Thug Life Army

Back on March 17^th, hip-hop’s “Queen Bee’, female rap artist Lil’ Kim was convicted of three counts of perjury and one of conspiracy, but was acquitted of obstruction of justice charges. This Friday, June 24^th brings her sentencing.

The charges and conviction stemmed from the rap artists testimony surrounding a shootout outside a New York radio station WQHT, or better known as Hot 97, in 2001.

The NY female rapper’s entourage crossed paths with a rival rap group, Capone-N-Noreaga. Kim's entourage confronted them about the song "Bang, Bang" from a Capone-N-Noreaga album, which contained a cutting diss towards Lil’ Kim from her longtime rival, the beautiful female rap artist Foxy Brown. A shootout erupted, leaving one man injured and more than two dozen bullets fired.

Lil’ Kim, former associate and gal pal of the late NY rap artist Notorious B.I.G., had testified that she didn''t notice two close associates at the scene of the 2001 gun battle. Kim’s manager, Damion Butler, and Suif "Gutta" Jackson have since pleaded guilty to gun charges.

Her sentencing is scheduled for this Friday June 24^th. She could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years; which would make the 4-foot-11 inch  rap artist, Lil'' Kim born Kimberly Jones, close to 50 years old when she is released; if she were to get the maximum sentence.

Lil'' Kim's co-defendant, her friend Monique Dopwell, was convicted of one count of conspiracy and two counts of perjury and was acquitted of obstruction of justice.

The bad press that hip-hop violence has gotten lately over violent acts has set a stage for a stiff sentence, to send a message that these kinds of activities are not going to be tolerated.

Recent hip-hop violence has caught many headlines: from another shooting outside Hot 97 recently; involving Game and 50 cents people to the murders of rappers in Kansas.

Friday will show how serious the governments stand is on hip-hop violence and those who are either involved or try to cover it up.

Friday will be a ‘landmark’ day for hip-hop. Unlike other celebrities that seem to beat the odds at trial, Lil’ Kim could not and the sentence she is handed will make a statement to the hip-hop community.