Lil' Kim hails role model 'The Notorious B.I.G'

Rap beauty Lil' Kim credits late lover The Notorious B.I.G. as being her central "role model" who taught her "a lot of things".

The 29-year-old singer - who is currently facing a trial on charges of perjury - had an on/off relationship with the rapper, who was killed in 1997.

And she still draws strength from the wise advice the Notorious B.I.G. gave her throughout their romance.

Lil' Kim says: "The Notorious B.I.G. was definitely my role model. He taught me a lot of things.

"He taught me how to deal with the people in the industry, and he taught me how to deal with being a celebrity in this industry.

"Russell Simmons is a role model to me. Puff Daddy (Sean 'P.Diddy' Combs) is a role model to me."