Dear Superstar: Lil' Kim

“I remember Puffy told me years ago I work really well under pressure,” says hip-hop scandal magnet Lil’ Kim, plumped on a sofa in a Manhattan studio complex. “I work really well when I have a lot on my mind.”

If that’s the case, then the onetime protégée and girlfriend of late rap icon Biggie Smalls must have been working extremely well of late. For, just a couple of weeks from now, the 30-year-old—real name Kimberly Jones—is due to exchange her designer duds for a prison uniform and begin serving a 366-day jail term for perjury and conspiracy. That conviction resulted from false testimony she gave to a grand jury about an incident in which members of her entourage fired on rap rivals Capone-N-Noreaga outside the New York radio station Hot 97 in February 2001.

Today, Kim is, unsurprisingly, not super-enthusiastic to discuss her trial or her forthcoming incarceration. She also largely demurs on the subject of her fondness for plastic surgery—although the rapper’s bra-and-barely-there-shirt outfit does nothing to conceal ample evidence of that particular penchant. Such coyness is less evident on Kim’s new album, Naked Truth, and, in particular, the single “Shut Up,” which finds her answering a Greek chorus of Lil’-haters (“I heard she dead broke!” “I heard she sniffin’ coke!” “Why’s she got bigger tits?”) with the instruction that they should indeed shut up (“bitch!”).

“I don’t know why people spread rumors about me,” sighs Kim. “That’s a question no one can answer. I’m just fabulous.”

And, for most of the Blender inquisition, she is just that—both in answering your questions and giving thanks for the many messages of support that arrived with them.

“Until the day I die, my fans will always be in my heart,” she says. “No matter what I do.”

Who would you most like to shut up?
Lilsguy79, St. Paul, MN
There’s no specific person. Whoever’s talking mess—just shut up! Even if I don’t know them, even if they’re not even talking about me, if I hear you talking about somebody else, and you don’t know what you’re talking about, just shut up! [Nods at Blender.] They could be talking about you! Next time someone’s talking about you, tell them, shut up, bitch!

Is life harder now that you’re famous or was it harder growing up in Brooklyn?
Jryan03us, Pasadena, CA
It seems like it’s harder now. ’Cuz, you know … I was born and raised in Brooklyn, so I adapted to that environment and I learned how to survive. I learned how to be comfortable in it. And I love Brooklyn. The things that we used to do when we were young—we had fun. There wasn’t a care or a worry in the world. Now …

How has your family been holding up under the pressure of all your troubles?
Mana733, New York City
Everyone’s great. Very supportive. My mom’s been very supportive. We live together, you know. Next to God, she’s my best friend.

Do you think your style has influenced other female rappers?
Cass7120, Reno, NV
Of course! Every time I turn on the television I see a piece of me in someone’s video. Whether it’s the old Kim or the new Kim, I think everyone always incorporates Lil’ Kim somehow, someway, into their style. I feel good about it.

What’s your favorite possession?
Hardknockgurl80, Albany, NY
My Bentley. I love cars. I’m a great driver. My father was a bus driver.

You can hear Lil' Kim answer more of your questions in the October issue of Blender—on newsstands now!