Hip-Hop Revolution in the Flesh Power, Knowledge, and Pleasure in Li

An extended study of the writings of Lil' Kim, the multi-platinum selling Hip Hop artist. Examines Lil' Kim's anti-sexist, gender-defiant and ultra-erotic verse alongside issues of race and the politics of imprisonment. This is the first study to apply th

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Hip-Hop Revolution in the Flesh Power, Knowledge, and Pleasure in Lil’ Kim’s Lyricism

Greg Thomas

HIP-HOP REVOLUTION IN THE FLESH Copyright © Greg Thomas, 2009. Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2009 978-0-230-61180-1

All rights reserved. A much shorter version of chapter 4 appeared in Journal of Pan-African Studies 1:7 (2007): pp. 23–37. Peter Rodrigo of Rise With Us Illustration and Design Studio, “Goddess” (Cover Photo, 2008) Vincent Soyez, “Lil’ Kim in African Warrior Pose, Sitting on a Royal Throne” (2003) Jonelle Davies of IShineDesigns (Photos of Exu and Table-Images, 2008) Jamaul Smith of Art by Any Means, “The Compound Esu” & “St. Kimpa Vita of Kongo” (2008) LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka, Black Magic (Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1969) Elaine Brown, “The End of Silence” (Words and Music by Elaine Brown, 1969) King Magazine Harris Publications, Inc. (May/June 2003) Genre Magazine (July 2000) Alexei Hay/Art Department, “Lil’ Kim in Burka” (2003) Derrick Santini: “The Saint” (2005) First published in 2009 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN® in the United States—a division of St. Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Where this book is distributed in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, this is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. Palgrave® and Macmillan® are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries. ISBN 978-1-349-37682-7

ISBN 978-0-230-61911-1 (eBook)

DOI 10.1057/9780230619111 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available from the Library of Congress. A catalogue record of the book is available from the British Library. Design by Newgen Imaging Systems (P) Ltd., Chennai, India. First edition: February 2009 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

For Quin, Nick, and Ike, for “Heretics” of the Future

Contents

List of Illustrations and Tables

ix

Acknowledgments

xi

Introduction

1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Orals . . . Head . . . Genius: The Power, Knowledge, and Pleasure of Hard Core Sexual Poetic Justice: On African Matriarchy, Flexible Gender Systems, and The Notorious K.I.M. Mic “God/dess” . . . Eshu-Elegba: Signifying Divine Freedom— In the Flesh (Black) Consciousness (Reprise): Neo-Soul’s “Baduizm,” African Cinema of Liberation, and Hip-Hop’s “QUEEN B@#$H” “First Female King”: The Art of Morph and Monarchy in La Bella Mafia’s Beehive It’s the Lyrical Sex Pistol: Or, A Rebel Music that Rewrites Anatomy—Rhyme after Fiery Rhyme The “Sound Clash” of The Naked Truth: Erotic Maroonage, Public Enemies, and “Rap COINTELPRO”

11 33 57 85 111 133 159

Conclusion

191

Notes

197

Works Cited

215

Index

227

Illustrations and Tables

Illustrations I.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 3.2 3.3 5.1 5.2 6.1 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4

Lil’ Kim in African Warrior Pose, Sitting on a Royal Throne (Photo) Table-Image of Hard Core (1996) T