NEW YORK — "My name is Kimberly, 'Lil' Kim,' and I am innocent," the headline-grabbing rapper said Monday at a press conference at the Bryant Park Hotel. "Throughout my life and throughout my career, I've been a survivor."

Accompanied by her lawyer Mel Sachs, the Queen Bee spoke out against the judicial system, calling her upcoming trial for perjury and obstruction of justice nothing more than a witch hunt (see "Lil' Kim Pleads Not Guilty, Released On $500,000 Bail").

"This case is part of the government's continued indictment against hip-hop and the hip-hop industry," she fumed. "My innocence will soon be proved. To my fans, friends and loved ones, I want to say thank you. Thank you for believing in me and believing in my innocence."

Kim was indicted in April on charges stemming from her alleged involvement in a 2001 shooting outside the offices of New York radio station Hot 97. Prosecutors claim she lied to investigators and a grand jury by telling them she wasn't present at the time of the shooting and that she didn't know at least one of the suspects involved (see "Lil' Kim Indicted For Lying About Hot 97 Shootout With Capone"). Last month she pleaded innocent in U.S. District Court in New York; her trial is scheduled to begin on February 28.

Sachs said he remained confident that his client would be exonerated, insisting that her original testimony was "extracted out of context and magnified out of proportion." Kim vowed not to let the trial impede her life, personally or professionally, and went on to make a couple of official unveilings.

She announced the creation of an organization called Lil' Kim Cares, which she said will work in conjunction with other charitable organizations to help battered women, runaway children and homeless people. Kim herself was abused, ran away from home and was homeless at different points in her life.

The rapper also showcased a timepiece from her Royalty watch line, which she described as "bold, sexy and sophisticated. Basically everything that I am."

Kim, who was just in Miami recording a new LP with her boyfriend, producer Scott Storch, said she wants her new album to remain true to her roots, but she noted that she also wants to devise a project that'll make a difference in the ever-changing music climate.

"Look for versatility," she advised. "Look for rock, look for R&B, look for hip-hop, look for inspirational points; that's what this industry needs."

Besides Storch, Kim said she's also worked with Timbaland and hopes to secure some tracks from Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes.