Niatia Jessica Kirkland (born October 4, 1989), better known as Lil Mama, is an American rapper, singer, actor, and television host from Brooklyn and Harlem. At seventeen, she achieved top ten Billboard chart placements with her debut album VYP (Voice of the Young People), which debuted at #25 on the Billboard 200. Her four main singles from the album, including her signature song and dance anthem “Lip Gloss,” earned her two Teen Choice Awards and Monster Single of the Year nods at the MTV VMAs. After collaborating with Avril Lavigne on the remix of her smash single “Girlfriend,” Lil Mama earned additional prominence in Pop music.
She had her breakthrough role as late Hip-Hop star Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in the VH1 historical film CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, which debuted in October 2013 and received 4.5 million views on its first night. As a result of the film’s success, Lil Mama joined TLC on their tour in support of their Greatest Hits album. She was given the opportunity to pay respect to the late rapper by playing the Grammy Award-winning song “Waterfalls” at the 2013 American Music Awards.
Lil Mama continues to remain in the public eye, returning to music, producing new tracks with fellow rapper MC Lyte on her hit “Ball”. Rihanna made Billboard history once more with her song “Sausage” at the BET Awards. She graced several magazine covers and returned to television with Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta.