Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974 or July 11, 1975), known by her
stage name Lil' Kim, is an American
rapper, songwriter, record producer, model, and actress. She was born and raised in
Brooklyn,
New York, living much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. In her teens, Jones would freestyle rap, heavily influenced by actress/singer
Diana Ross, and fellow female hip-hop artists like
MC Lyte and
The Lady of Rage. Performing a freestyle rap for
The Notorious B.I.G. got her music career start in 1995 with his group
Junior M.A.F.I.A., whose debut album
Conspiracy generated three hit singles.