Last week marked the 15th anniversary of ‘Hardcore’, the debut album by Brooklyn Rapper Lil Kim.
Executive produced and Sean ‘Diddy Combs‘ and the late Biggie Smalls, who also served as the project’s chief ghostwriter, the album is heralded by many as one of Hip Hop’s more groundbreaking debut releases and was the launching pad for a career that now spans almost two decades.
Released on November 12th 1996, the release peaked at #1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop chart while debuting at #11 on the Billboard 200, spawning the well loved cuts ‘Crush On You‘ and ‘Queen Bitch‘.
Loved for being authentically gritty, shamelessly erotic and creative from start to finish, ‘HardCore‘ was undoubtedly the stiletto heel needed to crack the glass ceiling the likes of Nicki Minaj have now been able to break through.
Though it has taken fifteen years to move 2 million copies and unfairly overshadowed by some the performer’s less flattering traits, to deny the impact both she and this album have made would be a grave injustice.
For though some have always perceived her to be the puppet to Christopher Wallace’s Svengali, she has proven time and time again that when it comes to longevity and loyalty to her fans, her skill is unmatched.
We can only hope future releases are just as game changing.