Hard Core

Personnel includes: Lil' Kim, Jay-Z, Junior M.A.F.I.A., The Notorious B.I.G., Adilah (vocals); LaMarquis Jefferson (bass); Fela.
Producers include: Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, Stevie J., Ski, The Notorious B.I.G., Cornbread, Stretch Armstrong, Prestige, Jermaine Dupri.
Engineers include: Kenny Ortiz, Jermaine Dupri, Tony Black, Phil Tan.
Principally recorded at The Hit Factory, New York, New York.
"Not Tonight" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group.
Personnel: Adilah, The Notorious B.I.G. (vocals).
Audio Mixers: Richard Travali; Axel Niehaus; Tony Smalios; Tony Black.
Photographer: Michael Lavine.
While male rappers like the Notorious B.I.G. and Snoop Doggy Dogg are praised for kickin' that hard-core hip-hop and keepin' it real, female MCs who talk dirty or otherwise try to represent from that same lifestyle are usually criticized for it. Double standard maybe? Well, if Too Short can talk about pimpin' and Kool G. Rap can get props for gangsta-fied lyrics, it's high time a rapper like Lil' Kim got hers.
As the only female member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., Lil' Kim named herself the Lieutenant, and stole the show on that band's 1995 debut album, CONSPIRACY. Lyrically, there is no doubt she's talented, but it's her rhymin' delivery that clinches things on HARD CORE. Often reminiscent of the classic album READY TO DIE by her mentor the Notorious B.I.G., the production on every track is phat, and earns Lil' Kim her crown as the new queen of hard-core rap.