Any angry young rapper will tell you nothing spoils the party quite like jail time.

And when you're Lil' Kim, that means speaking up --something she was apparently unable to do in court.

The Naked Truth, as the title implies, spreads Lil' Kim's version of her story over 16 tracks (plus links), with the occasional tangent in the form of discussions of the nature, value and accomplishments of a part of the rapper's anatomy best expressed by the song title Kitty Box.

(Such diversions, incidentally, do not necessarily weaken Kim's arguments, which are built on some vivid depictions of the fate of African-Americans within "the System.")

Kim's raps are suitably powerful and sincere, particularly on the soulful Slippin' -- a song that begins with the declaration "No more Ms Nice Bitch!" and decries how "Words [can be] misconstrued and used against you."

Musically, the album succeeds best when taking chances, as on the reggae-fueled Durty and the claustrophobic-but-fascinating psychedelic track Get Yours.

Lyrically, well, the faithful will hear the words of a victim; others a whiner. Lil' Kim may well be both.

Track Listing:

1. Intro - Lil' Kim
2. Spell Check - Lil' Kim
3. Lighters Up - Lil' Kim
4. Shut Up Bitch (Intro)
5. Shut Up Bitch
6. Whoa - Lil' Kim
7. Slippin
8. Answering Machine Skit 1
9. All Good - Lil' Kim
10. I Know You See Me
11. W.P.I.M.P. - Lil' Kim
12. Quiet
13. Durty - Lil' Kim
14. Answering Machine Skit 2
15. We Don't Give a Fuck
16. Gimme That - Lil' Kim
17. Kitty Box
18. Kronik - Lil' Kim
19. Winners and Losers
20. Get Yours
21. Last Day