From The Vault: Lil Kim – ‘No Matter What They Say’

Published: Sunday 24th Nov 2013 by Joe

“I’m just trying be me…”

We’re taking From The Vault back to the very early 00’s today with one of female rap’s greatest singles. It’s Lil’ Kim’s ‘No Matter What They Say’.

Masterminded by Diddy – or Puff Daddy at the time – the track is interestingly a Salsa/Hip-Hop fusion where Kim unapologetically boasts that she doesn’t care for the critics. A tongue-in-cheek ego-trip, its break goes back to absolute basics, giving a nod to The Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight as well as sampling Eric B. & Rakim‘s ‘I Know You Got Soul’.

Though it’s definitely one of Kimberly’s most iconic moments, the single was only a moderate hit the world over, peaking at #60 on Billboard’s Hot 100 tally and #35 in the UK.

With good pals Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, Jadakiss and mentor Diddy on board, we are presented with the “Queen Bee Show”. Indeed with as many costume (and wig) changes as there are sets, Kim does burlesque, runway model, ghetto fabulous, sexy señorita and street dancer with much gusto during the 4 minutes affair.

Directed by Marcus Raboy, the year 2000 visual has undeniably been an inspiration for all the female MCs with Pop aspirations that came after Miss Jones.

No matter what they say (pun intended, of course), Kim remains Hip-Hop Royalty. More over, it’s songs and videos like these that force the naysayers to recognize her trail-blazing status and tremendous influence on Pop Culture.

All hail Queen Bee!

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  1. miss ross the boss *icon* November 24, 2013

    yesssssss kimmy was that b**** back then. notorious kim was my s*** hunty.

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  2. the real xoxo November 24, 2013

    One of the best videos by any female rapper to be honest.
    She killed this video!

  3. Rihluv November 24, 2013

    Def a trendsetter. Not many people can say that. Super bass is a direct copy of this.

  4. truth tea (take a sip) November 24, 2013

    this whole album was FIRE. My favourite scene is the blonde with sunglasses surrounded by the Mafia, b**** went in!

  5. Time machine b****** always talking bout the old days November 24, 2013

    Damn you was magic! Look at you now ho, you just tragic!
    You a tragedy, you a parody
    Last name Ann, first name Raaaaaaaaggggeeeeeeedy…

  6. Hayley November 24, 2013

    Ah! The good old days. Kim was gorgeous in that vid.

  7. Lily Gaga November 24, 2013

    Cheap and low as usual… 🙁

  8. nicko November 24, 2013

    this video slays tbh.

  9. nicko November 24, 2013

    u’re dumb. Superbass is totally different from this. clean ur ears, idiot. Besides SB sold 5M in the US whereas no matter what they say flopped n peaked at #65 on the BB hot 100 😀

  10. NT November 24, 2013

    This great video, kim was ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL here/
    This video and Super Bass are completely different though, the only major similarity is the lighting at the end

  11. Codey November 24, 2013

    Yes,a classic indeed..”Wanted me so bad you even copped a bootleg”

  12. Mromero November 24, 2013

    Loooove this video…love the 90s. Nicky fans can talk all they want,bring all the number but if it wasnt for this cihick there will be no Nicky and thats a FACT. Lets see if 10 years from now we still talking about Nicky…

    • lol November 24, 2013

      2000.

  13. nicko November 24, 2013

    It only took Nicki a couple yrs to OUTDO kim #FACT 😉 ppl will aways talk about her cause she REVIVED female rap and is making history. btw, its such a ‘classic’ that yall let it flop when it came out :'( Missy, Lauryn, and Nic are the most successful female rappers of all time > #FACT. *sips Myx*

  14. Antonio November 24, 2013

    But PFRR still isn’t platinum. Almost 20 million Barbz and only one platinum album. Hard Core sold 2.2 million in the US, Notorious KIM sold 1.3 million and La Bella Mafia sold 1.5 million. Kim was endorsed by some the top brands at the time. The only reason Nicki is slayingi is because no other female rapper is on a mainstream level with her. Kim, Eve, Missy and Lauryn won Grammys (which Nicki will not do) and nad multiplatinum albums with real hip hop and not cheap, generic Pop songs like Starships, Va Va Voom and Super Bass.

  15. Markell November 24, 2013

    Nobody’s comparing the song, just the video. Nicki Minaj Super Bass video is definitely a mixture of this video and How Many Licks.

  16. Realest November 24, 2013

    This is what nickis inspired to be since day one. Damn Kim was ahead of her time when she said “a lot of you h*** living vicariously through me; instead of doing THEM, they’d rather do ME”… And this video is prime example. Pretty much all of these looks nicki stole and claims her nugget influences are Lauryn and Foxy. Girl sit , you studied this b**** like a text book #Next

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