Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1975 in Brooklyn, New York), better known as Lil' Kim or Queen Bee, is a Grammy Award winning American rapper and actress signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. She is known for her sexually explicit lyrics and for being one of the most prominent female rap artists of her time. She began her career with Junior M.A.F.I.A., whose album Conspiracy generated three hit singles. Her debut solo album, Hard Core, was released in 1996 and she followed this with 2000's The Notorious K.I.M., 2003's La Bella Mafia and 2005's The Naked Truth which was released on the day she went to jail for a year for perjury charges. ...show more

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1975 in Brooklyn, New York), better known as Lil' Kim or Queen Bee, is a Grammy Award winning American rapper and actress signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. She is known for her sexually explicit lyrics and for being one of the most prominent female rap artists of her time. She began her career with Junior M.A.F.I.A., whose album Conspiracy generated three hit singles. Her debut solo album, Hard Core, was released in 1996 and she followed this with 2000's The Notorious K.I.M., 2003's La Bella Mafia and 2005's The Naked Truth which was released on the day she went to jail for a year for perjury charges.

As a recording artist, her uninhibited "hardcore XXX" style of rap has paved the way for many other female rap artists, including Trina, Young Money's Nicki Minaj and Terror Squad's Remy Ma. Jones was born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of the New York City borough Brooklyn. At the age of 9, her parents separated, and her father raised her until he expelled her from home. With her life at home struggling she decided to move in with friends.

While struggling through her personal life, Kim met The Notorious B.I.G., 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. In 1994, B.I.G. was instrumental in introducing and promoting the Brooklyn based group, Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included Lil' Kim. The group's first and only album was titled Conspiracy. ...show less