“You don’t know, my town is the truth. Welcome To Brooklyn”
Today, From The Vault travels back to 2005 when a certain Kimberly Jones released one of her most acclaimed singles. Our pick is ‘Lighters Up’ by Lil’ Kim.
Produced by former close collaborator Scott Storch, the Island-flavored number – which samples Damian Marley’s ‘Welcome To Jamrock‘ – was the first single from Queen Bee’s fourth album ‘The Naked Truth‘. An ode to the artist’s native neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, the cut was a Urban hit in the US where it reached #31 on the Hot 100 and the 9th position of the Hot Hip-Hop/R&B charts.
Serving ghetto-fab aplenty, the accompanying Kirk Fraser video is set in various parts of Brooklyn and includes a special cameo by fellow royal Mary J. Blige, as well as comedian Katt Williams. With its documentary feel, the clip was shot a few months before the rapper’s incarceration and uses album track ‘Shut Up B*tch‘ as its introduction.
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Although the last decade has seen Ms. Jones trying to re-establish herself as a chart force, it can be noted that ‘Lighters Up’ stands as Kim’s latest chart success and quite frankly nothing she has released since this song and its parent album has been anything on-par with her classic catalog.
Over the years, we’ve stated how much we’d love to see the pint-sized diva win and we firmly believe that armed with a single akin to this one she could be on the brink of the comeback that has been eluding her for so long.
Until then, Notorious Kim, we salute you!
LOL WHO?
This album was good from start to finish. This song was good too. #RealHipHop #NotHipPop
Kitty box and Kronik say hello
LEGENDARY Lil Kim is certainly the queen of rap. Almost every female rapper that came after her took a page outta her book. Not up for debate.
Yes. This song was everything. She looked so good in this video too. Lemme go find this album and play it while I’m cleaning my apt.
Favorite Lil’ Kim song besides Queen B****.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbBIkZR3r0U&sns=em
classic RAP song, classic/critically acclaimed album, 5 mics…. this album lyrically and musically SLAYS and she talks about REAL SHIIIT!
http://youtu.be/tf-vkAgHXPE
Her ghost writer T.I. got paid well for his lyrics on this album….
and the game
THE QUEEN OF RAP!!!!!!!!!! Lil’ Kim is the reason this rap game is unisex. Without her, there would be no s*** female rappers. Kim paved the way for not only female rappers, but also for R&B singers. Let’s not forget where Beyonce jacked the Queen B moniker from. The Original Queen Bee is Lil’ Kim. Kim is the greatest female rapper of all time. Everyone who cares about music bows down to her. Lil’ Kim is to rap what Aretha Franklin is to soul and R&B. THE QUEEN!