Lil' Kim gets a lot of heat for not being afraid to do what it is that she wants to do, and that definetly holds true here.  "Hardcore"  is the first album in the Lil' Kim Legacy, and my favortie.  She tells it like it is, and that's how it's supposed to be told!  Get this CD if you are really into rap, and like an artist whose different from the game.  All the other rap females say that Lil' Kim is trying to take their style, but she's been around before them (i.e., Foxy Brown).  There is really one other rapper whom I feel is equal to Lil' Kim, and that's Gangsta Boo.  Do your thing, Kim!