NEW YORK, NY (Atlantic Records) -
Queen Bee/Big Entertainment/Atlantic recording artist
Lil' Kim will expose the "NAKED TRUTH" on
September 27th, when her eagerly anticipated new album hits retail stores.
The release of "NAKED TRUTH" is being heralded by its first single, "Lighters Up," which is quickly lighting up radio stations across the country. Produced by Scott Storch, the track was the No 1 most-added song at the CHR/Rhythmic format and has already bulleted into the top 40 on the national Urban radio charts.
The single's companion video, directed by Marc Klasfeld, made its premiere on BET's "Access Granted" on September 14th and has just been added into "Big 10" rotation on MTV. Lil' Kim will be featured on a special MTV "DFX" one-hour special, is hosting MTV2's "Sucker Free Sunday" hip-hop show, and will appear on VH1's "Hip-Hop Honors" pre-show. "NAKED TRUTH" can be heard in its entirety via BET's "Transmission" on BET.com beginning tomorrow, September 20th, while Kim will be the subject of an upcoming BET "Testimony" special.
"NAKED TRUTH" has already begun to gather rave reviews. In the October issue of The Source, with Kim gracing the cover, the album garners a rare "5-mic" rating -- marking the first time that a female artist has earned the magazine's highest ranking.
Kim's fourth solo album, "NAKED TRUTH" follows 2003's "LA BELLA MAFIA," which made its Billboard 200 debut at No 5. That collection included the top-charting smash, "Magic Stick," as well as the hit singles "The Jump Off" and "Thug Luv."
Lil' Kim first stepped into the world's spotlight as part of the late Notorious B.I.G.'s rap collective Junior M.A.F.I.A., in which she was the lone female member. Her thugged-out Betty Boop delivery on tracks such as "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money" helped propel Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s 1995 RIAA gold certified Big Beat/Atlantic debut, "CONSPIRACY," into the top 10 on the Billboard 200, and established Kim as Bonnie to Biggie's Clyde.
In 1996, Kim unleashed her classic debut solo collection, "HARD CORE." Featuring backing from producers such as Sean "Puffy" Combs, Jermaine Dupri, and Prestige, the album quickly earned RIAA double-platinum certification, and confirmed the brazen and controversial Kim as the reigning Queen of Hip-Hop.
2000's "THE NOTORIOUS K.I.M." saw Lil' Kim's star continue to rise as she graced the covers of such magazines as The Source, XXL, Interview, and Vibe. In 2001, Lil' Kim teamed with Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, and Missy Elliott for the blockbuster remake of "Lady Marmalade." The track's success led to Kim winning her first-ever Grammy Award, for "Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals."
