Might ESSENCE Magazine Writer’s Millennium Diss From 2000 Be The Reason LIL’ KIM Pulled Out Of The ESSENCE FEST?

our families. 

Feminism is about embracing our power without reducing it to what’s between our legs. And this so-called pussy power that you portray, the literal or figurative use of what’s between your legs to get the material things you want, completely defeats this. Besides biggin’ up every female who slept her way to the top, it perpetuates the gold-digging, highly sexualized, whorish image that Black women have been trying to kill since slavery. Even throughout hip-hop’s brief history, women have fought to be respected as real emcees without reducing themselves to tits and ass. Rap is pregnant with lyrics that will make the average listener think male rappers have some serious anger, if not outright hatred, for us. We are bombarded with images that show women as only token pieces, to be sported like jewelry. For too many years we female fans who lived, breathed and died hip-hop have had to grapple with this ugly contradiction: How can we love the music that only sees us as bitches and hoes? And now you’ve come on the scene calling yourself a queen bitch, professing in your lyrics that the ultimate way to “get yours” is to be a supreme bitch and make men pay for a taste. No matter how you define it, Kim, a bitch is a bitch. And sex equals money equals power is not a feminist principle. What are we telling young girls, that the only way they can escape abuse, neglect and hard living–all by-products of sexism–is to use their bodies? That’s praising prostitution. 

Remember, sis, there have been women in this biz who didn’t have to resort to pussy power. MC Lyte was one of the strongest lyricists in her day, and she did it without showing her ass. And when Queen Latifah came on the scene, she brought back the cultural legacy that we, the children of the Black Power Movement, grew up on. Power was being a female hip-hop fan ten years ago, back when we were sporting Africa medallions, waving red, black and green flags and singing songs like Latifah’s “Ladies First.” Sistah Souljah stood right up there with Public Enemy and shouted “We Are at War.” Back then we wore the armor of self-love, self-respect and self-actualization, standing together with our men while we all did what it took to “Fight the Power.” Word, that felt like power. Like love. 

Today we’ve traded in our shields for Gucci sandals and Vicky thongs. We now stand across from our men pointing hypocritical fingers at their sexism while letting them know that it will cost a large fee to get a piece. This is empowering, ma? You can’t be serious. We’ve abandoned our self-esteem and self-respect for the iced-out carrots society keeps dangling in our faces. But what
did we expect? We are the generation that was spoon-fed Dynasty dreams financed with the trickle-down economics of the Reagan-Bush administrations. The slogan of the eighties was “No Romance Without Finance,” so it’s no wonder we’ve computed sex equals money equals power. Business fact of the day: Sex sells. But understand this, Kim: so does your soul. Ask yourself if you really felt empowered when you did an ad for your first album with your legs spread wide wearing only a thong and a bra. Did you feel
empowered wearing absolutely nothing but a hat and boots during the photo shoot for a promo poster for your second album, The Notorious K.I.M. ? If that image wasn’t so profitable would you have done it? Money doesn’t change the feeling of exploitation, does it? It just allows you to dress it up in furs, diamonds and designer clothes. But you can’t hide from your fans, Kim–not the ones who truly love you anyway. We see a scared little girl who has told us in countless interviews that she is not happy. We see a little girl who’s in pain but hides it well behind her blue contact lenses. But I also see a woman, one who will eventually have to face reality and conquer the demons that haunt her. Because you can’t hide from yourself, ma. I want you to come out of this hell with your dignity intact. To finally know that real power stems from what’s in a woman’s heart, mind and soul. Now that will be empowering. Cuz that’s real. That’s love. 

Needless to say, back in 2000 Lil’ Kim stiffed Essence for a greatly anticipated interview (I believe it was because of this letter. I’d have to double check my recollection on that).

Fast forward, either way, I highly doubt Lil’ Kim’s not going to do anything for Essence-so buy and play with whatever graciously publicized laden reason you may.

P.S.

Tread lightly. Don’t fck with a Cancer the wrong way, that one way. Because once you do, we’re just like it: The only way you ‘get us’ is if you die-we don’t want you around so we’ll move to the side.

Remember. Crabs don’t bleed. They’re filled with water like tears. You always drew first blood if they ever bleed you out. Their too soft inside until you make ’em hard.

Needless to say, regardless of all having happened, and not going to-this weekend (or ever), it may be happenstance that on Lil’ Kim’s July 11 birthday, she, along with Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, and Salt and Pepa will be honored at VH1’s Hip Hop Honors. And those honors are deserved by right.