Today, July 11, is the birthday of one of hip-hop's most famous females Lil' Kim! Today, the rap legend turns 39.

Born Kimberly Jones, the pint sized Brooklyn rapper began her music career alongside the likes of Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A and Bad Boy Records. Kim met Biggie as a teenager and the two engaged in a romantic relationship. Biggie would be a major player in Kim's early success. The Queen Bee dropped her debut album Hard Core in November 1996. The LP debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, the highest charting rap album from a female at that time. Fueled by raunchy lyrics and Kim's unabashed bravado, the Brooklynite set a new standard for women rappers in the industry.

Though she's battled with Biggie's death, personal issues and public beefs, Kim's fans have kept her steadfast in the industry for more than 20 years now. Her singles "No Time", "Big Momma Thang" and "Ladies Night" have solidified her as a female MC worth the admiration. After taking a break to have her baby Royal Reign in 2014, K-I-M has been making a comeback and declaring it Lil Kim Season with her latest mixtape. Kim is on board for Diddy's Bad Boy Reunion tour and was honored at the 2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens last year. Kim has linked up with fellow female rappers Trina, Missy Elliott and Remy Ma in recent history and even showed support for Remy when she was beefing with Nicki Minaj in the spring of 2017.

In the fall of 2017, Kim linked up with Remy on a thoroughly New York tune by the name of "Wake Me Up." Continuing her resurgence, the B-K rap legend has continued working on new music well into 2018. Salute.

Happy Birthday, Lil' Kim!

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