Hard Core is the debut studio album by American rapper
Lil' Kim, released on November 12, 1996, by Undeas
Recordings, Big Beat Records, and Atlantic Records. After
achieving success with the hip hop group Junior
M.A.F.I.A. and their album Conspiracy (1995), Kim began
working on her solo album with the Notorious B.I.G.
serving as the executive producer (besides this, he
performed on four songs). She collaborated with a
number of producers, such as Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs,
Stevie J., David "Ski" Willis and Jermaine Dupri, among
others. Other rappers, including Jay-Z, Lil' Cease and Puff
Daddy were featured on the album.