Lil' Kim's debut studio album, Hard Core (1996) was certified double platinum, has since sold more than six million copies worldwide, and spawned three successful singles: "No Time", "Not Tonight", and "Crush on You". It had the highest debut in the US for a female rap album at the time. Her following albums, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000) and La Bella Mafia (2003) were also certified platinum. In 2001, Lil' Kim reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with the single "Lady Marmalade - from "Moulin Rouge" Soundtrack" (a remake of LaBelle' 1974 single), alongside MΓ½a, P!nk and Christina Aguilera. Other notable singles from this period include "The Jump Off" and "Magic Stick", the latter of which reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Kim's 2nd-highest-charting single as a lead artist.
In 2005, Lil' Kim served a one-year prison sentence for lying to a jury about her friends' involvement in a shooting four years earlier. During her incarceration, her fourth album, The Naked Truth, was released to positive reviews from critics. A reality series covering her sentence, Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, premiered on BET in 2006. She then released her first mixtape, Ms. G.O.A.T. (2008), and returned to the public eye in 2009 with an appearance on Dancing with the Stars. Throughout the 2010s, she continued to release music and perform sporadically, collaborating with artists such as Faith Evans, Remy Ma and Fabolous. Her fifth studio album, 9, was released in 2019.
Lil' Kim has been referred to as the "Queen of Rap", as well as her alias "Queen Bee" by several media outlets. She has sold more than 15 million albums and 30 million singles worldwide. Her songs "No Time", "Big Momma Thang" and "Not Tonight" were each listed on Complex's list of the 50 Best Rap Songs By Women. In 2012, Lil' Kim was listed on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music list at number 45, the second highest position for a solo female hip-hop artist. Aside from music, Lil' Kim is also known for her risk-taking and luxurious approach to fashion that inspired many artists; she has been cited as a fashion icon. She has been noted for helping women embrace their "sexuality and femininity" in a way that was a stark contrast at the time from other female artists.
Lighters Up
Lil' Kim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where niggas either do or they gon' die
Gotta keep the ratchet close by
Someone murdered, nobody seen, nobody heard it
Just another funeral service
Niggas will get at you, come through shinin', they yap you
In broad daylight kidnap you
Feds get clapped too
Niggas only grind 'cause we have to
Money is power, sling crack, weed and powder
Fiends come through every hour
It's all about that dollar and we no deal with cowards
Weak lamb get devoured by the lion
In the concrete jungle, the strong stand and rumble
The weak fold and crumble, it's the land of trouble
Brooklyn, home of the greatest rappers
B.I.G. comes first, then the Queen comes after
Now put your lighters up
Bed-Stuy, put your lighters up
New York, put your lighters up
DC, keep puttin' your lighters up
Philadelphia, put your lighters up
Detroit, put your lighters up
Chi-Town, keep puttin' them lighters up
No matter where you from, put your lighters up
Now let me give you a walk through
Show you what to do and you don't do
Where it's not safe to go to
Them boys approach you
Better say quick who you close to
Don't come through if niggas don't know you
'Cause people is talkin', the streets is watchin'
The D's is lurkin' stash the nine in the garbage
The life of a hustler, the life of a gambler
Dice games kill' mo' niggas than cancer
You know who you fuck with
Brooklyn don't run, we run shit
Roll up and just bumrush shit
We don't play that, out in BK, not at all
Four pound leave your face on the wall
R.I.P in memory of
Never show thy enemies love
We get it on where we live
Better have a pass when you cross that bridge
Welcome to Brooklyn, put your lighters up
L.A., put your lighters up
VA, put your lighters up
Texas, keep puttin' your lighters up
New Orleans, put your lighters up
St. Louis, put your lighters up
ATL, keep puttin' them lighters up
No matter where you from, put your lighters up
Damn homie, I'm so tore
And I don't think I'm ever gonna smoke no more
And I don't think I'm ever gonna drink no more
But fuck it, bartender you can give me one more
(We in the club like) Damn homie, I'm so tore
(Lightin' the Dutch like) And I don't think I'm ever gonna smoke no more
(Passin' the cup like) And I don't think I'm ever gonna drink no more
(Back at the bar like) But fuck it bartender, you can give me one more
See, B.I.G. done told you
I'm the hottest bitch on the planet
Biggest sex symbol since Janet
The Zanotti bandit
Layin' in the cut like a bandage
Come through Fulton St. in a Vanquish
Doin' 'em damage
And if you don't understand it
Then lemme give it to you in Spanish
Soy la senorita mas linda del barrios
Y lo es abo tu eres despacio
Still over in Brazil sippin' Mascoto
You must have forgot though
So I'ma take it back to the block, yo
Put you on to how we rock, yo
Some are boostin'
Twelve year olds prostitutin'
Hitmen hired for execution, there's no solution
Niggas still piss in the hallways
Fiends get high in 'em all day
The youth them bang at the cops off the roof
You don't know my town is the truth
Welcome to Brooklyn, now put your lighters up
New Jersey, put your lighters up
Boston, put your lighters up
B'more, keep puttin' your lighters up
Miami, put your lighters up
Puerto Rico, put your lighters up
Kingston, Jamaica, keep puttin' them lighters up
No matter where you from, put your lighters up
Damn homie, I'm so tore
And I don't think I'm ever gonna smoke no more
And I don't think I'm ever gonna drink no more
But fuck it, bartender you can give me one more
(We in the club like) Damn homie, I'm so tore
(Lightin' the Dutch like) And I don't think I'm ever gonna smoke no more
(Passin' the cup like) And I don't think I'm ever gonna drink no more
(Back at the bar like) But fuck it bartender, you can give me one more
Seen
The song "Lighters Up" by Lil' Kim is a powerful reflection of life in Brooklyn, particularly in Bed-Stuy, a historically black neighborhood. Lil' Kim starts the song by painting a picture of the harsh realities of the neighborhood, where violence and murder are prevalent, and people have to be constantly vigilant and ready to defend themselves. She talks about how the police are always watching and how money, power, and drugs rule the streets. Despite the difficulties, she takes pride in being from Brooklyn, which is home to some of the greatest rappers, including the Notorious B.I.G. and herself.
In the chorus, Lil' Kim calls on people from different cities to put their lighters up, to show solidarity and support for each other in the face of these struggles. She even gives a walk-through of Brooklyn, telling people what to do and not to do, emphasizing the importance of knowing the right people and being cautious.
The second verse is a tribute to Lil' Kim's own greatness and features lyrics in both English and Spanish. She compares herself to Janet Jackson in terms of sex appeal and boasts about driving a Vanquish. She also touches on some of the social issues in Brooklyn, such as prostitution, violence, and police brutality. Lil' Kim ends the song with another chorus, calling on people from various places to hold their lighters up in solidarity.
Line by Line Meaning
I come from Bed-Stuy
The singer is from Bedford-Stuyvesant, a neighborhood known for violence and crime.
Where niggas either do or they gon' die
Bed-Stuy is a place where people either succeed or die trying.
Gotta keep the ratchet close by
In Bed-Stuy, it's necessary to have a weapon nearby at all times.
Someone murdered, nobody seen, nobody heard it
Murders and other crimes often go unsolved and unreported in Bed-Stuy.
Just another funeral service
Funerals are a common occurrence in Bed-Stuy, a result of the high rate of violence and crime.
Niggas will get at you, come through shinin', they yap you
People in Bed-Stuy will rob or attack you even if you seem to be doing well.
In broad daylight kidnap you
Kidnappings can occur even in the middle of the day in Bed-Stuy.
Feds get clapped too
Even the police are not immune to violence in Bed-Stuy.
Police stay on us like tattoos
The police are a constant presence in Bed-Stuy.
Niggas only grind 'cause we have to
People in Bed-Stuy are involved in illegal activities like drug dealing because they have no other options to make money.
Money is power, sling crack, weed and powder
Drug dealing is a lucrative business in Bed-Stuy.
Fiends come through every hour
There is a constant demand for drugs in Bed-Stuy, so drug dealers have customers around the clock.
It's all about that dollar and we no deal with cowards
Money is the main motivator for people in Bed-Stuy, and they do not interact with those who they consider cowardly or weak.
Weak lamb get devoured by the lion
People who are seen as weak or vulnerable will be taken advantage of by those who are stronger and more aggressive in Bed-Stuy.
In the concrete jungle, the strong stand and rumble
Bed-Stuy is a harsh and unforgiving environment where only the strong survive.
The weak fold and crumble, it's the land of trouble
Those who are not strong enough to handle the realities of Bed-Stuy will struggle and fail.
Brooklyn, home of the greatest rappers
Brooklyn, including Bed-Stuy, has produced many highly regarded hip-hop artists.
B.I.G. comes first, then the Queen comes after
Notorious B.I.G. is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, and Lil' Kim sees herself as the next great rapper from Brooklyn.
Now put your lighters up
A call to the audience to hold up lighters or other objects as a symbol of unity or solidarity.
See, B.I.G. done told you
A reference to a line from a Notorious B.I.G. song, acknowledging his influence on Lil' Kim's career.
I'm the hottest bitch on the planet
Lil' Kim sees herself as the most talented and popular female rapper in the world.
Biggest sex symbol since Janet
Lil' Kim believes she is one of the most sexually attractive and desirable female entertainers since Janet Jackson.
The Zanotti bandit
A reference to Lil' Kim's designer shoe collection, which she has stolen or acquired through other illicit means.
Layin' in the cut like a bandage
Lil' Kim is waiting in the shadows, ready to make her move.
Come through Fulton St. in a Vanquish
Lil' Kim will arrive on Fulton Street, a commercial hub in Bed-Stuy, in a luxury car.
Doin' 'em damage
Lil' Kim will be causing chaos and destruction when she arrives.
Soy la senorita mas linda del barrios
I am the prettiest girl in the neighborhood (in Spanish).
Y lo es abo tu eres despacio
And you are too slow (in Spanish).
Some are boostin'
Some people in Bed-Stuy are shoplifting or stealing from stores.
Twelve year olds prostitutin'
Children as young as twelve are engaging in prostitution in Bed-Stuy.
Hitmen hired for execution, there's no solution
Violence and crime are so pervasive in Bed-Stuy that there is no clear solution to the problem.
Niggas still piss in the hallways
Public spaces are not respected, and people will urinate or defecate wherever they please in Bed-Stuy.
Fiends get high in 'em all day
Drug addicts use hallways and other public spaces to get high in Bed-Stuy.
The youth them bang at the cops off the roof
Young people in Bed-Stuy are not afraid to retaliate against the police, even by shooting at them from rooftops.
You don't know my town is the truth
The true reality of Bed-Stuy cannot be understood by those who have not lived there.
Lyrics Β© CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Kimberly Jones, Roger Greene, Scott Storch, Victor Carraway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stephlon801
In pHilLY puttin my lighter up
π₯π₯π₯π₯ππ¨π¨π¨π¨
Kim got MORE OF that jamaican dialect IN THIS here too
Me love itπππ€
IT'S A LIFESTYLE
HIP HOP WILL NEVER DIE
THIS IS MY GENERATION
I grew up living THIS N STILL in this...right hereπΎπΎ a leaopard DON'T CHANGE his stripesπ
2020 VISONSβπ½πβπ½π
FUNNY π€ π
@79Glitch
@@spenser6353 Yeahβthatβs what I said. It was a Roots song and was the intended lead single off their Tipping Point album.
Former Roots keyboardist Scott Storch, who produced on every Roots album, had collaborated with the Roots prior to giving the beat to Lil Kimβs camp that became βlighters upβ. According to Questlove, he was hanging out with Storch and began recreating a breakbeat from Do The Right Thing, and Storch added the keys. I donβt know if Questlove is listed as a co-producer or not.
Whether Storch giving the beat away was a mistake or notβthe beat being included on a beat cdβdoesnβt matter, in hindsight; it happened.
But Storch was heavily into drugs at the time, and Lil Kimβs team probably would have offered top dollar for the beat, whereas the Roots would have gotten the friend discount, so β¦
Storch made it up to the Roots by going back into the studio with them and giving them a new singleββDonβt Sayc Nuthinβββand βDuck Down!β, which is fire.
@user-pf6vz5tk1x
The bridge section at 2:43 where she sheds light on maturity, the real. Wit Mary on the vid letting the lighter off. And the videography on the liw and real. Too bad the clubs got to push broke for profit. Fun for a minute. Then down and out at dawn; needing a wash.
Bought this LP on wax when it dripped based on this song I first peeped off some cable TV song demand. Dope production. Real songwriting.
Decade plus scored a 12" with the instrumental. Working on a mix for it for this queen to do a weekend drag number in Boston and New Hampshire.
Kim is dope. Raw. Real. Even despite slander trying to go true through spread. Smart cameo with Kat Williams for the vid intro.
Need more of this now. Not the cookie cutter. Cut and paste.
@louisianacookingwithkay
2024 and I'm STILL here.
π©π€πΎππ€πΎ Another NOSTALGIC, TIMELESS, CLASSIC.
I miss this era SOOO MUCH.
I remember when this song dropped, and we were SOOO Happy Kim was back on the scene.
Where's the GOOD music like this nowadays? π©
Kim know she "touch down to cause hell" (in my Boosie Boo voice)
@atlanticrecords
Love 2000s Hip Hop? Check out the 2000s Hip Hop Hits Mix π₯πΏ http://bit.ly/2000sThrowbacks
@tonyabdeals6219
The REAL QUEEN BEEππΎππΎ
@eveo6282
Released all her videos and music please
@IamFergc.
Released all her videos please!!! π₯π₯π
@Rafeale1985
πππ
@ashleys5075
@@tonyabdeals6219 q
@nathanielodongo8141
Its 2024 and the song still lights the memories with nostalgia.
@brandonahmed7459
Facts
@starblossom1370
Yep
@Nobix93
What she did here can never be undone. What a master piece.