Lil Wayne is “alive and well” but did suffer a seizure, the rapper’s friend and record label rep said on Friday, March 15, following a report about a health scare that spurred panic and prayers among fans on Twitter.
A message posted on Lil Wayne’s official Twitter page that afternoon read: “I’m good everybody. Thx for the prayers and love.”
Twitter exploded with concerned Tweets earlier in the day after TMZ reported that the rapper was hospitalized in Los Angeles after reportedly suffering several seizures and was placed in an induced coma in the ICU. Fellow hip hop artist Mack Maine, Lil Wayne’s childhood friend and president of Young Money Entertainment, responded on Twitter, saying: “Wayne is alive and well!. We watching the Syracuse game…thanks for the prayers and concern..he will update you all soon. #love”
He added: Dont believe the nonsense about comas and tubes to breathe…that’s false!!”
Sarah Cunningham, rep for Lil Wayne’s record label Young Money Entertainment, told CNN that the hip hop star suffered a seizure and “is recovering,” without elaborating. The rapper’s rep, Kia Selby added that “Lil Wayne is doing well” and denied reports he was in a medically-induced coma
TMZ had reported at 5:16 p.m. PT (8:16 p.m. ET) that “We’re told Wayne is being given his last rites … with his family surrounding him to say their goodbyes.” The sentence was later changed to: “Wayne’s mother is currently on a plane flying to Los Angeles — and we’re told all major decisions about Wayne’s health (including the decision to discontinue life support) will not be made until she arrives.”
TMZ then added that the rapper is “still in critical condition in the ICU … but stabilizing,” adding: “We’re told the prognosis is uncertain. Wayne is sleeping right now … which is odd, because he just tweeted saying he’s OK and thanking people for the prayers and love.”
“#PrayForWheezy”
Mack Maine also responded directly to TMZ on Twitter. By that time, the phrase “#PrayForWeezy” was trending and scores of users expressed concern about the rapper’s health.
“@TMZ it’s certain [expletive] you should not talk about or play with if u don’t kno what u talking bout….don’t deceive the fans or the people,” he said. “@TMZ and definitely don’t try to kill a man before his time..”
Lil Wayne’s mentor, rapper Birdman, also responded to the TMZ report, Tweeting: “My son is in good spirit..feelin much betta…be home soon.YMCMB. [Young Money Cash Money Billionaires]”
The news comes less than two weeks before the March 26 release of Lil Wayne’s 10th studio album, “I Am Not a Human Being II.” Birdman has been promoting it on Twitter.
Lil Wayne had also been hospitalized in October 2012 for seizure-like symptons and was put on seizure medication, MTV News reported. He canceled a promotional appearance due to illness and was put on bed rest at home.