Lil' Kim Returns with New Album '9'
The wait is over.
Over 14 years since her last album, Lil’ Kim returns with her long-awaited album 9. In addition to “Go Awff” and the City Girls and O.T. Genasis-assisted “Found You,” the nine tracks include appearances from Rick Ross, Musiq Soulchild, and Rich the Kid.
“Expect variety, expect Kimmie to get a little different,” the 45-year-old rap icon told “Extra.” “I’ve gotta grow, I’ve gotta elevate, I’ve gotta reinvent myself, and I’ve gotta show I’m still that fly. At the same time, I am a classic, but I’m in the now and I will be in the future.”
The number nine has a lot of significance to Kim. March 9 is the day Biggie died and June 9 is the day her daughter Royal Reign was born. There were also nine members in Junior M.A.F.I.A. and she was born on 7/11 (7+1+1=9). “Everything has been aligning for me perfectly,” she said.
As a mother to a five-year-old, she was also conscious with her lyrics on this album. “This one, I made songs for kids to listen to as well,” said Kim, who was honored with the “I Am Hip Hop” Award at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards.
9, which was originally due in May, marks Kim’s fifth album and first since 2005’s The Naked Truth. Since then, she has released a number of mixtapes including 2016’s Lil’ Kim Season.
And there’s more to come. Kim revealed that part two is on the way. “I will tell you this, I recorded so many songs. I have a part one and a part two,” she said on VH1’s “Girls Cruise” reunion special.
The Queen Bee is back. Stream 9 below.