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When Lil Kim came to SA

She's known for being one of the female pioneers of hip hop music around the world. But Lil Kim was very excited to be a part of the ZARfest music concert series that took place in Zimbabwe and Johannesburg.

Lil Kim, 37, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, enjoyed her first trip to South Africa, but has previously performed in Africa.

Speaking to Channel24 at a press conference in Johannesburg, she said she was excited to be in the country.

“It's my first trip here and I am loving it so far. I've seen a few countries in Africa and I really do enjoy the support of my fans here, but South Africa is just so beautiful.”

She added that while the place was beautiful and the people were “amazing”, she had other expectations about the country.

Controversy

“In the US, it's warm days and summer weather while it's much colder here. I had to get some extra warm clothes when I got off the airplane in Johannesburg,” she admitted.

ZARfest, which was an initiative headed up by the nightclub owner and businessman Kenny Kunene, faced some controversy when he announced the cancellation of two of the concerts of his Durban and Cape Town concerts due to poor ticket sales. The Johannesburg concert went ahead as scheduled.

Despite this minor setback on her visit to SA, Lil Kim said she wants to come back and work with some of SA's top musical talents. “Kenny and I have been chatting and we're going to see how we can work together with one or two of his artists. We have some cool ideas in mind and I'd love to let my celebrity status and talents to work with someone who's got just as much talent.”

Lil Kim, who has worked with a number of artists including Pink, Notorious B.I.G., Christina Aguilera and Dru Hill, was a contestant on Dancing with The Stars and considers herself the first female rapper in the industry.

“I came out at a time when today's female rappers were still very young and I paved the way for where they are today. I deserve the respect of being a pioneer and there's just so much negativity out there these days amongst female rappers.

Feud

Of course, Lil Kim is referring to her “feud” with fellow US rapper Nicki Minaj. “I tried to extend my support out to her and when it was rejected I didn't take well to that, especially when the she's disrespected me in such a public way. I refuse to talk about her and give her any more press.”

When asked whether she thought her music was too raunchy, she said: “I enjoy what I do and my fans appreciate my music. I am an artist who is creative and if people don't like it, then they shouldn't listen to it. Only God can judge me.”

Lil Kim, who attended a few parties that Kunene hosted in Johannesburg, said she considered Kunene to a great host.

“I think Kenny's fly. I can't thank him enough for inviting me out here. In fact, I cancelled a gig as part of the Brazilian Gay Pride Festival in order to make the trip to SA.”

As for taking part in his sushi-eating parties, where Kunene eats sushi off female models, Lil Kim said she wanted to attend one of those events.

“It's sounds like a lot of fun and I'd love to be at one of those parties too. As for whether I'd be a sushi model for Kenny, we'd have to wait and see,” she teased.
 

Clayton Morar is a celebrity autograph hunter and blogger. See his exploits at www.claytonmorar.com
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