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After a couple low-profile years where it seemed like Lil' Kim was fading away into the obscurity of rap history, she returned in 2003 with a strong effort, La Bella Mafia, that reestablished her as an industry icon. Her previous album, Notorious K.I.M. (2000), had been somewhat of a disappointment relative to her smash debut, Hard Core (1996). Where her debut had lived up to its title and presented her as a sexually charged gangstress -- the Notorious B.I.G.'s right-hand woman and the momentarily undisputed queen of New York -- her follow-up made an ill-fated bid for pop-crossover success. Overseen by Puff Daddy on the eve of his initial popular collapse, Notorious K.I.M. was a mishmash collection of collabos and overblown Biggie odes that didn't resonate well with her fans, the pop crowd, or critics. It's perhaps fitting then that on La Bella Mafia Kim returns to her sexually charged gangstress image, forgoing overt pop concessions in favor of the sort of hardcore motifs that had always been her stock-in-trade. While she plays up the gangstress image well, there's still plenty of commerciality going on here, as hitmakers like Timbaland, Scott Storch, Kayne West, and Swizz Beatz craft the beats while guests like 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, Styles P, and Twista bring some additional flavor. This results in some edgy yet radio-ready tracks like "The Jump Off," "Magic Stick," and "(When Kim Say) Can You Hear Me Now?" Elsewhere, there are some substantial album tracks that fill out the album, particularly the emotive "Heavenly Father," the slow-jamming "Can't F**k With Queen Bee," and the "Guess Who's Back"-esque "Came Back for You." As with most rap albums, La Bella Mafia could use a little trimming, but it's a relatively solid album with quite a bit of lyrical substance to accompany the first-rate beatmaking. The Queen B has a lot to say here after her long sabbatical, and she's noticeably slowed down her flow, which brings her word choices to the fore. As a result of all this, La Bella Mafia affirms Kim's briefly questionable status as a formidable female presence in a man's world and once again turns the often sexist mindset of rap on its head in the process.
© Jason Birchmeier /TiVo
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C. Wallace, Writer - Will Robinson, Contributor - J. Mtume, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Andrew Zaeh, Contributor - Berdon LLP, Contributor - D. Humiston, Writer - Deborah Mannis-Gardner for dmg inc., Contributor - H. Weston, Writer - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jamel Jackson, Contributor - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - K. Raphael, Writer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Lanre Gaba, Contributor - Veronica Alvericci, Contributor - J. Oliver, Writer - S. Combs, Writer - Sean Combs, Writer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, Mixer - "Shaft", Producer - "Big Hill", Producer - Greg "Gee" Stewart, RecordingEngineer
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - Kejuan Muchita, Writer - Darryl McDaniels, Writer - Rick Rubin, Writer - Joseph Simmons, Writer - Havoc, Producer, FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance - Adam Horovitz, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, Mixer, RecordingEngineer
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - J. Garfield, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, Mixer, RecordingEngineer - Kamel Abdo, RecordingEngineer - Glace, Background Vocals - Ice Drake, Background Vocals - J. Waxx Garfield, Producer
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - Shelene Thomas, Background Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Full Force, Producer, Mixer, Background Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Deniece Williams, Writer - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Henry Redd, Writer - Nathan Watts, Writer - Dan "The" Man, RecordingEngineer - Danielle, Background Vocals - Greg "Gee" Stewart, AssistantEngineer - Brian "Mighty Whitey" Montgomery, AssistantEngineer - Coton Greene, Writer - David "Tech Boy" Manka, AssistantEngineer - Josh "Pro Toolin Foolin" Wilbur, RecordingEngineer - Josh "White Lighning" Wilbur, Mixer - Randy "Dandy" Merril, AssistantEngineer - Governor, Background Vocals, FeaturedArtist
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, Mixer, RecordingEngineer - J. Waxx Garfield, Producer - Lil' Shanice, FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - K. Dean, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Swizz Beatz, FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, RecordingEngineer - M. Tifrere, Writer - Rich Keller, Mixer - Swizz Beats, Producer - Mashonda, FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - T. Kelly, Writer - Jimmy Douglass, Mixer - Osten Harvey, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Senator Jimmy D, RecordingEngineer - T Mosley, Writer - Timbaland, Producer, Mixer - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Lil Kim, Rap - Dan "The" Man, RecordingEngineer - Terrance Kelly, Writer - R. Rogers, Writer - MR. CHEEKS, Rap - Tim Patterson, Writer
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International for the world outside of the United States
K. Jones, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, Additional Mixer, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - R. Kelly, Writer - Dan "The" Man, Mixer, RecordingEngineer - Lil' James, Background Vocals
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - Missy Elliott, FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - S. Storch, Writer - Scott Storch, Producer - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, RecordingEngineer - Scott Kieklak, Mixer
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - C. Mitchell, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - S. Storch, Writer - Scott Storch, Producer - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Twista, FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, RecordingEngineer - Kamel Abdo, RecordingEngineer - Scott Kieklak, Mixer
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - C. Jackson, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, RecordingEngineer - Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton, Mixer - C.Evans, Writer - M. Clervoix, Writer - Phantom Of The Beats, Producer - Rian Lodato, AdditionalEngineer - Rick Ravon, Writer - Sha Money, Co- Producer - Roy Hawkins, Writer
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - L. Porter, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - EZ Elpee, Producer - Dan "The" Man, Additional Mixer - Kamel Abdo, RecordingEngineer - Rich Keller, Mixer - DJ 45, Additional Programmer, Scratch - K. Hassan, Writer - T. Hassan, Writer - Styles P, FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Kenny Gamble, Writer - LEON HUFF, Writer - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - K. Raphael, Writer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, Mixer, RecordingEngineer - "Shaft", Producer - "Big Hill", FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, Mixer, RecordingEngineer - R. Evans, Writer - Saint, FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance - DJ Bless, Producer - Vee, FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance - Bunky S.A., FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance - Reeks, FeaturedArtist, Featured Performance
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
K. Jones, Writer - J. WEBB, Writer - K. West, Writer - Lil' Kim, MainArtist - Kanye West, Producer - Hillary Weston, AssociateProducer - Jean Nelson, AssociateProducer - Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, ExecutiveProducer - Notorious B.I.G., ExecutiveProducer - Dan "The" Man, Mixer, RecordingEngineer
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2002 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Album review
After a couple low-profile years where it seemed like Lil' Kim was fading away into the obscurity of rap history, she returned in 2003 with a strong effort, La Bella Mafia, that reestablished her as an industry icon. Her previous album, Notorious K.I.M. (2000), had been somewhat of a disappointment relative to her smash debut, Hard Core (1996). Where her debut had lived up to its title and presented her as a sexually charged gangstress -- the Notorious B.I.G.'s right-hand woman and the momentarily undisputed queen of New York -- her follow-up made an ill-fated bid for pop-crossover success. Overseen by Puff Daddy on the eve of his initial popular collapse, Notorious K.I.M. was a mishmash collection of collabos and overblown Biggie odes that didn't resonate well with her fans, the pop crowd, or critics. It's perhaps fitting then that on La Bella Mafia Kim returns to her sexually charged gangstress image, forgoing overt pop concessions in favor of the sort of hardcore motifs that had always been her stock-in-trade. While she plays up the gangstress image well, there's still plenty of commerciality going on here, as hitmakers like Timbaland, Scott Storch, Kayne West, and Swizz Beatz craft the beats while guests like 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, Styles P, and Twista bring some additional flavor. This results in some edgy yet radio-ready tracks like "The Jump Off," "Magic Stick," and "(When Kim Say) Can You Hear Me Now?" Elsewhere, there are some substantial album tracks that fill out the album, particularly the emotive "Heavenly Father," the slow-jamming "Can't F**k With Queen Bee," and the "Guess Who's Back"-esque "Came Back for You." As with most rap albums, La Bella Mafia could use a little trimming, but it's a relatively solid album with quite a bit of lyrical substance to accompany the first-rate beatmaking. The Queen B has a lot to say here after her long sabbatical, and she's noticeably slowed down her flow, which brings her word choices to the fore. As a result of all this, La Bella Mafia affirms Kim's briefly questionable status as a formidable female presence in a man's world and once again turns the often sexist mindset of rap on its head in the process.
© Jason Birchmeier /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 16 track(s)
- Total length: 01:05:36
- Main artists: Lil' Kim
- Label: Atlantic Records
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
© 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2003 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
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