After a 14-year hiatus, Lil’ Kim has finally released a new album titled “9”. “9” is the official fifth studio album by American rapper Lil’ Kim, released on 11th October 2019. It’s her first official complete body of work in 14 years following the 2005 album The N***d Truth.
The album consists of two parts with each part having 9 songs. The first instalment features collaborations with rappers Rick Ross, Rich The Kid and City Girls among others. It has spawned two official singles: the songs ‘’Go Awff’’ and ‘’Found You’’. She also released ‘’Auto Blanco’’ as a promotional single.
The significance of “9”
During an interview on the red carpet at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards, Lil’ Kim discussed the meaning behind her new album.
“It’s a spiritual awakening number for me. Also, when I joined Junior M.A.F.I.A., it was 9 members. My daughter was born on June 9. Biggie died March 9. And it is 2019. It’s a powerful number for me,” Kim said in the interview.
Lil’ Kim also added, “One day, you know, I’m very spiritual, and one day God was talking to me. And I was like, ‘7 is my favourite number.’ And He was like, ‘Yes, but 9 is your favoured number’ and I said, ‘Thank you, Jesus. I love you. I’m going with 9.’”
In an interview with Extra on Thursday, Lil’ Kim cited her daughter, Royal Reign, as her inspiration for the album, with “songs children can listen to, too.”
She told fans they can “expect variety, expect Lil’ Kim to get a little different. I got to grow, I’ve got to reinvent myself, I’ve gotta show I am still that fl… At the same time, I am a classic. But I am in the now and I will be in the future.”
Lil’ Kim, born Kimberly Denise Jones, also received the I Am Hip Hop Award at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards, broadcast on Tuesday, 7th October 2019.
The Brooklyn native reunited with Lil’ Cease and Junior M.A.F.I.A. The trio performed a medley of fan favourites, including “Crush on You” and “Lighters Up.”
“9” is the follow-up to her last album, The N***d Truth, from 2005. She released a mixtape titled “Lil’ Kim Season” back in 2016.
Listen to “9” below:
