uses this track to set the tone as the opener on his most recent album, "Once Upon A Grind".

J Dilla : Dillatronic 41

First Dilla of the episode, from the posthumously-released "Dillatronic" set of mostly-unreleased beats. The sample source is a nice early eighties soul duet, with the vocals floating through the dreamlike track, and one of the rawest snares you'll ever hear trying to wake you up all the way through.

Anthony Danza : Khalid El Amin

I already know this is going to be near the top of my next Spotify Wrapped the way I've been marathoning it lately! I'm pretty new/late to the material of this MC from the Pacific Northwest, but really into his style - channeling a lot of the sound and flyness from the eighties and blending it with his modern-day mic skills. This self-produced track is pure flames, sampling a well-used soul classic, advoiding the trap of adding too much to it, and then alongside his own bars, giving plenty of room to guest vocalist Che Blaq to bring the soul right back into the groove his own way. Check out 2015's "Intel Design" for this one, and as for the track title? I'd say IYKYK, but here's a link ;)

Mic Geronimo : Shit's Real

From the "The Natural" LP, this is probably the best-known track in the catalogue of this Queens MC who unfortunately didn't have the longevity that many predicted and hoped for, and yet somehow a forgotten entry in the production discography of the recently-deceased Irv Gotti - who back in 1994 was just plain DJ Irv. A very recognisable soul sample, signalling the sensibilities that would make Irv a successful producer of more pop-oriented material later on, is the core of the instrumental on which Mic Geronimo puts forward his view of life in his corner of NYC at the time. Underground classic for sure.

The BARtenders : Magic & Wonders

We go to the other side of the country for some 2024 West Coast flavour, the combination of MCs Mykestro and Columbo Black coming together for a beautifully sunny, if all too brief, track from their short and sweet "Luke Warm Summers" album. This is clean, super clean sonically, and both MCs flow confidently over the production of Dionte Kendricks. I know it's a few months before summer, but having played this album front to back a bunch of times, I'd say it's one to get in your system ready for better days...

Nightmares on Wax : Typical (Children of Zeus Remix)

Just how I like it, Leeds and Manchester in combination! Nightmares on Wax has been doing it on the production tip since 1988 (with the first LP coming in 1991), and as such is eminently qualified to find a quality remix partner - in this case, Manchester's own Children of Zeus. The track from the 2018 "Shape The Future" LP swaps out the bluesy flavour of the original for a smooth streetsoul vibe, and adds on rhymes from Konny and Tyler as a welcome bonus. Of the three versions on the new "Typical Remixes" collection, this is my clear favourite.

Jay Dee : Feat. Phat Kat (Instrumental)

"Welcome 2 Detroit" - the 20th anniversary 7" boxed set, to be precise - gives us this Dilla instrumental for one of the most unusually-titled tracks I can think of! The vocal version of course does feature Phat Kat, but he gets the day off for this instrumental, which radiates lazy sunny day vibes, in contrast to the weather outside the studio window...

Smif-N-Wessun : Elephant In The Room

Very heavy new cut from two of Brooklyn's finest, giving us a taster of their brand new "Infinity" album. I don't know if Tek is talking to anyone in particular at the start of the track, but he is heated, and brings it as always alongside General Steele, with the sections where they intersperse lines being unmatched in the modern day. It's a chemistry that comes with years of hard work, and Khrysis' production is a thumping, rugged canvas that does these veterans justice.

Big Punisher ft. Busta Rhymes : Parental Discretion

I've got to be honest - this wasn't a track that used to get a lot of replay from me compared to some of the others on "Capital Punishment", but I think it grows on you. If nothing else, the title gives you fair warning of what to expect, pure ruggedness from two MCs who have their own immediately recognisable, unmistakeable styles and voices. Show of the legendary DITC crew has this one banging from the Bronx to your ears, and my only wishlist item for the track would have been for Busta to get a verse to himself!

Big L : M.V.P (Remix #1)

It's always good to stumble on something from Big L's sadly abbreviated discography to play in February, and this remix turned up on a purchase from last year, "Buckwild Presents: Diggin' In The Crates - Rare Studio Masters (1993-1997)", not the catchiest title but certainly descriptive! Of course, lyrically it's the "M.V.P" you likely know already from L's debut "Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous", but Buckwild swaps out the smoothness of the original sample for another one well-known to the diggers, something with a bit more creep to it. The drum track is appropriately chunky and programmed to match up with the new groove. DITC on point as always.

DJ Premier & Roc Marciano : Armani Section

Brand new release, with the king of the "drumless" sound joining forces with a legendary producer well known for his heavy drum tracks! They don't quite meet in the middle, but Preemo's drums don't dominate, and the sample chop is perfect turf for Roc Marci. The two men met in the Armani section of Macy's in Herald Square some years ago, and when Premier reached out last December, Roc suggested the site of that meeting as the track title. Of course, the signature scratched hook brings together a fitting selection of lines that keep the track hot between the flyness of the verses. There's supposed to be a joint EP by these two coming in the future and I'm ready for it!

Lone Apostrophe : Wayment

Just recently we had the final WORKINONIT session at the famed Hip-Hop Chip Shop, and so when this song jumped out during my shortlisting I thought it was only right to give you a taste of the talents of one of the men behind the event, Manchester's own Lone Apostrophe. Get this smooth head-nod flavour on the "Webs" album.

Kev Brown & LMNO : The Beat Tape

I was sure I'd played this cut from "Selective Hearing" for you before but can't find it in any of my old notes, so I'm happy to debut it on the show here! Kev Brown's signature-styled bear absolutely drips flavour here; he shows, like a great chef, what can be done with just a few ingredients and a high skill level (that "yeah" sample that comes in every four bars is perfect seasoning too) He takes the mic alongside LMNO on this short track - and arguably steals the show on that side of proceedings as well!

The Thyrday : Good Music

I have been hunting for a copy of "The Perfection Xperiment Pt.2" for years. This 2004 album from the heyday of the Justus League clearly wasn't produced in huge numbers, didn't come out on wax, and has never been on any digital or streaming services. It pops up occasionally on Discogs for what to me is pretty big money for an album, but this month I bit the bullet and got the lowest-price copy I'd seen maybe ever, and am glad I did and can now play you this MJ-sampling heater that I've been wanting to share for years! There's a slightly different version on the "Just Us, Volume 4" mixtape if you can find that, but both feature 9th Wonder killing it on production and J Gunn, K Slack, and Killa K riding the beat on one of the highlights of the LP. If you see it out there for decent money, trust me and buy it!

Slum Village : 4th and Back

For the final Dilla selection of the episode, we go pretty much back to the beginning for him, with this track from at least one version of "Fantastic Volume One", the much-bootlegged LP derived from Slum Village's 1996 and 1997 demos. The track title and overall concept was revisited on Slum's first commercial release, "Fantastic, Vol. 2", but this was the original lick, with the repeated hook taking up a lot of the vocal time, and that Jay Dee bounce providing a flawless groove on this slice of Hip-Hop history.

De La Soul : Can't Call It (Unreleased Version)

RIP Trugoy! I'd forgotten all about this one, which I got on one of those weird bootleg-ish 12" releases which was otherwise full of Digable Planets stuff, but which was originally on the soundtrack to "High School High" - one of those films that I don't think anyone over here saw, but the soundtrack of which was sought out by the heads. Self-produced by De La, it's a nice head-nodder with everything running at a steady pace, no sudden moves anywhere on the beat or on the mic.

The Beatnuts : The Chase (Instrumental)

Unabashed dark boom-bap for the final instrumental of the month, taken from the "Hydra Beats Volume 5" compilation, a fairly obscure 1997 compilation of twelve chunky beats. Lots of typos on the label, that's how you know the smoke was in the air in a major way...

Ghostface Killah : Apollo Kids

And finally, a track I hadn't DJed in an extremely long time, but which I was reminded about when it was featured in a short documentary on the 200th year of the Clarks shoe company! This is pretty much the poster child for Ghost's style, especially in this "Supreme Clientele" era, of saying off-the-wall stuff that didn't make sense but sounded good; if you can clearly decode "this rap is like ziti, facing me real TV / Crash at high speeds, strawberry kiwi" then you're a better interpreter than most! Of course, it did turn out much later that outside of raw creativity, there were other reasons why Ghost sounded the way he did. Hassan (aka Haas G of the UMCs) laces him with a grandiose, horn-laden production that hasn't aged a day since it came out back in 1999, and this track brings the episode to a triumphant end.

Please remember to support the artists you like! The purpose of putting the podcast out and providing the full tracklist is to try and give some light, so do use the songs on each episode as a starting point to search out more material. If you have Spotify in your country it's a great way to explore, but otherwise there's always Youtube and the like. Seeing your favourite artists live is the best way to put money in their pockets, and buy the vinyl/CDs/downloads of the stuff you like the most!

Check out this episode!

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diseric · 5 years ago

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彼は光、愛、そして人生です。彼は最も美しい笑顔を持っています! 🦋 彼は魅力的なライフスタイルを知っています: 🍄

#jimin #jimin lq #indie jimin #jimin bts #jimin icons #jimin gotty core #jimin dark icons #jimin vintage icons #jimin moodboard #bts #bts be concept photo #taehyung

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stealth-skills · 4 years ago

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Group America (90s): An old picture of Vojislav “Voya the American” Raičević, right, and Veselin “Teddy Bear” Raičević, left. Vojislav Raicevic, aka Voja the American, was the chief executor of the "America" clan, whose members were mostly Montenegrins trained in America. The "Americans" are said to have represented Milosevic's death squad and to have a list according to which they killed for service. It can be said that they were "Zemun citizens before Zemun citizens", that they performed dirty work for the state. It is said that they cleaned up almost the entire Voždovac clan, as well as other unsuitable fierce guys, but also journalists and politicians. Allegedly, the "Americans" cooperated with the Serbian and Montenegrin services all the time. The Ministry of the Interior spoke of this clan as a group consisting of the Raicevic brothers, the Roganovic brothers and others, and an informant named "Srecko" reveals details: That the clan consisted of a core of 15 professional assassins a death squad carrying out contract killings. He cited two high-ranking police officers, one from Serbia and the other, as associates of the clan from Montenegro. Srećko asked for a settlement, that the police guarantee his safety and that he would tell everything, but since he did not receive guarantees, he disappeared. Seselj was the first to speak publicly about the "Americans" when he accused the head of the DB, Jovica Stanisic, of killing his death squads in Serbia. Allegedly, the connection between Montenegrins from America and the Serbian DB was Boško Radonjić, the head of the Irish mafia in New York and a good friend of the last great Italian godfather, John Gotti. It is said that when Radonjić came to Serbia in the early 1990s because he was being tried in America for influencing the jury that tried Gotija, Stanišić personally assigned him security. When the clan was formed, it was allegedly headed by Joca Amsterdam, who is leaving Serbia due to the accusation that he ordered the murder of Goran Marjanović Bombaš. Then, at the head of the clan comes Voja, who worked for the Italian mafia in America until he hooked up with some and had to come here. In the middle of the nineties, Voja organized, but he also carried out many liquidations. They say that he was extremely skilful, he did not hesitate to disguise himself as a beggar or a woman in order to approach the victim. It is said that when Ćenta blackmailed the head of a man for 80,000 marks, Voja did it and went to Ćaldović, but he made him say: "You killed someone? Don't make me laugh, look at yourself!" It will cost him his head. The next time they met, but through a crosshairs. Voja allegedly killed Ćenta in the center of Belgrade together with journalist Maja Pavić, Ceca's godfather. Although Voja was close to Arkan's godfather Milan Djordjevic Bombon and although Arkan did not like Centa, because Voja killed his godfather and Colonel Garda, Shuca (the first husband of Legija's second wife), Arkan was very angry. Jenta and Jusa did not like Arkan, but there was respect between them because, together with Ashanin and the late Ljubo and Giška, they formed an old guard of fierce guys and used to work together abroad. By killing Jenta and Maja, Voja gained powerful enemies, Jus and Arkan. Besides them, the Americans were already at war with the people of Surčin. The agreement between the Belgrade bosses and the top of the police that Voja must leave allegedly fell. His former friends Rogo and Bojan Petrović, with whom he held "Stupica" together with Ćenta's son-in-law Mišo Cvijetinović, kidnap Voja, film him and torture him in order to admit that he killed Ćenta. Misha's motive was revenge, while the other two wanted to take over Voj's affairs. Allegedly, Bojan held him, Rogo shot him 4 times in the shoulder until he confessed, and then Misha Tiger shot him in the head. Bojan allegedly cooperated with the Americans before, who did Goran Vukovic in order for Petrovic to take over the affairs of his former friend. The soldier's body was not found, but it is said that he was butchered, and parts of the body were thrown into the Danube or buried somewhere. After that, Vojin's protector Bombon and Luka Pejović were killed (a member of the "America" clan and, according to the former head of the DB, Goran Petrović, Ćuruvija's killer). After Vojin's murder, war begins on the streets of Belgrade! The soldier's friends take general revenge and eliminate everyone they suspected of being involved. There were about twenty names on the alleged list, the most famous of which were: Rogo, Petrović, Miša, Jusa, Badža, Šijan, Ašanin, Kundak, two police colonels and many others ... According to informant Srećko, Mileta Miljanić Mike took the lead. clan, and the direct perpetrators of the murders that followed as revenge for Voja were: Veselin Raicevic Medo, Zeljko Maksimovic Maka, Ivan Delic Ico and Nikola Maljkovic Maljavi. Mike was sentenced in Greece to 40 years for smuggling 114 kilograms of cocaine. Ico allegedly killed Defense Minister Pavle Bulatovic. Maka killed a policeman who tried to identify him in '95, and in 2002 he was accused that his group that took over the American clan, known as the "Maka group", organized the assassination of General Boško Buha, although there are indications that Zemun people set it up as they would drive them out of Belgrade. After the war in the underground at the end of the 1990s, it was obvious that Stanišić had let go of the reins and that the DB no longer controlled the mafia. After the stories that he and Arkan intend to betray Milosevic, he will be replaced, and the old mafia lose the protection of the state. He will be replaced by Radomir Markovic, the first man next to him will be the commander of the strongest unit, Milorad Ulemek (Legija), and the new clan in charge of dirty business: Zemunski. Thus a new death squad was born.

#inspirations #90s #criminal #The Masterpiece

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mariomimslahome · 4 years ago

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Mario mims la home purchase is an American hip-hop artist known popularly by his pseudonym Yo Gotti. Mario mims la home is one of the many hard-core rappers to come from the Southern hip-hop school of the 1990s.

#mariomimslahomepurchase #mariomimslahome #yogotti #artist #villages #environment #nature

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trft-bane24gir · 5 years ago

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“keep it moving” | lil’ kim by mtv news, 2003.

"I'm locked in a five-year contract with [Kim]," said Cease, who's signed as a solo artist to Queen Bee Records. Other than albums that Kim herself has recorded, Cease's poor-selling but critically acclaimed 1999 solo debut, The Wonderful World of Cease A Leo, is the only release to come from the Queen Bee Records imprint since it was founded in 1998.

-- by Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Sway Calloway, Jeff Cornell and Quddus Phillipe Kimberly Jones is dying to go Hollywood, but some people are hissing that she already has. She definitely isn't the same 'round-the-way girl the Notorious B.I.G. introduced us to in 1995. Little Ms. Jones has estranged herself from old ideals and friends from her 'hood that she once considered family. She's got a fresh attitude to go with her new set of Hollywood and high-society buddies and associates, people such as Hugh Hefner, Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Don King, Donatella Versace and Victoria Gotti.

Kimberly doesn't even look the same — she switches hairstyles almost as often as she changes rhyme flows. Plus she's got a new surgically altered nose to go with her voluptuous, augmented breasts. "When I decided to finally do that is when I realized I was a sex symbol," she has said about her implants. "It's something that I felt would make me have more fun with my photo shoots and enhance my look a little bit." But going Hollywood for Kim really means just that: She wants to make movies. Her dreams have nothing to do with forgetting where she came from, or — as they might say in her native Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood — "acting brand new." Kim maintains she's the same Brooklyn girl at heart: feisty, focused and determined not to fail. Like Will Smith and, more recently, Queen Latifah, rap's Queen Bee wants to make it big in Tinsletown. Yeah, she's appeared in such flicks as "Juwanna Mann" (2002) and "Zoolander" (2001), but Kim knows she's capable of bigger roles and more explosive performances. "Being involved in different entities of the game is so much fun 'cause you don't just get stuck in one genre," she explained. "I like to be here and there. My personality and my character are versatile." But unlike the aforementioned rap legends, she still wants to keep the music industry buzzing about her material. "That's one thing I don't like," Kim said, referring to how some of her fellow MCs' music careers suffered as their movie careers took off. "Will [Smith] was doing it at one point. Regular rappers were trying to [sell] five million [albums] and he was doing seven million, with flicks out that were doing $50 million a week. That's the type of success I want to follow. I think what happens is that the rappers [who] have success in Hollywood kinda start ignoring their music. I don't think it matters to them anymore. I ain't gonna front, [if] you're getting $20 to 25 million a film ... even $10 million a film is enough to make you say, 'I don't have to do an album this year.' [But] I wouldn't do that." And that's no Hollywood talk, either. Kim not only has a movie called "Guns and Roses" due out this summer, she has a new LP, La Bella Mafia, in stores now. Named La Bella Mafia after a 1997 made-for-TV movie, "Bella Mafia," in which widows of mob figures take over the family business, this LP has been heralded as Kim's best work since her trailblazing 1996 solo debut, Hard Core. On Mafia, she runs away from the syrupy melodies and hooks that hampered 2000's Notorious K.I.M.'s "How Many Licks" and "I'm Human," which seemed to pander to radio and dancefloors. Kim's latest opus is a return to the streets, where she enlists such sound-shapers as the always-unpredictable Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch, who has co-produced some of Dr. Dre's classic jeep thumpers, and Mobb Deep's master of morose tracks, Havoc.

"She's a star, [and] people respect stars," said Havoc, who first worked with Kim on Mobb Deep's remix to "Quiet Storm." "She's smart, and most of the decisions she makes are good musically. She's among the top people in the game, and she's better than a lot of [guys]. You don't have a choice but to give her that respect." "I think she's on top of the game," concurred Queen Latifah, who recorded with Kim on the soundtrack for the Academy Award-winning film "Chicago." "I just bought her album the other day and I love it. I think it's [about] her growing up. She still ballsy, and she's still gonna pop junk to any other female rapper out there, but I like where she is right now. I like to see her in control of where she wants to go. I'm proud of her." And while Kim loves the praise she's received from her peers and fans, she feels things could still be a lot better. Although Mafia put her on pace to equal or surpass the numbers she posted with her biggest selling LP, the double platinum Hard Core (despite its lukewarm reception, Notorious K.I.M. still sold over a million copies as well), Kim wasn't pleased with La Bella Mafia's first-week sales of close to 167,000 copies. "A lot of people say 'Kim is up there,' " the Queen Bee lamented, "but I don't feel that I'm up there 'cause I haven't accomplished my goal yet, which is to sell 10 million records of one album. Imagine what people will say when I reach that point." One thing people do talk about is how long it takes Kim to churn out albums. There was a four-year gap between the first two records, and even with the widely heralded Trackmasters and the spirit of Mafia co-executive producer B.I.G. fueling this album's beats and rhymes, it took years to make as well.

"It's kind of hard because I like to take my time to make things perfect," Kim said, explaining why she always has such a long gap between projects. "I went into this album thinking, 'I'm just going to have fun with it.' I said, 'I'm going to do what I want to do. Let me do this the way I feel B.I.G would have wanted me to do this.' He's the one that taught me everything I know, and he tells me things still. That's why B.I.G is listed as the co-executive producer on my album. It's just me and him." What also slows down production is the fact that you just can't keep the black Erica Kane locked in the studio for too long. She's got her manicured hands dipped in far too many projects to be getting stuck in a sound booth all night. For one thing, she's got a new clothing line, Hollyhood, still in development, with a launch tentatively planned for the fall. A true fashion aficionado, Kim's wild outfits, trend-setting hairdos and modeling stints for Mac and Candies and have given her a strong presence in the fashion world. Hobnobbing with clothing kingpins with last names like Prada, Versace and Armani have only strengthened her cause. "When she did 'Guns and Roses,' she was on the mark," LisaRaye said of Kim's spin as Chastity, the vixen of the bunch. In addition to the movie, the two worked together on a song for the film's soundtrack. "We filmed that movie in 18 days, so you know how quick and steady the flow was," she continued. "She was actually excellent." "It was fun," Kim said with a grin. "It's like a female 'Young Guns.' Us five females, we're like sisters. When we all got together it was nothing but love. For the most part, we were all sisters on that set — we all had each other's back. I like to surround myself with good people — positive people committed to their work."

And make no mistake — if you're not committed to Kim, you can't be down. At her album release party a few weeks ago, celebrities such as Dave Chappelle, Mobb Deep, Jagged Edge and Wayne Wonder came out to one of Manhattan's newest hot spots, the Lobby, all ready to hail the Queen. Conspicuously absent were Kim's longtime running mates, Lil' Cease and the rest of the Junior M.A.F.I.A. Kim and the J.M., all friends and protégés of Biggie's, had been virtually inseparable since they were introduced back in 1995. The originally nine-member crew appeared on classic songs together, put out a gold album and performed at countless shows nationwide. When B.I.G. died, they leaned on each other during their collective time of mourning, and his memory was the glue that held them all together. And the bond was deep. When Kim went solo, she looked out for her boys as their careers stagnated. If they needed money, she hit them off. If one of her guys got in trouble with the law, as Larceny and Cease were known to do on a few occasions, Kim, the perennial mother figure, always bailed them out. At one point, the clique was so close that they all lived together in Kim's New Jersey mansion. But since then, the group's relationship has soured, and the Queen Bee has had to literally clean house. "Well, you have to move on and you have to grow," Kim said, visibly holding back venom and opting to give a more politically correct answer as to why she no longer associates with Cease and Co. "You can't be taken advantage of for too long, and it's a case where unfortunately, [the relationship] just went bad. In the same sense, I hope they do well and [that] they can find God in their hearts." On La Bella Mafia's "Heavenly Father," however, Kim's a little less restrained. She raps, "And was it enough that I split 20 percent of what I make?/ Was it enough that I cut n----s half of what I bake?"

Lil' Cease is just as angry with Kim these days as she is with him. His biggest beef with her is not that she cut him off — it's that she won't let him go. He's so miffed at his onetime homegirl that he's started a "Free Cease A Leo" T-shirt campaign.

"She's putting all this stuff out like she's not messing with me right now," Biggie's puffy-cheeked former best friend fumed. "I feel like if you [are] not messing with me, give me walking papers so I can do me. We had our differences [and] I thought we could patch them up, but honey is doing her thing. I'm not knocking her, but she still got me under paperwork. [I've] been trying to get in touch with her, [but] she's ducking me. I call the office, [but] she don't want to talk to me. I go to the office [and] I can't see her."

"There's a lot of truth to what Cease was saying," Kim retorted with a snarl before clamming up. "I don't really want to get into that. The only thing I'm concerned with is La Bella Mafia being in stores. The whole truth will come out later and I can't wait." Although Kim is being clandestine and won't say exactly when her and the Mafia started to fall out, she is more than willing to reveal when her relationship with her former manager, mentor, friend and Notorious K.I.M.'s executive producer P. Diddy went south. "I can honestly say that during the whole process of [making Notorious K.I.M.], Puff and I were like a brother and a sister arguing," said the 26-year-old. "One minute we'd be the best of friends, and then the next minute things weren't working out at all," Kim said. "Sometimes Puffy likes people to do whatever he says. I'm a creative person, an entertainer. I'm a boss lady. A lot of times when you [are] working with a boss man, you have to respect each other's opinion. I just wanted my respect and because I was young and female, I don't think he gave it to me fully." "I'm a hard coach from beginning to end," Diddy said unapologetically about his meticulous work ethic. "I'mma push an artist to [be] the best. Some artists feel [like], 'I've grown up, and I don't want you to push me this hard no more.' I can't really do that. I'm not crazy or anything, I just want to be the best. We gotta be the best every time." Kim said she was also hurt because when times got tough for her after Notorious K.I.M. received mixed reactions, Diddy abandoned her. "I loved Puffy with all my heart, [and] if you look back, I was the only one supporting him. [At the time we were making my album] I wasn't even signed to Bad Boy," she vented. "During those times I held his hands, like, 'I know these people hate you right now, but I'm with you, dawg.' Puffy can be very selfish. I had to let him go do him and I had to go do me. I needed people at that time that was going to support me 150 percent. I was only getting 50 percent. Unfortunately, I don't speak to him at all."

P. Diddy, who seems indifferent about the split, offers a simpler explanation: "I think it's [about] people outgrowing each other and people wanting different things." While Kim hasn't cut off all her old friends, she has been gravitating toward a new crowd on the road to becoming a better-rounded person. One of her biggest cheerleaders now is Victoria Gotti, a multimedia personality and the daughter of late mob boss John Gotti. The two met over a year ago at an event in New Jersey and have built a nurturing relationship. They've done their share of partying and have at least one big adventure in common: The line-slinging siren recently held her buddy to a long-standing promise to appear in one of her videos. In February, the pair braved the bitter cold to shoot the unreleased clip for Kim's song "I Came Back For You" in front of the Brooklyn Bridge. Gotti says she'd do anything for her homie. "It's weird because she's everything she is onstage and nothing like her [persona]," Gotti said, describing why such a diverse group of people show Kim love. "She is a chameleon. She can just rise to [any] occasion and fit whatever mood everybody's in. That's the one thing I adore about Kim, [and] that's the first thing that shines through. Forget her looks, forget her outrageous outfits — she's got personality that's second to none." And what Kim's hoping for is that soon, her success in all fields will be second to none. Even as her fan base broadens, she maintains that she'll never forget the gig that first put her on to all the other opportunities. In fact, she is as hungry as ever to stand out and rock the mic. "I don't ever worry about competition," she says confidently in regards to her fellow female rappers. "I do a totally different thing from all these females. Everybody feels that 'I have to be at the top.' We can all be at the top selling records. There is no 'I'm better.' I know I'm a Queen and I do what I do.' "

And what she is doing is everything.

#lil' kim #interview #mtv news #2003

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cxhnow · 5 years ago

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CHLOE X HALLE | TEENAGE TASTELAND, ONLY TEENAGE TASTELAND

Alone at a table for four at a quaint little vegan restaurant in Studio City, I wait for sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey (19 and 17, respectively) to arrive. To prepare, I’ve spent my morning listening to a curated selection of Chloe x Halle’s soft but powerful YouTube covers, from a jazzy take on Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow” to a haunting rendition of Yo Gotti’s “Down in the DMs” accompanied by an electric guitar.

I notice their pretty sneakers through the window before they burst in: two beaming girls with wide smiles, matching dreadlocked manes, and a genuine, unmistakably Southern sweetness. They surprise me with a hug.

The Bailey sisters don’t really speak so much as they sing. Everything. They sing their orders—edamame, dumplings. Even spring rolls take on a touch of melody as they debate what to order. Many of their answers come delivered simultaneously in harmonious stereo, and they often finish one another’s sentences. It’s easy to believe the two really are the college track-star twins they play on Freeform series (and ABC sitcom Black-ish spin-off) Grown-ish. Do they share the famed “twin connection?”They answer again in unison—“Absolutely!” Halle explains that their relationship really blossomed when they were pulled from school for home tutelage. Halle, an Aries, and Chloe, a Cancer, balance each other effortlessly.

Halle admits, “People say I don’t have much of a filter. With some things, I think I’m being totally nice, but I can be hurtful. I don’t mean to be. It’s funny having that side of Chloe to take from, her sensitive side.” Chloe smiles, adding, “Yeah, Halle is all, ‘You better stand up for yourself!’” The closeness between the two girls is evident in the way they often refer to one another as “sissy” and “my baby sister,” even though they are sitting side by side. No “hers” or “shes” between these two.When the vegan wings come out Chloe laughs, explaining how the long stick inside of the “meat” is the “bone.” She eagerly grabs one but—there are those Southern manners again—not before kindly offering one to me. As an Atlanta native myself, I’m anxious to chat about the hometown we share in common. “Have you seen that YouTube video ‘Straight out of Dunwoody?’” Chloe wonders aloud through a smirk, referring to the viral comedy clip about the ATL suburb where affluent African Americans live a lifestyle that’s quite the opposite of the one N.W.A rapped of in their classic gangsta rap cut “Straight Outta Compton.” I have and it’s hilarious. Chloe immediately reaches across the table for my hand and squeals giddily.

But I’m curious about their love of trap music, a sub-genre of Hip-Hop that was born in the South and is now currently the ATL’s main sonic export of the ATL, and which the sisters often reinterpret for their covers. Halle notes, “Sometimes people don’t realize the lyricism that goes into rapping, and how those guys are artists. So it’s always fun deconstructing their songs and making them singable. Those elements are always in there.” Halle gushes over Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles,” which the girls remixed specifically to bring the poetic harmonies to the forefront.The Baileys first came to the world’s attention with soulful-beyond-their-years covers of famous songs debuted on YouTube. Their early videos garnered only three to four hundred views, but their undeniable talent soon drew millions. “People really gravitated towards our Beyoncé covers,” Halle recalls. “Next thing you know we got an email from her company saying that Beyoncé liked our cover of ‘Pretty Hurts,’ and asking if we were signed.” The girls pause for a moment, remembering one of the most important moments of their young lives. “We didn’t even question if it was real or not,” Chloe adds. “We were just like, ‘It’s Beyoncé!’”It wasn’t a fantasy after all. Their debut album The Kids Are Alright is out now, under Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment record label. It seems they were meant to flourish under the pop icon’s reign. As fate would have it, Chloe played a young Beyoncé in the 2003 film The Fighting Temptations, and a young Halle caught her braid on the superstar’s diamond dress at a party after crawling under the table and attempting to hug her. “The universe gives you signs,” Chloe beams.“We’ve been working on it for three years,” Chloe says of The Kids Are Alright. “Since before our Sugar Symphony EP, since before our The Two of Us mixtape. It’s been our baby, I feel like we were birthing a child. Now I’m like, ‘What am I going to do with myself? Is this album postpartum depression?’ I almost lost my mind!” Together, the Baileys write and produce all of their own music in their living room. That level of comfort and familiarity is key. “Whenever it’s feeling negative or forced in the room, we just stop,” Chloe says.

In the middle of the interview, Halle briefly takes a call from her father, gently assuring him that the sisters made it to the restaurant before hanging up. The girls cite family as the reason they are able to stay so grounded amidst the glamour and pressures of Los Angeles. “Mom and Dad, our little brother,” Halle starts, listing the roster of her core team, “and our older sister; she’s 27.” She says the last number in a manner that suggests she almost thinks that’s old.Though they’ve come a long way, their YouTube bio still reads, “two girls who love making music in our living room,” punctuated with alien, music note and heart emojis. Oh, to be teenage princesses with the world at your door. As they dine vegan on Ventura, it’s not hard to see a future where they too become pop culture royalty in their own right—all thanks to lo-fi covers on a streaming platform. They’ve got that triple-threat trifecta (beauty, acting chops, and enviable pipes) that lengthens careers into “We’ll stop when we want to” territory, and Queen Bey’s guidance to boot. It seems it’s only a matter of time before the crown is theirs and the fantasy is realized. [s]

#chloe x halle #chloexhalle #chloeandhalle #chloe and halle #chloe bailey #halle bailey #photos #videos #tkaa #halle #halle photos #flaunt #flaunt magazine #2018 #march 2018 #articles #interviews

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findasongblog · 6 years ago

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A few artists featured on Find A Song have recently released albums, check them out:

Jindalee - Vela

"The songs on Vela are about experiencing nature through all the senses. It is about the beauty and sensuality of the world. They are summer-y, warm, watery and vibey. If these songs were a colour I feel like they would be a bright turquoise sea. I wanted to capture the feeling of floating on the surface of water, of being in both air and water at the same moment. Landscapes inspired the lyrics in many of the songs, the Mediterranean in particular, where I have been lucky enough to visit often in recent years. They are about different experiences with the sensual world. I wanted to write an album about the human experience in nature and the feeling of letting that surround you, whatever kind of environment it is." (press release)

Penny and Sparrow - Finch

It will punch you differently. It will (with any luck) make you ponder and look up words and reconsider things. We hope you love this and embrace it for its nuance and newness. (newsletter)

Sail By Summer - Casual Heaven

Songs about longing, lack of self-confidence, songs about indifference and choice of directions. It could be Big Thief, Charlie Cunningham or Death Cab For Cutie, inspired by the sound of epic bands like The Cure, Pink Floyd and Spiritualized. But first of all, this is Sail By Summer and their long awaited debut album «Casual Heaven»

Fjords, mountains, rivers of gold. Lots of rain and the summer is cold, this is Bergen, this is Norway. In this refreshing environment you’ll find the melancholic Nordic indie band Sail by Summer. Fronted by Norwegian Grammy award winner William Hut and his characteristic voice, with his long time Danish collaborator Jens Kristian behind the keys. Together they have created this universe inspired by the nature that surrounds them. (press release)

A. Billi Free - I Luma

In theme and style, A. Billi Free effortlessly slides between the present and the future and between earth and space on her debut album I Luma. Meaning "in front" in the Samoan language, I Luma centers A. Billi Free's sincere musings on discovery and adventure in her universe over soulful, uplifting, dance-ready jams. I Luma is backed by an electronic/pop/alternative R&B sensibility entirely composed and produced by Chicago production duo and Tokyo Dawn artists, Tensei. Interstellar jazz multi-instrumentalist Angel Bat Dawid on clarinet sets the tone for this enchanted musical journey on the track "Flourish". Recorded in New Mexico, Illinois, and Massachusetts, the resulting magic outweighs the challenges of this type of creation as the album’s sonics are strong and richly layered, providing a solid foundation for A. Billi Free's smooth tone and earnest message to transmit through the cosmos. Rooted in an eclectic blend of hip hop, soul and electronica, she has spent the last decade in the deserts of southern New Mexico and west Texas fusing elements of both the city and the border into her sound. (press release)

China Bears - I’ve Never Met Anyone Like You (EP)

‘I've Never Met Anyone Like You' contains five tracks including ‘Stay For Good’, their barnstorming first single on fierce panda earlier in 2019, the lusciously sadfaced springtime follow-up ‘Sunday’ and their most recent radio outburst 'Cold Shivers', a slowburning journey through tremulous vocals and crushing old school emo powerchords. Add in the deceptively blossoming 'Trick Myself' and the quietly amazed melancholy of the title track and you have an EP for the ages by a quartet heading for the grandest of stages.

For here is a band which gently bandies around words like "honesty"; a band which make music which can be painfully intimate, but enormously approachable; a band which nods sagely at the stadium-sized introspection of The National, Dry The River, Snow Patrol and Death Cab For Cutie; and a band which, in the case of the aforementioned 'Sunday' can come up with a sublimely sub-hysterical hook which goes: “Good God it’s a Sunday afternoon / What are you doing on the kitchen floor again?” (press release)

Carriers - Now Is The Time For Loving Me, Yourself & Everyone Else

Carriers’ debut LP is a testament to the power of self-reflection and is carefully layered, leaning on strong core songwriting, hypnotic synths and lush guitar tones from Kiser, mesmerizing percussion delivered by Devendorf, and nuanced, dynamic bass lines from Curley. The 9-track album evokes the same guitar-led grandeur of The War on Drugs as Kiser takes stock of life, death, relationships and gratitude for another day. As Kiser details, “Overall it's about appreciating what we have and remaining present, while still being able to have an honest perspective of the past and our future. I’ve personally found a lot of peace in just working hard and staying focused on what I've got going on, trusting, rather than being consumed with striving. This record process has taught me a lot about patience. Life will continue to teach me to have more. I’m just trying to accept what happens and handle it the best I can. Patience is forever.” (press release)

Alex Bent + the Emptiness - Baby

What was supposed to be a love letter to someone else ended up being one to myself. Baby was mastered by Trevor Case of Case Mastering (Kelly Clarkson, Missy Elliot). The album features contributions from BROCKHAMPTON affiliates (singer-songwriter Jack Larsen and producer Connor Barkhouse), as well as Samurai Champs’ Merv xx Gotti and Jeah. (press release)

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marredbyoverlength · 6 years ago

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Year-End Awards 2018

2018 sucked personally, professionally, and politically. But hey, at least the movies sucked too!

Ok, there were plenty of good movies. But the bad vastly outnumbered the good, and the highlights weren’t especially high. Even my favorite filmmakers had weak years: Wes Anderson and the Coen brothers both put out some of their most mediocre films in 2018.

But no year is devoid of value, and damned if I won’t do my best to find it. Let’s dive into the only blog post I still do, the year-end awards.

(Honorable mentions, as always, are listed in no particular order.)

Best Lead Performance: Paul Giamatti & Kathryn Hahn, Private Life.

Giving this to two people is a cheap trick (and one I’ve used before), but this is my blog and I make the rules. Private Life is a powerful, painfully realistic film about a middle-aged couple, played by Hahn and Giamatti, going through IVF to get pregnant. Their relationship is at the core of the film; singling out one for praise would be a disservice to the other.

A film like this could easily be a one-dimensional tragedy about baby angst, but both lead actors go through a broad range of emotions that are at once inarticulable in words but instantly recognizable. The highs and lows of their journey and the stress it puts on them and their relationship come out in every expression, every movement of their bodies. This is the highest praise you can give actors: that they portray something that can’t be portrayed any other way.

Honorable Mentions: Olivia Cooke, Thoroughbreds; Joaquin Phoenix, You Were Never Really Here; Toni Collette, Hereditary; Ryan Gosling, First Man; Viola Davis, Widows; Olivia Colman, The Favourite; Emma Stone, The Favourite; Annette Bening, Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool.

Best Supporting Performance: Anton Yelchin, Thoroughbreds.

Enough has been written about this already, but Anton Yelchin could easily have become one of the greatest actors of our time had he not died such a weird and sad death. His performance in Thoroughbreds is the perfect example of why I say that.

Yelchin plays a kind of guy that everyone knows, the wannabe operator who hangs out with, and deals drugs to, kids much younger than him and feels cool for doing so. He slips perfectly into that role, but what makes it better than just a caricature is how he captures the character in the scenes where he’s out of the element he’s chosen for himself: once after two high school girls violently rob him and once at the end after he sees what one of the girls has become. He is shaken and unsure, and letting that façade drop in real time is an impressive feat of acting.

Honorable Mentions: Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?; Alison Pill, Vice; Oscar Isaac, Annihilation; Jason Isaacs, The Death of Stalin.

The Costner Award for Worst Actor: No Winner

Before going into more detail, I’d like to point out that I didn’t see any Gerard Butler movies this year, so take this with a grain of salt.

There were a lot of god-awful movies this year. But all those movies are awful for reasons distinct from acting. Bruce Willis was boring in Death Wish, sure, but his character was boring. Tye Sheridan was annoying in Ready Player One, but his character was annoying. Travolta was actually pretty good in Gotti, even though the movie was a total disaster.

In fact, I can’t think of any performances this year that made me angry in the same way the Kevin Costner makes me angry. Congratulations to actors, I guess? If you know of a truly heinous performance, let me know.

Nicest Surprise: Aquaman

Aquaman is a superhero movie about a very strong, very stupid dog in the shape of Jason Momoa (just look at his dumb face!). There is also a giant octopus who plays the drums. That’s about all you need to know about Aquaman.

Honorable mentions: Mission: Impossible – Fallout; Game Night.

Most Insulting Moment: “Street Weapon,” Robin Hood.

In Robin Hood (2018), Little John (Jamie Foxx) trains a fledgling Robin (Taron Egerton) in the art of hoodery. At the completion of this training, he says to Robin, “you’re going to need a street weapon.” Then he hands Robin this:

“Patrick, is that a full-sized bow with brass knuckles tied to it?” Yes, yes it is. You know, for the streets.

Honorable Mentions: Queen Saves Live Aid, Bohemian Rhapsody; Tactical Furniture, Death Wish; Pretty much all of Ready Player One.

Winter’s Tale Memorial “What the Hell Am I Watching” Award: No Winner

I almost gave this award to Gotti, a movie so widely panned that the marketing campaign explicitly told potential viewers that critics are scum. But then a friend of mine live-blogged his first viewing of The Book of Henry, the current title-holder, and I was reminded of just how gonzo bananas a movie has to be to get this award.

Sure, Gotti is an incomprehensible failure tornado that somehow had enough money for John Travolta but apparently not enough for, you know, lighting and sound guys, but it’s not bewildering like Winter’s Tale was, or like Book of Henry was. A winner should make me ask not just “what the hell is going on” and “how the hell did this get made,” but also “why the hell would anyone want to make this?” I didn’t see anything that prompted that last question this year.

Prettiest Movie: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

I used to give out an award for technical filmmaking, but in hindsight, I don’t know enough about filmmaking to confidently give that award. But I am an expert on the topic of “things I find visually appealing,” and since film is a visual medium (despite what the Academy would have you believe), I’m bringing the category back in this form.

Anyway, the winner is Spider-Verse, no contest. It’s the most brilliantly animated film I’ve seen in years, and easily the best-animated CGI film ever produced. In a world drowning in endless round-and-shiny Pixar clones, Spider-Verse made something entirely unique, influenced by the styles of comic books through the ages but ultimately producing something all its own. The end sequence, with manifold universes spiraling out of a black hole and bleeding into each other, will no doubt be the most impressive feat of animation for years to come.

Honorable Mentions: Mandy; Annihilation; You Were Never Really Here.

Best Picture: Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool.

After seeing this beautiful film, I resigned myself to the fact that it wouldn’t receive any Oscar buzz. I was more right than I realized: not only did it not get any nominations, it didn’t even qualify for consideration. The Academy considered this a Film Stars a 2017 movie, as it was released on a very limited run on December 29, 2017. I didn’t hear the name until I saw a trailer for it in January of this year, and I didn’t get to see it in my city until February. This is the great crime of Oscar season: everybody tries to put their stuff out as late as possible, and real gems like this one get crowded out by Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, a movie that gets worse every time I think about it.

I’m correcting this injustice. Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool is the only great movie of 2018. The script is heartbreaking, the acting is profoundly human, and the fluid cinematography masterfully blends past with present, creating a portrait of the last days in the life of Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening) in all her messy detail, seen from her own perspective as well as that of her former lover, the much younger Peter Turner (Jamie Bell). Where those perspective diverge is where the film is at its best, and those moments are easily the most moving of the year.

Honorable Mentions: Annihilation; The Death of Stalin; Private Life.

That’s it, that’s the whole post. Peace out.

#Film #Oscars #Best list #Awards #italiano

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melatoninburst · 2 years ago

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🥺

What I like: accepting

Ay, your wish is my command, Gottis.

First of all, I love your Leo. He's so compelling, so in character and so full of possibilities in terms of angst and in terms of fluff, he's a good person at his core- he doesn't want people to be hurt, he wants to compose and when he gets attached to people, he genuinely adores them from the bottom of his heart. I think your Leo is genuinely so in character that I can read all your writing of him in his voice.

Same with your Kanata, your love for ocean man shines through, and I love what you've done with his backstory- it's a genuinely hard thing to think of how his daily life could be effected by it, since sometimes, people easily forget things that he couldn't possibly know about ( I'm guilty of this myself ) but you pay close attention to it. I love how you pull off his soft-spokenness and at the same time, you can pull off the fact he's up for chopping people. I love your attention to details with him.

Your Eichi is also incredible, I love reading your threads with him on the dash, but the same can be said for any of your muses- you have a really great grasp and understanding of all of them that it's easy to envision them doing the things you write them doing! Outside of this, we don't talk much ooc ( which is my fault lmao if I ever get over my anxiety I'll im you, I promise ) but I think you seem great and you've always been friendly when we have spoken!

Your writing is also great, just amazing, you can do long and short replies and both are always great.

#awesomeuchuu #ooc. ( ya'll ever wanna nap? )#( spooky don't become anzu and lovemail people for paragraphs challenge: failed. )

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blackkudos · 7 years ago

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Lil’ Kim

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974 or 1975) known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, model, and actress. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, living much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. In her teens, Jones would freestyle rap, heavily influenced by actress/singer Diana Ross, and fellow female hip-hop artists like MC Lyte and The Lady of Rage. Performing a freestyle rap for The Notorious B.I.G. got her music career start in 1995 with his group Junior M.A.F.I.A., whose debut album Conspiracy generated three hit singles.

Kimberly Jones' debut studio album, Hard Core (1996) was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and spawned three consecutive No. 1 rap hits: "No Time", "Not Tonight (Ladies Night remix)", and "Crush on You", a record for a female rapper. Her following albums, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000) and La Bella Mafia (2003), were certified Platinum, making her the only female rapper besides Missy Elliott to have at least 3 platinum albums. She was featured on the single, "Lady Marmalade", which also had guest vocals by fellow recording artists Mýa, Pink and Christina Aguilera (a remake of the 1975 smash hit, originally recorded by LaBelle) which went to No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making her the first female rapper to have a No. 1 on that chart. In addition, the remake won two MTV Video Music Awards including Video of the Year, and a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 44th Grammy Awards in 2002. In 2005, she served a yearlong prison sentence for lying to a jury about her friends' involvement in a shooting four years earlier. During her incarceration, her fourth album The Naked Truth was released. She returned to the public eye in 2009 with an appearance on Dancing with the Stars.

Throughout her career, Jones has earned several accolades for her work. Her songs "No Time", "Big Momma Thang" and "Ladies Night" were listed on Complex Magazine's "The 50 Best Rap Songs By Women", at number 24, 13 and 7, respectively. Crush On You, It's All About the Benjamins and Money, Power, Respect appear on VH1's "The 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs". In 2012, she was honorably listed on VH1's "100 Greatest Women In Music" list at number 45, the second highest position for a solo female hip-hop artist.

Life and career

Early life and career beginnings

Jones was born in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood of the New York City borough Brooklyn, to parents Linwood Jones and Ruby Jones (now Ruby Jones-Mitchell). At the age of 9, her parents separated, and her father raised her until he expelled her from home when she was a teenager. She lived with her friends and on the street. While struggling through her personal life, Jones met The Notorious B.I.G. (real name Christopher Wallace), who was a key figure in both her personal and artistic life, particularly when Wallace had gained popularity and influence through his relationship with Bad Boy Records (which belonged to P-Diddy). Jones attended Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School for two and a half years. Many of her friends also went there and she would often skip school to hang out with them. Since her school work wasn't being completed, the decision was made for her to transfer to Brooklyn College Academy to finish her remaining year and half of school. It was the same school that fellow rappers Nas and Foxy Brown also attended. In 1994, B.I.G. was instrumental in introducing and promoting the Brooklyn-based group, Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included Jones, who was only 19 at the time. The group's first and only album, Conspiracy, was released on August 29, 1995 and debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 69,000 copies in its first week of release. Three hit singles came from Conspiracy: "Player's Anthem" (peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 2 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart), "I Need You Tonight" (No. 43 R&B, No. 12 Rap), and "Get Money" (No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 4 R&B, No. 2 Rap). The RIAA certifiedConspiracy gold on December 6, 1995. "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money" were certified gold and platinum respectively.

1996–2002: Hard Core and The Notorious K.I.M.

After a year with Junior M.A.F.I.A., Jones began a solo career by making guest performances on R&B albums and recording her debut album, Hard Core, which was released in November 1996. The album debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, the highest debut for a female rap album at that time, and No. 3 on Billboard‍ ' s Top R&B Albums, selling 78,000 copies in its first week of release. Hard Corewas certified double platinum by the RIAA on March 14, 2001 after having been certified gold on January 6, 1997 and platinum on June 3, 1997. The album's lead single "No Time", a duet with Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs (who would later change his stage name to "P. Diddy" and then "Diddy"), reached the top spot of the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. The following single, "Crush on You", reached No. 6 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the rap chart. A remix of the album's track "Not Tonight" saw Jones team up with Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat and Left Eye of TLC. The song was part of the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence movie Nothing To Lose, nominated for a Grammy Award, and certified platinum. In one stockholders' meeting of Warner Bros. Records, activist C. Delores Tucker criticized the label "for producing this filth," referring to perceived graphic sexual content in Jones' lyrics, and labeling them "gangsta porno rap". In 1997, Jones promoted Hard Core by performing on P. Diddy's "No Way Out" tour. The tour continued though to 1998 and became one of the highest grossing hip-hop tours of all time, grossing an estimated $16 million. That same year, she launched her own label Queen Bee Entertainment. From 1998 to 2000, Jones continued her road to stardom under the management of B.I.G.'s best friend, Damion "D-Roc" Butler's "Roc Management", touring and modeling for various fashion and pop culture companies including Candies, Versace, Iceberg, and Baby Phat. and even though she had not had an album of her own released, she was seen on dozens of remixes and guest appearances on other artist's records.

On June 27, 2000, Jones released her second album The Notorious K.I.M. The album marked a new image and revamped look for the rapper. Despite the limited success of its singles, the album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, selling 229,000 copies in its first week. It was certified platinum by the RIAA, four weeks after its release. It was on this LP that the well-known hip-hop feud between Jones and Foxy Brown escalated. In 2001, Jones teamed up with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa to remake "Lady Marmalade", which was originally written about a bordello in New Orleans and performed by the group Labelle (which included diva Patti LaBelle) 25 years earlier. The song was recorded for the Moulin Rouge! film soundtrack, released in April 2001, and stayed No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. The song also went to No. 1 in 50 countries around the world. This was a big accomplishment for female rap, as well as for Jones, who scored her first No. 1 Hot 100 hit and became the second female rapper in history to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. "Lady Marmalade" also garnered Jones her first Grammy Award. Jones also performed in two international hit singles. "In the Air Tonite", a remix of the Phil Collins song "In the Air Tonight" and duet with Collins, was released as a single from the Collins tribute album Urban Renewal. The second single, "Kimnotyze", was released as the lead single of record producer DJ Tomekk's compilation album Beat Of Life, Vol 1. It was released in Switzerland, Austria and Germany only. The song was successful, becoming Jones third consecutive top 10 hit in Germany after her number 5 hit "Lady Marmalade".

In 2002, Jones recorded a new entrance theme for then World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Women's Champion Trish Stratus entitled, "Time to Rock 'n Roll", which was used during broadcasts, until Stratus' retirement. The single was released on WWE Anthology, a compilation of entrance theme music to various professional wrestling superstars. Jones released the buzz song "Whats The Word" in mid-2002. Despite not having an official release, it went on to peak at number 9 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. It would later be released on the Japan edition of her third studio album, La Bella Mafia, as a bonus track.

2003–05: La Bella Mafia and legal problems

On March 4, 2003, Jones released her third studio album, La Bella Mafia. It debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 166,000 copies in its first week, giving Jones her second consecutive top 5 album. The album received generally positive reviews from critics, receiving a score of 65 on Metacritic. A buzz single, "Came Back For You", was released ahead of the album, the music video for the song featured reality television personality Victoria Gotti. The first single, "The Jump Off", featuring Mr. Cheeks, peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Follow up single, "Magic Stick", featuring 50 Cent, peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for three weeks. The song never had a commercial release or a music video, but was successful due to high radio airplay, peaking at number 1 on Billboards Airplay chart. A third US only single, "Thug Luv", featuring Twista, was released in the last quarter of 2003 at peaked at number 60 on Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album was certified platinum in the US, selling over 1.1 million copies. Jones promoted the album with a string of concerts, which also featured DMX and Nas. Jones was nominated for five Source Awards and won two ("Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year", and "Female Single of the Year"). The album also got two Grammy Award nominations for Best Female Rap Solo Performance ("Came Back For You") and Best Rap Collaboration ("Magic Stick"). She was also nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with singer Christina Aguilera for the song "Can't Hold Us Down", from Aguilera's album Stripped.

Greg Thomas, an English professor at Syracuse University, began teaching "Hip-Hop Eshu: Queen B@#$H Lyricism 101". Jones herself was a guest speaker at the school. Professor Thomas considered Jones' lyrics "the art with the most profound sexual politics I've ever seen anywhere." David Horowitz criticized the course as "academic degeneracy and decline". Jones also made an appearance on the multi-platform videogame Def Jam: Fight for NY. Jones provided voice-overs for her part in the storyline, where the player may fight an opponent to have Jones as their girlfriend. In 2004, Jones recorded a cover of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" which was used as the opening theme for Victoria Gotti's reality series Growing Up Gotti. The same year Jones was featured on the remix of "Naughty Girl" by Beyoncé Knowles. In December 2004, Jones began recording a pilot for a VH1 reality show titled 718 Makeover. The 718 in the title is the area code for Brooklyn, where Jones grew up. The show never made it to air.

On March 17, 2005, Jones was convicted of three counts of conspiracy and one count of perjury for lying to a Federal grand jury about her and her friends' involvement in a 2001 shooting outside the Hot 97 studios in Manhattan. During the trial of her co-manager, Damion "D-Roc" Butler, and her bodyguard, Suif "Gutta" Jackson, a former member of the hip-hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A, she testified not to have known they were at the scene. However, video footage from a security camera placed all three at the scene, exiting the building. This directly contravened testimony before the grand jury. Butler and Jackson have since pled guilty to gun charges. Jackson was sentenced, in U.S. District Court, to twelve years in federal prison as part of plea bargain in which he admitted to firing at least twenty rounds during the incident. The length of the sentence was said to have been influenced by his previous gun-related convictions. In July 2005, Jones was sentenced to a one-year and a day in prison, thirty days home detention upon release from custody, and three years of probation. She served the entirety of her sentence at the Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia in Center City, Philadelphia. She was released on July 3, 2006, after serving approximately 12 months. Jones, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Register #56198-054, was released from BOP supervision on August 2, 2006.

2005–08: The Naked Truth and Ms. G.O.A.T

Jones released her fourth album, The Naked Truth, on September 27, 2005, while serving a federal prison sentence. It earned her a 5 mic rating from The Source, making her the only female rapper to ever receive a 5 mic rating. The album debuted at No. 6 on theBillboard 200 chart, selling 109,000 copies in its first week of release, giving Jones her third Top 10 debut on the chart. The Naked Truth did not sell as well as her previous works, it only managed to reach a Gold certification by RIAA. She said that her prison sentence left her with no time to promote the project. The music video for The Naked Truth's first single, "Lighters Up", was number one on BET's 106 & Park for two weeks. "Lighters Up" was a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The single also reached No. 67 on the German Single Chart, No. 12 on the UK Top 75 and No. 4 on the Finland Single Chart. The second single, "Whoa" was released on February 17, 2006. It reached No. 22 on Airplay.

On March 9, 2006, BET premiered the show Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, which was filmed before Jones headed to prison. The show became the highest rated premiere in BET history, averaging 1.9 million viewers. In May 2006, Debbie Harry released a song in tribute to Jones called "Dirty and Deep" in protest of her conviction. The song was available for free from her official website. The Dance Remixes, her first compilation album was released on June 6, 2006. The album featured remixes of songs from The Naked Truth and Hard Core. A limited pressing released only in the US, it received no promotion, due to Jones being in prison at the time of release, and failed to chart. On August 31, 2006, Jones presented the award for Best Male Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, it marked her first televised appearance since being released from prison. She also made appearances on the show The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll and Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious in 2007 and 2008 as a judge.

In January 2008, Jones announced that she had parted ways with Atlantic Records, choosing to release future projects independently. She stated she had no hard feelings towards Atlantic but felt more comfortable in her knowledge of the music business to do it alone. Jones released her first mixtape, Ms. G.O.A.T., an acronym for "Greatest of All Time", on June 3, 2008. It was produced by New York City DJs Mister Cee and DJ Whoo Kid. Among critics, the mixtape received generally positive reviews. It has been called a representation of Jones's return to the streets. Tito Salinas of All Hip Hop says "Lil' Kim shows that her time behind bars did not rust all of her swag away" on Ms. G.O.A.T. On the other hand, Ehren Gresehover of New York Mag says that although one of the tracks "The Miseducation of Lil' Kim" is not bad, he wished that it was Lauryn Hill who was making a comeback instead.

2009–11: Dancing with the Stars and Black Friday

On March 10, 2009, the song "Girls" by Korean singer Seven featuring Jones was released through digital stores as his U.S. debut single. Jones appeared in the music video that was released on the same day. "Girls" was produced by Darkchild. On March 24, 2009, she released the song "Download" featuring R&B singers T-Pain and Charlie Wilson. It was written by Jones and T-Pain and produced by Trackmasters. The song samples "Computer Love" by Zapp. Although it missed the Hot 100, it did chart on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 21.

Jones appeared on the eighth season of reality series Dancing with the Stars, which began airing on March 9, 2009. She was paired with professional dancer Derek Hough until the dance couple was eliminated on May 5, 2009 against Ty Murray and his partner Chelsie Hightower, putting her at fifth place from all thirteen contestants that season. Her elimination was met by many boos from the audience, as she was a consistent high-scorer and a fan favorite.

On February 16, 2010, the Ludacris song "Hey Ho", which featured Jones and Lil Fate, was released as a promo single for his seventh studio album Battle of the Sexes. In June 2010, Jones started her 2010 Tour, her first headlining tour since 2000. It took her across the US, as well as Canada and Europe.

Jones released her second mixtape, Black Friday, on February 14, 2011. The video for the title track was released on February 16, 2011. The mixtape received mostly negative reviews from critics. It was made available for purchase via PayPal with the first 100,000 copies sold being signed by the rapper. In May 2011, Jones performed in South Africa as part of the music festival ZarFest alongside Fat Joe, Timbaland and Ciara. On June 19, 2011, Jones performed alongside G-Unit member Shawty Lo and hinted a possible working relationship with G-Unit Records. That same month the song Jones, along with Rick Ross, was featured on titled "Anything (To Find You)", by R&B singer Monica was leaked. The song, which samples The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Who Shot Ya?", initially featured just Jones, but her second verse was removed to make room for Ross. Her vocals were then removed fully due to contractual issues with B.I.G's estate. In August 2011, Jones performed four dates in Australia as part of the WinterBeatz Festival alongside Fabolous, Mario, 50 Cent and G-Unit. During the August, 17 date in Perth, she joined 50 Cent on stage for a performance of "Magic Stick". It marked the first time the pair had performed the song together. On November 28, 2011, Jones released a buzz single called "I Am Not the One". She also announced that she would release an EP, but it was later shelved for unknown reasons.

2012–present: Fifth studio album and "Hard Core Mixtape"

In the summer of 2011, Jones began recording material for her fifth studio album, as a restriction banning her from releasing new material as a result of her settlement with Trackmasters was lifted.

On Valentine's Day, 2012, Jones released the song "If You Love Me" produced by "Prince Saheb" of Knockout Entertainment as a gift to her fans. That same month it was announced she would make her return to the stage on BET's Rip the Runway. It marked her first televised performance in years. In March 2012, during an interview with MTV's Sucker Free, Jones revealed that contract issues with production duo Trackmasters were the reason behind her album delay, saying "...contractually, by the courts, I could not record any music – I wasn't supposed to put any music out." On March 23, 2012, the song "Keys To The City", a collaboration with Young Jeezy, was leaked to the Internet. Jones first mentioned the song during an interview with MTV's RapFix, saying "I have a song with another celebrity person that I know the world and my fans are gonna love... It's vintage Kim mixed with the new Kim." During the same RapFix interview, Jones also revealed another song, titled "I'm Ready", which she hopes to do with rapper 50 Cent. Jones also commented on the direction of her music, saying she was in "Kanye West mode", adding "...You do whatever you want to do ...it's all about taking chances".

Jones kicked off her Return of the Queen Tour on May 17, 2012 to positive reviews. In a radio interview at 99 Jamz, Jones stated that her upcoming book, The Price of Loyalty, is on hold to coincide with the release of her new album. It was also revealed in 2012 that Jones had signed upcoming female rapper Tiffany Foxx to her label, IRS Records.

On March 6, 2013, Jones returned to Rap Fix Live and revealed that Bangladesh would be executive producing her album with her, and that she had signed a business deal with former Chairman and CEO of EMI Records, Charles Koppelman. however Bangladesh later stated in an interview that "[didn't] think it was going to work out.". During an interview with XXL on April 26, 2013, Jones revealed that she does not have a name for the album yet, but the first official single would be out by mid year. Jones described the single, produced by Bangladesh, as "different" and "sweet dessert". On July 11, 2013, Jones released the Rockwilder produced single "Looks Like Money" as a free download to her fans on her birthday. On July 26, 2013 Jones announced and released the cover art for a new mixtape entitled Hard Core 2K13, which will also serve as a sequel to her critically acclaimed debut album, Hard Core. The mixtape was originally set to be released on October 31, 2013, but for unknown reasons, was pushed back. To make up for not releasing the mixtape, Jones released the singles "Dead Gal Walking" and "Kimmy Blanco" to the public, along with the tracklist. The tracklist revealed collaborations with French Montana, Miley Cyrus, Jadakiss and Yo Gotti.

On January 17, 2014, Canadian make-up artist and photographer Samantha Ravndahl filed a lawsuit against Jones, claiming that Jones had stolen an image from her Reddit page to use for her "Dead Gal Walking" single artwork. Ravndahl first tried amicably resolving the issue soon after the single was released in November by asking Jones to remove the image from her social media sites, but after continued social media posts containing the artwork, she followed through with a lawsuit. The stolen image depicts Ravndahl herself modeling a "zombie-style" make-up design of her own creation. In the lawsuit complaint, Ravndahl's attorney's claim that: "Ravndahl believes that Lil' Kim, acting through her agent, Whosay, Inc., slapped Lil' Kim's name and copyright notice over Ravndahl's face and makeup design on Ravndahl's photograph before distributing it all over the web." The case has been filed through a Federal District Court in California and Ravndahl is seeking $150,000 in damages from Jones, plus attorney fees. A jury is being requested in the trial. Jones has not made any public statements concerning the issue other than crediting her graphic designer on her Twitter page, as well as stating in an interview to XXL magazine, "I don't know what the heck is going on, if there were something going on, my team would know better than I would. You have to get that from my team because I really don't know what's going on." On February 18, 2014, Jones released another single from Hard Core Mixtape 2k14. The single, entitled "Haterz," features lyrics by Jones and rapper B-Ford and was released on her Twit Music page where fans could download it. In April, the single was released on iTunes.

On August 2, 2014, Jones announced via her Twitter page a concert tour for her much anticipated Hardcore Mixtape. Details have yet to surface about concert dates or locations. Throughout the remainder of the month of August, Jones released a number of songs via her Twit Music account: A remix to Beyoncé's and Nicki Minaj's collaboration of "Flawless" (August 4), "Identity Theft" (August 6), A freestyle entitled "Hot Nigga" (August 7),a freestyle to "No Flex Zone" by Rae Sremmurd (August 26), and a remix to Iggy Azalea's "Fancy".

On September 11, 2014, the Hard Core mixtape was released as free download on Kim's official website. In an interview with Revolt TV on the same day, Jones revealed that she, Iggy Azalea, and Rapper T.I. will be collaborating on a song some time in the future, citing "I don't know if it's going to be for my album or if we're just going to…we have other plans for it as well. But, I think we're going to do a double release." In the same interview, she explained the reasons why the mixtape was pushed back twice, stating "When this project was supposed to come out I had got pregnant. I didn't know. [...] Once I became fully pregnant, I was working in the studio but at one point I couldn't work anymore, obviously,".

Products and endorsements

In 1998, Jones signed to Wilhelmina Models. That same year she was announced as the face for the fashion brand Candie's alongside Brandy. She became the first and only rapper to endorse the brand to date. In 2000, Jones signed a deal with fashion house Iceberg, and also with cosmetics brand MAC to help endorse their VIVA GLAM line of lipsticks and lip glosses alongside Mary J. Blige. The MAC VIVA GLAM III campaign, which was built around a plum-brown lipstick, helped raise $4 million for the company in one year and became the most successful VIVA GLAM campaign to date. Due to the success, the two signed on for a second year. The rapper also modeled for the urban fashion line Baby Phat in August 2000. In March 2001, Jones, along with several other artists, featured in a commercial for Apple's Mac computers. It highlighted how users can burn custom CD's on their Mac. In 2003, Jones became the spokesperson for American clothing brand Old Navy. That same year her song "The Jump Off" was used in a commercial for AOL's dial up Internet service.

In 2004, it was announced that Jones would launch a designer watch collection, titled Royalty by Lil' Kim. Jeweler Jacob Arabo manufactured the watches. She also debuted her first clothing line, entitled Hollyhood. Jones also lent her voice to the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY which she was featured in. In 2005, Jones collaborated on a shoe line with high end shoe store, Petite Peton. That same year Jones was featured as a character in the limited edition comic book "The Heist". The book was a collaboration between Marvel and Atlantic Records. In August 2010, Jones signed a deal with Three Olives Vodka to become the face for their Purple vodka. In September of that same year, Jones, along with her cousin, Katrise Jones, opened their first beauty salon in Charlotte, North Carolina called Salon Se Swa. That same month, Jones also launched her second clothing line, entitled 24/7 Goddess Collection, at Charlotte NC Fashion Week. In November 2012, Jones began endorsing Cîroc vodka, revealing her own cocktail, titled "Queen Bee", and announcing herself as the "First Lady" of the brand.

Philanthropy

In 2000, Jones embarked on a promo tour in support of her second studio album, The Notorious K.I.M., and the MAC AIDS Fund. She visited MAC cosmetics counters, interacted with fans and help raise money and awareness for the cause, which helps people who are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. She also took part in MAC's Fashion Cares show in Toronto, Canada. The show raised close to one million for the AIDS Committee of Toronto. Her endorsement for MAC, with Mary J. Blige, would go on to raise $4 million for the fund. In October 2001, Jones was featured on the R&B mix of the song "What's Going On". Jones, along with several other popular recording artists, released the song under the name "Artists Against AIDS Worldwide", with proceeds going to AIDS programs worldwide and also United Ways September 11th Fund. That same month, Jones performed at BREATHE, a benefit concert for breast cancer research and treatment. Proceeds from the concert went to the UCLA Breast Center and the Breast Examination Center of Harlem, an outreach program of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. On March 12, 2002, Jones walked her dogs in the 3rd annual "Paws for Style" fashion show. The event is held by Animal Fair magazine as a benefit for the Humane Society of New York. Items worm by the animals were later actioned off online. In 2004, Jones started her own foundation called Lil' Kim Cares. The foundation raises funds, resources and awareness for national programs that assist with issues of homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, transitional living, child neglect and violence against women. Speaking about the foundation, Jones stated she planned to be involved in a number of causes, most of which had effected her personally in past years. On April 17, 2004, Jones participated in the 28th annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. The event helped raise more than $100,000 for "Racing for Kids", a non-profit program benefiting Southern California children's hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County. On August 24, 2004, Jones encouraged others to vote in the United States presidential election through the Rock the Vote campaign.

On March 10, 2005, Jones, along with several other artists, appeared in an episode of The Apprentice. Each artist was approached by contestants to donate a "personal experience" to be auctioned off for charity through music channel Fuse's "Daily Download" program with proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. In September 2005, Jones paired up with fashion designer, and friend, Marc Jacobs for a limited edition T-shirt line featuring images of the rapper. The shirts, titled Marc Jacobs Loves Lil' Kim, were sold exclusively at Marc Jacob stores with 100% of the proceeds going to The Door. That same year Jones donated a diamond watch from her "Royalty" watch line to the World AIDS Day eBay Auction titled "Bid 2 Beat AIDS". Proceeds went to LIFEbeat, an organization providing HIV/AIDS information to millions of young people annually. Through her foundation, Jones has given back to many, including teaming up with apparel company Mitchell & Ness and boxer Zab Judah to donate toys to underprivileged youth in Philadelphia in 2005, and teaming up with MusiCares in 2007 for a silent auction, held at the Grammys On The Hill ceremony, to help raise funds for the foundation. That same year, Jones was a part of the 4th Annual GRAMMY Charity Holiday Auction, which featured a large variety of celebrity-signed memorabilia that people could bid on through the online auction site eBay. On December 1, 2007, Jones teamed up with Preserve Our Legacy and the New Jersey Stem Cell Research and Education Foundation to put on a celebrity basketball game to raise awareness about various health issues plaguing minority communities.

On July 11, 2010, Jones launched her signature milkshake, titled "Queen Bee", at Millions of Milkshakes in West Hollywood, with proceeds going towards Wyclef Jean's Yéle Haiti foundation. On February 9, 2013, Jones took part in the first annual Reality On The Runway fashion show. The event wanted to help raise $300,000 for people infected with HIV/AIDS and increase awareness. All designs from the show were auctioned off online following the event with a portion of the proceeds going to AIDS United.

Personal life

In her teens, Jones began dating Shawn Powell. The pair met at the Empire Roller Skating rink in Brooklyn. After a couple of months of seeing each other, Powell was arrested for robbery and was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. Jones and Powell continued their relationship with Jones visiting frequently and also kept in touch by writing letters to each other. The couple also became engaged while he was incarcerated. During this time was when Jones met Christopher Wallace, and with wanting to focus on starting her rap career the engagement was eventually called off and the couple split. Shortly after meeting Wallace, Jones had an on and off relationship with him up until his death in 1997. On July 23, 1996, Jones was arrested for possession of marijuana after police raided the Teaneck, New Jersey home of Wallace. The arrest came after police smelt marijuana inside the home when they went to ask for someone to move an illegally parked car. Jones denied she was smoking, claiming she was "upstairs all day sleeping". That same year, during the recording of her debut album, "Hard Core", Jones fell pregnant with Wallace's child. Jones never made it public until 1999 during an interview with The Source. Jones decided not to keep the baby, telling The Source "I already knew the kind of relationship that Biggie and I had, and I knew that [having a child] was something that couldn't take place..." Wallace called Jones three days before his death and told her he loved her. On March 17, 1999, Teaneck police issued an arrest warrant after Jones failed to turn up to court dates stemming from her 1996 arrest. The warrant wasn't a top priority for police and wasn't made public until September 2003, after the story was published online by The Smoking Gun. Jones was later removed from Teaneck's wanted list in October 2003, after $350 in bail was posted on her behalf. Jones' attorney told reporters that she didn't appear in court as she believed the case had been resolved.

In 2002, Jones started dating Damion "World" Hardy, the couple split in 2003. It was during this time that Jones had been a victim of physical abuse. Telling The Source in 2004 that she had suffered from black eyes, bloody lips, blood clots and even had to have an MRI. Jones also stated how she had to have multiple nose jobs due to being punched. On June 20, 2003, Jones had $250,000 worth of jewelry stolen from her while catching a flight at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport after a bag, which she intended to carry on, was mixed up with eight other pieces of her luggage. The missing jewelry was recovered 10 days later, found wrapped up in a rag in a locker room for airline employees by a United Airlines worker. On July 1, 2003, John Acheson was charged after trying to extort $25,000 from Jones in exchange for her stolen jewelry. Acheson, who was never in possession of Jones' jewelry, called Jones' lawyer, Mel Sachs, on June 23 saying he had the jewelry and would exchange it for an initial $5,000 and $20,000 at a later date. Acheson was charged with third degree attempted grand larceny, fourth degree attempted grand larceny by extortion, and attempted coercion in the second degree. In March 2004, Acheson was sentenced to five days in jail and a $500 fine after pleading guilty to a minor charge of attempted grand larceny. In 2004, Jones dated record producer Scott Storch. The two met when Storch offered Jones a ride to her hotel. The couple spilt after only 2 months together. In 2013, Storch revealed that he would've married Jones if the relationship had worked out. In 2007, Jones and Ray J briefly dated. In 2012, Jones started dating Bronx rapper Peoples Hernandez, known by his stage name Papers. The couple split briefly in December of that year before reconciling that same month. On February 12, 2014, Jones announced she was pregnant, saying she was "a few months along" with her first child. Hernandez said shortly afterward he was the father. On June 9, 2014, Jones gave birth to a baby girl, named Royal Reign.

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#Lil' Kim

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