In 2001, Lil' Kim reached number one on the U.S. (2000) and La Bella Mafia (2003) were also certified platinum. Her following albums, The Notorious K.I.M. It had the highest debut in the US for a female rap album at the time. Lil' Kim's debut studio album, Hard Core (1996) was certified double platinum, has since sold more than six million copies worldwide, and spawned three successful singles: ' No Time', ' Not Tonight (Ladies Night)', and ' Crush on You'. their debut album, Conspiracy, generated two top 20 singles in the United States and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 1994, she was discovered by fellow rapper the Notorious B.I.G., who invited her to join his group Junior M.A.F.I.A. In her teens, Jones would freestyle rap, influenced by fellow female hip hop artists like MC Lyte and the Lady of Rage. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, she lived much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home.

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974), better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and reality television personality.