Lil’Mama Smooches Her Way to the Top of the Chart with “Lip Gloss”
Brooklyn, NY (rushprnews) May 20,2007 -While rapper’s who sport the prefix Lil’ might be a dozen, there is nothing common about 17-year-old Lil’ Mama. The teenaged rap phenomenon’s first commercial hit “Lip Gloss” is fastly becoming a celebratory anthem for girls of all ages. But unlike kiddie rappers who rely heavily on short-sited gimmicks, Lil’ Mama is a multi-faceted artist who boasts the ability to sing, rap and write her own material. Her Jive Records debut, Voice of The Young People explores the mindset of a young woman who is truly wise beyond her years.
Growing up between Brooklyn’s rough East New York section and Harlem, Lil’ Mama was forced to overcome both personal and financial struggles at an early age. As one of eight brothers and sisters, the rapper born Niatia Kirkland started to express herself artistically as a little girl through poetry and dance. When she was just 10-years-old, Lil’ Mama decided to try and put a rhythm behind her poems.
“Between the ages of 10 and 12 I started finding myself with rap,” remembers Mama. “That’s when I was writing and my father got me into the studio and I recorded some of my first songs. They were more like freestyles. I would take someone else’s beat and write a rhyme to it using my own hook.”
By the time Lil’ Mama started attending Brooklyn’s Edward R. Murrow high school she was creating all original material. “I started recording my own songs over original beats, coming up with ideas and letting my imagination really come through my music,” she says. “My father really helped me develop as an artist. He basically built me around knowing how to express myself.
There’s different lanes I take you through with my music. People might think, ‘Am I normal for thinking that way?’ I’m just letting you know I think that way too.” While Lil’ Mama’s musical career was starting to fall into place, her personal life took a turn for the worse. In 2003 she learned her mother was diagnosed with colon cancer.
As she had always done in the past, Mama came to terms with her emotions through her music. In 2006, Mama teamed up with Ali Samii (former DMX’s manager) of Xtra Mile Production and headed out to Atlanta where she got the chance to record with Nappy Roots’ producer James “Groove” Chambers.
Together they recorded seven songs, including “Lip Gloss,” which would quickly find its way onto New York’s home for hip-hop and R&B, Hot 97.
“I was going to a Hot 97 free concert and I went to meet up with DJ Enuff to get tickets and I told him I wanted him to play some of my joints on the radio,” says Lil’ Mama. “He gave me this long speech about how he can’t really play music from unknown artist’s so I was like, ‘You have to hear my record!’ So we got in the car and I put it on and he’s like, ‘Oh this beat is crazy!’ He played it on the air the next day.”
DJ Enuff wasn’t the only industry heavyweight to take notice of Lil’ Mama’s wide ranging appeal. Dave Lighty, the Senior A&R at Jive Records was also floored by the 17-year-old’s instant smash and immediately set out to track her down. “One story I heard was my manager’s friend is friends with somebody who is friends with Dave Lighty,” explains Mama. “I guess that’s how he found me.”
On January 10, 2007 Barry Weiss (President of Jive) officially signed the 5?2? rapper to Jive Records. Now with her major label deal to her credit, Lil’ Mama has been in and out of various recording studios in New York, Atlanta and Miami and has worked with famed producers like Swizz Beatz and Scott Storch. Her debut album, Voice of The Young People features a wide range of musical and topical issues. Somber songs like “Life” explore a foster child’s journey and the hardships of a pregnant teenager.
“Everybody’s talking about the same things on the radio-murder, sex and drugs,” says Mama. “They have people behind them telling them it’s cool and I disagree. There are so many more people struggling and going through so much and to hear somebody brag about the jewelry and stuff like that, it’s overrated.”
With 17 hard years behind her, Lil’ Mama is determined to fill her future with greatness. “People should know that I’m coming from the bottom and I’m going go to the top,” she states with utter confidence. “I see myself as an artist who was built on influences. I feel like I have a little bit of everything in me ’cause I take heed to my environment. So I’m offering you everything that I’ve learned in my life and what I’ve become.”
And just like that, a new star is born.
www.lil-mama.com
Suggestion Box
May 20th, 2007 at 9:54 am
“..But unlike kiddie rappers who rely heavily on short-sited gimmicks, Lil’ Mama is a multi-faceted artist who boasts the ability to sing, rap and write her own material…”
WHAT?!?!?
That song is terrible. Its not a gimmick?
Its just terrible, and the fact that its at the top of the charts just solidifies how wack music is right now.
i swear i have to come out with a song real soon.
May 20th, 2007 at 9:56 am
lol for real, i swear to god, all you need to make a top 40 song these days is some lame ass catchphrase and a retarded dance
May 20th, 2007 at 10:07 am
“..But unlike kiddie rappers who rely heavily on short-sited gimmicks, Lil’ Mama is a multi-faceted artist who boasts the ability to sing, rap and write her own material…”
HAHAHAHAA u’ve got to be kidding me, shes another perfect example of a wack artist w/ a shitty gimmick, catchphrase, adlib, and dance. i heard dj khalid say shes the next lauren hill and i nearly spit milk up my nose w/ laughter. that song is so bad and u kno her album is gonna be a shit sandwhich that will only get play on BET who has shitty artists on top of their countdowns like t-pain, pretty ricky, and lil bow wow.
NAS IS SOOOO FUCKING RITE….HIP HOP as an ART FORM IS DEAD, white corporations own it and are gonna milk it for every dollar it will make them and as soon as it doesnt make anymore money for them, they’ll take it out to pasture and shoot it in the back of the head. same thing that happened to disco, jazz, the blues, and heavy metal…trust me hip hop is seriously next.
PS SHE SUXXXXXXX
May 20th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Ya’ll need to be more open-minded. she’s saying she’s versatile, cop her album when it drops then tell me she aint versatile. You think shes gonna put out that song “Life” as her first single? If you do, ya’ll niggas is stupid. ez
May 20th, 2007 at 10:20 am
I won’t judge her off one single. I know she has more songs coming up that will be more serious and about real issues. i give her props for getting this far and writing her own material.
May 20th, 2007 at 10:38 am
her lipgloss is not poppin’ in this pic.
May 20th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Lil’ Momma look like she 35, for real get a clearer pic of her. She aint no damn 17.
May 20th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Its a teenage rapper who put out a teenage song. She isn’t coming out there talking about some shit she doesn’t know about. She stayed in her lane.
May 20th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
my kids love the song thats whats wrong with hip-hop people want to judge what others should like and listen too/ once and for all it’s enough diverse music out there for everybody..if you don’t like a certain artist or genre don’t buy it and don’t listen to it/ where i’m from calling something garbage or trash because it’s not your personal taste is the definition of hating /hopefully this post is a small step towards eliminating that mentality /music is like the streets it evolves/ whats poular today won’t be in 5 years thats human nature/ and for everybody sayin hip hop is dead i grew up at time when every rap group had a gimmick/the fat boys made a whole album about eating/ come people grow up and wake up and remember your either part of the problem or part of the solution
May 20th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
shes hip hop 4 kids just the fact that she got compared to lauren hill is a bitch slap in the face
May 20th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
The Lauryn Hill comment is out of line, but you have to give credit when credit is due. She’s doing her thing being her…
May 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
she iz doin her thing and nobody can hate on her cuz she made it,but seriously she can’t rap…..like at all
May 20th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
i saw her on 106 …SMH i can’t believe she got a record deal… on tha real.. only thing she good at is probably dancing…she has no looks and no rapping or singing abilities and that lip gloss track is retarded as fuck! it;s like holla back girl part 2 or someshit….she will be a one hit wonder. bet cho money on it.
May 20th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
She a hoe from the East my nigga fuck her all the time
May 20th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
to cheers
Get a life Stupid Ass
May 20th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
This song is trash, hands down … BUT it is unfair to pass judgements until you hear the whole CD.
As I see it, she had to come out with the ridiculous shit like that to get air play. This is what the industry is pushing these days – the half-assed, retarded bull, with catchy lines/hooks that kids can easily memorize. Sad, but true.
Basically, let’s hear the whole CD first, and then we can discuss it.
Peace.
May 20th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
yeah the song is for little kids, so everybody aint gonna be able to rock wit it. just like jay cd is for grown folks, so a lotta people dont like it. whoever marketing this cd isnt using a gimmick; they doin what every marketing group does. reaching out to a certain audience
May 21st, 2007 at 9:50 am
7. GLOCK wrote on May 20th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Lil’ Momma look like she 35, for real get a clearer pic of her. She aint no damn 17.
^ and Greg Oden from Ohio state college hoop team, lookz like a 45 year old man:
http://www.gregoden.com/images/greg-oden-index.jpg
But he’s NOT though, so what’s yo’ point?
May 21st, 2007 at 9:01 pm
LOL @ #6
u damn skippy
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:53 am
what it do i admire u alot i luv ya song lip gloss… just came to show some luv….
beantown_h-block
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:54 am
just came to show some luv…luv ya
June 6th, 2007 at 9:15 am
WHAT UP WHAT UP WHAT UP I LIKE YO MUSIC THAT SHIT IS
SWEET.
June 13th, 2007 at 4:46 am
Yo dis song iz defiently poppin. Right now ma lipgloss iz poppin and yal need ta stop hatin cuz dis is a hot song
June 24th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
i love your song my lip gloss is poppin i no every word to your song i am a really big fan of yours you is on my page on myspace gurl u need to hook me up i can sing and dance i really wont to meet u but i cant.
June 24th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
hi write back i just found out about this pagge i really like it u should put your song on it
June 24th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I thing that you should keep doing what you are doing the other people are hating like all the fucking time you know.fuck the other people shit.
June 24th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
June 24th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Dear Ms.Lil-Moma,
My daughter is 13 and loves your song my lip gloss. My daughter thinks your so great. My grand daughter is 7 months old and trys to dance to your songs. My daughter ” Cadesia SA Mone Willis ” is known as aka LiL-MOMA also.
your number one in her book. She plays your song constantly. My other grandaughter is 5 years old and dances to your song. I am a mother of 5 and 2 grand children. I have cancer. I believe the Lord makes a way for every one and a brighter is coming. I never give up, I live now thur my children eyes. If you could do me one favor that will change my life, to help put a smile on my daughter face: can you send her a picture signed with your name on it. We live in a small town called Pulaski, deep in the country. My children call it p-town.(smile) and the girls here are called bcb gutter girls and the boys are called bcb gutter boys. I think its cool and it makes them help. I just want you to know you have a big fan in my daughter. Keep up the good work and my God bless you and your family. I keep you all in my pray’s. May blessings fall down on you and shower you for the rest of your life. As the kid’s say peace out, and a shout out to all………
July 1st, 2007 at 6:40 pm
I wish all dees ppl would stop hatin get a life u just mad cause she goin somewhere and u not. Most of yall probally dont like her song cause it give yung girls esteem u rather listen 2 someone talk bout drugs sex n money and that aint rght so leave her alone n let her do her thing Lil Mama u do ur thing u truly have a gift and dont let others bring u down Lov ya and God bless!!!!!!!!
July 1st, 2007 at 6:44 pm
To cheers
Get a life theres no need for u 2 get jelous n try 2 make up rumors Would u please stop being a hater Thanx
July 3rd, 2007 at 6:19 am
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! ziyffdwhigy
July 3rd, 2007 at 2:04 pm
your music video was hot
July 5th, 2007 at 10:42 am
i love lil’ mama she look beautiful and i love her song lip gloss i wish she come to jamaica
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Does anyone know who the kid is she picks up at the end of the video, is that her child, or a sibling??
Thanks
July 30th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Well I c my self in lil mamaz way cuz I do the same thing the only thing im tryin 2 get sign an out there my name iz star my aim mane iz irun194 get at me lil mama if ? c thiz ??? L?L ???..
August 1st, 2007 at 8:09 am
20 american dollars say that all the haters are dont even listen to hip hop or rap and have nothing better to do but search the internet and try to bring down the self esteem of people who are trying to make something of themselves. I always say that people who give all there effort into tearing other people down do it because they dont have enough self esteem to stand out themselves. All a yuh haters need to realize that she is doing what shes wanted to and shes had it harder than u proly ever had. So lil mama props keep doin your thing gurl. Dont listen to the haters…
August 31st, 2007 at 10:48 am
You hoes need to get lost i love that song and so does my 1 year old neice its a song thats made for young people im 16 and i still love the song. yal haters should be happy somebody made a song about somethin that relates to everybody instead of shit that nobody aint got an aint gone ever get. I LOVE YOU LIL MAMA keep up the good work FUCK ALL DESE HATERS. you a BOSS.
September 1st, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I love Lil mama. love love love love I’m 16 baby what’s up.
September 7th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Whats up Momma Im Steve Im like you I have alot of haters but Im not worring about them you shoulden Either so can you please hook me up with a Record deal because I want my mom to see me make it because she died in I want to Impress her and my family I will Flow for you if you just call 843-372-9823 Thank you and keep your head up cause you made it and you haters didnt
Name:Steven Boston Age:15
September 7th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Whats up Momma Im Steve Im like you I have alot of haters but Im not worring about them you shoulden Either so can you please hook me up with a Record deal because I want my mom to see me make it because she died in I want to Impress her and my family I will Flow for you if you just call 843-372-9823 Thank you and keep your head up cause you made it and your haters didnt
Name:Steven Boston Age:15
September 17th, 2007 at 3:50 am
ah yo lil mama theses bitches just hating that you doing it been sooo all hating as bitches need to fall the fuck bac but i really like your song lip gloss
September 17th, 2007 at 3:52 am
i can sing better though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sike just joking but im at school rite now sooo im getting in trouble
September 18th, 2007 at 8:11 am
yeah ya gurl lil mama is hot she got the look and everything see me im a rapper to lil mama we need to make track together but i don’t have the looks but it cool my friend said hi im at school so i got to go i love u lil mama call ya gurl at 314-423-8175!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 27th, 2007 at 3:38 am
what up lil.mama its ya girl that loves you from da heartbeat ya dig and we love you so much and i dont wear that cheap lip gloss and stuff but i live on da hottest block and loving it to tha fullist and i do be in new-york 24/7 and im telling you its popping love ya ya girl michelle
September 27th, 2007 at 3:39 am
oh yeah my number is 548-9063
September 28th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
hey lil mama your so cool me and ma cuz and ma step cuz know how to do the g slild so wat you up to ma cuz lilz flert is texing to you but ma real name is gemini and i am a big fan and i like your song and you say the g slide see yow ma cuz Ox_________________________________________Xo and who do you live with you should come to newzealand because thats were i live and im at ma auntys and im staying for the whole holidays isent that cool see yow
fromz lilz flertz and lilz kathyz and lilz nikita
October 16th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
hhhheeeyyyy lil mama this is yo gurl nee – nee and i only like yo song lipgloss
October 18th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
What up mama it’s steve agin I just want to say you killed it when you was flowing at the Hip Hop Awards.Oh yeah dont worry Im trying to make it in the rap game and if that happends we can make a song together. A stay strong and remember keep your head up 1.
October 19th, 2007 at 5:28 am
What’s up how are you??????????
November 18th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
dear, lil mama I love ur video my lip gloss is popping thats my best video.Oneday I have to get me some of that lip gloss you had in the video.
December 10th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Hey Lil` mama do you remember me from the Winter Fest I was the little girl who froze when she saw you who came with Pat Chris Brown body gard I just want to know why did you want me to come back stage you can tell me at cuitepie1997@comcast.net
December 30th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
WAZ UP I AM ONE OF YOUR NUMBER ONE FANS AND I LOVE YOUR NEW SONG NAME G-SLIDE. HOLLOW AT YOU GIRL AND HIT ME UP LEAVE ME A EMAIL LIL MAMA.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
yo whats up i love your songs i know every word to all of thume i am only 10.i love lip gloss then g slide where do you live i think you live in new york do you i live so close only like 30 minutes away i think you know but i think i am like you biggest fan in you world so bye love yall…………..
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
wuz good ma i feelin ma i lettin u no dat my heart geos out for u baby gurl
March 25th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
i love lilmama so much that i want to be her brother