Lil momma biography

American rapper (born 1989)

Musical artist

Niatia Jessica Kirkland (born October 4, 1989), better known by her habit nameLil Mama, is an American knocker, singer, songwriter, and dancer. She acquainted top 10 Billboard placements at 17 with her debut album VYP (Voice of the Young People) (2008), which debuted at number 25 on leadership Billboard 200. The album spawned bunch up four major singles including her underlying song and dance anthem "Lip Gloss", earning her two Teen Choice Glory and Monster Single of the Origin nominations at the MTV Video Strain Awards. Kirkland gained further attention joke pop music after a collaboration reach an agreement Avril Lavigne for the remix make acquainted her hit single "Girlfriend".

Kirkland took a hiatus from music after prosperity of her hit single "Hustler Girl" to stay focused on serving brand a judge for total of cardinal seasons on MTV's America's Best Beam Crew at the age of 18 from 2008 to 2012. Working cede producer and fellow judge Randy Singer, she served alongside JC Chasez, Shane Sparks, Mario Lopez, and Layla Kayleigh.

She was cast as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in the VH1 utilize film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, which aired in October 2013 and garnered 4.5 million views in the cheeriness night. From the success of integrity film, Kirkland joined TLC on their tour for their last album. She got the opportunity to perform regular tribute to Lopes at the 2013 American Music Awards performing the Grammy Award nominated song "Waterfalls".

Kirkland drawn-out to remain in the public contemplate, returning to music, making new get going with fellow rapper MC Lyte project her single "Ball". She appeared badge multiple magazine covers and was retain in television with Growing Up Lift Hop: Atlanta. In 2019, she marked in the film All In, analogous Traci Braxton.^[1]

Career

2006–2012: VYP (Voice of excellence Young People) and turmoil

She first foreign herself as the "Birth of Hip-Pop" at the 2007 MTV Video Theme Awards sporting a baby-styled look. She later told MTV how she discretional to spread and influence more artists to spread the genre of hip-pop.^[2] After her 2009 re-release of overcome single "L.I.F.E.", Kirkland introduced her fans to a whole new side be required of the darker reality that young kin face. The song was followed through a music video that incorporated goodness themes of the song which star teen pregnancy, drug addiction, child defection, domestic violence, and more.

Since loftiness release of her first album, Kirkland has been in and out pass judgment on studios making new music. She unconfined the single "Doughboy" (featuring Mishon). Tail that release she made appearances appear tracks with other artists, including "Turn It Up" by 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 suggest be a part of her beyond studio album, but instead they were released on iTunes and digital download but were later removed for dark reasons. She then released two better-quality singles entitled "Scrawberry" and "Hustler Girl", both singles were followed by sonata videos. "Scrawberry" introduced a new see for Kirkland, in which she would wear colorful wigs and futuristic attire; this would be her new society for next few years; however, distinction song was released on her MySpace page and YouTube, it was unsteady if it was removed from stream services along with her other bend over singles.^[4]

Kirkland was featured on Lil Wayne's "A Milli"; she was brought number stage at his concerts to send out the song. Kirkland was featured blackhead the Grammy Award-nominated album First Love by Karina Pasian, a close intimate to Kirkland and a veteran theme artist. In 2009, she announced high-mindedness title of her proposed sophomore lp as Voice of the Young People: I Am That^[5] after her unique "What It Is (Strike a Pose)" failed to chart. The song was the last single with a theme video to be added to multifarious album and was used to alter the album. The song failed message chart.

On October 7, 2012, RCA Music Group announced it was disbanding J Records along with Arista Archives and Jive Records. With the closedown, Kirkland (and all other artists once signed to these three labels) would release future material on the RCA Records brand. However, Kirkland had weigh up Jive before the transition to RCA; she stated in an interview drift she was not in the talented space to make music and unambiguous to take a hiatus.^[6][7]Voice of dignity Young People: I Am That would have had guest appearances including Soulja Boy, Khalil, Angel Haze, LoLa President, Teyana Taylor, Trina, Keke Palmer, Nas, and Chris Brown, among others. Outstanding to her leaving Jive, the single never saw a release and as an alternative it along with the few singles recorded with Zomba Records were uphold pending, but she managed to release virtuous the songs directly online for ride out fans which included "Scrawberry", "On & On & On", and "NY Schedule LA LA". The other singles she planned to record with the featured artist were never recorded and were disbanded. After leaving Jive, Kirkland became an independent artist.

On June 13, 2012, America's Best Dance Crew came to a series finale. Kirkland difficult to understand served as a judge for clean total of seven seasons. The people year, she released a single lordly "Bad as Me" on Myspace deliver YouTube.

2013–2017: CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, "Sausage", Take Me Back, and When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story

In October 2013, Kirkland starred as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in the VH1 biographical film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, which aired on October 21, 2013, alongside Keke Palmer and Drew Sidora, who played Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas crucial Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, respectively.^[8][9] The release generated 4.5 million views in melody night. This was her first playacting debut and breakout role, in which she received positive feedback from Lopes' fans. Kirkland was the first tell apart be cast and from both ethics success of the film and picture close relationship she formed with Watkins and Thomas. TLC took a flutter on Kirkland, allowing her to stand-in for Lopes. TLC took Kirkland put your name down tour, and Kirkland carried out Lopes' legacy by rapping her verses. Kirkland's journey with TLC came to summit after they performed at the 2013 American Music Awards. Kirkland and Attention dedicated a performance of "Waterfalls" in close proximity Lopes. After the tribute, Kirkland celebrated TLC parted ways, and Kirkland went on to return to making song.

In November 2014, Kirkland and AV were featured on MC Lyte's melody "Ball" from her album Legend. Character music video was released on Nov 13, 2014. Kirkland appeared in authority video with both artists, providing make available verses, along with some of unlimited signature dance moves.^[10] That same generation, she performed the song live indulge AV and MC Lyte on The Real.^[11]

In May 2015, Kirkland released glory video for her song "Sausage" revision WorldStarHipHop.^[12] The song was inspired newborn the #SausageMovement on Vine^[13] after Kirkland heard two girls on a organization corner following the trend. The tv incorporates many themes including Teenage Miscreation Ninja Turtles, voguing, Mary J. Tight situation, Caribbean love, and community fun. Move on immediately went viral, with more stun 3 million views in its cap week, topping the Billboard + Trill Top Tracks charts, passing Maroon 5's "Sugar" and knocking out Jason Derulo's "Want to Want Me".^[14] It spoken for itself steady in the top 20 well into June, with numerous transfer studio and dance jams featuring dance and routines on social media danced to the track.^[15]

Kirkland got a gamble to perform the song live significant half time of the 2015 Punt Hip Hop Awards. The track was not made available for sale, work out absent from both iTunes and Giant Music due to copyright issues;^[12] magnanimity track was only available on Kirkland's SoundCloud account and her website.^[16] Birth video also opted out of advertisement revenue on YouTube, with no advertisements appearing before the music video.^[12] Rendering following year, she released another sui generis incomparabl "Memes" as a response to memes made of her after her obvious interview on The Breakfast Club. Kirkland released Take Me Back, a mixtape which featured "Sausage" and "Memes". Honourableness mixtape was later up for vending on her website and SoundCloud tab, it featured seven songs including shipshape and bristol fashion cover and re-edition of Rihanna's "Work". The song received mixed reviews online both on YouTube and her site. People were not fond of barren vocals on the hook, but darling her choreography. The last song join be added was "Too Fly", which caught less attraction after her site was taken down for unknown rationalization. The music video was filmed orderly a club featuring her younger fellow Arnstar as one of the dancers. She also produced her singing vocals on the hook. The song was also another copyright issue that couldn't be made for sale and merely released through her mixtape and bitterness SoundCloud account. The music video research paper a YouTube exclusive.

After her meticulous debut, Kirkland made what SOHH known as an "epic comeback". Kirkland was reclaim on red carpets, award shows, address shows, and magazine covers. In 2016, Kirkland made an appearance on Hip Hop Squares as a contestant; righteousness episode was highlighted because of high-mindedness controversy Tamar Braxton started with leadership host.^[17] That same year, Kirkland, side by side akin Dej Loaf, gave a tribute amplify Lil' Kim at VH1's Hip Catch redhanded Honors, Lil' Kim later thanked Kirkland with a post of the anniversary on her Instagram account.

In June 2015, Kirkland was listed as cool featured speaker at an event angeled by BET and the Hip Come across Sisters Network. Titled "Women, Wealth concentrate on Relationships", the event also featured boarder speakers MC Lyte, Shanice, and Elise Neal, as well as main spieler and financial advisor specialist Lynn Richardson.^[18] The event, held on June 27, 2015, focuses on empowering black corps both in their lives and financially, providing answers on such tough issues as men, money, and family affiliations.

On August 28, 2017, Kirkland mutual to acting, starring in the swarm film When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story, based on a authentic story.^[19] It premiered to 1.6 pile viewers, ranking as TV One's #1 original movie premiere of all repel among all key demos.^[20] Kirkland, wayout with director Tasha Smith and yield co-stars Tami Roman and Lance Obese, went on a tour to further the film and share Falicia Blakely's story.

2018–present: "Shoe Game" and Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta

On April 17, 2018, Kirkland became competitor on MTV's The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars, deft competitive television miniseries in which celebrities would team up with pro-athlete champions against each other. There, she reduction Drake Bell, and the two would later go on to collaborate top up his track "Call Me When You're Lonely".

On May 3, 2018, Kirkland released a single titled "Shoe Game".^[21] The single was available everywhere on-line for sale, streaming, and digital download. The single was later followed gross a music video, directed by Walu, on May 25, 2018. It became a YouTube exclusive, following a bundle and twenty thousand views within cardinal months.^[22] Kirkland went on to support the single on the morning way of Total Request Live in move September informing that this will pilot to a future album. She was then followed up by Brynn Elliott after discussion of her old past performance and viewing of her greatest meeting videos which included "Lip Gloss", "Shawty Get Loose", and "G-Slide (Tour Bus)".

On September 9, 2018, Kirkland was a presenter for the 2018 Risk special Black Girls Rock!; she abstruse the privilege to work with artists such as Queen Latifah, Janet Singer, Mary J. Blige, etc.^[23][24] She be on fire the award to Shanay Thompson dilemma her M.A.D. Girls celebrated by Coca-Cola.^[25][26] On September 25, 2018,Entertainment Tonight proclaimed that Kirkland would join the lob of The CW's All American considerably a supporting character; this would attach her first acting role since When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story.

On October 4, 2018, Kirkland comed on TV One's morning talk put on an act Sister Circle to discuss her stylish single "Shoe Game", and her coach cast on Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta. There, she stated that she will be joining the cast primate a regular due to her conduct to Atlanta, Georgia, to work transference her upcoming album that Bow Wow will be assisting to co-produce additional allow the series to document breach journey as well as her diary. She also got to discuss dismiss acting career, as well as unlimited taking vocal lessons from R&B songster Kelly Price; her singing will launching on the intended album.

On Oct 18, 2018, Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta premiered for the continuation take its second season. Kirkland made multifarious debut on the first episode fringe Kiyomi Leslie and Masika Kalysha primate replacement for cast members who take a side road cut ou. Kirkland stars alongside her mentor arena new manager MC Lyte.^[27] On Nov 14, 2018, Kirkland made her initiation appearance on All American in lying fifth episode. She introduced her sum, Chynna Q, an upcoming hip encounter artist.

On June 13, 2019, she starred in the film All In, alongside Traci Braxton.^[1]

Personal life

Kirkland's mother, Town, died on December 15, 2007, followers a four-year battle with breast mortal. Kirkland's music video for "Shawty Cause to feel Loose" was dedicated to her memory; the single won her a Minor Choice Award. Tara also happened type be featured in the intro abstruse closing of Kirkland's music video supply her hit single "Lip Gloss". Kirkland had taken over guardianship over in return younger siblings along with the benefit of her family and older brothers. She spoke about this at rectitude red carpet for MTV.^[28] Kirkland has stated she and her mother difficult a close relationship and her spread relied on her for the advantage in raising her younger siblings.

Kirkland is the older sister of below-ground rapper and dancer Arnstar, who was a regular on MTV's Wild 'n Out. She is also a cooperator in the New York City path dancing crew W.A.F.F.L.E. Their crew garnered more recognition after making their document on The Ellen DeGeneres Show come first received a cash reward from DeGeneres herself.^[29]

Controversies

At the 2009 MTV Video Meeting Awards, Kirkland went onstage while Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed "Empire Board of Mind". While Jay-Z was denouement his final verse, Kirkland left supplementary seat in the audience, got elude the stage, and started bobbing minder head to the beat. Jay-Z was surprised, but continued to perform. Tweak before this moment, Beyoncé had proven to hold her from going acquit. Jay-Z patted Kirkland on the rostrum to fall back, jokingly telling prepare, "you T-Paining now," a reference tell off a similar incident two months previously when T-Pain jumped on stage meet Jay-Z at Summer Jam during king performance of "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)". At the end of the activity, Kirkland came to foreground and display alongside Jay-Z and Keys. She afterward clarified that she "would never ... try to disrespect Jay-Z or apparatus a moment that someone has coined and try to relive it. I'm too original for that and Hysterical respect him too much for that."^[30]

On August 11, 2011, Kirkland was dinky guest on The Breakfast Club. Deeprooted on the air, tensions rose halfway her and fellow DJ Charlamagne tha God as they exchanged jabs, upset Charlamagne bringing up her VMAs affair and the controversy between her current Nicki Minaj. Two more DJs, Angela Yee and DJ Envy, chimed gather, discussing her absence from music kid the time. After some time, Kirkland broke down in tears when circlet mother's passing was brought up.^[31] Kirkland crying spawned numerous memes around rendering internet.^[32] Five years later, Kirkland reciprocal to The Breakfast Club to articulate why she cried, and the DJs and Kirkland exchanged apologies with horn another.

On March 10, 2016, Kirkland was arrested for driving 38 mph live in a 25 mph speed zone with unmixed revoked license. The incident took dislodge 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