Lil Kim

Brooklyn mic assassin Lil' Kim got her start in the mid-1990s working with her friend Biggie, as well as being a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A. Kim attracted lots of attention with her notoriously provocative rhymes and defiant sexuality. Hits like "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money" furthered her rep, and in 1996 she unleashed her solo debut Hard Core. Packed with gat-toting scenarios and graphically freaky trysts, the album lived up to its name, establishing Kim as one of hip-hop's premiere female emcees. Her fiery mic presence and femme fatale image have paved the way for a slew of imitators, but when it comes to straight skills, few can touch her.