
On June 27, 2000 Lil' Kim released her second studio album called 'The Notorious K.I.M.'
It sold 230,000 copies the first week, the album was certifed Platinum by the RIAA on August 2nd 2000 selling over 1.5 million copies. It reached the top of the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart.
The album went platinum soon after that, and Kim was recognized as one out of a few female rappers who managed to earn two consecutive platinum solo albums at that time.
The album combines essential hip-hop elements — sex, guns, drugs and cash — with a sense of vulnerability (no doubt caused by Biggie’s death in 1997). 'Hold On,' featuring Mary J. Blige, is a touching tribute to the late rapper (“If I’m f****d up, imagine how Mrs. Wallace feels”).
“This album I get to show my creativity, my versatility” – Lil’ Kim, 2000
Lead single 'No Matter What They Say'
'No Matter What They Say,' the lead single from Notorious K.I.M., almost didn't come to be. While Lil' Kim's record company were convinced that the song was a hit, she wasn't enamored with it. Instead, she was pulling for another song, 'The Queen,' to be released as the first single.
When all was said and done, 'The Queen' was left off of the album after being leaked online and 'No Matter What They Say' was picked as the kick-off single. The result: The song peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and set the stage for the release of her sophomore album in a festive way.
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