Lil’ Kim: 10 of Her Iconic Fashion Looks, Ranked
Whether she is in the studio, on stage, or casually walking down the streets of New York, Lil’ Kim is going to wear something that is going to make you…
**** Exclusive **** Lil’ Kim on the set of Ray-J’s new video ‘Wait A Minute’ featuring Lil’ Kim, his new single on Atlantic Records, in Los Angeles, Ca. 1/31/01.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)Whether she is in the studio, on stage, or casually walking down the streets of New York, Lil' Kim is going to wear something that is going to make you turn your head. Lil' Kim (born Kimberly Denise Jones), is a Grammy-winning rapper. She's also an artist to watch for her daring outfits.
Lil' Kim began rapping in 1994 when Notorious B.I.G discovered her. The iconic rapper requested that she join his group Junior M.A.F.I.A. The group consisted of Lil' Cease, Trife, Larceny, Nino Brown, Chico Del Vec, MC Klepto/Kleptomaniac, Capone, and Bugsy. They were all mentored by The Notorious B.I.G. The group was mostly known for their hits "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money" each making it in the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. They released their debut album, Conspiracy, in 1995. The group helped launch Lil Kim's solo career.
RELATED: Tyra Banks' Hottest Runway & Red Carpet Looks Through The Years
Lil' Kim launched her solo career with her debut album Hard Core in 1996. The album debuted at No. 11 on the US Billboard 200 and at No. 3 on Billboard's Top R&B Albums. Hard Core was the highest debut by a female rapper at the time. The album spawned popular singles such as "No Time," "Big Momma Thang," featuring Jay-Z and Lil Cease, and "Not Tonight" featuring Jermaine Dupri. Dupri was also a producer on the album. The remix of "Not Tonight" featured Dupri, Missy Elliott, Da Brat, Left Eye, and Angie Martinez. The single was nominated for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards.
Hard Core was followed by The Notorious K.I.M., which was released in 2000, and La Bella Mafia in 2003. The rapper gained her only Grammy award to date from the 2001 No. 1 hit "Lady Marmalade." The track featured Mýa, Pink, and Christina Aguilera as well. The song was a remake of LaBelle's 1974 single of the same name. The song won Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards.
All while Lil' Kim was heating up the charts with other singles such as "The Jump Off" and "Magic Stick," she embraced her feminity in a way that had not been seen before in rap.
Take a look at 10 of her iconic looks ranked:
10.
(Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)Street style was a place where Lil' Kim always dominated. She always had a fur coat with her on winter nights in New York. This photo was taken in 2003 as she attended the launch of the Lugz/Funkmaster Flex FMF-1 Driving Shoe at a Foot Locker shoe store in the Big Apple.
9.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)Lil' Kim also took her love of streetwear to the stage. She wore This outfit while performing at the 3rd Annual BET Awards Show at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. The rapper wore black sweatpants with yellow trim and and a black and yellow leather jacket with wings.
8.
(Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)A matching jean set is not the easiest to pull off then again, everyone is not Lil' Kim. The rapper wore this matching embroidery jacket and skirt set in Las Vegas for the "1st Annual Video Game Awards." The photo was taken in 2003. December 2, 2003 in Las Vegas.
7.
(Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)Lil' Kim was photographed wearing a corset-esque partial body suit with an embroidered bra with jewels. She is seen holding her Grammy award, which she won for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for "Lady Marmalade" with singers Christina Aguilera, Mya and Pink. This was at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. This was taken in 2002.
6.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)Lil' Kim was dripped in designer clothes when she was on set for her and Ray J's music video, "Wait A Minute." The rapper was wearing head-to-toe Fendi, including matching boots and a headband. This photo was taken in 2001.
5.
Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirectWhen she wasn't on stage or on set Lil' Kim also made appearances on the runway. In this photo she walked the runway for Baby Phat's lingerie show. She wore a black see-through bikini top with he Baby Phat symbol in the middle of her bikini bottom. She also rocked a diamond cross chain and a brown fur coat. This photo was taken in 2000.
4.
(Photo by Brenda Chase/Online USA)This outfit is the epitome of a Lil' Kim outfit. She wore this see-through one-piece to the 1999 Source Hip-Hop Awards. She complimented the outfit with a fur bag and fur heels. Her bleach-blonde hair, in contrast with the outfit, put the look altogether.
3.
(Photo by Brenda Chase/Online USA)Lil' Kim looked like the hip-hop royalty she is at the 1999 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards. She wore a studded cropped corset top with white bikini bottoms attached to sheer studded skirt. Keeping on brand with the fur, the rapper wore a white fur shawl and decorated diamond headpiece.
2.
(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)While everyone knows Jennifer Lopez's 2000 Green Versace dress, Lil' Kim's dress at the 3rd Annual BET Awards Show seemingly emulated the trend but in her own flare. The rapper wore a similar printed dress with a bikini top and bottom. She also accompanied the look with the same printed cover that fell off her shoulders.
1.
(Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)This all-purple look is her most iconic look to date. Lil' Kim rocked this all-purple one-piece one-shoulder outfit that exposed her breast on one side, which was covered with a matching nipple adhesive. She even wore a matching purple wig with bangs to complete the entire look. Lil' Kim wore this to the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.
