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Lil Wayne, Still Hospitalized, Racks Up Gifts and Well-Wishes from Nicki Minaj and Lee Perry

Lil Wayne Medical Scare Health Update Lee Perry Nicki Minaj

On Friday, serious concern for Lil Wayne’s well-being swept the Internet following a series of reports from TMZ. While the breaking story at one point included word that the man born Dwayne Michael Carter, 30, was being read his last rites at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai hospital, the celebrity news hub eventually removed that detail. Nevertheless, they are now reporting that Weezy is still in intensive care recovering from a suspected codeine overdose. 

The Young Money founder suffered bouts with seizures back in October and again early last week before he was apparently found unconscious on the floor of his hotel room Wednesday. TMZ reported that Wayne’s stomach was pumped three times to remove traces of the aforementioned drug, which is found in the sort of cough syrup the rapper has been known to promote and abuse in the past.

Underscoring the graveness of Wayne’s condition, he’s been visited by a series of high profile well-wishers since, including Nicki Minaj, Drake, Birdman, Usher, and even L.A. Clippers star Chris Paul, says the Huffington Post. In a video posted by TMZ, Minaj can be seen carrying balloons — she also reportedly brought him a box of chocolates and cried when she saw him in person. The mood at the hospital has been very serious, according to reports.

Serious enough, in fact, to inspire Jamaican dub legend and acid-addled madman Lee “Scratch” Perry to record a video advising the rap superstar not to “give away your life for shit … cough syrup and all that shit.” The clip seems to be recorded in a hotel room and opens with Perry singing the 1949 song “Enjoy Yourself” with the refrain, “It’s later than you think,” changed to, “It’s greater than you think.” Watch the Upsetter lay down some cold, hard truth:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=vNXKlF6Bg18%3Frel%3D0

Meanwhile, a brand new video from Young Money MC Mack Maine showcases a hale and hearty Lil Wayne. The song is called “Celebrate,” and though it advocates popping bottles, the presence of Black Star rhymer Talib Kweli should indicate a more sober point of view. Indeed, Weezy sing-raps about experiencing “a new day” and maintaining faith during hard times, almost presciently: “Harsh reality is what I’ve been through, but I’m not alone.”

Here’s hoping he can celebrate (in moderation) soon: