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Since Lil' Kim made her debut with the aptly titled Hard Core (the scandalous cover featured a bikini-clad Kim straddling a bear rug), she's become as well-known for her sexuality as she has for her hard-as-nails rhyme skills. With her tantalizing persona and her provocative outfits, Kim (nee´ Kimberly Jones) is the hip-hop generation's Cher -- lusted after by male fans and both envied and emulated by female fans. But as the title of this album announces, the reigning queen of hip-hop wears her notoriety as comfortably as she does a Versace slip dress. Kim was the Notorious B.I.G.'s protégé and his unapologetic mistress during his marriage to R&B diva Faith Evans, and this recording is a vivid reminder that Ms. Jones is quite proud of her affair with the hip-hop legend: "He was my nigga and I was his bitch/Had beef with your wife that ain't patched up yet/But I got love for your kids/I put 'em in my will," she raps on "Hold On," which features uplifting vocals by Mary J. Blige. While she continues the celebration of explicit sex and materialistic excess found on Hard Core, the production on Notorious is crisper; and the stories, such as the vengeful murder-and-courtroom drama "Lil' Drummer Boy" featuring Redman and the Goodie Mob's Cee-Lo, are darker and more violent. Notorious also offers several hot guest appearances: Sisqo is up to the salacious demands of "How Many Licks"; wild woman Grace Jones and Lil' Cease appear on "Revolution"; and "Queen Bitch Pt. 2" features Puffy and Biggie. Each of the 18 tracks is laden with pop hooks -- "Don't Mess with Me" reels from a guitar and vocal sample of Pat Benatar's feverish hit "Heartbreaker" -- but with Kim's foul mouth, this isn't exactly a radio-friendly record. You'll be happy to know, however, that the self-proclaimed "Dr. Ruth of rap" eagerly makes house calls.
CONDITION: NEW
TRACK LISTING
1. Lil' Drummer Boy
2. Custom Made (Give It To You)
3. Who's Number One?
4. Suck My D**K
5. Single Black Female
6. Revolution
7. How Many Licks?
8. Notorious Kim
9. No Matter What They Say
10. She Don't Love You
11. Queen Bitch, Pt. 2
12. Don't Mess With Me
13. Do What You Like
14. Off the Wall
15. Right Now
16. Aunt Dot
17. Hold On
18. I'm Human
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