Lil’ Kim album Hard Core

Lil’ Kim
Album : Hard Core
Release Date: November 12, 1996
Label: Big Beat

Review :

I asked for this album for Christmas in 1996 because of all the hype surrounding Lil’ Kim. After all, she had the Notorious B.I.G. seal of approval and she and Biggie were the only ones worth listening to on their Junior M.A.F.I.A. album. How is the album? Well, let’s just say that it isn’t nice to return a Christmas gift from someone.

Don’t get me wrong, this album got mad beats (virtually every song was played at house parties on campus), but when I sat down and listened to what was being said, I wasn’t impressed. It sounds like Lil’ Kim was using XXX-rated lyrics to hide any kind of real talent, hence calling it "shock value". Songs like the Jermaine Dupri-laced "Not Tonight" (though I can’t front on the clever use of the "Turn Your Love Around" sample) and "We Don’t Need It" make me wanna throw up. I wondered if she was kicking these songs for the guys because it’s sexy, or for the girls because it’s never been done before.

There are some songs that I can stand like "No Time", "Big Momma Thang" (featuring then almost-famous Jay-Z) and "Drugs". This is due to more tight flowing and less nasty lyrics. But the real flaw to this album is that 95% of what Kim says came from Biggie’s catalogue. If you don’t believe me, then check out Ready to Die or any song he made before then.

Overall, this ain’t the classic that everybody says it is. There are times when Kim kicks a notable line, but those moments are few and far in between. And if she does kick a good line, nine times out of ten it came from Biggie. I would tell her better luck next time, but her second album is even worse. Sorry, Kim.

Tack listing :

1. Intro In A-Minor
2. Big Momma Thang (Featuring Jay-Z)
3. No Time
4. Spend A Little Doe
5. Take It!
6. Crush On You
7. Drugs
8. Scheamin’
9. Queen B@#$h
10. Dreams
11. M.A.F.I.A. Land
12. We Don’t Need It
13. Not Tonight
14. Player Haters
15. **** You