10: Lil’ Kim – Powerful Women of 2013
Before we knew Lil' Kim as the eccentric and no holds barred lyricist who doesn't care what people think, she was an unknown 19-year-old rapper who joined Notorious B.I.G.'s Junior M.A.F.I.A. in 1994. The group released their only album, 'Conspiracy,' which did well on the charts and went gold. A year after joining the group, Kim went solo and released 'Hard Core,' which became certified double platinum.
She released three more albums including 2000's 'The Notorious K.I.M.,' which debuted at the fourth spot on the Billboard 200 and the top spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart; 2003's 'La Bella Mafia,' which celebrated its 10-year anniversary this year; and 2005's 'The Naked Truth,' released while she was in jail. In January, she announced she was putting the finishing touches on her fifth album.
While Kim had big hit singles, two of her most memorable are the collaborations she did with other female artists -- 1997's 'Not Tonight' with Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Da Brat; and 2001's 'Lady Marmalade' with Mya, Pink and Christina Aguilera. 'Lady Marmalade.' That song earned her a Grammy for Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
Music aside, Kim has worked on a lot of other projects over the course of her 19-year career. She endorsed many products including Old Navy, MAC, Candie's and Three Olives vodka. She also joined the eighth season of 'Dancing with the Stars' and took fifth place in the competition after a surprising elimination.