Lil Kim

Kimberly Denise Jones (Lil' Kim)
Born:	July 11, 1974 Brooklyn, New York
Charges:	Perjury, Conspiracy
Sentence:	1 year and 1 day
Facility:	FDC Philadelphia
Status:	Released

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974), known professionally as Lil' Kim, is an American rapper, songwriter, and actress who served approximately ten months in federal prison after being convicted of perjury and conspiracy for lying to a federal grand jury about a 2001 shooting outside a New York radio station. A pioneering figure in hip-hop who rose to fame as part of the Junior M.A.F.I.A. collective and achieved multiplatinum success as a solo artist, Lil' Kim was convicted in March 2005 of three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy for providing false testimony to protect her manager and bodyguard, who were present at the shooting. She was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison and fined $50,000, making her one of the first high-profile female rappers to serve a federal prison sentence. Lil' Kim served approximately ten months of her sentence before being released in July 2006 and has since continued her music career.

Summary

Lil' Kim's perjury conviction stemmed from her testimony before a federal grand jury investigating a February 2001 shooting outside Hot 97, a New York radio station. The shooting occurred when members of Lil' Kim's entourage confronted members of the rival rap group Capone-N-Noreaga over a song that contained an insult to Lil' Kim. In the ensuing confrontation, shots were fired and one person was injured. When called before a grand jury to testify about the incident, Lil' Kim denied that her manager Damion Butler and bodyguard Suif Jackson were present at the scene—claims that prosecutors proved false through surveillance footage and other evidence.

The case became a cause célèbre in hip-hop, raising questions about the "stop snitching" code that discouraged cooperation with law enforcement and about the appropriateness of prosecuting someone for protecting associates. While prosecutors argued that perjury undermines the justice system regardless of the underlying circumstances, Lil' Kim's supporters argued that she was being punished for loyalty to her team. The one-year sentence was far below the 20-year maximum she faced but sent a clear message that lying to grand juries carries serious consequences.

Notably, Lil' Kim became one of the first major female rappers to serve a prison sentence, a distinction that generated significant media attention and added to her controversial image. Her time in prison did not end her career; indeed, she released her fourth studio album while incarcerated and returned to performing and recording after her release.

Background

Early Life and Rise to Fame

Kimberly Denise Jones was born on July 11, 1974, in Brooklyn, New York. She had a difficult childhood, with her parents divorcing when she was young and periods of homelessness during her teenage years. She developed her rapping skills and adopted the stage name "Lil' Kim."

In the mid-1990s, Lil' Kim came to prominence as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A., a rap collective assembled by The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace). Her explicit lyrics and provocative image stood out in the male-dominated hip-hop world, and she became one of the group's most visible members.

Solo Career

Following Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s success, Lil' Kim launched her solo career with the 1996 album "Hard Core," which went double platinum and established her as a major force in hip-hop. Known for her sexually explicit lyrics and fashion-forward image, Lil' Kim became one of the best-selling female rappers of all time and influenced numerous subsequent artists.

Subsequent albums "The Notorious K.I.M." (2000) and "La Bella Mafia" (2003) achieved commercial success and solidified her status as a hip-hop icon. However, her career was also marked by feuds with other artists, most notably with rapper Foxy Brown, a rivalry that would indirectly lead to the incident resulting in her perjury conviction.

The Hot 97 Shooting

On February 25, 2001, Lil' Kim and members of her entourage encountered members of the rap group Capone-N-Noreaga outside the studios of Hot 97, a popular New York hip-hop radio station. The confrontation was sparked by "Bang, Bang," a Capone-N-Noreaga song that contained disparaging lyrics about Lil' Kim from rival Foxy Brown.

The encounter escalated into violence, with shots fired that injured one person. Law enforcement investigated the shooting, and a federal grand jury was convened to hear testimony about what happened.

Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing

Grand Jury Testimony

When called to testify before the federal grand jury investigating the shooting, Lil' Kim denied that her manager Damion Butler and bodyguard Suif Jackson were present at the scene. This testimony was false—surveillance footage from the radio station showed both men clearly present during the confrontation. Prosecutors alleged that Lil' Kim lied to protect her associates from prosecution.

Butler and Jackson were eventually charged in connection with the shooting. The false testimony Lil' Kim provided formed the basis for perjury charges against her.

Trial and Conviction

Lil' Kim was charged with perjury and conspiracy for her false grand jury testimony. She pleaded not guilty and proceeded to trial in federal court in Manhattan. In March 2005, a jury convicted her of three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy. She was acquitted of one count of obstruction of justice.

The conviction made Lil' Kim one of the most prominent hip-hop figures to be convicted of a federal crime related to the "stop snitching" culture that discouraged cooperation with law enforcement.

Sentencing

On July 6, 2005, Lil' Kim was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison and fined $50,000. The sentence was far below the 20-year maximum she faced and below the nearly three-year sentence that prosecutors had requested. The judge took into account Lil' Kim's lack of prior criminal record and her charitable activities, while emphasizing the seriousness of lying to a grand jury.

The sentence of one year and one day rather than exactly one year was significant: under federal law, sentences of more than one year make inmates eligible for "good time" credit that can reduce the actual time served by approximately 15%.

Prison Experience

Lil' Kim reported to the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia on September 19, 2005, to begin serving her sentence. She was one of the first high-profile female rappers to serve a prison sentence, a distinction that generated substantial media coverage.

During her incarceration, Lil' Kim's fourth studio album, "The Naked Truth," was released. The album received positive critical reviews and demonstrated that her career could continue despite her imprisonment. Additionally, BET premiered a reality series, "Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown," which had been filmed before she reported to prison. The show became the highest-rated premiere in BET history at that time, averaging 1.9 million viewers.

Lil' Kim served approximately ten months of her sentence, benefiting from the good time credit available for sentences exceeding one year. She was released from federal custody on July 3, 2006.

Post-Release Career

Following her release, Lil' Kim resumed her music career and continued to perform and record. While she never achieved the commercial heights of her late 1990s and early 2000s peak, she maintained a dedicated fanbase and continued to influence hip-hop culture. She has released additional music, appeared on reality television, and remained a visible figure in the entertainment industry.

Lil' Kim's prison experience became part of her public narrative—evidence of her loyalty to her team and her willingness to accept consequences rather than cooperate with prosecutors against associates. This framing resonated with hip-hop culture's emphasis on loyalty, though critics noted that perjury is a serious crime that undermines the justice system.

Public Statements and Positions

Throughout her prosecution and afterward, Lil' Kim maintained that she did not intend to obstruct justice and that her testimony reflected her genuine recollection of events. Her supporters characterized her conviction as punishment for loyalty rather than for any underlying criminal conduct.

On the "stop snitching" culture in hip-hop, Lil' Kim's case became a prominent example of the tensions between street codes that discourage cooperation with law enforcement and the legal obligations to testify truthfully when compelled to do so.

Since her release, Lil' Kim has occasionally discussed her prison experience in interviews and has used it as evidence of her resilience and authenticity as an artist who has faced real consequences for her choices.

Terminology

• Perjury: The crime of lying under oath, whether before a grand jury, in court, or in other official proceedings.

• Conspiracy: An agreement between two or more people to commit a crime or accomplish a legal goal through illegal means.

• Grand Jury: A group of citizens who hear evidence presented by prosecutors and decide whether to issue indictments charging individuals with crimes.

• Good Time Credit: Reduction in a prison sentence for good behavior, available under federal law for sentences exceeding one year.

See also

• Fat Joe
• Ja Rule
• Prison Consultants

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Lil' Kim go to prison?

Lil' Kim was convicted of perjury and conspiracy for lying to a federal grand jury about a 2001 shooting outside Hot 97 radio station.

Q: How long was Lil' Kim's sentence?

Lil' Kim was sentenced to 1 year and 1 day in federal prison and served approximately 10 months.

Q: Where did Lil' Kim serve her sentence?

Lil' Kim served her sentence at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia.

Q: What did Lil' Kim lie about?

She denied that her manager and bodyguard were present at a shooting, claims disproved by surveillance footage.

Q: Did Lil' Kim continue her career after prison?

Yes, Lil' Kim has continued her music and entertainment career after serving her sentence.