GRAMMY Award-winning hip-hop icon Lil’ Kim is returning to her Brooklyn roots for a one-night-only orchestral celebration of the album that helped define her career.
The Queen of Rap will headline Hard Core Symphony at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 19, bringing her landmark 1996 debut album, Hard Core, to the stage with Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra.
The special concert will reimagine tracks from the double-platinum album through live orchestral arrangements, pairing Lil’ Kim’s unmistakable flow and stage presence with The Illharmonic Orchestra’s blend of hip-hop, R&B, and symphonic instrumentation.
Released in 1996 and executive produced by The Notorious B.I.G., Hard Core established Lil’ Kim as one of hip-hop’s most distinctive and fearless voices. Known for its provocative lyricism, unapologetic themes, and boundary-pushing style, the album became a defining release in women’s rap and helped cement the Brooklyn native’s status as a cultural and fashion icon.
Fans attending Hard Core Symphony can expect orchestral interpretations of favorites associated with the era, including “Big Momma Thang,” “Crush on You,” “No Time,” and “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix).” The performance will combine the sophistication of a live orchestra with the energy and visual style that have become hallmarks of Lil’ Kim’s career.
Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra, an all-Black orchestral ensemble known for merging classical instrumentation with hip-hop and R&B, will provide the musical backdrop for the evening.
Produced by GPK Entertainment, the concert is being billed as an elevated, immersive tribute to Hard Core and Lil’ Kim’s lasting influence on hip-hop culture.
Guests are encouraged to wear formal black-tie attire for the historic celebration of hip-hop royalty.
