How Many Licks?

Mario Winans and Sean Combs produced "How Many Licks?" and wrote it with Lil' Kim and Sisqó, who are credited under their legal names (Kimberly Jones and Mark Andrews).[1] Sisqó wrote the song's hook[2][3] and contributed verses.[4] The vocals were recorded by Dave Wade and Stephen Dent at Daddy's House Recording Studios in New York City and Trans Continental Studios in Orlando, with Ed Raso mixing the audio.[1]

"How Many Licks?" was released as the second single from Lil' Kim's second album, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000),[5] as a 12-inch single and CD single by Atlantic Records and Queen Bee Entertainment.[6][7][8] A remix by American production duo the Neptunes was also made available,[9] with vocals by American singer Kelis and verses by American rappers Lil' Cease and Snoop Dogg.[10] The song's original version was included on several compilations, including the 2001 albums The Source Hip Hop Music Awards 2001,[11] Pure Dance 2001,[12] Hip Hop Soul Party: Episode V,[13] and 2008's 15 of the Best Urban Classics.[14]

"How Many Licks?" is a three-minute and 52-second hip hop song[4][17] that uses a sample from the theme song of the television series Knight Rider (1982–1986).[9] Music critic Simon Reynolds described its composition as "full of Daft Punk-like noises",[15] and an NME writer called it "pornographic funk".[16] Michael Arceneaux of VH1 wrote that the single and other tracks from The Notorious K.I.M. have a "glossier and far more commercial" sound than the rapper's previous releases.[9]

The lyrics of "How Many Licks?" are part of a movement in 1990s hip hop music to express sexuality positively. Sexuality studies professor Thomas A. Foster wrote that Lil' Kim reverses a trend in hip hop music which objectifies women for the male gaze and celebrates male sexuality.[17] In 2007, gender studies scholar Aine McGlynn described "How Many Licks?" as one of the most sexually explicit songs to receive airplay.[18]

The lyrics describe a woman's interest in oral sex, with Preezy of The Boombox calling the song a "sexual anthem".[19] Lyrics include: "Roll some weed with some tissue and close your eyes/ Then imagine your tongue in between my thighs."[20] Lil' Kim raps about having sex with men of various nationalities,[21] spanking one from "down South" and "com[ing] in his mouth".[22] The rapper notes that people masturbate or have sex to her music: "goes out to my niggaz in jail / Beating they dicks to the double X-L."[23] She re-imagines herself as "an image in a magazine, a poster, a character in a gangsta narrative, a luxury item and a bling accessary". Lil' Kim and Sisqó also exchange pick-up lines during the song.[4] The chorus refers to the advertising slogan for Tootsie Pops ("How many licks does it takes to get to the Tootsie Roll centre of a Tootsie Pop?"), and ties sexuality to consumerism according to media studies professor Scott Wilson.[21]

For the track's remix, Lil' Kim associates her rapping abilities with oral sex: "Ya neva seen this stroke of genius / [I] put tha cleanest, meanest lips on ya penis!"[24] She is also noted to popularize the word "gangstress" which she had previously used in "Spend a Little Doe", a track from her 1996 album Hard Core, and a remix of the American trio Intro's 1995 single "Funny How Time Flies".[25] The rapper further introduces herself as "the female Mack".[26]

Some critics compared Nicki Minaj's (pictured in 2017) "Anaconda" (2014) to "How Many Licks?".[27][28]

"How Many Licks?" received primarily positive reviews from music critics following its release and during retrospective reviews. Commentators praised the single for its sexual content.[3][29][30] Michelle Goldberg of Salon wrote that Lil' Kim maintained a focus on her "playfully ripe side" from Hard Core.[29] Noisey's Adria Young referred to its lyrics in 2015 as "some of the rap diva's most raunchy verses to date", citing the song as an example of how Sisqó pushed the envelope of sexuality in popular culture.[3] Brittany Vincent of Billboard noted it as an example of how the rapper was unafraid of exploring sex in her music.[30] An editor for Apple Music included the song on its "Lil' Kim Essentials" playlist, writing that Lil Kim' "more than held her own as an agile and self-possessed MC who pushed hip-hop toward its unalloyed id".[31] However, African-American studies professor Mark Anthony Neal criticized the single for perpetuating the sexual objectification of women. Comparing "How Many Licks?" with American singer Tweet's 2002 song "Oops (Oh My)", Neal wrote that Tweet's focus on masturbation was a better expression of black female sexuality.[32]

The remix of "How Many Licks?" was also praised in retrospective reviews.[9][33] In a 2015 article, Michael Arceneaux of VH1 called it "an under-appreciated gem" and suggested that Lil' Kim record another collaboration with Neptunes member Pharrell Williams in the future.[33] According to Arceneaux, the remix is treated with "great reverence" by fans.[9] Mark Anthony Neal was more critical of the remix due to Fabolous' lyrics ("Oops, there goes my kids on your face"), saying that the addition changed the song's message from "a celebration of autonomous female sexuality" to a "vulgar, demeaning moment of black female objectification".[32]

Some critics compared Nicki Minaj's 2014 single, "Anaconda" to "How Many Licks".[27][28] Alex Kristelis of Bustle noted that both songs focused on men's appreciation of the singer's body.[27] A Khaleej Times writer called "Anaconda" a "blatant copy" of "How Many Licks?", with Minaj's song sharing "the lyrical blue print and theme" of Lil' Kim's.[28] Westword's Cory Lamz wrote that Minaj parodied "How Many Licks?" and its associated visuals in the music video for her 2011 single "Stupid Hoe".[34]

According to Michael Arceneaux, "How Many Licks?" and fellow songs from The Notorious K.I.M. did not fare well on radio.[9] Although media outlets considered it a "hit",[19][35][36] the song was less commercially successful than Lil' Kim's previous releases.[19] It reached several Billboard charts in the United States,[37][38][39] peaking at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 2, 2000 and remaining on the chart for nine weeks.[37] The song also reached number 11 on the Hot Rap Songs chart on December 9, 2000, similarly remaining on that chart for nine weeks.[38] It peaked at number 36 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart that day, remaining on the chart for 20 weeks.[39]

"How Many Licks?" also charted in several other countries.[40][41][42] It peaked at number six on the Dutch Top 40 chart, and remained on the chart for 13 weeks.[40][42] The single reached number seven on the Ultratop chart in the Flanders region of Belgium, also remaining on that chart for 13 weeks.[41][42] It further peaked at number 58 on the German Singles Chart, remaining for eight editions.[42]

Lil' Kim rapped the first verses of "How Many Licks?" during a 2010 event at Irving Plaza. During the performance, she had a wardrobe malfunction and her top almost fell down.[53] She also performed the song in 2012 as part of her Return of the Queen Tour,[36] as well as during a one-night show at the Gramercy Theatre the following year, wearing a red bodysuit and long black hair.[35][54] In 2013, American drag queen Alaska Thunderfuck sang a cover version of "How Many Licks?", which Josh Middleton of Philadelphia praised as "outstanding".[55]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of The Notorious K.I.M..[1]

Recording locations

• Daddy's House Recording Studios (New York City)
• Trans Continental Studios (Orlando)

Personnel

• Mixing – Ed Raso
• Producer – Mario "Yellowman" Winans, Sean "Puffy" Combs
• Recording – Dave Wade, Stephen Dent
• Songwriting – Kimberly Jones, Mario Winans, Sean Combs