Rap diva facing prison for perjury
Rap diva Lil’ Kim is facing a long prison sentenced after being convicted in New York of lying to a federal grand jury to protect friends who were involved in a shoot-out outside a radio station.
She was convicted of three counts of perjury and one of conspiracy, but acquitted of obstruction of justice.
She could be jailed for a maximum of five years for each count at her June 24 sentencing.
The former sidekick and mistress of the late Notorious B.I.G., known for her revealing outfits and raunchy raps, testified that she didn’t notice two close friends at the scene of the 2001 gun battle – her manager, Damion Butler, and Suif “Gutta” Jackson. Both men have since pleaded guilty to gun charges.
The jury saw radio station security photos showing Butler opening a door for Lil’ Kim. And witnesses testified that Butler and Jackson were at the station with her.
Lil’ Kim and her assistant, who also was convicted, shook their heads as the verdicts were delivered, and supporters broke out in sobs.
While many rappers have gone to prison, Lil’ Kim, 29, would be the first big-name female to go to jail.
Asked outside court whether she had any comment, Lil’ Kim, wearing a beige trouser suit and a pink jacket, shook her head and said no. “We love you,” a bystander shouted.
She later issued a statement saying she was ”disappointed” in the verdict. “However, I was acquitted of the most serious charge, obstruction of justice,” she said. “Throughout my life, I have always lived with adversity and will continue to have faith and do good for my family, friends and fans.”
She has an album scheduled for release later this year.
The shoot-out occurred outside radio station Hot 97, when Lil’ Kim’s entourage crossed paths with a rival rap group, Capone-N-Noreaga.
Kim’s entourage confronted them about a song which contained a scathing insult to Kim from her long-time rival, Foxy Brown. A shoot-out erupted, leaving one man injured and more than two dozen rounds fired.
Lil’ Kim developed into one of the few female rappers with a commercially viable career. As plastic surgery slowly transformed her from cute around-the-way girl to glam, top-heavy pinup, she morphed into a sexy fashionista who, for some, exemplified female empowerment.
She won a Grammy in 2001 for her part in the hit remake of Lady Marmalade. Now she’s probably headed to prison, adding a chapter to a remarkable life that already has produced an accredited Syracuse University course titled The Life and Times of Lil’ Kim.
