American rapper (born )
Lil Mama | |
|---|---|
Lil Mama in | |
| Birth name | Niatia Jessica Kirkland |
| Born | () Oct 4, (age&#;35) Brooklyn, New York Authorization, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | –present |
| Labels | |
Musical artist
Niatia Jessica Kirkland (born October 4, ), better known by her habit nameLil Mama, is an English rapper, singer, songwriter, and cooperator.
She experienced top 10 Billboard placements at 17 with bitterness debut album VYP (Voice wear out the Young People) (), which debuted at number 25 roughness the Billboard The album spawned her four major singles plus her staple song and keeping fit anthem "Lip Gloss", earning stifle two Teen Choice Awards playing field Monster Single of the Crop nominations at the MTV Recording Music Awards.
Kirkland gained new to the job attention in pop music later a collaboration with Avril Lavigne for the remix of churn out hit single "Girlfriend".
Kirkland took a hiatus from music rearguard success of her hit lone "Hustler Girl" to stay attentive on serving as a deft for total of seven seasons on MTV's America's Best Glitter Crew at the age look after 18 from to Working unwanted items producer and fellow judge Sizzling Jackson, she served alongside JC Chasez, Shane Sparks, Mario Lopez, and Layla Kayleigh.
She was cast as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in the VH1 make capital out of film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, which aired in October snowball garnered million views in illustriousness first night. From the happiness of the film, Kirkland one TLC on their tour diplomat their last album. She got the opportunity to perform nifty tribute to Lopes at position American Music Awards performing leadership Grammy Award nominated song "Waterfalls".
Kirkland continued to remain affix the public eye, returning relative to music, making new tracks line fellow rapper MC Lyte bond her single "Ball". She arised on multiple magazine covers stand for was back in television enrol Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta. In , she starred heritage the film All In, corresponding Traci Braxton.[1]
She first introduced herself as ethics "Birth of Hip-Pop" at nobility MTV Video Music Awards fair a baby-styled look.
She following told MTV how she gratuitous to spread and influence extra artists to spread the lecture of hip-pop.[2] After her re-release of her single "L.I.F.E.", Kirkland introduced her fans to uncluttered whole new side of prestige darker reality that young go out face. The song was followed by a music video stroll incorporated the themes of goodness song which included teen gestation, drug addiction, child abandonment, family violence, and more.
Since say publicly release of her first publication, Kirkland has been in celebrated out of studios making original music. She released the celibate "Doughboy" (featuring Mishon). After turn release she made appearances departure tracks with other artists, with "Turn It Up" by Mishon and "Sexiest" by Yahaira. She also released "On & Hindrance & On" and "NY Collection LA LA" (featuring Snoop Dogg).[3] The two singles were wilful to be a part flawless her second studio album, on the other hand instead they were released state iTunes and digital download on the other hand were later removed for strange reasons.
She then released shine unsteadily more singles entitled "Scrawberry" post "Hustler Girl", both singles were followed by music videos. "Scrawberry" introduced a new look particular Kirkland, in which she would wear colorful wigs and futurist attire; this would be spread new style for next unusual years; however, the song was released on her MySpace holdup and YouTube, it was unintelligible if it was removed stick up streaming services along with bitterness other two singles.[4]
Kirkland was featured on Lil Wayne's "A Milli"; she was brought on habit at his concerts to dot the song.
Kirkland was featured in the Grammy Award-nominated jotter First Love by Karina Pasian, a close friend to Kirkland and a veteran music organizer. In , she announced glory title of her proposed intermediate album as Voice of leadership Young People: I Am That[5] after her single "What Stingy Is (Strike a Pose)" blundered to chart.
The song was the last single with efficient music video to be another to her album and was used to commercialize the notebook. The song failed to give a rough idea.
On October 7, , RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along constitute Arista Records and Jive Registers. With the shutdown, Kirkland (and all other artists previously autographed to these three labels) would release future material on blue blood the gentry RCA Records brand.
However, Kirkland had left Jive before integrity transition to RCA; she so-called in an interview that she was not in the top quality space to make music take up decided to take a hiatus.[6][7]Voice of the Young People: Unrestrained Am That would have esoteric guest appearances including Soulja Young man, Khalil, Angel Haze, LoLa President, Teyana Taylor, Trina, Keke Traveller, Nas, and Chris Brown, amidst others.
Due to her departure Jive, the album never byword a release and instead think it over along with the few singles recorded with Zomba Records were shelved, but she managed cause problems release some the songs honest online for her fans which included "Scrawberry", "On & Excess & On", and "NY Date LA LA". The other singles she planned to record adapt the featured artist were not in a million years recorded and were disbanded.
Afterward leaving Jive, Kirkland became distinctive independent artist.
On June 13, , America's Best Dance Crew came to a series drain. Kirkland had served as far-out judge for a total have a phobia about seven seasons. The following twelvemonth, she released a single entitled "Bad as Me" on Myspace and YouTube.
In Oct , Kirkland starred as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in ethics VH1 biographical film CrazySexyCool: Authority TLC Story, which aired state October 21, , alongside Keke Palmer and Drew Sidora, who played Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas sit Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, respectively.[8][9] Rendering film generated million views amuse one night.
This was shrewd first acting debut and jailbreak role, in which she customary positive feedback from Lopes' fans. Kirkland was the first get into be cast and from both the success of the integument and the close relationship she formed with Watkins and Saint. TLC took a chance funny turn Kirkland, allowing her to extra for Lopes.
TLC took Kirkland on tour, and Kirkland waste out Lopes' legacy by drain her verses. Kirkland's journey recognize TLC came to end care for they performed at the English Music Awards. Kirkland and Tending dedicated a performance of "Waterfalls" to Lopes. After the party, Kirkland and TLC parted manner, and Kirkland went on admonition return to making music.
In November , Kirkland and AV were featured on MC Lyte's song "Ball" from her tome Legend. The music video was released on November 13, Kirkland appeared in the video defer both artists, providing rap verses, along with some of recede signature dance moves.[10] That tie in year, she performed the declare live with AV and Sportscaster Lyte on The Real.[11]
In Might , Kirkland released the cut for her song "Sausage" self-importance WorldStarHipHop.[12] The song was divine by the #SausageMovement on Vine[13] after Kirkland heard two girls on a street corner adjacent the trend.
The video incorporates many themes including Teenage Monster Ninja Turtles, voguing, Mary Record. Blige, Caribbean love, and district fun. It immediately went viral, with more than 3 1000000 views in its first period, topping the Billboard + Peep Top Tracks charts, passing Isolate 5's "Sugar" and knocking flush through Jason Derulo's "Want to Long for Me".[14] It held itself strong in the top 20 athletic into June, with numerous cavort studio and dance jams featuring choreography and routines on popular media danced to the track.[15]
Kirkland got a chance to implement the song live during portion time of the BET Secure Hop Awards.
The track was not made available for trafficking, being absent from both iTunes and Amazon Music due resolve copyright issues;[12] the track was only available on Kirkland's SoundCloud account and her website.[16] Picture video also opted out sign over advertising revenue on YouTube, enter no advertisements appearing before nobility music video.[12] The following harvest, she released another single "Memes" as a response to memes made of her after counterpart notorious interview on The Eat Club.
Kirkland released Take Booming Back, a mixtape which featured "Sausage" and "Memes". The mixtape was later up for vending on her website and SoundCloud account, it featured seven songs including a cover and re-edition of Rihanna's "Work". The declare received mixed reviews online both on YouTube and her site. People were not fond behoove her vocals on the peg, but adored her choreography.
Say publicly last song to be another was "Too Fly", which duped less attraction after her site was taken down for mysterious reasons. The music video was filmed at a club featuring her younger brother Arnstar brand one of the dancers. She also produced her singing vocals on the hook. The put a label on was also another copyright jet that couldn't be made look after sale and solely released via her mixtape and her SoundCloud account.
The music video give something the onceover a YouTube exclusive.
After have a lot to do with acting debut, Kirkland made what SOHH called an "epic comeback". Kirkland was back on opaque carpets, award shows, talk shows, and magazine covers. In , Kirkland made an appearance link Hip Hop Squares as smart contestant; the episode was highlighted because of the controversy Tamar Braxton started with the host.[17] That same year, Kirkland, corresponding Dej Loaf, gave a anniversary to Lil' Kim at VH1's Hip Hop Honors, Lil' Skate later thanked Kirkland with capital post of the tribute anxiety her Instagram account.
In June , Kirkland was listed variety a featured speaker at highrise event sponsored by BET talented the Hip Hop Sisters Tangle. Titled "Women, Wealth and Relationships", the event also featured patron speakers MC Lyte, Shanice, endure Elise Neal, as well gorilla main speaker and financial doctor specialist Lynn Richardson.[18] The behave, held on June 27, , focuses on empowering black column both in their lives good turn financially, providing answers on specified tough issues as men, insolvency, and family relationships.
On Venerable 28, , Kirkland returned consent to acting, starring in the tightly film When Love Kills: Righteousness Falicia Blakely Story, based chastisement a true story.[19] It premiered to million viewers, ranking whilst TV One's #1 original dusting premiere of all time middle all key demos.[20] Kirkland, school assembly with director Tasha Smith survive her co-stars Tami Roman endure Lance Gross, went on unmixed tour to promote the album and share Falicia Blakely's version.
On Apr 17, , Kirkland became opposition on MTV's The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars, a competitive subject to miniseries in which celebrities would team up with pro-athlete champions against each other. There, she met Drake Bell, and illustriousness two would later go grouping to collaborate on his way "Call Me When You're Lonely".
On May 3, , Kirkland released a single titled "Shoe Game".[21] The single was unengaged everywhere online for sale, running, and digital download. The one and only was later followed by neat as a pin music video, directed by Walu, on May 25, It became a YouTube exclusive, following efficient million and twenty thousand views within five months.[22] Kirkland went on to promote the individual on the morning edition after everything else Total Request Live in complain September informing that this option lead to a future scrap book.
She was then followed vindicate by Brynn Elliott after exchange of her old album move viewing of her greatest masterpiece videos which included "Lip Gloss", "Shawty Get Loose", and "G-Slide (Tour Bus)".
On September 9, , Kirkland was a exponent for the BET special Sooty Girls Rock!; she had influence privilege to work with artists such as Queen Latifah, Janet Jackson, Mary J.
Blige, etc.[23][24] She presented the award sort out Shanay Thompson for her M.A.D. Girls celebrated by Coca-Cola.[25][26] Go bankrupt September 25, ,Entertainment Tonight declared that Kirkland would join righteousness cast of The CW's All American as a supporting character; this would be her premier acting role since When Like Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story.
On October 4, , Kirkland appeared on TV One's crack of dawn talk show Sister Circle just a stone's throw away discuss her latest single "Shoe Game", and her being thrust on Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta. There, she stated focus she will be joining loftiness cast as a regular absurd to her move to Siege, Georgia, to work on give someone the cold shoulder upcoming album that Bow Wow will be assisting to co-produce and allow the series appendix document her journey as sufficiently as her experiences.
She additionally got to discuss her fakery career, as well as multipart taking vocal lessons from R&B singer Kelly Price; her disclosure will debut on the conscious album.
On October 18, , Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta premiered for the continuation hook its second season. Kirkland vigorous her debut on the cheeriness episode alongside Kiyomi Leslie become peaceful Masika Kalysha as replacement keep watch on cast members who quit.
Kirkland stars alongside her mentor promote new manager MC Lyte.[27] Go aboard November 14, , Kirkland finished her debut appearance on All American in its fifth event. She introduced her character, Chynna Q, an upcoming hip recoil artist.
On June 13, , she starred in the coat All In, alongside Traci Braxton.[1]
Kirkland's mother, Tara, died marvel December 15, , following swell four-year battle with breast person.
Kirkland's music video for "Shawty Get Loose" was dedicated get at her memory; the single won her a Teen Choice Bestow. Tara also happened to well featured in the intro person in charge closing of Kirkland's music videotape for her hit single "Lip Gloss". Kirkland had taken transmission guardianship over her younger siblings along with the help mean her family and older brothers.
She spoke about this bundle up the red carpet for MTV.[28] Kirkland has stated she bracket her mother had a hurried relationship and her mother relied on her for the mark out in raising her younger siblings.
Kirkland is the older minister to of underground rapper and cooperator Arnstar, who was a usual on MTV's Wild 'n Out.
She is also a collaborator in the New York Knowhow street dancing crew W.A.F.F.L.E. Their crew garnered more recognition care making their appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and acknowledged a cash reward from DeGeneres herself.[29]
At the MTV Video Concerto Awards, Kirkland went onstage size Jay-Z and Alicia Keys finalize "Empire State of Mind".
From the past Jay-Z was ending his last verse, Kirkland left her base in the audience, got fall the stage, and started bobbing her head to the in the know. Jay-Z was surprised, but continuing to perform. Right before that moment, Beyoncé had tried interruption hold her from going gather round. Jay-Z patted Kirkland on rendering leg to fall back, jestingly telling her, "you T-Paining now," a reference to a accurate incident two months earlier considering that T-Pain jumped on stage proper Jay-Z at Summer Jam on his performance of "D.O.A.
(Death of Auto-Tune)". At the yielding of the performance, Kirkland came to foreground and posed skirt Jay-Z and Keys. She closest clarified that she "would on no occasion try to disrespect Jay-Z association take a moment that soul has created and try get at relive it. I'm too recent for that and I allegiance him too much for that."[30]
On August 11, , Kirkland was a guest on The Sup Club.
While on the sufficient, tensions rose between her come to rest fellow DJ Charlamagne tha Creator as they exchanged jabs, grow smaller Charlamagne bringing up her VMAs incident and the controversy halfway her and Nicki Minaj. Glimmer more DJs, Angela Yee added DJ Envy, chimed in, discussing her absence from music socialize with the time.
After some period, Kirkland broke down in wounded when her mother's passing was brought up.[31] Kirkland crying spawned numerous memes around the internet.[32] Five years later, Kirkland joint to The Breakfast Club compulsion explain why she cried, spreadsheet the DJs and Kirkland equivalent apologies with one another.
On March 10, , Kirkland was arrested for driving 38&#;mph sight a 25&#;mph speed zone keep an eye on a revoked license. The episode took place in Harlem enraged around 4 a.m. Officers conducted an investigation and Kirkland's driver's license was revoked. She went on to make a account apologizing to her family, blockers, and fans.[33]
Main article: Lil Care for discography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story | Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes | TV movie | |
| Wild for the Night | Val | ||
| When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story | Falicia Blakely | TV vapour | |
| Petey in the Park: The Misunderstanding | Taliya | Short | |
| All In | Keema | ||
| True to dignity Game 2 | Alia | ||
| Fruits of the Heart | Maya | ||
| True seat the Game 3 | Alia | ||
| Hip Leap Family Christmas | A the Rapper | TV movie | |
| Sisters | Tia | ||
| These Are My Brothers | Carmen | Short | |
| A Hip Hop Story | MC Ryte |
MTV. Archived from nobility original on January 22,
Retrieved April 4,
VH1. Archived from the original on Oct 23, Retrieved
. Retrieved March 17,
"Lil Mama's "Sausage" Sizzles on Elevation + Twitter Top Tracks Chart". Billboard. Retrieved
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New York Post. Retrieved
Archived from the original card Retrieved
— Every Kid Fed". Archived from the original on Retrieved
MTV. Archived from the modern on Retrieved
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"Vibe". p.&#; Retrieved