Rapper Lil' Kim reports to jail
Rapper Lil’ Kim has begun serving a 366-day prison sentence for her conviction on charges stemming from a 2001 shootout outside a New York City radio station.
The 30-year-old star, whose real name is Kimberly Jones, was whisked into the Philadelphia detention centre past a throng of media, fans and passers-by last night.
Earlier, she issued a statement saying she had ”unfortunately” been assigned to the concrete, high-rise Philadelphia centre instead of to a prison camp “as discussed”.
She added: “I am not certain that this constitutes fair and equal treatment.”
Her lawyer, Londell McMillan, said a celebrity like Lil’ Kim could be in danger in the detention centre.
“Why should a female hip-hop artist have to spend time in an urban concrete jungle while other female prisoners are assigned to rural, suburban-type prison camps?” said McMillan, adding that he would seek to have his client reassigned.
The 4ft 11in rapper was convicted of lying about the gun battle to a federal grand jury and in the subsequent trial.
Her mother, brother and lawyer were allowed to accompany her briefly into the detention centre to say goodbye, McMillan said.
“She was upbeat, smiling,” he said. “She told her mom not to cry and to stay strong.”
“Today begins a new saga in my life which I expect to strengthen me and allow me time for reflection,” Lil’ Kim said in her statement. “I plan to write music while in prison, read and pray regularly and will come out a stronger, more confident woman.”
The gunfight erupted outside WQHT-FM, known as Hot 97, in Manhattan when Lil’ Kim’s entourage crossed paths with a rival rap group, Capone-N-Noreaga.
Lil’ Kim’s group confronted the others about the Capone-N-Noreaga song Bang, Bang, which contained an insult to Lil’ Kim from rival Foxy Brown. One man was hurt in the shootout that followed.
Before the grand jury and at the trial, the rapper claimed she did not notice two of her close friends at the scene of the shootout – her manager, Damion Butler, and Suif Jackson. Both have pleaded guilty to gun charges.
Jurors at Lil’ Kim’s trial saw radio station security photos that depicted Butler opening a door for the rap star, and two witnesses who once made records with Lil’ Kim said they saw her at the station with Butler and Jackson. She was convicted of perjury and conspiracy.
Lil’ Kim’s fourth album, The Naked Truth, is due out next week. She won a Grammy in 2001 for her part in the hit remake of Lady Marmalade.
