Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
name	Angie Martinez
alias	The Voice of New York
background	solo_singer
birth name	Angela Martinez
born	January 09, 1971Brooklyn, New York, United States
genre	Hip hop
occupation	Radio personality, rapper, actress
years active	1996–present
label	Elektra Records
website	TheAngieMartinezShow.com }}

Angela "Angie" Martinez (born January 9, 1971, Brooklyn, New York) is an American radio personality and occasional rapper.

Radio career

Angie Martinez got her first break in radio at the age of 16 answering hot lines at the urban radio station WQHT ("Hot 97"). There she met popular DJ Funkmaster Flex, and began working as his protégé. Martinez quickly picked up on the craft of running a successful radio program. Executives at the station decided to give her a chance, even though she lacked on-air experience.

Acting

She caught the attention of television producer Simon Fuller. Fuller thought that Martinez would become an excellent addition to ''American Idol''. Martinez signed a contract to be the fourth judge alongside Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell for seasons 2, 3 and 4 of the Fox network's ratings giant. After only four days on the audition trial, Martinez admitted to being unable to crush the dreams of hopefuls. She said watching the aspiring singers leave in tears and breaking down with their families comforting them was too much for her to take. Martinez asked the Fox Network to remove her from the program. Throughout the remainder of that season, she was replaced with different guest judges such as Clive Davis, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Quentin Tarantino, Brandy, and Mark McGrath of rock band Sugar Ray. When HBO decided to branch from one channel into 8 sub channels that would concentrate on a certain demographic, scheduling conflicts while filming ''Stretch'' ensued. With the new taping schedule cutting into her time with her radio show and promotions, Martinez stepped back from the program at that point.

As an actress, Angie received small roles in independent hip hop films such as ''Blood is Thicker Than Water'' and ''Paper Soldiers''. She then appeared in ''Brown Sugar'' starring Taye Diggs, Queen Latifah and Sanaa Lathan.

Music career

In 1996, Martinez was encouraged to give rapping a shot by friend KRS-One. She appeared on his track "Heartbeat" from his 1997 album ''I Got Next''. After the song gained a strong fan following, another friend, Lil' Kim, offered her a spot on her song "Ladies' Night" for the ''Nothing to Lose'' soundtrack. Along with Missy Elliott, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Da Brat, the ladies enjoyed one of the most successful singles of 1997. It peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #2, and reached #1 on the Hip-Hop / R&B; charts and the Rap charts respectively. The single sold over 1,000,000 copies and was certified Platinum. The ladies were nominated for two Grammy Awards that year, and were also invited to perform the song live on The MTV Video Music Awards. A major label battle began to sign Martinez to a recording contract. Her appearance on other rapper's material was in high demand. She recorded songs with Mary J. Blige ("Christmas in the City"), Terror Squad ("Freak Out"), N.O.R.E. ("Oh No Remix"), Beenie Man ("Tell Me Remix") and Funkmaster Flex & Big Kap's compilation album ''The Tunnel'' ("Wow"). She also recorded interludes for mixtapes by Kid Capri, DJ Clue and DJ Kayslay. In 2001, she appeared in the music video for Jay-Z and R. Kelly's "Guilty Until Proven Innocent".

On August 20, 2001, she finally issued her oft-delayed debut album, ''Up Close and Personal''. The album included production by DJ Clue, Salaam Remi, Knobody and RocWilder among others, and featured guest appearances by Jay-Z, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean, Busta Rhymes and Kool G. Rap. The first single, "Dem Thangzzz" was produced by The Neptunes, and also featured background vocals by Pharrell Williams and Q-Tip. The track failed to make a strong impression at radio, but the album enjoyed strong first week sales. It debuted at #32 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart, and #10 on the Billboard Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Charts selling 69,000 its first week. The second single, "Coast 2 Coast" (Suavamente) featuring rapper Wyclef Jean re-sparked interest in the album . She promoted the album with magazine posters, in-store signings, club appearances and television appearances with MTV and BET. The record received mixed reviews from critics, but like Martinez herself, was strongly accepted in the hip hop community. The album sold a low 325,000 units.

Following her first album's release, Angie began work on a second record ''Animal House''. In order to build anticipation for the record, she appeared on BET's ''Rap City'' and began a nation-wide radio tour. She recorded a verse for the remix to her Artist Sacario record "Live Big". It became the number one record in the tri-state area and coincidentally coincided with the release of Martinez's first single from her second album, "If I Could Go" which also featured Sacario and singer Lil' Mo. "If I Could Go" became a huge crossover hit on pop radio, climbing into the top 10 on The Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It became the #1 played on urban radio in 2002. The album, ''Animal House'' (named after Martinez's own production company and recording posse), was released on August 21, 2002. It entered the Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart at #11, and the Billboard Hot Hip-Hop / R&B; Charts selling 92,000 units in its first week. The follow-up single, "Take You Home" featuring R&B; singer Kelis didn't receive as much attention, but it did become a minor hit that winter. The album was more strongly received by critics and fans. Following the release of the album, she was featured on a remix for labelmate Lil' Mo's track "Gangster", and Nina Sky's hype single "Time to Go". Following this she announced she was retiring from the recording industry to concentrate on her other projects.

Personal life

She has a son Niko Ruffin (born June 12, 2003) with Tamir "Nokio" Ruffin of Dru Hill.

Awards and nominations

BET Awards

* 2002, Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (Nominated)

Grammy Awards

* 1998, Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group "Not Tonight" (Nominated)

Discography

Studio albums

{|class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"|Year ! rowspan="2"|Album ! colspan="2"|Peak chart positions |- !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|U.S. !style="width:3em;font-size:85%"|U.S. R&B; |- |2001 |''Up Close and Personal''

Released: April 17, 2001

Label: Elektra

Format: CD, digital download

|align="center"|32 |align="center"|7 |- |2002 |''Animal House''

Released: August 20, 2002

Label: Elektra

Format: CD, digital download

|align="center"|11 |align="center"|6 |- |}

Singles

Year	Song	Peak chart positions			Album
		! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"	! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"	! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"
		—	51	—
		—	80	24
	—	—	—
		15	26	11
		85	62	—

References

External links

Angie Martinez's Official Website

hot97.com

Angie Martinez's page at hot97.com

Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:Actors from New York City Category:American female models Category:American female singers Category:American film actors Category:American people of Puerto Rican descent Category:American radio personalities Category:American rappers Category:Female rappers Category:Hispanic and Latino American actors Category:Hispanic and Latino American rappers Category:People from Brooklyn Category:People from the Bronx Category:Rappers from New York City

ar:أنجي مارتينيز de:Angie Martínez es:Angie Martinez fr:Angie Martinez it:Angie Martinez ja:アンジー・マルチネス pt:Angie Martinez

Demetri Martin (born May 25, 1973) is an American comedian, actor, artist, musician, writer and humorist. Martin is best known for his work as a stand-up comedian, contributor on ''The Daily Show'' and for his Comedy Central show ''Important Things with Demetri Martin''.

Early life

Demetri Martin was born to a Greek American family in New York City, New York, and grew up in Toms River, New Jersey. He is the son of Lillian, a nutritionist, and Dean C. Martin, a Greek Orthodox priest. Martin graduated from Yale University in 1995. Although he was accepted into Harvard Law School, he went to New York University School of Law after he received a full scholarship. In 1996 Martin interned for the Domestic Policy Council at the Clinton White House, then after completing his second year of law school he dropped out.

Career

In 2001, Martin caught his first big break in stand-up comedy when he appeared on Comedy Central's stand-up showcase ''Premium Blend''. At the 2003 Edinburgh Festival Fringe he won the Perrier award with his show ''If I...''. The show was turned into a British television special in 2004. From 2003 to 2004, Martin wrote for ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien''. In 2004, Martin had his own ''Comedy Central Presents'' stand-up special. His special was divided into three parts. In the first, he performed in traditional stand-up comedy fashion. In the second segment, he used humorous drawings as visual aids, which would serve either as the punchline or a background. During the third segment, he played a guitar and put on a pseudo-play where he would strum his guitar while talking; some of his comedian friends dressed as fairies and dragons acted according to the story he was telling, detailing the magical land where his jokes came from. Martin's mother and grandmother also appeared.

Since late 2005, he has been credited as a contributor on ''The Daily Show'', on which he has appeared as the named "Senior Youth Correspondent" and on which he hosts a segment called "Trendspotting". He has used this segment to talk about so-called hip trends among youth such as hookahs, wine, guerilla marketing and Xbox 360. A piece about social networking featured his profile on MySpace. On March 22, 2007, Demetri made another appearance on ''The Daily Show'', talking about the Viacom lawsuit against Google and YouTube.

He has recorded a comedy CD/DVD titled ''These Are Jokes'', which was released on September 26, 2006. This album also features ''Saturday Night Live'' member Will Forte and stand-up comedian Leo Allen.

Martin returned to ''The Daily Show'' on March 22, 2006, as the new Youth Correspondent, calling his segment "Professional Important News with Demetri Martin". In 2007, he starred in a Fountains of Wayne music video for "Someone to Love" as Seth Shapiro, a character in the song. He also starred in the video for the new Travis single "Selfish Jean", in which he wears multiple t-shirts with lyrics written on them.

On September 2, 2007, Martin appeared on the season finale of the HBO series ''Flight of the Conchords''. He appeared as a keytar player named Demetri.

He also had a part in the movie ''The Rocker'' (2008) starring Rainn Wilson. Martin played the part of the videographer when the band in the movie was making their first music video.

In 2009, he hosted and starred in his own television show called ''Important Things With Demetri Martin'' on Comedy Central. Later in June, it was announced his show had been renewed for a second season. The second season premiered, again on Comedy Central, on February 4, 2010. Martin has stated that ''Important Things'' will not return for a third season.

Prior to completing work on his second season, Martin starred in the comedy-drama film ''Taking Woodstock'' (2009), directed by Ang Lee, which premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. In the film Martin plays Elliot Tiber, a closeted gay artist who has given up his ambitions in the city to move upstate and help his old-world Jewish family run their Catskill Mountains motel. The film is based on the book written by Tiber.

On April 25, 2011, Martin released his first book, titled ''This Is a Book''.

Future plans

Martin sold his movie concept ''Will'' to DreamWorks; he is expected to play a key supporting role. He will play the lead in the film ''Moon People'', a pitch that he sold to Columbia Pictures.

Martin also signed a blind script deal with CBS in October 2010 to produce, write, and star in his own television series.

After CBS was shown the pilot for the series, they decided not to air it.

On August 11, 2011, Fox ordered a presentation of a new animated show they might air.

''If I''

''If I'' is a Perrier Comedy Award-winning comedy one-man show written and performed by Demetri Martin at the 2003 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It was also aired on British television as a special. The show is an autobiographical examination of Martin's life, as seen through various definitions of the word "if."

The title of the special comes from a lengthy palindromic poem that Martin wrote; the words "if I" are at the center of the poem.

Comedic style

Martin is known for being an unconventional stand-up comic. He uses extensive wordplay (particularly paraprosdokians), one-liners, and drawings on a "large pad", as well as accompanying his jokes with music on either guitar, harmonica, piano, keyboard, glockenspiel, toy bells, ukulele, or tambourine, sometimes all at once. He has cited comedian Steven Wright as an important influence (both use deadpan one-liners in their acts) and he is also a fan of Bill Cosby.

Personal life

According to a July 2011 interview on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast , Demetri had a short-lived marriage to a girl he knew from high school. They began dating after high school and got married when he was in NYU Law School and she was attending NYU Medical School. He was aged 25 and in the end of his marriage/going through divorce when his stand-up career began .

Martin moved to Santa Monica, California in 2009.

Discography

''Invite Them Up'' (2005)

''These Are Jokes'' (2006)

''Demetri Martin. Person.'' (2007)

Filmography and television work

''If I'' ''12:21'' ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien'' "''Someone to Love (Fountains of Wayne song) ''Flight of the Conchords (TV series) ''The Rocker (film) ''Paper Heart'' ''Post Grad'' ''Moon People'' ''Taking Woodstock'' ''Important Things with Demetri Martin'' ''Take Me Home Tonight (film) ''Contagion (film) ''Conan''

Year	! Title	! Role	Notes
2002	''Analyze That''	Personal Assistant
2003	|	Himself	British television special, also writer
2004	|	Himself	short film, also writer
2004	|	Himself	1 episode, series writer
2007	Someone to Love''" ||	Seth Shapiro	''Fountains of Wayne'' music video
2007	Flight of the Conchords'' ||	Demetri	Season 1, Episode 12
2008	The Rocker'' ||	Kip (a music video producer)
2009	|	Himself
2009	|	Ad Exec
2009	|		lead role and writer
2009	|	Elliot Tiber	lead role
2009–2010	|	Himself / Various	lead role, writer, series creator, executive producer, and composer
2011	Take Me Home Tonight'' ||	Goldman Sachs Employee	supporting role
2011	Contagion'' ||
2011	|	Himself	guest

Written works

''This Is a Book'', April 2011, .

Awards and nominations

AwardPerrier Comedy AwardEmmy Awards Shared with Mike Sweeney (writer)Writers Guild of America Award Shared with Mike Sweeney (writer)Barry Award (for comedy)

Year	|	For	Category	Result	Other notes
2003	|	''If I''		Won	At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
2004	|	''Late Night with Conan O'Brien''	Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program	Nominated	Mike Sweeney (head writer), Chris Albers, Jose Arroyo, Andy Blitz, Kevin Dorff, Daniel J. Goor, Michael Gordon, Brian Kiley, Michael Koman, Brian McCann, Guy Nicolucci, Conan O'Brien, Allison Silverman, Robert Smigel, Brian Stack, Andrew Weinberg
2005	|	''Late Night with Conan O'Brien''	Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series	Won	Mike Sweeney (head writer), Chris Albers, Jose Arroyo, Andy Blitz, Kevin Dorff, Daniel J. Goor, Michael Gordon, Brian Kiley, Michael Koman, Brian McCann, Guy Nicolucci, Conan O'Brien, Allison Silverman, Robert Smigel, Brian Stack, Andrew Weinberg
2006	Barry Award ||	''Dr. Earnest Parrot Presents Demetri Martin''		Won	Award for best show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

References

External links

Interview from November, 2006, in Onion AV Club

Interview from October 2006, in The DePaulia

Article, in ''The Scotsman''

Article, in ''Gelf Magazine''

Interview by Brian M. Palmer

MP3 Audio Interview on ''The Sound of Young America'' public radio show and podcast

Interview Believer Mag

New Jersey Monthly Magazine

Fresh Air, NPR.org

Category:1973 births Category:Actors from New Jersey Category:Actors from New York City Category:American comedians Category:American comedy musicians Category:American comedy writers Category:American film actors Category:American humorists Category:American people of Greek descent Category:American stand-up comedians Category:American television actors Category:American television writers Category:Living people Category:New York University alumni Category:Writers from New Jersey Category:Writers from New York City Category:Writers Guild of America Award winners Category:Yale University alumni

cs:Demetri Martin da:Demetri Martin de:Demetri Martin fr:Demetri Martin gl:Demetri Martin it:Demetri Martin simple:Demitri Martin fi:Demetri Martin sv:Demetri Martin

Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
background	solo_singer
name	Lil' Mo
birth date	November 03, 1978
years active	1998–present
label	The Inc. (2000-2002) Elektra (2001-2004) Cash Money (2004-2006) G.M.G (2007-present)
associated acts	Fabolous
website	http://www.twitter.com/THELILMOSHOW }}

Cynthia Loving (born November 3, 1978), also known by her stage name Lil' Mo, is an American R&B; singer, Washington, D.C. radio personality, songwriter & record producer. She is best known for collaborating with artists such as Ja Rule, Angie Martinez, Sacario, Missy Elliott, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Fabolous, and for her hit single "Superwoman Pt. II".

Early life

Born into a military family, Loving was raised primarily on Long Island, but moved about regularly as her family followed her father's military assignments. Along with her parents, Bishop Jacob and First-Lady Cynthia Loving Sr., she lived in Texas, Atlanta, Georgia, and Fayetteville, North Carolina before settling in Baltimore, Maryland. Dreams of becoming a famous singer began early and she always remained focused on this goal, performing in talent competitions wherever her family would settle.

Music career

Beginnings

Signed with Elektra Records Loving entered the music industry as a protégé of then-labelmate Missy Elliott. Her debut single was entitled "5 Minutes" from the ''Why Do Fools Fall In Love'' soundtrack, co-written by Kelly Price. She appeared on tracks for Elliott's ''Da Real World'' in 1999. "Hot Boyz" became Loving's breakout appearance. She was featured in the music video for the song's remix alongside guest rappers Nas and Eve, and Elliott subsequently became a trusted adviser and friend. She was featured on rapper Jay-Z's song "Parking Lot Pimpin'" from the 2000 ''The Dynasty: Roc La Familia'' album. Not very well known, she was the female voice on the 2001 hit "Wifey" by Next. She has performed with and written songs for many artists including Blackstreet, Next, Bow Wow, Keith Sweat, Canela Cox, 3LW, Nicole Wray, Mocha and ODB.

Loving's next big exposure came in early 2001, when she was featured on Ja Rule's single "Put It On Me" alongside Ja Rule's Murder Inc. Records labelmate Vita. The single was a hit on both urban and pop radio, and reached number eight on the US pop charts, and more collaborations by Ja Rule and Lil' Mo followed, including "I Cry", which repurposed The O'Jays' 1978 hit "Cry Together". In the Summer of 2002 Loving collaborated with label mates Angie Martinez & Sacario on "If I Could Go".

''Based On A True Story'' (1999 - 2002)

In 2001, Lil' Mo released her debut album ''Based On A True Story'', on Elektra Records, and had a successful single of her own, "Superwoman (Part II)". The "Part II" remix, featuring hip-hop newcomer Fabolous, was an up-tempo, hip-hop flavored record, using an instrumental track producer DJ Clue had originally intended for M.O.P. reached #9 on the R&B; charts. The video was also a huge hit on MTV2 and BET. The album's second single, "Gangsta", contained a sample of Snoop Dogg's "Gin And Juice", was less successful reaching #57 on the R&B; charts.

After a falling out with Ja Rule and Irv Gotti, caused by Loving's accusations that they now favored using new Murder Inc. artist Ashanti for collaborations instead of her, she ended all associations with Murder Inc. in 2002. Since, Ja Rule has taken some shots at former friend, Loving, calling her a "bitch", and crediting himself as the reason why she had any hits. She refused to fire back, calling the whole thing "juvenile."

''Meet the Girl Next Door'' (2003)

During the mid-2003, Mo appeared on two important singles with Fabolous, who partially had Mo to thank for his own break into the industry, and who has since been more successful on both urban and mainstream charts than Mo herself. Their first duet was "Can't Let You Go", the first single from Fabolous' ''Street Dreams'' LP, was one of 2003's biggest rap and mainstream pop hits. The other duet, "4 Ever", the first official single from Lil' Mo's own second album, ''Meet The Girl Next Door'', was a major urban and R&B; hit, but did not achieve pop success.

''Pain & Paper'' (2007)

Under her independent label "Honeychild Entertainment" she finally released a new album. ''Pain & Paper'' was released on August 28, 2007 with production from Joey Cutless, Bryan-Michael Cox, Jules "Judah," Mike Moore, Troy Taylor, Adam "Streets" Arwine, Daniel "D-Up" Allen, Wesley "Mister Wes" Toone, among others. Along with recording her new album, Lil' Mo, together with Faith Evans, Fantasia, and R&B-turned-gospel; singer Coko (of SWV fame), appeared on the remake of The Clark Sisters' "Endow Me" from Coko's gospel album ''Grateful'', released October 31, 2006. Loving's ''Pain & Paper'' was released on August 28, 2007 distributed by Koch Entertainment. The first single off the album is "Sometimes I" featuring rapper Jim Jones). The video was directed by Gabriel E. Hart of Drew Barrymore's "VH-1's Shoot to Kill." She recently announced that her second single is "Lucky Her". She stated that "Lucky Her" is the final single from ''Pain & Paper''. She is currently working on a new album tentatively titled ''Tattoos & Roses: The Rebellion Against My Pain'' (confirmed by Lil' Mo herself in an interview), a mixtape, and a reality show for 2008.

2008 - present

With ''Pain & Paper'' sales at barely below one-hundred thousand, Lil' Mo signed to Global Music Group for a two-album contract. She has said in a recent interview that the album will be a double disc; half of it being a live production. The album is currently titled ''P.S. I LOVE Me''. In a 2010 interview, Mo confirmed that guest appearances on the album would include MC Lyte, Tweet, Fabolous and other performers that she has admired in the music industry. In early 2010, Loving ended her feud with Ja Rule which started in 2001.

Personal life

In 2001, she met her first husband, Al Stone, at a Washington, D.C. gas station; she initiated a conversation and asked for his number. He proposed to her in May, and they wed on August 29, 2001, after dating for only 5 months. Just two months later, Loving became pregnant, and on August 19, 2002, she gave birth to a daughter, Heaven Love'on Stone. Her second daughter, God'Iss Love Stone, was born on February 24, 2005. In December 2005, she filed for divorce from Al Stone.

She is currently married to Gospel recording artist Phillip Bryant; the couple welcomed a son, Justin McKenzie Phillip, on January 16, 2009. She currently lives in Odenton, Maryland.

Discography

2001: ''Based on a True Story''

2003: ''Meet the Girl Next Door''

2007: ''Pain & Paper''

2011: '''P.S. I LOVE Me''

Albums

Year	Album	Chart positions		RIAA Certification
		!width="60"	!width="60"
	style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"

Mixtapes

2011: P.S I Love You

Singles

{|class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2"| Year !rowspan="2"| Single !colspan="2"| Chart positions !rowspan="2"| Album |- !style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| U.S. !style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| U.S. R&B; |- || 1998 | "5 Minutes" (feat. Missy Elliott) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Why Do Fools Fall in Love Soundtrack'' |- || 2000 | "Ta Da" | style="text-align:center;"| 95 | style="text-align:center;"| 21 |rowspan="3"| ''Based on a True Story'' |- |rowspan="2"| 2001 | "Superwoman Pt. II" (feat. Fabolous) | style="text-align:center;"| 11 | style="text-align:center;"| 4 |- | "Gangsta" | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 57 |- |rowspan="3"| 2003 | "4Ever" (feat. Fabolous) | style="text-align:center;"| 37 | style="text-align:center;"| 13 |rowspan="2"| ''Meet the Girl Next Door'' |- | "Ten Commandments" (feat. Lil' Kim) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 101 |- | "21 Answers" | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Promo Single'' |- |rowspan="4"| 2005 | "Yeah Yeah Yeah" (feat. Miri Ben-Ari) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — |rowspan="4"| ''Syndicated: The Lil' Mo Hour'' (Unreleased Album) |- | "Hot Boys, Hot Girls" (feat. Lil Wayne) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 28 |- | "Mother of Your Child" | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — |- | "Dem Boyz" | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 86 |- |rowspan="2"| 2007 | "Sumtimes I" (feat. Jim Jones) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — |rowspan="2"| ''Pain & Paper'' |- | "Lucky Her" | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — |-|rowspan="2"| ''Pain & Paper'' |- | 2011 | style="text-align:center;"| " P.S. I Love U " | style="text-align:center;"| TBA |- | colspan="5" style="text-align:center; font-size:8pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |}

Guest singles

{|class="wikitable" |- !rowspan="2"| Year !rowspan="2"| Single !colspan="4"| Chart positions !rowspan="2"| Album |- !style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| U.S. !style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| U.S. R&B; !style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| U.S. Rap !style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| NL |- || 1999 | "Hot Boyz" (Missy Elliott feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| 5 | style="text-align:center;"| 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 1 | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Da Real World'' |- |rowspan="3"| 2000 | "I'll Trade (A Million Bucks)" (Keith Sweat feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 36 | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Didn't See Me Coming'' |- | "Whatever" (Ideal feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| 102 | style="text-align:center;"| 11 | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Ideal'' |- | "Put It On Me" (Ja Rule feat. Lil' Mo & Vita) | style="text-align:center;"| 8 | style="text-align:center;"| 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 11 | style="text-align:center;"| 7 |rowspan="2"| ''Rule 3:36'' |- |rowspan="2"| 2001 | "I Cry" (Ja Rule feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| 40 | style="text-align:center;"| 11 | style="text-align:center;"| 25 | style="text-align:center;"| — |- | "Lay It Down" (Jermaine Dupri & R.O.C. feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 117 | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Instructions'' |- |rowspan="3"| 2002 | "Pray For Me" (Mobb Deep feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Infamy'' |- | "Where's My..?" (Adam F feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 100 || ''Single Only'' |- | "If I Could Go" (Angie Martinez feat. Lil' Mo & Sacario) | style="text-align:center;"| 15 | style="text-align:center;"| 26 | style="text-align:center;"| 11 | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Animal House'' |- || 2003 | "Can't Let You Go" (Fabolous feat. Lil' Mo & Mike Shorey) | style="text-align:center;"| 4 | style="text-align:center;"| 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 10 || ''Street Dreams'' |- || 2004 | "Thick & Thin" (E-40 feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 120 | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''The Best of E-40: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow'' |- || 2006 | "Endow Me" (Coko feat. Lil' Mo, Fantasia & Faith Evans) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Grateful'' |- |rowspan="2"| 2008 | "Bulletproof Love/One Love" (Foxy Brown feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Brooklyn's Don Diva'' |- | "Cry" (LL Cool J feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| 119 | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Exit 13'' |- || 2009 | "It Ain't Love" (MSTRKRFT feat. Lil' Mo) | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — | style="text-align:center;"| — || ''Fist of God'' |- | colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:8pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. |}

References

External links

''Sister2Sister'' Interview

Category:Cash Money Records artists Category:American female singers Category:African American singers Category:American rhythm and blues singers Category:Hip hop singers Category:American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters Category:People from Baltimore, Maryland Category:People from Long Island Category:1978 births Category:Living people

de:Lil’ Mo it:Lil' Mo pt:Lil' Mo

Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
name	Wyclef Jean
background	solo_singer
birth name	Wyclef Jeanelle Jean
alias	Wyclef, Nel
born	October 17, 1969 Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
instrument	Vocals, guitar, piano, drums
genre	Hip hop, dancehall, R&B;, reggae, pop rap
occupation	Musician, songwriter, producer, actor
years active	1992–present
label	Ruffhouse, Columbia, Clef Recording
associated acts	Fugees, Akon, Lil Wayne, R. Kelly, Niia, The Rock, Mary J Blige, Doug E. Fresh, Flo Rida, Shakira
website
notable instruments	}}

Wyclef Jean (, ; born October 17, 1969 in Croix-des-Bouquets) is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country. He first received fame as a member of the acclaimed New Jersey hip hop group the Fugees.

On August 5, 2010, Jean filed for candidacy in the 2010 Haitian presidential election, although the Electoral Commission subsequently ruled him ineligible to stand as he had not met the requirement to have been resident in Haiti for five years.

Early life

Although his birth date was widely given as October 17, 1972, papers filed for his run as a candidate for the presidency of Haiti, disclosed that he was, in fact, born in 1969. Born in Haiti, the son of a Nazarene pastor, Wyclef moved with his family to Brooklyn, New York, when he was nine before moving again to northern New Jersey. Jean has cited reggae artist Bigga Haitian as one of his early influences, as well as neighborhood heroes MC Tiger Paw Raw and producer Lobster v. Crab. Jean graduated from Vailsburg High School in Newark, briefly attended Eastern Nazarene College in Massachusetts, and finished one semester at Five Towns College in New York. Jean has been a resident of Saddle River and South Orange, New Jersey. In 2009, Jean enrolled in the Berklee College of Music.

Music career

Fugees era

Jean's musical breakthrough was as part of The Refugee Camp (The Fugees), a three-member group that included Lauryn Hill and Prakazrel "Pras" Michel. Jean is Pras's cousin and a fellow Haitian immigrant. The Fugees signed to Ruffhouse Records, which released the group's debut album, ''Blunted on Reality''. It sold fairly well, peaking at #49 on the U.S. Hot 100 and selling over 2 million copies worldwide. The follow-up album – ''The Score'' – sold over 18 million copies worldwide, eventually becoming a multi-platinum, Grammy-winning album.

Jean announced plans to begin a solo career with 1997's ''Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival Featuring the Refugee All-Stars'' (generally called ''The Carnival''). The album's guests included Lauryn Hill and Pras along with Jean's siblings' group Melky Sedeck; the I Threes (back-up vocals for Bob Marley); The Neville Brothers and Celia Cruz. The album was a hit, as were two singles: "We Trying to Stay Alive" (adapted from The Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive") and "Gone Till November" (recorded with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra).

Solo career

Released in 2000, Jean's second solo album ''The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book'' was recorded with guests including Youssou N'Dour; Earth, Wind & Fire; Kenny Rogers; The Rock; and Mary J. Blige. With Blige he released "911" as a single. He was nominated for Best Hip-Hop Act at the 2000 MTV Europe Music Awards.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Jean participated in the benefit concert America: A Tribute to Heroes contributing a cover of the Bob Marley song "Redemption Song".

Jean's third album, ''Masquerade'', was released in 2002. His fourth album, ''The Preacher's Son'', was released in November 2003 as the follow-up to his first solo album, ''The Carnival''.

In 2004, he released his fifth album, entitled ''Sak Pasé Presents: Welcome to Haïti (Creole 101)'' (released in the United States by Koch Records). Most of its songs are in his native language of Haitian Creole like "Fanm Kreyol" with the French Caribbean Admiral T. He also figured on the album ''Mozaik Kreyol'' of this one in the song "Secret Lover". Then he covered Creedence Clearwater Revival's song "Fortunate Son" for the soundtrack of the 2004 film remake of ''The Manchurian Candidate'' and wrote the song "Million Voices" for the film ''Hotel Rwanda''.

Jean also produced and wrote songs for the soundtrack to Jonathan Demme's 2003 documentary ''The Agronomist'', about the Haitian activist and radio personality Jean Dominique. With Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis, Jean also composed the score of the documentary ''Ghosts of Cité Soleil'', He also helped produce the film and he appears briefly onscreen speaking by telephone in 2004 to a "''chimere''" gang-leader and aspiring rapper, Winston "2Pac" Jean. During a period between 2004 and 2006 and fueled by a reunion performance in Dave Chappelle's "Block Party", it appeared that the Fugees were on track to record a new album, however Fugees member Pras claims to Billboard "To put it nicely, it's dead." He says the root of this animosity is the third member of the group, Lauryn Hill, and was quoted in Billboard as saying; "Me and Clef, we on the same page, but Lauryn Hill is in her zone, and I'm fed up with that shit. Here she is, blessed with a gift, with the opportunity to rock and give and she's running on some bulls**t? I'm a fan of Lauryn's but I can't respect that."

In 2006, Jean was featured in Shakira's smash hit ''Hips Don't Lie''. The song went on to become the highest selling single of the 21st century, in addition to reaching number one in over fifty-five countries. Jean and Shakira went on to perform the song at the 2006 Grammys and the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.

Jean released an album in September 2007 that he recorded in Atlanta, Georgia, with the help of T.I., who also collaborated with Jean on the songs "You Know What it is" and "My Swag" on T.I.'s 2007 album, T.I. vs. T.I.P. Recently, Wyclef released a new song called "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)" featuring Lil' Wayne, Niia and Akon, which references the song "C.R.E.A.M." by the Wu-Tang Clan. The album also features a single, "Fast Car", whose video was made with the assistance of video game ''Burnout Paradise''. During this period, he was featured in a mix version of the Cartel song "Wasted" that was released with their self-titled album. In November 2008, an upbeat single 'Let Me Touch Your Button' featuring will.i.am (of The Black Eyed Peas) was released in the UK in conjunction with Wyclef's invovlement with UK MOTOROKRSTAR (which sees Motorola UK on the search to discover British talent).

In 2009, he featured in a song called "Spanish Fly" with Ludacris and Bachata group Aventura in Aventura's upcoming album "The Last" which came out in June.

On June 17, 2009, Wyclef announced via Twitter that his new album will be called ''wyclefjean'' and is to be released sometime in February 2010. The first single off of ''wyclefjean'' is to be titled "Seventeen" and will feature Lil' Wayne.

In November 2009, a track titled "Suicide Love" featuring rapper Eve leaked online prior to the release of his EP.

Wyclef Jean's EP named ''From the Hut, to the Projects, to the Mansion'' was released on November 10, 2009. It includes 17 tracks, featuring Cyndi Lauper, Timbaland, Eve, and Lil' Kim. In this album, Wyclef uses the alias Toussaint St. Jean, his alter ego, when he raps.

Wyclef Jean's upcoming self-entitled studio album was due to be released in 2011, has still yet to be released. "Hold On," the lead single from the project, will feature Dancehall artist Mavado.

Personal life

In 1994, he married Fusha designer Marie Claudinette. In 2005, they adopted their daughter, Angelina Claudinelle Jean. The couple renewed their vows in August 2009.

His uncle – political activist, journalist and diplomat Raymond Alcide Joseph – has been the Haitian ambassador to the United States since 2005, and came to prominence as a spokesman for his country after the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake. Together with Wyclef, he issued an appeal for international aid.

On March 19, 2011, Jean claimed that he was shot in the palm of his right hand in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The police reported otherwise saying that Wyclef was not wounded by a bullet but was cut by glass. Police Chief Vanel Lacroix said "we met with the doctor who saw him and he confirmed Wyclef was cut by glass."

Yéle Haiti

In 2005, Jean established the Yéle Haiti Foundation. In its first year of operation, the foundation, with funding by Comcel, provided scholarships to 3,600 children in Gonaïves, Haiti, after the devastation by Hurricane Jeanne. In its second year of operation, it is almost doubling the amount of the scholarships and spreading them throughout Haiti, providing tuition in 5 regions. The foundation aims to provide 6,800 scholarships to children in Port-au-Prince, Gonaïves, Les Cayes, Port-de-Paix, and Cap-Haïtien.

After the earthquake on January 12, 2010 in Haiti, Jean called on others to donate to his foundation's Yéle Haiti Earthquake Fund, imploring "We must act now."

Jean has been active in his support of his native country and created the foundation Yéle Haiti to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to Haiti. He describes Yéle as a non-political organization intended to empower the people of Haiti and the Haitian diaspora to rebuild their nation, saying, "The objective of Yéle Haiti is to restore pride and a reason to hope, and for the whole country to regain the deep spirit and strength that is part of our heritage".. Yéle Haiti was created in October 2004 with Wyclef's cousin Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis. Projects were launched in January 2005. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were present for the first anniversary of the launch in 2006.

In January 2007, Jean became a roving ambassador for Haiti, to help improve its image abroad.

May 20, 2008 – Yéle Haiti partnered with WFP (World Food Programme) of the United Nations to launch www.togetherforhaiti.org

September, 2008 – Wyclef in conjunction with Yéle Haiti Charity delivered food to Hurricane Ike victims in Haiti. Matt Damon provided assistance in the food lines serving food.

Oct 23, 2008 – Wyclef Jean performed on stage with Carlos Santana in San Francisco on behalf of Yéle Haiti, OneXOne, and WaterPartners International to raise funds for clean water, education, health, environment, and community development in the USA and in the developing world.

In 2009, Wyclef Jean and The Timberland Company joined forces to help raise environmental awareness in Haiti. This duo "will be a multi-platform effort incorporating Timberland products, digital and social media, service events, music, and concerts that will promote environmental awareness." The campaign will push to support and educate the country as well as helping to improve health care and the environment, and the community. Wyclef Jean also plans to spread information about the joint efforts through social media outlets such as "Twitter, YouTube, Myspace, Facebook, imeem, and Social Vibe." He also aims to use social networking websites to help raise money to build the Yéle Center.

In January 2010, along with his uncle Raymond Joseph, Haitian ambassador to the US, Wyclef issued an appeal for international aid following the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Today, Yele's mission, headed by CEO Derek Johnson, is to provide aid and assistance to the communities in Haiti in greatest need, where severe poverty, widespread unemployment, rampant malnutrition and crippling illiteracy are most pervasive. In doing so, we strive to balance emergency relief with support for long term sustainable initiatives that together are giving both hope and practical assistance to the people of Haiti. Yele's programs focus on emergency relief, employment, youth development and education, and tree planting and agriculture.

In a November 27, 2011 New York Post article entitled "Questions Dog Wyclef's Haiti Fund", the Post asserted that less than one third of the over $16 million raised after the Haiti earthquake in January 2010 has been spent effectively for the victims of the catastrophe. The Post does not allege any dishonest embezzlement of funds on Wyclef's part, but rather asserts that there was gross mismanagement and negligence with regards to the distribution of the funds the charity raised. Required Federal tax returns were not filed, and $1 million was given to a Florida firm that does not seem to exist. Wyclef and most of the board left the charity in the summer of 2010. It is now under new management. Wyclef stated, "It's a clean slate now." Due to the controversial nature of Jean's former charity, he has kept a relatively low profile.

Politics

2010 Haitian presidential campaign

On August 5, 2010, Wyclef confirmed the rumors that he was running for office by telling CNN's Wolf Blitzer that he was running, though Blitzer had questions about Jean's actual citizenship and passport. In an article written by Exclaim! Magazine it was mentioned that Jean will be stepping down as the chairman of Yéle Haiti. On August 5, Jean formally filed papers as a candidate for the 2010 Haitian presidential election, following media speculation that he would make his announcement that evening on ''Larry King Live''. Wyclef would have run as a candidate for the Viv Ansanm (Live Together) political party. On the topic of his candidacy, Jean has stated, "I am being drafted to serve my country."

Besides opposition from Sean Penn in regards to Jean's Haitian presidential plans, Arcade Fire's Win Butler stated in a radio interview: :"Technically, [Wyclef Jean] shouldn't be eligible because he hasn't been a resident of Haiti. And I think him not speaking French and not being fluent in Creole would be a really major issue in trying to run a really complex government, like the government in Haiti. It would kind of be like Arnold Schwarzenegger only speaking Austrian German and being elected president of the United States after New York City and LA had burned to the ground... I think he is a great musician and he really passionately cares about Haiti. I really hope he throws his support behind someone who is really competent and really eligible."

On August 20, 2010, his bid for candidacy was rejected by Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council. He was turned down because he did not meet the residency requirement of having lived in Haiti for five years before the November 28 election. Afterwards, Wyclef stated: }}

Appearances in television and film

On a 2004 episode of Chappelle's Show, he appeared as the musical guest.

He starred in Virgin Mobile commercials as himself.

In 2005, he appeared in the film ''One Last Thing...''. His character is a cab driver named Emmett Ducasse. It is implied he is an angel due to being in the main character's "Heaven". Wyclef also has an original track that is the closing credits first song. The song is "Heaven's in New York".

Also in 2005, Wyclef appeared in 4 episodes of the hit NBC prime time television drama "Third Watch" as the recurring character, Marcel Hollis, a gang leader responsible for blowing up the police precinct house in the final episode of the series.

In December 2007, starred in the four-part MTV exclusive online short-film Americlef May 20, 2008: At the Gansevoort Hotel, Wyclef Jean in partnership with the WFP and PADF launched "Together for Haiti" to address the hunger crisis in Haiti members of the American and international television and print media were invited to cover the news.

Discography

1997: ''The Carnival'' (Columbia)

2000: ''The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book'' (Columbia)

2002: ''Masquerade'' (Columbia)

2003: ''Greatest Hits'' (Columbia)

2003: ''The Preacher's Son'' (J)

2004: ''Welcome to Haiti: Creole 101'' (Koch)

2006: ''Ghosts of Cité Soleil''

2007: ''Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant'' (Columbia)

2009: ''From the Hut, To the Projects, To the Mansion'' (Columbia)

2010: ''If I Were President: The Haitian Experience'' (Columbia)

References

External links

Official website

Yéle Haiti Foundation

Sak Pasé Records (a record label founded by Wyclef)

Haiti: Working Together at Last by Wyclef Jean, September 23, 2010

New York Post article on mismanagement at Yéle Haiti Foundation

Wyclef talking about Nation19.com / APDTA

Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:American activists Category:American guitarists Category:American humanitarians Category:American people of Haitian descent

Category:American record producers Category:American shooting survivors Category:Berklee College of Music alumni Category:Columbia Records artists Category:Haitian actors Category:Haitian human rights activists Category:Haitian emigrants to the United States Category:Haitian rappers Category:Hip hop singers Category:Famous Afro-Latinos Category:People from Brooklyn Category:People from Newark, New Jersey Category:People from Ouest Department Category:People from Saddle River, New Jersey Category:People from South Orange, New Jersey Category:Rappers from New Jersey

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Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
Name	Lil' Kim
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Kimberly Denise Jones
Born	July 11, 1975New York City, New York, U.S.
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper, actress, model
Years active	1994–present
Label	Queen Bee, Universal
Associated acts	Junior M.A.F.I.A., Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Twista, 50 Cent, Scott Storch
Website	}}

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1975), better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A..

Jones was born and raised in Brooklyn, living much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. As a teenager, Kim would rap for fun, being heavily influenced by other female MC'S like MC Lyte and Lady of Rage. When word got to The Notorious B.I.G. that she could rhyme, he made the pint sized femcee spit a freestyle for him on the spot. Impressed with her, he took her in and she began her music career in 1995 with the group Junior M.A.F.I.A., whose debut album ''Conspiracy'' generated three hit singles. In late 1996, her solo debut album ''Hard Core'' was released. ''Hard Core'' was certified double platinum and spawned three consecutive #1 rap hits that included: "No Time" "Not Tonight (Ladies Night remix)" and "Crush on You", a record for a female rapper. Her following albums, ''The Notorious K.I.M.'' (2000) and ''La Bella Mafia'' (2003), both were certified platinum by the RIAA, making Kim the only female rapper besides Missy Elliott to have at least 3 platinum albums. Kim solidified her star power in 2001, when "Lady Marmalade", a song Kim was featured on, went to #1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. That made her the first female rapper to earn a #1 on that chart. In 2005, she served a year long prison sentence for lying to a jury about her friends' involvement in a shooting four years earlier. During her incarceration, her fourth album ''The Naked Truth'' was released. Lil' Kim returned to the public spotlight in 2009 with an appearance on ''Dancing with the Stars''.

Early life

Jones was born in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of the New York City borough Brooklyn to parents Linwood Jones and Ruby Mae. At the age of 9, her parents separated, and her father raised her until he expelled her from home when she was a teenager. Thus, she lived with her friends and even on the streets. 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.

Music career

Early career with Junior M.A.F.I.A.

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''. Three hit singles came from ''Conspiracy'': "Player's Anthem" (peaked at #7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart and #2 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart), "I Need You Tonight" (#43 R&B;, #12 Rap), and "Get Money" (#17 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, #4 R&B;, #2 Rap). The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified ''Conspiracy'' Gold on December 6, 1995, marking sales of 500,000 units. "Player's Anthem" was Gold, and "Get Money" went Platinum (sales of a million units).

''Hard Core'' (1996)

After a year with Junior M.A.F.I.A., Jones began a solo career by making guest performances on R&B; albums and recording her debut album, ''Hard Core'', which was released in November 1996. The album peaked at #11 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and #3 on the ''Billboard'' Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums chart. ''Hard Core'' was RIAA-certified double platinum on March 14, 2001 after having been certified Gold on January 6, 1997 and Platinum on June 3, 1997. The album's lead single "No Time", a duet with Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs (who would later change his stage name to "P. Diddy" and then "Diddy"), reached the top spot of the ''Billboard'' Hot Rap Tracks chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The following single, "Crush on You", reached #6 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the rap chart. A remix of the album's track "Not Tonight" saw Lil' Kim team up with Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat and Left Eye of TLC. The song was part of the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence movie ''Nothing To Lose'', nominated for a Grammy Award, and certified Platinum. In one stockholders' meeting of Warner Bros. Records, activist C. Delores Tucker criticized the label "for producing this filth," referring to perceived graphic sexual content in Kim's lyrics, and labeling them "gangsta porno rap".

''The Notorious K.I.M.'' (2000-2002)

From 1998 to 2000, Kim continued her road to stardom under the management of B.I.G.'s best friend, Damion "D-Roc" Butler's "Roc Management", touring and modeling for various fashion and pop culture companies including Candies, Versace, Iceberg, and Baby Phat. In 1998, she performed in P. Diddy's "No Way Out" tour. In the same year, she launched her own label Queen Bee Entertainment and even though she had not had an album of her own released, she was seen on dozens of remixes and guest appearances on other artist's records. On June 27, 2000, Kim released her second album ''The Notorious K.I.M.'' The album marked a new image and revamped look for the rapper. Despite the limited success of its singles, the album reached #4 on the ''Billboard'' 200, and #1 on the Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was certified platinum by the RIAA. It was on this LP that the well-known hip-hop feud between Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown blossmed.

In 2001, Lil' Kim teamed up with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa to remake "Lady Marmalade", which was originally written about a bordello in New Orleans and performed by the group Labelle (which included diva Patti LaBelle) 25 years earlier. The song was recorded for the ''Moulin Rouge!'' film soundtrack, released in April 2001, and stayed #1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for five weeks. The song also went to #1 in 50 countries around the world. This was a big accomplishment for female rap, as well as for Kim, who scored her first #1 Hot 100 hit and became the first female rapper in history to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. "Lady Marmalade" also garnered Kim her first Grammy Award.

Lil' Kim also performed in two international hit singles. "In the Air Tonite", a remix of the Phil Collins song "In the Air Tonight" and duet with Collins, was released as a single from the Collins tribute album ''Urban Renewal''. "Kimnotyze" is the lead single of record producer DJ Tomekk's compilation album ''Beat Of Life, Vol 1''. It was released in Switzerland, Austria and Germany only. The song was successful, becoming Lil' Kim's third consecutive Top 10 hit in Germany after her number 1 hit "Lady Marmalade".

In 2002, Lil' Kim recorded a new entrance theme for then World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Women's Champion Trish Stratus entitled, "Time to Rock 'n Roll", which was used during broadcasts, until Stratus' retirement. The single was released on ''WWE Anthology'', a compilation of entrance theme music to various professional wrestling superstars.

''La Bella Mafia'' (2003)

On March 4, 2003, Kim released her third critically acclaimed album, ''La Bella Mafia''. Highly rated (4.5 mics) by music magazine ''The Source'', ''La Bella Mafia'' spawned the hit "The Jump Off" featuring Mr. Cheeks, which climbed to number 16 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The single "Magic Stick", feat. 50 Cent, hit #2 on the Hot 100 without a video ever being shot.

''La Bella Mafia'' debuted at #5 on the ''Billboard'' 200. Kim was nominated for five Source Awards and won two ("Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year", and "Female Single of the Year"). This album also got two Grammy Award nominations: Best Female Rap Solo Performance ("Came Back For You") and Best Rap Collaboration ("Magic Stick"). She was also nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with singer Christina Aguilera for the song "Can't Hold Us Down", from Aguilera's album ''Stripped''.

Greg Thomas, an English professor at Syracuse University, began teaching "Hip-Hop Eshu: Queen B@#$H Lyricism 101". Kim herself was a guest speaker at the school. Professor Thomas considered Kim's lyrics "the art with the most profound sexual politics I've ever seen anywhere." David Horowitz criticized the course as "academic degeneracy and decline". Lil' Kim also made an appearance on the multi-platform videogame ''Def Jam: Fight for NY.'' Kim provided voice-overs for her part in the storyline, where the player may fight an opponent to have Lil' Kim as his girlfriend.

''The Naked Truth'' (2005-2008)

Kim released a fourth album, ''The Naked Truth,'' on September 27, 2005, while serving a federal prison sentence (see below). It earned her a 5 mic rating from ''The Source'', making her the only female rapper to ever receive a 5 mic rating. The album debuted at #6 on the ''Billboard'' 200 charts, giving Kim her Third Top 10 debut on the charts. ''The Naked Truth'' did not sell as well as her previous works, selling less than 400,000 copies. Kim has said that her prison sentence left her with no time to promote the project. There have been many rumors about a re-release of ''Truth'' but to no avail.The music video for ''The Naked Truth'''s first single, "Lighters Up" was number one on BET's ''106 & Park'' for two weeks. "Lighters Up", was a Top Ten hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The single also reached #76 on the German Single Chart, #12 on the UK Top 75 and #4 on the Finland Single Chart. The second single, "Whoa" was released on February 17, 2006. It reached No. 22 on Airplay. ''The Dance Remixes'' extended play was also released in 2005. Kim also made appearances on the show Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search For The Next Doll and Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious in 2007 and 2008. ''Ms. G.O.A.T.'', an acronym for "''Greatest Of All Time''", is the debut mixtape by Lil' Kim. It was officially released on June 3, 2008 and was produced by Mister Cee and DJ Whoo Kid, DJ's from New York City. Among critics, the album has received generally positive reviews. It has been called a representation of Lil' Kim's return to the streets. Tito Salinas of ''All Hip Hop'' says "Lil’ Kim shows that her time behind bars did not rust all of her swag away" on ''Ms. G.O.A.T.'' On the other hand, Ehren Gresehover of ''New York Mag'' says that although one of the tracks "The Miseducation of Lil' Kim" is not bad, he wished that it was Lauryn Hill who was making a comeback instead.

''5th Studio Album'' (2009-present)

On March 10, 2009, the song "Girls" by the Korean singer, Seven featuring Lil' Kim was released through digital stores for his U.S. debut single. Kim appeared in the music video that was released on the same day. "Girls" was produced by Darkchild. On March 24, 2009, Kim released the song "Download" featuring R&B; singers T-Pain and Charlie Wilson. It was written by Lil Kim and T-Pain and produced by Trackmasters. The song samples "Computer Love" by Zapp. Peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It eventually made it to the top 10 US Urban Radio airplay and climbed to #10. In December 2010, Kim filmed music videos for the second and third singles from her fifth studio album releasing in 2011.

Kim confirmed in January, 2011 that she would be releasing her next album which is currently untitled in 2011. Kim is working with producer Dr. Dre and 50 Cent on her album. Kim is expected to make a guest appearance on a track from 50 Cent's upcoming studio album as well as Dr. Dre's 2011 album Detox and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins' album ''Still Cool''. Kim released a mixtape titled Black Friday on February 14, 2011. In a recent radio interview at 99 Jamz, Kim stated that her upcoming book, "The Price of Loyalty", is on hold to coincide with the release of her fifth studio album, to be release in the next coming months. It was announced by Kim that the upcoming and lead single to her next studio album, is titled "Looks Like Money", and is produced by Rockwilder. On June 19, Kim preformed along side G-Unit member Shawty Lo and hinted a possible working relationship with G-Unit Records. Kim is also featured along with Rick Ross on a track titled "Anything (To Find You)", by R&B; singer Monica, off her upcoming album "New Life", but her verse was removed due to contractual issues.

Other ventures

Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown

On March 9, BET premiered the show ''Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown,'' which was filmed before Kim headed to prison. The show became the highest rated premiere in BET history, with 1.7 million viewers. In May 2006, Debbie Harry released a Lil' Kim tribute song called "Dirty and Deep" in protest of her conviction. The song is available free from the Deborah Harry Home Page.

Dancing With the Stars

Lil' Kim appeared on the eighth season reality show ''Dancing with the Stars,'' which began airing on March 9, 2009. She was paired with professional dancer Derek Hough until the dance couple was eliminated on May 5, 2009, putting her at fifth place from all thirteen contestants that season. During the second week of the season, judge Len Goodman said that she "''must have a bionic booty''," a nickname that came due to her performance of the selected dance that evening.

Legal issues

On March 17, 2005, Kim was convicted of three counts of conspiracy and one count of perjury for lying to a Federal grand jury about her friends' involvement in a 2001 shooting outside the Hot 97 studios in Manhattan. During the trial of her co-manager, Damion "D-Roc" Butler, and her bodyguard, Suif "Gutta" Jackson, a former member of the hip-hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A, she testified not to have known they were at the scene. However, video footage from a security placed all three at the scene, exiting the building. This directly contravened testimony before the grand jury. Butler and Jackson have since pled guilty to gun charges. Jackson was sentenced, in U.S. District Court, to twelve years in federal prison as part of plea bargain in which he admitted to firing at least twenty rounds during the incident. The length of the sentence was said to have been influenced by his previous gun-related convictions. In July 2005, Kim was sentenced to a one year and a day in prison, thirty days home detention upon release from custody, and three years of probation. She served the entirety of her sentence at the Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia in Center City, Philadelphia. She was released on July 3, 2006, after serving approximately 10 months. Kim, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Register #56198-054, was released from BOP supervision on August 2, 2006.

Discography

''Hard Core'' (1996)

''The Notorious K.I.M.'' (2000)

''La Bella Mafia'' (2003)

''The Naked Truth'' (2005)

TBA (2011)

Filmography

;Films {|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" border="2" cellpadding="4" background: #f9f9f9; |- align="center" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role |- |1997 |''Gangstresses'' |Herself |- |1999 |''She's All That'' |Alex |- |2001 |''Zoolander'' |Herself |- |2002 |''Juwanna Mann'' |Tina Parker |- |rowspan="2"|2003 |''Those Who Walk in Darkness'' |Soledad |- |''Gang of Roses'' |Chastity |- |rowspan="2"|2004 |''Nora's Hair Salon'' |Herself |- |''You Got Served'' |Herself |- |rowspan="2"|2005 |''Lil' Pimp'' |Sweet Chiffon (voice) |- |''There's a God on the Mic'' |Herself |- |2008 |''Superhero Movie'' |Xavier's daughter |}

;Television

''V.I.P. (as freedom fighter) (1999)

''DAG'' (as Gina Marie) (2001)

''Moesha'' (as Diamond) (2001)

''The Parkers'' (as herself) (2001)

''American Dreams as Shirley Ellis (October 12, 2003)

''Lil Kim: Countdown to Lockdown'' (2006)

''The Game'' (as herself) (2007)

''Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll'' (2007)

''Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious'' (2008)

''Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 8)'' (2009)

Awards

Grammy Awards

*1997: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Ladies Night (Not Tonight remix)" (with Missy Elliott, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Da Brat, and Angie Martinez) (nominated)

*2002: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Lady Marmalade" (WINNER)

*2003: Best Female Rap Solo Performance for "Came Back for You" (nominated)

*2003: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Can't Hold Us Down" (with Christina Aguilera) (nominated)

*2003: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Magic Stick" (with 50 Cent) (nominated)

*2008: Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Let It Go" (with Keyshia Cole & Missy Elliott) (nominated)

MTV Video Music Awards

*1998: Viewer's Choice for "All About The Benjamins" (with P. Diddy and others)

*2001: Video of the Year for "Lady Marmalade"

*2001: Best Video from a Film for "Lady Marmalade"

My VH1 Awards

*2001: Favorite Video ("Lady Marmalade")

*2001: Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just My Video? ("Lady Marmalade")

Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

*1997: Best Video by a Female - Rap/R&B; ("Crush On You")

*1999: Best Video by a Female - Rap/R&B; ("Not Tonight (remix)")

Source Awards

*2003: Female Artist of the Year

*2003: Female Single of the Year "The Jumpoff"

Teen Choice Awards

*2001: Choice Song of the Summer ("Lady Marmalade")

MOBO Awards

*2003: Most Stylish Artist of the Year

Radio Music Awards

*2001: Song of the Year Top 40 Pop Radio-"Lady Marmalade"

TMF Awards-Belgium

*2001: Video of The Year-"Lady Marmalade"

TMF Awards-Netherlands

*2001: Video of The Year-"Lady Marmalade"

ALMA Awards

*2002: Outstanding Song- Motion Picture Soundtrack "Lady Marmalade"

ASCAP Music Awards

*2002: Song of the Year-"Lady Marmalade"

MTV Japan Awards

*2002: Best Choreography "Lady Marmalade"

MVPA Video Awards

*2002: Best Styling In A Video-"Lady Marmalade"

VIBE Awards

2005: Album of the Year ''The Naked Truth'' (nominated)

BET Awards

*2006: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (nominated)

*2008: Best Song "Let It Go" (nominated)

*2010: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (nominated)

American Music Awards

*2003: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist

*2005: Best Female Hip-Hop Artist (nominated)

References

External links

Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American criminals Category:American dance musicians Category:American perjurors Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Female rappers Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Participants in American reality television series Category:People from Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Category:Rappers from New York City Category:Pseudonymous rappers

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