Lil Kim is celebrating her debut album in a big way.
According to PEOPLE, the Grammy-winning rapper announced a special hometown concert at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre to mark the 30th anniversary of her debut album, Hard Core. Dubbed Hard Core Symphony, the event takes place on Thursday, Nov. 19. The concert will feature live, reimagined orchestral renditions of the album’s tracks alongside Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra.
Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra is an “all-Black orchestral ensemble renowned for its blend of hip-hop and R&B coupled with their sophisticated live instrumentation.”
Kim will perform songs from the classic LP such as “Not Tonight,” “Big Momma Thang,” “Crush on You,” and “No Time.”
‘HARD CORE’ IS A BONAFIDE CLASSIC
Released on November 12, 1996, Hard Core was a monumental commercial success that revolutionized female rap. Debuting at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, it was the highest entry for a female rap album at the time. The album quickly went on to earn double-platinum certification from the RIAA, with over five million copies sold worldwide.
Driven by iconic singles like “No Time,” “Crush on You,” and the Grammy-nominated “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix),” Kim made history by becoming the first female artist to earn three consecutive No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart.
Beyond its box-office numbers, the album’s unapologetic sexual autonomy, razor-sharp lyricism, and groundbreaking fashion reset the standard for women in hip-hop. It cemented Hard Core as a certified classic and established Lil’ Kim as one of music’s most influential superstars.
In 2016, Kim spoke with XXL about the impact of the project on it’s 20 anniversary.
“I didn’t really ever have a goal. And I loved music, and in my mind, I was just displaying my art. I was only 16, 17 years old, working on my first song and album. So I didn’t really have a goal,” she told the outlet. “I was just doing what I love and displaying my talent, and working on music.