This week From The Vault salutes the legendary Lil Kim.

We journey back to 2000, a year in which music’s first Queen B released a raunchy classic in the form of ‘How Many Licks?’ featuring Sisqo.

‘Licks’ was served up as the second and final single from the rapper’s sophomore effort ‘The Notorious K.I.M.’ The suggestive cut was produced by Diddy and Mario Winans.

An ode to the joy of cunnilingus, the tune wasn’t the chart success Kimberly and team hope it would become only reaching the lower region of the US Hot 100 at #75 and #36 on the Hip-Hop/R&B tally.

Still, Ms. Jones and director Francis Lawrence went all out when it came to translating the lyrics into a visual.

Candy Kim, Pin-Up Kim and Knight-Rider Kim are just few of the different incarnations the femcee took on in the video.

Released during the “bubblegum-Pop” era, ‘Licks’ and its predecessor ‘No Matter What They Say’ positioned Kim as an Urban act with plenty crossover appeal – despite her rambunctious raunch. No wonder she was featured on ‘Lady Marmalade’ a year later.

Like most acts with decades under their belt, the chart moments have become fewer and further between for Kim. Still, though, she remains the definitive blueprint for most femcees on the scene and it’s great to see her status as the originator being celebrated more and more.

Your thoughts?