Lil Mama

Lil' Mama was only 17 when she signed with Jive Records and released the 2007 hit single "Lip Gloss," but the NYC rapper has been performing and writing since she was only 10 years old. Born Niatia Kirkland, one of eight siblings, Mama began to record when she was a freshman in high school. In 2006, DMX's manager spotted her budding talent and shipped the singer down to Atlanta to record with Nappy Roots' producer James "Groove" Chambers. It was this session that produced the catchy and addictive "Lip Gloss." The song was released to radio and soon influential Hot 97 personality DJ Enuff began to champion the young rapper. Soon, word trickled down to Jive President Barry Weiss and he signed Lil' Mama in January of 2007.