Lil Mama

Profile Overview

Niatia Jessica Kirkland (born October 4, 1989), better known by her stage name Lil Mama, is an American rapper. She released her debut album, VYP (Voice of the Young People) in 2008. The album debuted at number 25 on the Billboard 200 and spawned her four singles including "Lip Gloss.” The project received two Teen Choice Awards and Monster Single of the Year nominations at the MTV Video Music Awards. Kirkland gained further attention in pop music after a collaboration with Avril Lavigne for the remix of the single "Girlfriend."
Kirkland took a hiatus from music after her single "Hustler Girl," to appear as a judge for a total of seven seasons on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew at the age of 18 from 2008 to 2012. Working with producer and fellow judge Randy Jackson, she appeared alongside JC Chasez, Shane Sparks, Mario Lopez, and Layla Kayleigh.
She was cast as Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes in the VH1 biographical film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, which aired in October 2013 and garnered 4.5 million views on the first night. Kirkland later joined TLC on their tour for their last album. She also performed a tribute to Lopes at the 2013 American Music Awards performing the song "Waterfalls.”
Kirkland continued to remain in the public eye, returning to music and making new tracks with fellow rapper MC Lyte on her single "Ball.” She appeared on Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta. In 2019, she starred in the film All In, alongside Traci Braxton.