Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Who Is Lil Kim?
Kimberly Denise Jones, better known by her stage name Lil’ Kim, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, reality television personality, and model.
As a musician, Lil’ Kim gained initial recognition around the mid-90s, mainly for her professional and romantic involvements with Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G). After a short stint with the B.I.G’s rap group, Kim decided to chart her own music career. She released her debut studio album in 1996, titled ‘Hard Core.’ She has since followed up with four more studio albums, namely ‘The Notorious K.I.M. (2000),’ ‘La Bella Mafia (2003),’ ‘The Naked Truth (2005),’ and ‘9 (2019).’
Lil’ Kim has also appeared in many films and television shows whilst undertaking her musical projects. Besides, she has involved herself in several modeling ventures.
Lil Kim Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Kimberly Denise Jones |
| Popular Name: | Lil’ Kim |
| Gender: | Female |
| Birth Date: | July 11, 1974 |
| Age: | 48 years |
| Parents: | Linwood Jones and Ruby Jones (later Ruby Jones-Mitchell) |
| Siblings: | Christopher Jones |
| Birth Place: | New York City, New York, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | Mixed (Native American and African-American) |
| Education: | Queen of All Saints Elementary School, Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School, and Brooklyn College Academy |
| Marital Status: | Unmarried but has been in a string of high-profile relationships, including with the late Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G) and Damion “World” Hardy |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Wife/Spouse: | N/A |
| Children: | Royal Reign |
| Dating: | N/A |
| Net Worth: | USD 500,000 |
| Source of Wealth: | Record & Album Sales, Songwriting, Record Producing, Acting & Television Appearances, Modeling, Endorsement Deals, and Other Ventures |
| Height: | 4′ 11″ (1.50 m) |
| Weight: | 55 kg; In pounds: 121 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Kimberly Denise Jones was born on July 11, 1974, in New York City, New York, United States, to Linwood Jones and Ruby Jones. Her father was a former United States Marine.
Jones attended Queen of All Saints Elementary School. She momentarily dropped out of high school and became homeless when her father (with whom she had been living following her parents’ separation) kicked her out of the house.
But Kimberly Jones’ fortunes would change dramatically when she met The Notorious B.I.G. The B.I.G went on to play a critical role in her professional and personal life. Thanks to him, Jones was able to proceed with her education in Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School and Brooklyn College Academy.
Music Career
Kimberly Denise Jones first ventured into the music industry during her teenage years. She would occasionally freestyle rap, taking her inspiration from established female hip hop artists like the Lady of Rage and MC Lyte.
Jones’ rap skills piqued the interest of famous rappers at the time, including The Notorious B.I.G.
In 1994, the B.I.G invited Kimberly to join his rap group known as Junior M.A.F.I.A. It’s during this period that Jones adopted the stage name Lil’ Kim.
Junior M.A.F.I.A subsequently released their debut album, titled ‘Conspiracy.’ The album featured several successful hits, including two singles that topped various charts in the United States. It was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Lil’ Kim and The Notorious B.I.G’s relationship went on to transcend professional borders. The two rappers became romantically involved, although Kim would admit in later interviews that her romantic relationship with the B.I.G was far from being a page off a fairy tale book.
In 1996, Lil’ Kim released her debut studio album, ‘Hard Core.’ The album was an instant success, earning double platinum certification in a fairly short time span. As of the time of writing (July 3, 2022), ‘Hard Core’ has sold over 6 million copies globally. Some of the album’s most successful tracks include “No Time,” “Crush on You,” and “Not Tonight (Ladies Night).
Lil’ Kim released her second and third albums, ‘The Notorious K.I.M,’ and ‘La Bella Mafia’ in 2000 and 2003, respectively. Both albums have been certified platinum.
Kim’s next two albums are The Naked Truth (2005) and 9 (2019).
Acting and Television Career
Lil’ Kim made her acting debut in 1997 by appearing as herself in the film ‘Gangstresses,’ as well as in the television shows ‘Rolanda’ and ‘The RuPaul Show.’ Two years later, she appeared in the film ‘She’s All That’ and the television shows ‘V.I.P’ and ‘FANatic.’
Kim has since landed many other film and television roles. Notable ones include the films Longshot (2000), Zoolander (2001), Juwanna Mann (2002), You Got Served (2004), and Superhero Movie (2008), as well as the television shows The Parkers (2001), Pregnant in Heels (2012), and Girls Cruise (2019).
Besides acting, Lil Kim’s television-related ventures also include hosting and appearing as a reality television star. Kim is noted for hosting the 2003 MOBO Awards and appearing on Dancing with the Stars in 2009.
Lil Kim’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Lil’ Kim had a net worth of $500,000.
Music is Kim’s biggest income earner. Besides releasing several commercially successful records and albums, the NYC-born rapper has also embarked on three headlining tours and three joint tours.
The headlining tours include:
• The Notorious K.I.M. Tour (2000)
• 2010 Tour (2010)
• Return of the Queen Tour (2012)
And the joint tours include:
• No Way Out Tour in 1997 – 1998 (with Puff Daddy & The Family)
• Winterbeatz Australia in 2011 (with Fabolous, 50 Cent, Mario, and G-Unit)
• Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour in 2016
Outside the music industry, Lil’ Kim also earns from acting, television appearances, and modeling. The multitalented athlete has also endorsed numerous brands over the years and has presumably earned huge paychecks from these deals. Some of the companies she has partnered with include the fashion brand Candie’s, the fashion house Iceberg, the cosmetics brand MAC, and the liquor brand Three Olives Vodka.
But perhaps the question boggling your mind right now is, ‘why is Lil’ Kim’s net worth so low considering her decorated career?’
Like many rappers, Lil’ Kim has not been a very prudent spender. Kim owes her modest net worth to her lavish lifestyle and unsound investment decisions. In January 2018, the rapper filed for personal bankruptcy. At the time, she reportedly had $2.57 million in assets and $4.08 million in liabilities.
Lessons from Lil’ Kim
1. Chart your own path
After a short but successful stint as a member of The Notorious B.I.G’s rap group Junior M.A.F.I.A, Lil’ Kim decided to pursue a solo music career.
2. Turn every adversity into an opportunity
In 2005, Kim served a one-year jail term for perjury. But it’s also during her incarceration that the rapper released her fourth album – The Naked Truth.
3. Service to humanity is service to God
Lil’ Kim has continuously involved herself in humanitarian causes despite her modest wealth. She’s best known for her contributions to HIV/AIDS and cancer prevention initiatives.
Famous Quotes by Lil Kim
• I am blessed to have so many great things in my life – family, friends and God.
• I’m blessed enough to been in the game for a while and still have my beautiful fans and still have the respect. That’s something that gets me going.
• I love to reinvent myself, and that’s because I am a very free person.
• I respect everybody, but at the same time, I carry myself with an aura that demands respect, too.
• The streets made me.
Conclusion
Lil’ Kim has earned an admirable reputation for the long duration she has been in the rap game. Although her current net worth doesn’t’ correspond with her long industry presence, Kim has remained undeterred in her quest to entertain her fans while keeping the rap industry vibrant.
