Lil’ Kim Rumored To Be Prepping ‘Hard Core’ Sequel

Lil' Kim has been making headlines for everything but original music, but that's all about to change heading into 2011. The Queen Bee is apparently hitting the studio to record a follow-up to her 1996 debut album 'Hard Core.' Entitled 'Hard Core 2: All Hail the Queen,' Kim is seeking production from The Neptunes, The-Dream, Will.i.am, Polow Da Don and more for the new record.

Kim, of course, has made her recent rounds in a public battle with the newly-crowned "queen of hip-hop" Nicki Minaj. Her recent diss track 'Black Friday' took aim at the Young Money pop star, yet 'Hard Core 2' should be a more adequate test on Kim's current standing in the rap world.

The sequel also follows the recent trend of New York rappers creating updated versions of their fan-favorite albums -- often mid '90s classics that represent an era before Diddy put on his shiny suit for the first time. While Raekwon, AZ, GZA, Busta Rhymes and others look to their original formulas for success, Kim appears to be stretching out with her rumored choice of producers.

The original 'Hard Core' firmly cemented Kim's place atop the femcee food chain in the mid '90s, sporting a wide swath of guest spots such as frequent collaborator Notorious B.I.G., a young Jay-Z, Diddy and more. There is no firm release date for the sequel as of press time.