The Naked Truth

Controversy has always followed Lil' Kim (Kimberly Denise Jones), whether due to her racy albums, clothing or lack of it, Faith Evans/Notorious Big love triangle, or latest run-in with the law. Her latest album Naked Truth with the weird looking cover photo follows Hard Core (1996); The Notorious KIM (2000) and La Bella Mafia (2003), and adds two hit songs to the previous count of nine, the biggest of them being Lady Marmalade (2001). Brooklyn rapper won't be promoting The Naked Truth with interviews. Instead, she has begun a jail term of a year and a day six days before this album was released for providing a false alibi for her manager in relation to a shooting incident in 2001. Some artists would, no doubt, be full of remorse. Lil' Kim, however, isn't one of them. Instead, she is gloriously, fantastically unrepentant.

Irreverent and unapologetic, she has a stinger more like a hornet’s. She verbally lashes everyone from 50 Cent, Foxy Brown and The Junior MAFIA, to Star Jones. With production by Scott Storch, Red Spyda, Kevin “Khao” Cates, and others, The Naked Truth is 21 tracks infused with reggae, soul, Notorious B.I.G. voice samplings and lyrics, and gritty Brooklyn rawness. You’ll definitely be nodding your head vigorously and screwing up your face – in a good way – at the blunt force and dexterity of her lyrics and flow. For the most part Lil’ Kim carried The Naked Truth on her own. The album features guest appearances by The Game, Bun B, Twista, Snoop Dogg, T.I., and many more. The Naked Truth is very solid and easily contains over a half a dozen radio singles. People will be talking about this album well after Lil' Kim finishes serving her one year sentence. The controversy (and lots of gossip) is humorously recorded in the first single Shut Up Bitch, and the reggae-backed second single Lighters Up is one of the best on the album. Other goodies are Quiet, Spell Check, another reggae track Durty, and Whoa. The Naked Truth is not without the raunchy, sexually charged anthems which have become staples of Lil’ Kim’s style, like Gimme That featuring Maino, Kitty Box and Kronik featuring Snoop Dogg.

Multi-platinum recording artist Lil' Kim possesses a presence and persona that looms well beyond her tiny frame. From her days as the feisty front woman of the Brooklyn rap collective, Junior M.A.F.I.A. to her current status as hip-hop's Grammy-winning, fashion-forward Queen Bee, Lil' Kim continues to effortlessly captivate, seduce, provoke, and entertain. In summary, her versatility shined on The Naked Truth, yet she managed to remain true to her original hardcore sound. With the exception of excess skits and one or two songs, this album is most definitely a straight run. With Kanye West on board the beats are, naturally, superb, while Lil' Kim has seldom sounded quite so fresh and feisty. Perversely, her predicament has worked in her favor and Lil' Kim delivered the best album of her career with The Naked Truth.