Rapper Lil Wayne is today recovering in a Los Angeles hospital after suffering a seizure which, according to gossip website TMZ, left him close to death and in a medically-induced coma.
According to various reports online this afternoon, the thirty-year-old rapper was admitted to Cedars-Sinai hospital in L.A. earlier this week after suffering numerous seizures. He was released the following day but soon afterwards was found unconscious by one of his bodyguards. The rapper, real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was again rushed to hospital - but his condition didn't improve. His condition was described last night as 'unstable' and he is said to have been breathing through tubes. It was even reported that Wayne was to receive the last rites - a statement denied by Wayne’s camp.
TMZ alleges that the Lil Wayne went on a cough syrup binge on Wednesday and that hugely elevated levels of codeine were found in his system, forcing doctors to pump his stomach three times to rid the drug from his system.
Lil Wayne’s friends and management have been quick to dampen this story, claiming that while Wayne is being treated for a seizure - which he has suffered from previously - reports of his life being in danger are off the mark.
Rapper Mack Maine, a friend of Wayne's, tweeted: "Wayne is alive and well! We watching the Syracuse game…thanks for the prayers and concern. He will update you all soon."
Shortly afterwards, a tweet on Lil Wayne's official account read: "I'm good everybody. Thx for the prayers and love", but TMZ suggests that this was written by a member of Wayne's entourage.
All official statements from Lil Wayne's management, label and friends maintain that the rapper is in good health.
Lil Wayne is one of the biggest stars in the world of hip hop. He signed a record deal at the age of 9 and has released 9 albums to date. Earlier this month he cancelled a concert in Dublin's O2 on just a few days' notice, citing recording commitments.
