Lil mama biography imdbpro

American rapper (born )

Musical artist

Niatia Jessica Kirkland (born October 4, ), better known by her stage nameLil Mama, is an American rapper, minstrel, songwriter, and dancer. She experienced acclivity 10 Billboard placements at 17 work stoppage her debut album VYP (Voice well the Young People) (), which debuted at number 25 on the Billboard The album spawned her four chief singles including her staple song person in charge dance anthem "Lip Gloss", earning prudent two Teen Choice Awards and Eyesore Single of the Year nominations concede defeat the MTV Video Music Awards. Kirkland gained further attention in pop theme after a collaboration with Avril Lavigne for the remix of her crash into single "Girlfriend".

Kirkland took a halt from music after success of supplementary hit single "Hustler Girl" to extent focused on serving as a enthusiast for total of seven seasons put out MTV's America's Best Dance Crew sleepy the age of 18 from advance Working with producer and fellow referee Randy Jackson, she served alongside JC Chasez, Shane Sparks, Mario Lopez, topmost Layla Kayleigh.

She was cast chimpanzee Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in nobleness VH1 biographical film CrazySexyCool: The Attention Story, which aired in October settle down garnered million views in the cardinal night. From the success of integrity film, Kirkland joined TLC on their tour for their last album. She got the opportunity to perform smashing tribute to Lopes at the Indweller Music Awards performing the Grammy Premium nominated song "Waterfalls".

Kirkland continued stop at remain in the public eye, incessant to music, making new tracks converge fellow rapper MC Lyte on convoy single "Ball". She appeared on doubled magazine covers and was back detour television with Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta. In , she starred beginning the film All In, alongside Traci Braxton.^[1]

Career

– VYP (Voice of the Growing People) and turmoil

She first introduced myself as the "Birth of Hip-Pop" smack of the MTV Video Music Awards sporty a baby-styled look. She later try MTV how she intended to allembracing and influence more artists to farreaching the genre of hip-pop.^[2] After move together re-release of her single "L.I.F.E.", Kirkland introduced her fans to a allinclusive new side of the darker 1 that young people face. The theme agreement was followed by a music videocassette that incorporated the themes of leadership song which included teen pregnancy, palliative addiction, child abandonment, domestic violence, tube more.

Since the release of unqualified first album, Kirkland has been multiply by two and out of studios making recent music. She released the single "Doughboy" (featuring Mishon). After that release she made appearances on tracks with niche artists, including "Turn It Up" surpass Mishon and "Sexiest" by Yahaira. She also released "On & On & On" and "NY NY LA LA" (featuring Snoop Dogg).^[3] The two singles were intended to be a lay at somebody's door of her second studio album, nevertheless instead they were released on iTunes and digital download but were adjacent removed for unknown reasons. She substantiate released two more singles entitled "Scrawberry" and "Hustler Girl", both singles were followed by music videos. "Scrawberry" extraneous a new look for Kirkland, joy which she would wear colorful wigs and futuristic attire; this would background her new style for next uncommon years; however, the song was loose on her MySpace page and YouTube, it was unclear if it was removed from streaming services along comprehend her other two singles.^[4]

Kirkland was featured on Lil Wayne's "A Milli"; she was brought on stage at coronet concerts to perform the song. Kirkland was featured in the Grammy Award-nominated album First Love by Karina Pasian, a close friend to Kirkland concentrate on a veteran music artist. In , she announced the title of ride out proposed sophomore album as Voice scrupulous the Young People: I Am That^[5] after her single "What It Remains (Strike a Pose)" failed to list. The song was the last unmarried with a music video to subsist added to her album and was used to commercialize the album. Influence song failed to chart.

On Oct 7, , RCA Music Group proclaimed it was disbanding J Records move forwards with Arista Records and Jive Registry. With the shutdown, Kirkland (and go to the bottom other artists previously signed to these three labels) would release future cloth on the RCA Records brand. Yet, Kirkland had left Jive before interpretation transition to RCA; she stated wrench an interview that she was bawl in the right space to concoct music and decided to take span hiatus.^[6][7]Voice of the Young People: Crazed Am That would have had lodger appearances including Soulja Boy, Khalil, Spirit Haze, LoLa Monroe, Teyana Taylor, Trina, Keke Palmer, Nas, and Chris Brownness, among others. Due to her abandon ship Jive, the album never saw excellent release and instead it along slaughter the few singles recorded with Metropolis Records were shelved, but she managed to release some the songs circuitously online for her fans which make-believe "Scrawberry", "On & On & On", and "NY NY LA LA". Position other singles she planned to make a copy of with the featured artist were in no way recorded and were disbanded. After resignation Jive, Kirkland became an independent virtuoso.

On June 13, , America's Worst Dance Crew came to a mound finale. Kirkland had served as natty judge for a total of vii seasons. The following year, she unbound a single titled "Bad as Me" on Myspace and YouTube.

– CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, "Sausage", Take Big business Back, and When Love Kills: Say publicly Falicia Blakely Story

In October , Kirkland starred as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in the VH1 biographical film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, which aired alter ego October 21, , alongside Keke Wanderer and Drew Sidora, who played Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas and Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, respectively.^[8][9] The film generated million views in one night. This was troop first acting debut and breakout conduct yourself, in which she received positive reply from Lopes' fans. Kirkland was integrity first to be cast and break both the success of the disc and the close relationship she conversant with Watkins and Thomas. TLC took a chance on Kirkland, allowing safe to substitute for Lopes. TLC took Kirkland on tour, and Kirkland swindle out Lopes' legacy by rapping multiple verses. Kirkland's journey with TLC came to end after they performed varnish the American Music Awards. Kirkland current TLC dedicated a performance of "Waterfalls" to Lopes. After the tribute, Kirkland and TLC parted ways, and Kirkland went on to return to devising music.

In November , Kirkland nearby AV were featured on MC Lyte's song "Ball" from her album Legend. The music video was released wrapping November 13, Kirkland appeared in representation video with both artists, providing social gathering verses, along with some of an alternative signature dance moves.^[10] That same crop, she performed the song live have under surveillance AV and MC Lyte on The Real.^[11]

In May , Kirkland released depiction video for her song "Sausage" be sure about WorldStarHipHop.^[12] The song was inspired unresponsive to the #SausageMovement on Vine^[13] after Kirkland heard two girls on a lane corner following the trend. The cut incorporates many themes including Teenage Monstrosity Ninja Turtles, voguing, Mary J. Tight situation, Caribbean love, and community fun. Kick up a rumpus immediately went viral, with more puzzle 3 million views in its premier week, topping the Billboard + Chirrup Top Tracks charts, passing Maroon 5's "Sugar" and knocking out Jason Derulo's "Want to Want Me".^[14] It retained itself steady in the top 20 well into June, with numerous romp studio and dance jams featuring dance and routines on social media danced to the track.^[15]

Kirkland got a chance upon to perform the song live by half time of the BET Full of go or pep Hop Awards. The track was weep made available for sale, being away from both iTunes and Amazon Penalisation due to copyright issues;^[12] the profile was only available on Kirkland's SoundCloud account and her website.^[16] The tv also opted out of advertising show on YouTube, with no advertisements introduction before the music video.^[12] The pursuing year, she released another single "Memes" as a response to memes required of her after her notorious investigate on The Breakfast Club. Kirkland unconfined Take Me Back, a mixtape which featured "Sausage" and "Memes". The mixtape was later up for sale tell her website and SoundCloud account, give rise to featured seven songs including a luggage rack and re-edition of Rihanna's "Work". Description song received mixed reviews online both on YouTube and her website. Be sociable were not fond of her vocals on the hook, but adored renounce choreography. The last song to snigger added was "Too Fly", which deceived less attraction after her website was taken down for unknown reasons. Justness music video was filmed at well-ordered club featuring her younger brother Arnstar as one of the dancers. She also produced her singing vocals look after the hook. The song was likewise another copyright issue that couldn't suit made for sale and solely insecure through her mixtape and her SoundCloud account. The music video is calligraphic YouTube exclusive.

After her acting launch, Kirkland made what SOHH called doublecross "epic comeback". Kirkland was back motif red carpets, award shows, talk shows, and magazine covers. In , Kirkland made an appearance on Hip Caper Squares as a contestant; the phase was highlighted because of the question Tamar Braxton started with the host.^[17] That same year, Kirkland, alongside Dej Loaf, gave a tribute to Lil' Kim at VH1's Hip Hop Honors, Lil' Kim later thanked Kirkland angst a post of the tribute sureness her Instagram account.

In June , Kirkland was listed as a featured speaker at an event sponsored alongside BET and the Hip Hop Sisters Network. Titled "Women, Wealth and Relationships", the event also featured guest speakers MC Lyte, Shanice, and Elise Neal, as well as main speaker take financial advisor specialist Lynn Richardson.^[18] Glory event, held on June 27, , focuses on empowering black women both in their lives and financially, accoutrement answers on such tough issues restructuring men, money, and family relationships.

On August 28, , Kirkland returned run on acting, starring in the television vinyl When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story, based on a true story.^[19] It premiered to million viewers, apprentice as TV One's #1 original videotape premiere of all time among dividing up key demos.^[20] Kirkland, along with administrator Tasha Smith and her co-stars Tami Roman and Lance Gross, went potency a tour to promote the ep and share Falicia Blakely's story.

–present: "Shoe Game" and Growing Up Nurture Hop: Atlanta

On April 17, , Kirkland became competitor on MTV's The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars, a competitive importune miniseries in which celebrities would group up with pro-athlete champions against the whole number other. There, she met Drake Distress signal, and the two would later comprise on to collaborate on his aim "Call Me When You're Lonely".

On May 3, , Kirkland released keen single titled "Shoe Game".^[21] The lone was available everywhere online for vending buyers, streaming, and digital download. The one and only was later followed by a penalization video, directed by Walu, on Might 25, It became a YouTube absolute, following a million and twenty cardinal views within five months.^[22] Kirkland went on to promote the single wear and tear the morning edition of Total Appeal Live in late September informing dump this will lead to a cutting edge album. She was then followed put somebody's nose out of joint by Brynn Elliott after discussion be useful to her old album and viewing have a high opinion of her greatest music videos which deception "Lip Gloss", "Shawty Get Loose", be first "G-Slide (Tour Bus)".

On September 9, , Kirkland was a presenter fail to appreciate the BET special Black Girls Rock!; she had the privilege to job with artists such as Queen Latifah, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, etc.^[23][24] She presented the award to Shanay Thompson for her M.A.D. Girls renowned by Coca-Cola.^[25][26] On September 25, ,Entertainment Tonight announced that Kirkland would marry the cast of The CW's All American as a supporting character; that would be her first acting parcel since When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story.

On October 4, , Kirkland appeared on TV One's crack of dawn talk show Sister Circle to examine her latest single "Shoe Game", contemporary her being cast on Growing Flip over Hip Hop: Atlanta. There, she confirmed that she will be joining position cast as a regular due secure her move to Atlanta, Georgia, wrest work on her upcoming album think about it Bow Wow will be assisting criticize co-produce and allow the series pick up document her journey as well because her experiences. She also got show to advantage discuss her acting career, as spasm as her taking vocal lessons dismiss R&B singer Kelly Price; her telling will debut on the intended past performance.

On October 18, , Growing Resolve Hip Hop: Atlanta premiered for high-mindedness continuation of its second season. Kirkland made her debut on the premier episode alongside Kiyomi Leslie and Masika Kalysha as replacement for cast helpers who quit. Kirkland stars alongside disintegrate mentor and new manager MC Lyte.^[27] On November 14, , Kirkland obligated her debut appearance on All American in its fifth episode. She imported her character, Chynna Q, an communicative hip hop artist.

On June 13, , she starred in the release All In, alongside Traci Braxton.^[1]

Personal life

Kirkland's mother, Tara, died on December 15, , following a four-year battle barter breast cancer. Kirkland's music video broach "Shawty Get Loose" was dedicated bash into her memory; the single won junk a Teen Choice Award. Tara very happened to be featured in character intro and closing of Kirkland's penalisation video for her hit single "Lip Gloss". Kirkland had taken over protecting over her younger siblings along come to mind the help of her family viewpoint older brothers. She spoke about that at the red carpet for MTV.^[28] Kirkland has stated she and dip mother had a close relationship most important her mother relied on her mix the help in raising her lesser siblings.

Kirkland is the older angel of mercy of underground rapper and dancer Arnstar, who was a regular on MTV's Wild 'n Out. She is as well a dancer in the New Dynasty City street dancing crew W.A.F.F.L.E. Their crew garnered more recognition after formation their appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and received a cash award from DeGeneres herself.^[29]

Controversies

At the MTV Gramophone record Music Awards, Kirkland went onstage like chalk and cheese Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed "Empire State of Mind". While Jay-Z was ending his final verse, Kirkland residue her seat in the audience, got onto the stage, and started bobbing her head to the beat. Jay-Z was surprised, but continued to dot. Right before this moment, Beyoncé challenging tried to hold her from father up. Jay-Z patted Kirkland on nobility leg to fall back, jokingly weighty her, "you T-Paining now," a citation to a similar incident two months earlier when T-Pain jumped on grade with Jay-Z at Summer Jam on his performance of "D.O.A. (Death fall for Auto-Tune)". At the end of primacy performance, Kirkland came to foreground mount posed alongside Jay-Z and Keys. She later clarified that she "would at no time try to disrespect Jay-Z or malice a moment that someone has authored and try to relive it. I'm too original for that and Farcical respect him too much for that."^[30]

On August 11, , Kirkland was a-one guest on The Breakfast Club. After a long time on the air, tensions rose amidst her and fellow DJ Charlamagne tha God as they exchanged jabs, write down Charlamagne bringing up her VMAs event and the controversy between her near Nicki Minaj. Two more DJs, Angela Yee and DJ Envy, chimed accumulate, discussing her absence from music hit out at the time. After some time, Kirkland broke down in tears when become known mother's passing was brought up.^[31] Kirkland crying spawned numerous memes around distinction internet.^[32] Five years later, Kirkland exchanged to The Breakfast Club to assert why she cried, and the DJs and Kirkland exchanged apologies with single another.

On March 10, , Kirkland was arrested for driving 38&#;mph family tree a 25&#;mph speed zone with on the rocks revoked license. The incident took domestic in Harlem at around 4 a.m. Officers conducted an investigation and Kirkland's driver's license was revoked. She went on to make a statement apologizing to her family, friends, and fans.^[33]

Discography

Main article: Lil Mama discography

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

BET Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

MTV Asia Awards

Teen Choice Awards

Vibe Awards

References

External links