Lil' Kim - La Bella Mafia

 The JUMP OFF! 3 1/2 stars
Lil' Kim is admired among the hip hop community because she was one of the first successful female artists in the rap world. Not just that, though. Her lyrics pushed the envelope because of the sexual openness within them. Also, she is the former girlfriend of a man described as one of the greatest rappers of all time, Biggie. Women and men alike love Lil' Kim because of her realness. "La Bella Mafia" is definitely a solid album because of the infectious beats, decent hooks, good lyrics, and, of course, sexual explicitness.

"The Jump Off" and "Magic Stick" were the tracks which were released to radio. Both of these songs are solid, but "Magic Stick" is more creative because of the innovative chorus and production. Kim and 50 Cent go back and forth bragging on their sexual performances and stamina; it is quite interesting. "The Jump Off" did nothing for me at first, but it's a good song now that I've heard it many more times. The interludes on this album are pretty funny, too. Random people are calling into Lil' Kim's radio station saying some crazy things even Kim has to laugh at. "Can't F*** With Queen Bee" is another standout track. I loved the Deneice Williams "Free" sample. Twista lends his talent to "Thug Luv" and he and Kim give listeners a performance to remember. Their delivery was grand and the beat is also worth mentioning.

I would recommend this album to rap and hip hop fans. Lil' Kim is so nice on the mic. If you enjoyed "Hard Core", "Notorious KIM" and "The Naked Truth", there is no reason you shouldn't enjoy this album as well.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Can't F*** With Queen Bee"
2. "Heavenly Father"
3. "Came Back for You"
4. "Get in Touch With Us"
5. "Shake Ya Bum Bum"
March 9, 2008

 What is she doin?
First Kim was tryin to be white. Then italian and now white again. This chick changes like the seasons. Her whole image is as fake as the white skin she's tryin' to purchase. Man f*** this album, her, and all her fans. Pure trash hip pop at it's fullest. What has happened to music in the last 6 yaers?! March 4, 2008

 4 1/2 mics?? Are they crazy???
the source gave this album 4 1/2 mics. this album was so bad and pointless that i had to force myself to go past track 5. her first album was real good, but they get worse and worse after that. every song i heard ice this, rim this, and cristile this, thats so laaaaaame. while she was working on her new "barbie doll" looks she should have been working on her album. Biggie is in heaven with his head down... January 14, 2008

 "La Bella Mafia" [Lil' Kim]
It's nice to now that we can count on Amazon to know what we getting for the price in this case (La Bella Mafia) by [Lil' Kim] was very graet. August 12, 2007

 Better Than What People Say (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4.0 stars)
Chances are if you're knocking this album, you never liked Lil' Kim from the beginning. To me, I believed that this is her strongest album (yes, it's even better than "The Naked Truth"...which I have to say is collecting dust in my library). People have accustomed to hearing Kim rhyme about sex, and figured that it was her bread & butter formula for making an album. She actually sounds real good when she doesn't mention sex in here rhymes. Yeah, she does it on and off on this album, but didn't run it into the ground like her last two albums.

When I hear songs like "Hold It Down" and "Can't F With Queen Bee", I believed that she has stepped her lyrics up from back in '96 (although I believed that Havoc's beat really helped out on the former song). A real nice song is when she colabs with former label mate Styles P. on "Get In Touch With Us", and that is actually one of the best songs on the album. Most of the songs, I believe that she sounds angry, and it brings out the best in her. When I hear the album's closer "Came Back For You", knowing she had a lot to say, aiming at a lot of female artists (i.e. Foxy Brown). It's songs like that that makes me like Kim for what she is.

The album's first single "The Jump Off" was real dope and featured Mr. Cheeks. Swizz Beats lays down a nice beat with the help of Mashonda's vocals on "This Is Who I Am", a song that I really like. "Thug Luv" with Twista, is another notable song. And her crew The Advakids rip the song "The Beehive". And lets not forget her remake of R. Kelly's "A Woman's Threat" on the song "Warning".

As for anything bad, there are a few songs I had no feel for. "Can You Hear Me Now" with Missy Eliott I didn't like, as well as it had a horrible beat. And "Magic Stick" with 50 Cent (before they were beefing) is another skippable track in my opinion.

Also some tracks should have been on here. "The Jump Off (Remix)" with Mr. Cheeks and Mobb Deep could have been a perfect addition to the album. And "Whats The Word?" was good and was remixed with Joe Budden, Lil' Shanice and The Advakids should have been on here as well. Thats all the dissapointment I had with this album.

I believe that this is Kim's best album. This is also my favorite Kim album, probably because I don't listen to her other albums anymore. "Hard Core" was average. "Notorious K.I.M." was garbage. And "The Naked Truth" was overrated, thanks to a couple of media outlets (I won't say the names, but many know what I'm talking about). As I said before, if you like Kim, you'll dig this album. Kim had a lot on her mind since her previous album, and would have a lot to say. I recommend that you give it a listen.

Lyrics: B+
Production: A-
Guest Appearances: B
Musical Vibes: B
Overall: B+

Top 5 Favorite Tracks:
1. Hold It Down
2. The Beehive
3. The Jump Off
4. This Is Who I Am
5. Get In Touch With Us

Honorable Mention Track: Thug Luv, Came Back For You

Favorite Lil' Kim Albums: (Note: There is a BIG gap between the 1 and 2 spots)

1. La Bella Mafia
2. The Naked Truth
3. Hard Core
4. The Notorious K.I.M.

Peace Everyone!!! April 7, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...