Lil Mama

Niatia Kirkland, widely recognized as Lil Mama, is a versatile artist whose talents span singing, rapping, songwriting, acting, and dancing. Born and raised in Harlem, New York, she discovered her passion for music and dance early in life, using poetry as a means of self-expression. This passion evolved into a successful career marked by determination and creativity.

At just 17, Lil Mama signed with Jive Records in 2006 and quickly gained attention by collaborating with Avril Lavigne on a remix of her Grammy-nominated track "Girlfriend," produced by Dr. Luke. Her debut album, "VYP (Voice of the Young People)," released in 2007, debuted at number 25 on the Billboard 200 and featured the breakout hit "Lip Gloss," which catapulted her into the spotlight.

Beyond music, Lil Mama showcased her expertise in dance as a judge on MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" for seven seasons, working alongside JC Chasez and Mario Lopez. She made a significant leap into acting by portraying Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes in the VH1 biopic "CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story," sharing the screen with Keke Palmer and Drew Sidora. Her performance led to live collaborations with TLC members during events such as the 2013 American Music Awards.

In recent years, her music video for "Sausage" went viral, accumulating over 9.2 million views, showcasing her ongoing relevance in the industry. With the release of her mixtape "Take Me Back" in December 2015, Lil Mama pays homage to classic hip-hop while infusing it with contemporary flair. Currently, she continues to expand her artistic repertoire, starring in the film "Hit a Lick," further establishing her presence in the entertainment world.