Lil Wayne is near death from a possible codeine overdose — the rapper is in an induced coma and on life support at a Los Angeles–area hospital.
The rapper spent time in the ICU due to seizures.
Lil Wayne is near death. As this story goes to press, Lil Wayne — real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. — was reportedly being read his last rites with his family saying their goodbyes at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California, according to TMZ.
The website reports Lil Wayne is in critical condition after suffering several seizures. He was placed in an induced coma earlier this week after being admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, when he collapsed during the shooting of Nicki Minaj‘s music video for the song “High School.”
Lil Wayne misses deposition due to seizures >>
Sources for TMZ say Lil Wayne might have suffered from a codeine overdose after the rapper went on what’s known as a “sizzurp” binge. Lil Wayne’s stomach was reportedly pumped three times after “doctors found high amounts of codeine in his system,” says TMZ. Codeine is a narcotic used to treat pain and coughs. It can cause dizziness, shortness of breath and lightheadedness and is also classified as an opiate.
Lil Wayne has acknowledged his use of codeine in multiple rap songs, including “We Takin’ Over” with the lyrics “I like my Sprite Easter-pink,” which refers to mixing cough syrup with a soda like Sprite or Mountain Dew. Lil Wayne also discusses codeine use in “Duffle Bag Boy,” in which he raps, “Weed and syrup until I die.”
October 2012: Lil Wayne hospitalized in Texas >>
In 2008, MTV said Lil Wayne publicly discussed his use of codeine, explaining to a New Jersey concert audience that “sipping syrup” was cultural.
“I’ve been criticized for the things I chose and things I’ve chosen to do,” said Lil Wayne at the concert. Although the article does not quote Lil Wayne directly referencing his drug use. MTV went on to say Lil Wayne finds it difficult to stay off codeine.
“Do you history, do your research,” said Lil Wayne. “It ain’t that easy — feels like death in your stomach when you stop doing that sh**. You gotta learn how to stop, you gotta go through detox…”
In 2012, Lil Wayne was hospitalized in Texas for dehydration and a severe migraine, though some speculated it was actually for a seizure. TMZ later reported that Lil Wayne had reported to a judge that he could not make a scheduled deposition due to suffering from “several seizure-like episodes.”
TMZ reports Lil Wayne’s mother is currently on a plane to Los Angeles so she can decide whether or not life support should be discontinued.
We wish the best for Lil Wayne and his family during this difficult time.
Update: There are currently conflicting reports as to the condition of Lil Wayne. TMZ stands by its report and says Lil Wayne is stabilizing but his “prognosis is uncertain.” TMZ does not specify its sources of information regarding Lil Wayne’s condition or his possible overdose.
About an hour ago, Lil Wayne’s Twitter account was updated: “I’m good everybody. Thx for the prayers and love.” CNN reports Mack Maine, the president of Lil Wayne’s music label Young Money, tweeted the TMZ report was untrue: “Don’t believe the nonsense about comas and tubes to breathe… that’s false.”
We will update this story as it develops.
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