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 Mýa, 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.
No Matter What They Say
Lil' Kim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Queen Bee, 2000
Come on
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Won't you come and)
(Come and show me how you do that, baby)
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Shake your body to the rhythm)
We are the number one
(If it drives you crazy)
Everywhere I go red carpet
Gave the keys to valet tell 'em to park it
Then I jumps out the Azure, a Lil' Kim aura
Girls making faces like Ace Ventura
And my B-A-D G-I-R-L-S is in the stretch LX
Ain't shit you can tell us
Even got some of these niggas jealous
But tonight ain't about the fellas
Bvlgari perfume from a mile ya smell us
Model agencies say it's easy to sell us
We got sex appeal, I'ma keep it real
If I didn't have a deal I'd still be worth a mill', uh
Depending on how I feel I might go on a heist
So at my wedding I can throw ice instead of throwing rice
We fly like kites never gettin' into fights
I got a whole bunch of dykes on ninja bikes
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Won't you come and)
We are the number one
(Come and show me how you do that, baby)
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Shake your body to the rhythm)
We are the number one
(If it drives you crazy)
I'm just trying to be me, doing what I got to do
So why y'all keep hating on me and my crew?
Yo, I'm saying Q.B, look at them and look at you
True, if I was you I'd hate me too
Louis Vuitton shoes and a whole lot of booze
Every other week a different dude and another cruise
I make offers nobody can refuse
You might even see me on the channel nine news
I get paid just for laying in the shade
To take pictures with a glass of lemonade
My rocks shine like it was dipped in Cascade
(Uh-uh, Kim been fly since she was in the fifth grade)
Wake up in the morning to breakfast from a maid
Wanted me so bad you ain't copped or bootleg
Y'all niggas played like a high top fade
Some of the shit I hear I don't know how it got played
Y'all rock Versace and y'all went out and bought it
I rock Versace and y'all know I ain't paid for it
My fam deep with security in the jeep
When the Queen come in town everything shut down
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Won't you come and)
We are the number one
(Come and show me how you do that, baby)
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Shake your body to the rhythm)
We are the number one
(If it drives you crazy)
Breakdown, uh
Let's dance come on
Let's dance come on
I see you, let's go
Yeah, Queen Bee, do it like this
I'm the highest, your highest title, numero uno
I'm not a Puerto Rican but I'm speakin' so that 'ju know
"This is how it should be done
'Cause this style, is identical to none"
The hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie
To the hip hip-hop a ya don't stop
To rock it to the bang-bang boogie
To up jump the boogie
To the boogie to the boogedy beat
Now what you hear is not a fake
It's the real Lil' Kim, Queen Bee (That's right)
Now I know y'all heard other females rap
But they ain't got nothin' on me
'Cause, y'all take to my rap cause my rap's the best
A hundred and fifty thou, sixteen bars nothin less (Nothin less)
So to y'all haters, I paid y'all no mind
In fact I'ma give it to y'all one more time like
Uh yeah, what?
Come on, bounce, what?
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Won't you come and)
We are the number one
(Come and show me how you do that, baby)
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Shake your body to the rhythm)
We are the number one
(If it drives you crazy)
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Won't you come and)
We are the number one
(Come and show me how you do that, baby)
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Shake your body to the rhythm)
We are the number one
(If it drives you crazy)
No matter what people say
We got it going on
Who cares about what they think
(Won't you come and)
We are the number one
(Come and show me how you do that, baby)
In Lil' Kim's song No Matter What They Say, she confidently addresses her naysayers that despite their negative comments, she and her crew have got it going on. Kim identifies that her peers may be jealous of her success and lifestyle, with her making references to her expensive possessions such as her Louis Vuitton shoes and her Bvlgari perfume. Although her life is glamourous, Kim acknowledges that she is just trying to be herself and do what she needs to do. The song's lyrics portray a strong sense of self-confidence and unapologetic attitude, as she celebrates her success and confidently ignores those who may try to bring her down.
Furthermore, the song has a unifying theme of dancing and having a good time, with the chorus encouraging people to forget about what others think and just dance. The breakdown of the song includes Lil' Kim rapping over the beat of the classic hip-hop track, "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang, which adds to the celebratory mood of the song.
Overall, Lil' Kim's No Matter What They Say is a self-affirming track with a message about embracing oneself and ignoring negativity from external sources.
Line by Line Meaning
No matter what people say
Regardless of what others say or think about us
We got it going on
We are successful and doing well for ourselves
Who cares about what they think
Their opinions do not matter to us
(Won't you come and)
Inviting others to join us
We are the number one
We are on top and at the forefront of our game
(Come and show me how you do that baby)
Asking others to share their skills and knowledge with us
(Shake your body to the rhythm)
Encouraging others to let loose and have fun with us
(If it drives you crazy)
If you're feeling the energy and excitement as much as we are
Everywhere I go red carpet
I am always greeted with fame and recognition
Gave the keys to valet tell 'em to park it
Even my car is luxurious and in demand
Then I jumps out the Azure, a Lil' Kim aura
I am confident and exude a strong presence
Girls making faces like Ace Ventura
Other women are jealous of my success and attention
And my B-A-D G-I-R-L-S is in the stretch LX
My team of strong women is with me in a luxurious car
Ain't shit you can tell us
No one can bring us down or criticize us
Even got some of these niggas jealous
Even men are envious of my success
But tonight ain't about the fellas
Tonight is about me and my girls
Bvlgari perfume from a mile ya smell us
My team radiates success and luxury
Model agencies say it's easy to sell us
Even modeling agencies recognize our appeal and marketability
We got sex appeal, I'mma keep it real
We are confident in our sexuality and authenticity
If I didn't have a deal I'd still be worth a mill', uh
Even if I didn't have a record deal, I would still be wealthy
Depending on how I feel I might go on a heist
Depending on my mood, I might indulge in illegal activities
So at my wedding I can throw ice instead of throwing rice
I will have a lavish wedding with expensive jewelry
We fly like kites never gettin' into fights
We soar above conflict and drama
I got a whole bunch of dikes on ninja bikes
I have a strong team of women with me, ready for anything
I'm just trying to be me
I am true to myself and my identity
Doing what I got to do
I am doing what it takes to succeed and stay on top
So why y'all keep hating on me and my crew
Others are envious and resentful of my success and my team of women
Yo I'm saying Q.B.
Addressing myself, Lil' Kim
Look at them and look at you
Comparing myself and my team to the haters
TRUE!
Confirming the truth of the previous statement
If I was you I'd hate me too
Acknowledging the envy and jealousy of others
Louis Vuitton shoes and a whole lot of booze
I indulge in expensive fashion and alcohol
Every other week a different a dude and other crews
I have romantic interests and work with different collaborators regularly
I make offers nobody can refuse
I am powerful and influential in the music industry
You might even see me on the channel nine news
I am newsworthy and always in the public eye
I get paid just for laying in the shade
I make money effortlessly and with ease
To take pictures with a glass of lemonade
I am glamorous and effortless in my lifestyle
My rocks shine like it was dipped in Cascade
My jewelry is sparkling and brilliant
(Uh-uh, Kim been fly since she was in the fifth grade)
I have always been fashionable and stylish
Wake up in the morning to breakfast from a maid
I am pampered and taken care of by staff
Wanted me so bad you went and copped the bootleg
My music and image are in high demand, even illegally
Y'all niggas played like a high top fade
Others have made mistakes and errors in judgment
Some of the shit I hear I don't know how it got played
Some rumors and gossip about me are unfounded and untrue
Y'all rock Versace and y'all went out and bought it
Others try to emulate my style and success
I rock Versace and y'all know I ain't paid for it
I receive designer clothing for free due to my status
My fam deep with security in the jeep
I have a tight-knit team with strong security measures
When the Queen come in town everything shut down
My presence is so powerful that everything stops for me
Let's dance come on
Inviting others to join me in celebration
I'm the highest, your highest title, numero uno
I am the top and best in my field
I'm not a Puerto Rican but I'm speakin so that 'ju know
I relate to and represent the Latinx community
"This is how it should be done..cause this style, is indentical to none"
My style is unique and original, setting the standard for others
The hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie
Referencing classic hip hop phrases and styles
to the hip hip-hop a ya don't stop
Encouraging others to keep dancing and partying
to rock it to the bang-bang boogie
Inviting others to dance and enjoy themselves
to up jump the boogie
Encouraging others to join in with more energy
to the boogie to the boogedy beat
Emphasizing the importance of rhythm and dancing
Now what you hear is not a fake
Reassuring listeners that my music is authentic and real
It's the real Lil' Kim, Queen Bee (That's right)
Introducing myself as the real and true Lil' Kim
Now I know y'all heard other females rap
Acknowledging other female rappers in the industry
But they ain't got nothin on me
Asserting that I am the best and most successful
Cause, y'all take to my rap cause my rap's the best
Explaining why others appreciate and enjoy my music
A hundred and fifty thou, sixteen bars nothin less (Nothin less)
Describing my talent and success in the music industry
So to y'all haters, I paid y'all no mind
Ignoring and dismissing those who dislike me
In fact I'ma give it to y'all one more time like..
Continuing to prove myself and give my best to my listeners
Uh yeah, what?
Bringing energy and hype to the song
Come on, bounce, what?
Encouraging others to dance and party with me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Catalino Curet Alonso, Eric Barrier, William Griffin, Kimberly Jones, Bernard Edwards, Darren T. Henson, Nile Gregory Rodgers, Howard Thompson, Edward K. Archer, James Brown, Robert L. Beavers, Jack Hill, Charles A. Bobbit, Bobby Byrd, Dennis Taylor, Pete
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Atlantic Records
Love 2000s Hip Hop? Check out the 2000s Hip Hop Hits Mix 🔥💿 http://bit.ly/2000sThrowbacks
thefatalveli1
Good Job !
EveO
Atlantic release more of her Singles and remixes
Demetrius Pugh
This boomer
Joana S
Yessir!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥
Nicole Sakwe
The way they did collabs and appearances in each other's videos back then was different. It wasn't just about securing the bag. It was about love, respect, loyalty, support and celebrating the artist.
AJ Easmon
💯 I can't stand most of today's videos
Tokunboh
Fact!
Gumbo 🌟
Facts and that's what been missing in today. I want to revive that.
Frances Funez Burke
Most definitely!