Thug Life Army

Female hip-hop rap artist Lil'' Kim has issued a set of guidelines to fans writing letters of support ahead of her sentencing for lying to a grand jury, noting many already submitted are more likely to appall rather than persuade the judge.

The so-called Queen Bee of hip hop faces a maximum of 20 years in jail after a jury found her guilty of trying to cover up for two members of her entourage involved in a 2001 shoot-up outside of New York’s Hot 97 radio station. Many of the letters of support that have poured in since her conviction have been laden with expletives.

The guidelines on Lil’ Kim’s Web site call on fans to be respectful of Judge Gerard Lynch and the criminal justice system. They also ask fans to refrain from drawing comparisons to Martha Stewart. The lifestyle guru, currently serving five months of house arrest, also welcomed letters of support ahead of her trial.

"Any comparison with Martha Stewart or to anyone else may not be accurate, or could be misinterpreted," Mel Sachs, Lil'' Kim's lawyer, said in an interview.

The female hip-hop rap diva, whose legal name is Kimberly Jones, is known for her raunchy lyrics. "We have received a large number of letters so far and we thank you for your support," say her handlers in a Website note. The guidelines admonish fans not to give their opinion of an appropriate sentence.

A Grammy winner, Lil'' Kim reportedly turned down a pre-trial plea deal that would have seen her serve three and a half years in prison. She will be sentenced June 24th. A jury convicted her on three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy to commit perjury, but acquitted her on one count of obstructing justice during the grand jury investigation.