20 years after its release, Lil’ Kim’s ‘Hardcore’ remains hard-hitting. With an incredible singles-run, iconic videos and impressive chart stats, the Queen Bee delivered a debut era that defined dynamite.
From The Vault ventures back to that time with the female anthem ‘Ladies Night’ (Not Tonight Remix).’
The cut was co-billed ‘Not Tonight,’ yet the version serviced a single was this remix. And, though the original was produced by Jermaine Dupri, the incarnation of the track that was a worldwide hit was helmed by Rashad ‘Ringo’ Smith.
It famously (and heavily) sampled Kool & The Gang classic ‘Ladies Night’ and saw Kim backed by the fiercest female squad. Who else but Missy Elliott, Left Eye, Da Brat, and Angie Martinez. The latter of whom is renown for her radio career, yet at the time was dabbling in Rap.
This A-list cast managed to take the song all the way up to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Rap charts; Kim’s third consecutive on that tally. It peaked at #11 on the UK Singles Chart and was a Top 5 hit in New Zealand, reaching #4.
Directed by Lance Riveira, the accompanying visual was a girl power affair and featured notable cameos from Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, T-Boz, groups Xscape, SWV, Total and Blaque, as well as actress Maia Campbell.
Scenes of the ladies performing were juxtaposed with clips of them being pampered by chiselled assistants. Also inter-spliced was footage from the movie ‘Nothing To Lose’ – starring Martin Lawrence – for which the song was included on the soundtrack.
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Togetherness. It’s a concept that seems to be long forgotten when assessing today’s musical climate. One need not look beyond the “bad bitches” solely needing themselves on their “team.” Or the posters glorifying the “bad blood” which exists between them. The modern crop of female acts have taken the “lonely at the top” concept and run with it. Olympic style.
Kim’s gripe with some of today’s top femcees has often centered on their “supposed” lack of solidarity. Which, regardless of which side of the argument one falls on, is difficult to deny.
In any case, songs such as this, ‘Lady Marmalade,’ ‘Telephone’ and ‘Bang Bang’ prove that there aren’t many things as impactful as female acts united on a track.
We patiently await the next. In the meantime…
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When female rappers united and were talented. Now theres trash like Nicki Minaj. The female rap genre has declined severely.
These women are still releasing songs and they are unable to put out anything near what they use to. They aren’t even lyrical anymore. Who loses their lyrical ability? Nicki Minaj is dominating CURRENTLY. Every new Fem Rap using her flows.
@danzou
Faag have a seat and worry about the self proclaimed Queen of Rap being Grammyless, no #1s and both of her last two albums failing to even sell a million copies worldwide even after selling out to do pop . she’s still garbage and Safaree made her. Her career is the one in the dumps. Keri is a songwriter , she’s building her acting resume and working on music. She had a platinum hit after she allegedly shaded Beyonce. Beyonce didnt end anything.Beyonce is the same one that told b****** to bow down to her so don’t try it bum b****
Nas doesn’t have a grammy either. Neither does biggie. So what’s your point h**? Nicki has three certified albums something keri will never know about. 66 hot 100 entries. Something keri will never know about. Three world tours something keri will never know about. Keri career is just as irrelevant as your walls.
I think that the majority of Nicki’s success has been due to her pop music, back in the k90’s rap was dominating for being rap
You comparing Biggie and Nas to Nicki shows how delusional you are to begin with. My point is just what i said. She sold out to pop and her last two albums still FLOPPED. After Pink Friday people stopped buying her albums and thr hip hop world considers her a joke for making electro pop music. Shell never be respected like Biggie or Nas.
66 hot 100 entries and none of them went #1. And?
Not once did I COMPARE her to either one of those artists. By YOUR logic you’re discrediting her because she doesn’t have a grammy. There are plenty of great artists that don’t have a grammy. Then you had the nerve to bring up platinum plaques when keri doesn’t have one. Then you had the nerve to bring up movies but keri isn’t in any meanwhile nicki was in barbershop 3 a top selling movie. You’re a thot and you aren’t making any sense h**.
Then you had the nerve to say that nicki last two albums flopped but they both sold more than your fave whole discography. Wyd h**?
You trying to talk about unity h** but the reason your fave is in the dumps is because she tried to diss Beyoncé. How about you get keri on the phone with her career and bring them together again since yout love unity so much.
There are plenty of dope Rap chicks out there!! i.e; Remy, Tink, AB, Angel haze, lil mama just to name a few.. I wouldn’t say that the female rap game has declined its more so that the general public refuses to acknowledge the aforementioned just as you did in your statement.
@fly thank you. They stay talking crap about nicki but NEVER talk about these other girls that they are so pressed over. If yall love female hip hop so much then why yall ain’t buying they music? They just like to hate on this website especially the gays.
Bang this in your whips! Yaaas! I LOVE female rap!
Never the one packing the gun, got some otha raw chicks for dat! Lay dat azzzz flat !!
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Yasssss!! Left Eye was so raw and sick with her flow. Swag like no other!!! #BadBîtchCentral
Her verse must be my favourite and that intro line you quoted is just bananas!
Miss her!
This song is fire! I’ve been listening to lil Kim discography sine the tribute.
Lol how can ppl say Kim is jealous of Nicki when Kim constantly did songs like this she was NEVER AFRAID TO COLLAB NICKI MINAJ IS AFRAID that’s why she has nooooo female rap collabs that s*** is UNHEARD OF she’s so insecure
Shut yo dumb ass up. Nicki has collaborated with trina as well as other females in the past.
S***** pants! Oh s*** stain faced h**
Music then Vs Music now = Night and Day.
That’s so true. But there IS good music out there if you look for it. It’s just that the game has gotten so political that the good music gets swept under the rug.
I have been on several blogs and the only one that talks so much s*** about nicki in the comments is tgj. Lol like??? There are plenty of other rap girls and NO ONE IS BUYING THEIR MUSIC. That’s not nicki fault. How come when women are competitive and dominating people try and tear them down? But when men dominate hip hop no one says anything? Yall talking about female unity but the men don’t be doing features all the time either? ?
Best comment in here!
You’re beyond delusional. Male rappers collaborate with other male rappers ALL THE TIME..where’s ya head at? How many features does Drake have out now?? Is Kendrick not on the That Part remix with ScHoolboy Q & them? Your receipts are EXPIRED. No refund. I’m wonder if you defend Nicki’s r***** brother as well since you love to pull the excuse card.
My mom played the ish out of this song. This and anything Monica back then. Kim was hard enough, yet lady. I don’t know why she wanted to be White when her look worked so well for her. I will say that she is the better female rap LIVE performer than the rest. I seen the clips of the VH1 sp and the other girls couldn’t perform for nothing.
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Left Eye, the way she said she would get some other girls to beat dat @ss and then after put you on the right path. lol
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I always felt that Da Brat was a lil too much.
Brat be shimming, gyrating and pausing like a MF when she raps lol! I like her though.
Yea she made her mark.
“I don’t know why she wanted to be White when her look worked so well for her.” -Mark111 /.\
I was a teenager in the 90’s, and Kim was THAT CHICK! Everyone was copying her style (some still do lol)…the Chanel shades on top of her head, everything she did! She’s still a sweetheart, but I just can’t understand WHY she wanted to change…she did an interview in 2000 saying she ‘get’s bored’ with her looks…she said it wasn’t insecurity cause BIG told her she was beautiful all the time…and at a time when BLACK WOMEN were killing the game! Lauryn, Mary, Toni, Whitney, Total, Vivica, Foxy, Angela Bassett, Salt N Pepa, Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine, Anita Baker, TLC, Aaliyah…the list goes on! Kim was considered a s** symbol even in the presence of ALL these absolutely beautiful black women blowing up at the same time! So I will never understand it, but I LOVE Lil Kim! She’s still the same person…charismatic and a sweetheart just like she always was!
It’s not to nicki to put nobody else on. Michael Jackson didn’t really do features either so was he fake and insecure? No.
MJ wanted to work with a lot of artist. It was the other artist egos that didn’t want to work with him. There were HITS made to feat Madonna, Prince, Whitney and others. Last, this is hip hop, so different rules. Don’t say that you’re doing it for women in hip hop when it’s clear everyday that you only want to be the ONLY one. But just like Kim, that day will come to an end, she’s in her mid 30s, dooms day is near.
I did see that interview that Prince did where he and MJ was suppose to collaborate on the song “BAD” but Prince pretty much tried to play MJ like he was gay for it and he said wasn’t about to sing that verse..
Mark my point is that when he was on top he was picky about who he wanted. Just like Beyoncé and Jay z and kanye. Why is it nicki fault that she’s the only girl in hip hop with that power? @eerie lol I wasn’t trying to compare the two I was just kinda saying that when men are dominating no one gets mad. Remember when ti said he was the king of the south? He was all over magazines. But when nicki claims to be the queen people lose their minds. Why can’t women be competitive?
Lol that’s a hell of a comparison. MJ stayed solo pretty. I wish him and Janet would have did another collaboration in their prime.
*pretty much*
This f** just compared MJ to Nicki Minaj…the nerve. lol The Girl is Mine featuring Paul McCartney ring a bell? Both are LEGENDS in their respective genres. Just sit, you’re tired AF.
Mary J was clearly having so much fun on set
Or just MJB being high AF, as usual.
Awesome music video and rip Lisa lefteye lopes