12 Great Big Moments in Lil History

From Lil Troy to Lil Skies, the Lil presence is never-ending.

big moments in lil history
P&P Original

Credit: Jonathan F.

big moments in lil history

The Lil prefix is one of the most popular and oldest naming traditions in hip-hop—it spans genres and decades, an eternal paradox in an industry all about getting big.

Our Lil Week research turned up hundreds of big Lil moments. Too many to include here. So we've narrowed it down to 12, featuring legendary Lils like Kim and B and Lil underground heroes. Some are amazing accomplishments, others are moments of great sadness. Read on for the highest highs and lowest lows in Lil history. 

Read about Lil Wayne's lasting impact as told by rappers like Tyler, the Creator, Nessly, and 2 Chainz here.

Check out 10 essential albums by Lil rappers here.

Lil Troy releases "Wanna Be A Baller."

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Year: 1998

Lil Troy's breakout moment has aged well—"Wanna Be A Baller" still rings out, and remains one of the best Houston anthems ever written. It's sad, savage, and arrived after Troy had already spent 10 years making music. Hard work paid off, even if he does go down in history as a one-hit-wonder.

Lil Kim and Diana Ross at the 1999 VMAs.

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

Year: 1999

Lil Kim is one of the most iconic Lils to grace the music industry, and one of hip-hop's most enduring personalities. At the 1999 VMA's however, it was her fashion choice that would catch the public's—and Diana Ross'—eye. Kim really went for it in a purple jumpsuit that was one strap shy, leaving her left side covered only by a sequined pastie that matched her icy purple hair. When Lil Kim presented with Mary J. Blige, a handsy Diana Ross made sure she showed her approval for the outfit with the jiggle heard round the world. Mary J. Blige was not amused. 

Lil Bow Wow releases "Bounce With Me."

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Year: 2000

He's more famous for the Bow Wow Challenge these days, but when this millenium started, Shad Moss was the biggest child star we'd seen in years. He was still Lil Bow Wow back then, named by Snoop Dogg and a protégé of Jermaine Dupri. When "Bounce With Me" dropped, the kids had a new hero. The song spent nine weeks atop the U.S. Rap Charts and was featured in Big Momma's House. He starred in Like Mike two years later, capping an incredible run for Lils (Moss was 13 when "Bounce With Me" dropped) everywhere.

Lil Jon introduces the world to crunk music.

View this video on YouTube

youtu.be

Year: 2002

In the South, crunk had been bubbling since the '90s, but it wasn't until Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz released "Get Low" in 2002 that the rest of the world caught on. Peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song launched Lil Jon's career. The "King of Crunk" would go on to become a true pop star, get imitated by Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock, and even launch Crunk Juice, a line of crunk-based energy drinks still available in select cities.

Lil Wayne starts Young Money Entertainment.

young money getty michael tran

Lil Mama crashes Jay-Z & Alicia Keys onstage at the VMAs.

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Year: 2009

As Jay-Z and Alicia Keys closed out the 2009 VMAs, Lil Mama got a little ahead of herself. "Empire State of Mind" was the biggest song in the world at the time, and in interviews afterwards, the New Yorker said she simply wanted to show her city love alongside one of its legends. So she shook off Beyoncé and walked up those stairs for one of the weirdest stage crashings of all time. Lil Mama didn't get the love she expected. What she did get was shooed away by Jay-Z, which is still kind of cool in its own right. 

Lil B teaches the world his cooking dance.

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Year: 2010

At the time, we didn't understand the far-reaching ramifications of Lil B's cooking dance. But eight years and a number of curses later, it has become one of the most popular celebrations in pop culture. From baseball to basketball to soccer to Drake, the cooking dance was inescapable for a time, and still stands as one of the Based God's best contributions to humanity. 

The Best Lil B Song for Every Year of the Past 10 Years

Lil Yachty goes viral with the "1 Night" video.

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Year: 2016

Two years later, Lil Yachty is a pioneer of rap's new wave. But when "1 Night" first dropped, it was as if aliens had landed. Who was this mild-mannered kid in red braids, dressed like a sea captain in front of a green screen? Was this a rap song or a lullaby? And how does he already have cosigns from Migos and Young Thug? Within a year, Yachty was locking down Nautica deals and "1 Night" was platinum. The song opened the door for a lot of today's more experimental rappers, and this video was a big step towards our current moment.

Lil Uzi Vert’s stage dive at Rolling Loud.

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Year: 2017

By 2017, Lil Uzi Vert had already established himself as an exciting, unconventional young rapper. He had gained some notoriety with "Ps & Qs," "Money Longer," and "You Was Right." But after the release of "XO TOUR Llif3," the Philadelphia-born rapper became an icon. The song was everywhere, and by the time its accompanying release arrived (Luv is Rage 2), the album was basically a lock to debut at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart. While the song was still climbing, Uzi performed at Rolling Loud. When the "Money Longer" drop approached, Uzi climbed atop some scaffolding and flew through the air in a moment that was quickly memed into oblivion.

Lil Peep passes away.

lil peep

Lil Pump's "Gucci Gang" is the shortest song to crack the Top 10 in 42 years.

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Year: 2017

"Gucci Gang" is Lil Pump's most famous song. It's also one of his shortest, clocking in at just over two minutes. When the video dropped and it cracked Billboard's Top 10, "Gucci Gang" became the shortest song in 42 years to reach that milestone. The previous record holder? Dickie Goodman's "Mr. Jaws," recorded in the wake of Steven Spielberg's film. 

Lil Skies pays tribute to Lil Wayne with "Welcome to the Rodeo" video.

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Year: 2018

This one gets double points for double the Lil. Lil Skies is one of 2018's hottest young acts—his debut Life of a Dark Rose mixtape landed him a headlining tour and the industry's full attention. Last month Skies released another video collaboration with Cole Bennett—Skies and Bennett used Weezy's "A Milli" video as a template for "Welcome to the Rodeo," resulting in an excellent homage that proves the power of the Lil will never die.

Lil Yachty vs. Joe Budden

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Year: 2017

​The first year of Everyday Struggle had plenty of amazing moments, but Joe Budden's showdown with Lil Yachty will stand the test of time. The old-heads-versus-mumble-rappers debate was reaching a head, and Joe's boiling frustrations matched with Yachty's zen responses will go down in internet history. 

Lil Xan releases "Betrayed"

lil xan press photo dec 2017

Year: 2018

Latest in Music