GUEST STAR
Real blogs by real people.
Album Review: Hard Core
"Hard Core" came out when there was a desperate need for sexiness in the rap world. Although Kim was not the first female rapper to reach platinum status, she was the first to do it being a lady. Unlike other female rappers with all male crews, Kim shined without having to "kick it like the fellas". This album still stands out as her best to date. Although others come close, this is still Kim's greatest work.
The first track, 'Big Momma Thang', is a stand-out on the album, teaming Kim with Jay-Z. Most fans don't realize that this is not the only version of the song, there is actually an unreleased version with an extended first and last verse as well as an entire new verse where Jay-Z's rap is. The song disses both Faith Evans and 2Pac. The Notorious B.I.G., however, thought this was too much for an emerging artist and opted for Kim to re-record with Jay.
The debut single, 'No Time', was the first real Puffy-influenced song on the album. It's laced with his famous ad-libs. The radio version showcases Kim's first attempt at other languages on a record, changing parts of the more explicit verse to French. The single also included an unreleased original version, that is again, more explicit than what we see on the album.
'Spend A Little Doe' is possibly one of the best records on the album, showing one of Kim's early attempts at storytelling. She creates excellent visuals on the song that really leave the listener wanting more. 'Crush On You' is just Lil' Cease on the album version because Kim was not available to complete the song, but the record company wanted it as a single. Kim released her verses on the remix.
'Drugs' is another stand out track and a subject Kim rarely touches on in future releases. What stands out to me is again her use of other languages, this time arabic. The lyrics are on point. I think a lot of the reason people believe that Big wrote for Kim was the fact that her lyrics were just that good, and this song shows that. I think the comparison is a good thing, Big being Kim's mentor, but not altogether true regardless.
Now, the best song on the album in my opinion would be 'Queen Bitch'. Two verses of raw talent. A lot of people use this song as a testiment to Biggie writing for Kim, as there was a freestyle released from Biggie that him spitting Kim's lines word for word. Kim herself commented on this around the release of 'Hard Core' stating it was the hardest song for her to record because she could not get her flow right, Biggie came in and rapped the song how he thought it should sound.
'Dreams', 'Mafia Land' and 'Not Tonight' all show Kim's lyricist skills, both laced with storytelling and metaphors. 'Dreams' is a remake of the unreleased Biggie song of the same name. 'We Don't Need It' is exatly that, not needed. Junior Mafia is on this album because of Kim's loyalty and nothing more. The final track, 'Fuck You' also contains said Mafia, but Kim's verse more than makes up for their falter.
All-in-all a 4 1/2 mic album in my opinion. If we had have kept the verses from 'Big Momma Thang' and 'Crush On You' and got rid of Junior Mafia, it would be a 5 mic for sure.
Comments
OMFG that picture of the "hardcore title' makes me wanna cry she was so dam preety why in the hell she had to fuck up her face
Lmao at you, Shay.
Anywho, this is the only kim cd that got my attention, however, after hearing what she brought up after this, I knew I could not be a "real" kim fan. This album showed that she had potential, but it is also when she came out and stated that her "image" was just that, not real. I lost respect for her after that comment, because I thought she was a thorough bitch. And it makes me laugh my ass off now, when I think about her saying that "image" shit at her trial and then on Naked Truth, she reverts that "she lives her songs". Go figure. Hardcore had me believing until the Truth became known.
all them niggas out there tryna be real is broke as hell and wont ever be able to retire comfortably. She is a icon and unfortunatly thats what show business is like...you got to constantly envolve yourself, and i dont know what ya'll be looking at, never mine the pictures that get airbushed or the bad pix of her following the surgery in person she looks good and even in the source, in the video she doesnt look bad.
besides shes grown since hardcore, she wouldn't be around if she still rapped that way, if she still living hardcore days then that would mean the bitch aint grow none and wouldnt be keeping it real.
The niggas that so real you dont even hear about, this busniess is about making money, period, by any means ...either you with it or you aint. bottem line black are making money now, back in the day they wasn't.
HARDCORE WAS THE BEST ALBUM LIL KIM EVER DID!!!! "DRUGS" & "QUEEN BITCH" STILL GET PLAYED @ MY HOUSE. CLASSIC
I can't stand lil Kim's music now, and her face and complexion! I just can't git wit dat. Naked Truth was trash! 160,500 copies? not even gold! but Hardcore is a true 5.... nah, fuck it 10 mic album! I Bump Drugs, Queen Bitch, No Time, and Dreams till dis day! Come home soon sweetie! So you can drop more music like Dat!
Yall Heard bout foxy? deaf? Wow!? What's happening to our Queens of Brooklyn?!
KIM is still gangsta and NO O.N.E can take that from her....She is the Queen of Rap...and Until her LAST Day...all u haters u need to give her that RESPECT!!!
She been the 1st LADY since She dropped HARDCORE!!!
Biggie gone now...so who written her rhymes???
Lil' Kim is as real as real can get...
Sign,
The Notorious O.N.E
K.I. till I D.I.E!!
Fuck all y'all haters that got something negative about KIM she is holding her own and don't need this shit right know. And The Naked Truth was not trash! So i don't know what you've heard but nothing the QB makes is trash. And The album sold 823,000 copies the first week it dropped so get that shit right aight! To KIM: Hi baby i know you tryin' to go do your time so you can hurry and come back and let these bitches have-it, oh and when will i hear "top bitches" from you and Ms.Trina cause you know that shit is gon be wicked right. I guess i can let you go now and wait until you hit the streets again and "Kill" Foxy,Charli,Capone&noreaga, and any other artist who want it (lyrically of course)holla at yo' boy.
Stay Loyal To The Game and remember we got's yo' back 4-LIFE!!!!!!!!!
Always and forever, JAH
Hey I love this album and I hope she really takes us back to the block. That foxy shit is crazy, I dont know anymore. The BK queen and princess are getting chocked now. Much love to both of ya'll good luck to both of ya'll and looking forward to both books and lil kim's movie. Ur Fan!
o.k ya'll if derez any1 who feel kim dats me.she made me luv da game,besidez b.i.g &when she gets out,she have 2 put me in.she stayz in my head.
Kim is da shit, & most of u hater don't want to see shit because ya'll 2 dam jealous , specailly ya'll chicken heads bithes...lol... da queen is still doing her shit, her album the Naked Truth is a great album but becuase she is lock up & not able to pomote her shit like every other artist wit great music her sales r going 2 suffer, she can't do concerts, radio, TV ect... that the dam buiness of being a entertainer is pomotioning your shit... she not going to get da sells she would have gotten if she was on the streets, but i fell on the most part she doing well 4 someone who is lock up.... she will to go over gold, when her other videos come out she may pushing platium.... She get out she will be pushing another great album garenteed...
hardcore is the shit, i still love this cd! And all of lil'kims cds are hot. I love you kim! BEEHIveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
Why do you all act like selling 160,000 records is bad...That is a stellar first week. 160,000 copies in a few days..the album came out on a Tuesday!!!! Besides think of how many cats bought the BOOTLEG!! for 2 dollars! GET REAL!! It's O5--people arent even buying CD's..Stop hating PLEASE--you sound like assholes sometimes!Albums dont go gold or platinum in one week, there are only a few occasions when that would go down, then the album is considered historical. Kim's shit will go platinum just like the rest of them, even if she doesn't release another single..thats just how big the bitch is!!!!
Scully,
"that's bullshit, geraldo". lmao
This motherfucka here, WILL not go plat!
i wnat to find the song with kellyand
lilkim had together about diamonds
I loveu lilkim i will never like foxy fuck dat nappy head bitch and she need to stop wearing that black shit on her face do that year and laugh at these broke hoes.
HELLO LILKIM YOU ARE A BEATIFUL NUBEIAN
QUEEN YOU ARE TO FINE TO GO TO PRISON
YOU ARE THE BADDEST CHICK..I LOVE YOU...
LOVE KILLA DEE