Lil’ Kim is taking ‘Hard Core’ somewhere it has never gone before. The Brooklyn rap legend will present “Hard Core Symphony” at Kings Theatre on November 19, transforming her landmark debut album for her first-ever live orchestral performance.

The one-night-only concert will pair Lil’ Kim with Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra, the all-Black ensemble known for combining hip-hop and R&B with strings, horns, woodwinds, piano, DJing and live vocals.

The timing gives the show extra significance. ‘Hard Core’ arrived in 1996, making 2026 the album’s 30th anniversary and turning the Brooklyn performance into a hometown celebration of one of hip-hop’s defining debuts.

Executive produced by The Notorious B.I.G., ‘Hard Core’ established Lil’ Kim as one of rap’s most distinctive voices, pairing explicit lyricism, fearless style and a commanding presence with songs that became fixtures of 1990s hip-hop.

For “Hard Core Symphony,” material including “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix),” “Big Momma Thang,” “Crush on You” and “No Time” will be rebuilt around a full live orchestra.

That alone makes this one of the more fascinating anniversary concerts on the calendar. Hearing Lil’ Kim’s sharp, unmistakable delivery placed against orchestral arrangements should give songs fans have known for decades an entirely different scale and texture.

Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra have spent more than 25 years bringing hip-hop into orchestral spaces. Fronted by husband-and-wife duo Phantom and Phoenix, the ensemble has performed at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Apollo and The Kimmel Center.

The evening is also leaning fully into the grandeur of the concept. Guests are being encouraged to arrive in formal black-tie attire, turning Kings Theatre into a celebration of both the album and Lil’ Kim’s influence on music, fashion and hip-hop culture.

‘Hard Core’ was certified Double Platinum by the RIAA and produced 3 consecutive No. 1 rap singles with “No Time,” “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)” and “Crush on You.” The run made Lil’ Kim the first female rapper to score 3 consecutive No. 1 singles on Billboard’s rap songs chart.

Her success continued with Platinum-certified albums ‘The Notorious K.I.M.’ and ‘La Bella Mafia,’ while “Lady Marmalade,” alongside Christina Aguilera, Pink and Mýa, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2001.

Lil’ Kim’s career has also stretched well beyond records. Her acting credits include ‘She’s All That,’ ‘Zoolander,’ ‘Juwanna Man’ and ‘You Got Served,’ while her television appearances have included ‘Moesha,’ ‘The Game,’ ‘Countdown to Lockdown’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars.’

Brooklyn has remained a major part of that story. She performed at Barclays Center during the Bad Boy Reunion Tour in 2016 and received a New York City proclamation that same year recognizing her contributions to hip-hop.

Produced by GPK Entertainment, “Hard Core Symphony” brings that history home in a format Lil’ Kim has never attempted before: one iconic album, one orchestra and one night at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre.

Tickets for “Hard Core Symphony” on November 19 are on sale now.