LIl' Kim:
The Naked Truth

Release Date: 26 September 2005

Reviewed By: Nina Carmela

1. Intro

2. Spell Check

3. Lighters Up

4. Shut Up B**ch

5. Whoa

6. Slippin

7. Answering Machine

8. All Good

9. I Know You See Me

10. WPIMP

11. Quiet - ft The Game

12. Durty

13. Answering Machine

14. We Don't Give A Fuck - ft Bun B, Twista

15. Gimme That - ft Maino

16. Kitty Box

17. Kronik - ft Snoop Dogg

18. Winners and Losers

19. Get Yours - ft T.I, Shamel

20. Last Day

Jermaine Dupri - Young, Fly and Flash Vol.1
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The former first lady from the Junior M.A.F.I.A crew has released her long anticipated LP, ‘The Naked Truth’. The tales of the ‘Notorious K.I.M.’ are still running from everyone’s lips, and as always, Kim is telling it how it is with her fourth album that everyone has been hungry for.

Lil’ Kim is known for making an entrance and she certainly proves this with her opening track to the album, ‘Spell Check’, introducing the ‘B.A.D.D.E.S.T chick’ on the scene! It’s a commercial, yet fun sound. The track that follows is the chart smashing ‘Lighters Up’ - you can’t help but bounce to this track! It’s been a while since her last album, so this was definitely a nice joint to welcome back the Queen B to her throne.

We all know Lil’ Kim for her sexually active mind, a woman who isn’t shamed into telling the world what she’s got to offer. She certainly lives up to this reputation throughout the whole LP. One track that comes to mind is the reggae tones of ‘Durty’, expressing how she’s the reason why the game’s so sexy and ‘no money no love!’ Another ego talking rhyme is ‘I Know You See Me’ which has a really nice soulful, vocal chorus. It’s good to hear artists experiment with different music genres, entertaining the listener on every track with different beats by sending out the same vibe.

‘The Naked Truth’ is dedicated to all the rumours, the stories and life of the Notorious K.I.M. ‘Quiet’, which features The Game, is a rhyme sending out a message to her fans saying that although she’s not in sight she will always be heard. The beat to this track is very similar to Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ anthem, and that thumping beat flows very well with the emotion to Kim’s lyric.

Skits throughout the album are some messages left on her voicemail from friends and artists sending their regards to her while she’s locked up, and people wanting to link for future collaborations. This is the exact kind of respect Lil’ Kim craves for, and is cleverly done along with some comical skits.

One of the best tracks on this album is ‘It’s All Good’, which samples her partner in rhyme, Biggie Smalls. The beat takes you back to the Junior M.A.F.I.A days, reminding us why we fell for Kim’s talent from the start. Another Hip Hop icon, Snoop Dogg also appears on ‘Kronik’, with ‘Kronik’ being a metaphor for Lil’ Kim; instead of smoking chronic, have some kronic and “she can put your ass to sleep!” A light-hearted, funky sounding beat, which no doubt left the Dogg himself smiling!

The final track of the LP is ‘Last Day’. Listening to this tune you can actually read the words; it’s like reading a journal entry or a letter. Showing her love for music, love for her life and the way she lives it. We already know she’s a confident lady not just in herself, but in her musical talent. She’ll keep doing this until her last day, and if that day comes, let it be because she’s already achieved what she’s wanted, she just keeps trying to do better.

Kimberly Jones is known for her bare-all fashion styles, and ‘The Naked Truth’ has stripped down her skills and shown everyone what she is made of. This being one of her greatest musical accomplishments to date, we look forward to be hearing more from the ‘La Bella Mafia’ Queen.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Top 3 Tracks:

All Good
Quiet feat. The Game
Last Day

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