Return of the Queen Tour

Return Of The Queen Tour is a headlining tour by American rapper Lil' Kim. The tour, her first since 2010, was launched in support of her promotional singles and to mark her return to the music scene. The tour was first announced in April, 2012.[1] In May, 2012, it was announced that Kim would return to South Africa for 3 dates starting in September.[2] It would mark her second time performing there following her 2011 performance at ZARfest. However, in July, 2012, the company responsible for organising the shows, Hunnypot Entertainment, announced that the dates had been cancelled.[3]

Return Of The Queen Tour
Tour by Lil' Kim
Tour poster that was featured at Emo's
Associated albumBlack Friday
Start dateMay 17, 2012
End dateSeptember 21, 2012
Legs1
No. of shows22
Lil' Kim concert chronology

In total the tour had 22 shows around North America and grossed over $6 million.[4]

Background

After the release of her first promotional single, "If You Love Me" in February, 2012, Kim returned to the spotlight with a performance on Rip the Runway, as well as appearances on MTV's RapFix and Sucka Free.[5][6] On April 22, the first 11 dates of the tour were announced, with the remaining dates added the following month. She announced the tour via Twitter, saying "#TeamLilKim I can't stay on long. Got 2 get back 2 the Studio. Love U guys & can't wait to see U on the Tour !!!!" [7]

The tour bus Kim used was designed, printed & installed in less than 30 hours.

Opening Acts & Special Guests

Setlist

Although an official setlist for the show was never released, songs performed on the tour included

  1. "Queen Bitch"
  2. "Black Friday"
  3. "Not Tonight (Remix)"
  4. "The Jump Off" / "Mo Money Mo Problems"
  5. "How Many Licks?"
  6. "Get Money" / "Gettin' Money (The Get Money Remix)"
  7. "It's All About the Benjamins"
  8. "Quiet Storm (Remix)"
  9. "Lighters Up"
  10. "Let It Go"
  11. "Big Momma Thang"
  12. "Magic Stick"
  13. "Empire State of Mind"
  14. "Not Tonight"
  15. "Crush On You"
  16. "Lady Marmalade"
  17. "Keys To The City"
  18. "Whoa"

Special performances
  • During the May 18th show at Paradise Theater, Kim brought out Drita D'Avanzo from the show Mob Wives, who rapped Kims verse from "It's All About the Benjamins". Kim also danced alongside Will Traxxx as he performed "Footwork" and brought out Eve and Missy Elliott who performed "Hot Boyz".
  • During the May 25th show at Club Adrianna's, Kim brought out Shawnna who performed "Gettin' Some".
  • During the May 27th show in Milwaukee, Kim paid tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., whose birthday was earlier that month, by performing his song "One More Chance". She also paid tribute to Lisa Lopes, whose birthday was that day, by playing her verse during the performance of the "Not Tonight" remix.
  • After the June 8th performance at LA Pride, Kim was awarded the Key to the City of Los Angeles by West Hollywood Mayor, Jeffrey Prang.
  • During the June 13th show at Key Club, Da Brat joined Kim on stage for the Not Tonight (Remix). Kim also brought out The Lady of Rage who performed her song Afro Puffs with Kim. She also brought out hip hop group City High who performed "What Would You Do?". Kim also paid tribute to Michael Jackson, performing the dance routines to his songs "Bad" and "Billie Jean". She also brought out Kurupt who performed "Xxplosive".

Tour dates
The tour bus Lil' Kim used during the tour.
Date City Country Venue
May 17, 2012 New Haven United States Toad's Place
May 18, 2012 The Bronx Paradise Theater
May 19, 2012 Albany Northern Lights
May 22, 2012 Burlington Higher Ground (Ballroom)
May 25, 2012 Markham Club Adrianna's
May 26, 2012 Columbus Alrosa Villa
May 27, 2012 Milwaukee Riverside Theater
May 29, 2012 Minneapolis Fine Line Music Cafe
June 1, 2012 Cincinnati Bogart's
June 4, 2012 Lincoln Bourbon Theatre
June 8, 2012 Los Angeles The Factory & ULTRA SUEDE
June 9, 2012 LA Pride
June 11, 2012 San Francisco Mezzanine
June 13, 2012 Los Angeles Key Club
June 14, 2012 San Luis Obispo Slo Brewing Company
June 15, 2012 Phoenix Celebrity Theatre
June 17, 2012 Flagstaff Orpheum Theater
June 19, 2012 Austin Emo's East
June 20, 2012 Pensacola Vinyl Music Hall
June 21, 2012 New Orleans Harrah's Casino
June 23, 2012 Kansas City Harrah's Casino
September 21, 2012 Washington, D.C. Love
Cancellations and rescheduled shows
  • May 13, Pensacola show at Vinyl Musical Hall was changed to June 20.
  • May 17, Austin show at Emo's was moved to June 19.
  • June 2, Detroit show at The Fillmore was canceled.
  • June 8, Agoura Hills show was canceled due to fire hazards.
  • June 16, Las Vegas show at Planet Hollywood was canceled.
  • June 22, Hammond show at Horseshoe Hammond was canceled.
  • June 24, Washington, D.C. show at Ibiza's Nightclub was canceled and changed to September 21 at Love Nightclub.
  • September, 6th-8th shows in South Africa were canceled.

Reception

Critical response

The tour received positive reviews.

Billboard gave positive review for the second show of the tour, stating "As one of her few hometown shows since a sparsely attended gig at Irving Plaza in June 2010, Lil' Kim proved that she can still sting" though noted "Despite several awkward pauses where she vanished backstage, the Brooklyn native carried the show, working the enraptured audience with a live band in tow." [8] Rashaud Thomas of NBC New York praised the tour, commenting "From the minute she took the stage, the Queens Bee had her court in a trance, rapping along to every one of her hits... After last night’s performance it’s safe to say she’s on the right track." [9]

MTV also gave a good review about the show, saying "Female MCs, take note: The Queen wants her throne back." [10] The Source also wrote an article, saying "Putting to rest the thought that women in Hip-Hop just can't get along, Kim confirmed that she's already got a record in the bag with Eve and Missy and is still working on her documentary and book."[11] Bene Viera from VH1 praised Kim's performance, commenting "The pint-sized beauty’s performance proved one thing–not that anything needed proving–a legend is a legend. The Queen Bee’s return has arrived, and the fans haven’t gone anywhere. Bow down to the throne."[12] while Ernest Hardy of the Los Angeles Times added "[...] the thing that really girds Kim’s voice and persona is a genuine sweetness that humanizes a steely persona."[13]

References
  1. "Lil' Kim Announces 'Return of the Queen' Tour". Rap-Up. 2012-04-22. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  2. "Lil' Kim Set To Perform in SA in September". Rolling Stone. 2012-05-29. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  3. "Lil' Kim cancelled". Hunnypot Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 27, 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-12.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. "The Startling Evolution Of Lil' Kim". Retrieved August 8, 2017. The tour had 22 shows around North America and grossed $6 million.
  5. "Lil' Kim Performs Medley on 'Rip the Runway'". Rap-Up.com. 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  6. "Lil Kim And French Montana Stop By 'RapFix Live'". Rapfix.mtv.com. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  7. April 26, 2012 - Lil' Kim Twitter
  8. "Lil Kim Brings Out Missy Elliott, Eve For NYC Show". Billboard.com. 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  9. Thomas, Rashaud (2012-05-22). "Lil' Kim Returns to Reclaim Her Crown". NBC New York. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  10. "Lil Kim Taps Missy Elliott, Eve For Ladies' Night On 'Return Of The Queen' Tour". Rapfix.mtv.com. 2012-05-19. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  11. "Lil Kim's "Return of the Queen" Tour Touches Down In NYC". The Source. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  12. "CONCERT REVIEW: Lil Kim Brings Out Eve And Missy As She Reclaims Her Throne At Paradise Theater – VH1 Tuner". Vh1.com. 2012-05-21. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
  13. "Live: Lil Kim good, not quite great at Key Club". LA Times blog. 2012-06-14. Retrieved 2012-06-28.
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