Lil' Kim could be called a lot of names, but none could capture the essence of the solider that she is.

Born Kimberly Jones, the Brooklyn native and rapper has faced much adversity in recent months. After being snitched on by a former member of her crew, she received a guilty verdict to perjury and was sentenced to a year and three days in a federal penitentiary with three years probation.

Lil' Kim has seen hard times from the beginning and expresses this in her fourth album, 'The Naked Truth,' which came out last month.

Lil' Kim has faced criticism since the release of her first CD, 'Hardcore,' when critics said Biggie Smalls wrote her rhymes and that's why she sounded so hard.

Fans of Lil' Kim know, however, that she would go on to prove critics wrong with both her second and third albums, 'The Notorious K.I.M,' and 'La Bella Mafia.'

'The Naked Truth,' however, showcases her talent to its fullest extent. She has been referenced by top hip hop magazine, The Source, giving her an unprecedented five-mic rating (an honor given to rappers), making her the first female emcee to ever receive such a rating. For all the non rap fans out there, there are male rappers in the game that have never received the same accolades.

'The Naked Truth' has a flavor for everyone. Each joint on the album has versatile, creative beats by the best producers including Scott Storch, 7, Hot Runner and Jonathan 'J.R' Rotem, to name a few.

She takes chances and dares to be original with club hits that people could dance to ('Gimme That' and 'Kitty Box'), some down-south flavor ('We don't give a F***' featuring some Chi-town flavor by Twista) and commercial hits that can cross onto the pop/rap charts (the catchy anthem, 'Lighters Up').

Tracks like 'Durty,' have street appeal attributing the Jamaican influence. 'Last Day,' which chronicles her spirit of endurance: 'Some came and went but your girl is ever-lasting/Til' the day I'm gasping ' And I'm, reunited with Big, like n**** what happened'?

The track 'All Good,' sample's Biggie's 'It's All Good.' Here she states her gratitude for what her recent ordeals have made her; stating 'everything these haters do just to degrade ya / only made me strong/I say thanks for the favor.'

Finally, the essence of the album can be seen on the track 'Quiet.' This track is hot because of the cameo appearance of controversial emcee, The Game. It fires shots back at her old crew, stating, 'It's the ones that befriend you that turn up against you / In the court of law and drop a dime like sprint do.'

Lil' Kim wouldn't be Kim today without Biggie Smalls, so of course, like any loyal girl, she pays homage to the late great, Frank White (Biggie Smalls). It's evident that despite the murder of Biggie eight years ago, his presence and his spirit still endures in Lil' Kim.

She sprung from the streets and lived her life according to that code; she is now doing time for that code. However, ultimately the general public will give her undoubtedly the most honorable thing one can receive in the streets, and that's respect.

Hate her or love her, Lil' Kim keeps it realer than most male emcee's in the game today. I say stay up baby girl, do your time, and when you get out drop that hotness, as usual!