Rapper Lil Wayne to Turn Himself Over to Authorities Monday to Begin One-Year Prison Sentence

Rapper Lil Wayne, 27, who's real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., is expected to turn himself in to authorities Monday to begin a one-year prison sentence at Rikers Island following a 2007 arrest in New York City on gun charges. Lil Wayne had been expected to turn himself in Tuesday, however, a fire in the courthouse basement caused sentencing to be delayed. TMZ says the judge in the case decided to push back Wayne's sentencing so repairs could be made.

According to MTV, Judge Charles H. Solomon in Manhattan will sentence Lil Wayne. Sentencing was postponed last month due to the rapper getting some dental work done - seems he had his diamond teeth replaced with something cheaper before he heads off to prison.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the hip-hop star said not to worry about him while he's behind bars. However, his attorney, Stacy Richman, is seeking protective custody for Lil Wayne due to concerns for his safety.

"If Lil Wayne had his druthers, he would not be asking for anything for himself," Richmond said.

In July 2007 following a concert in Manhattan, police found a .40-caliber semiautomatic gun on the Grammy award-winning rappers tour bus. Lil Wayne plead guilty of attempted criminal possession of a weapon in October 2009. He will serve out his sentence at New York's Rikers Island.

With good behavior, he may serve just 8-months behind bars.

Lil Wayne returned to his native New Orleans last year for what he called a "farewell tour," telling his fans, "I'm nothing without you."

Meanwhile, Lil Wayne's label, Young Money Entertainment, is expected to move their headquarters from New Orleans to New York in order to be closer to him while he's in prison.

Lil Wayne's in good company.

Other rapper's have seen the inside of one big house or another:

Foxy Brown was given three-years probation for a fight with two New York City manicurists in 2005. In 2007, she was sentenced to one-year in prison for violating probation. While there, she was the model for misbehavior. Foxy was placed in solitary confinement for 72-days after having an altercation with another inmate.

T.I. spent time in an Arkansas federal prison on weapons charges.

C-Murder - real name Corey Miller - was sentenced to life in prison for the 2002 murder of a teenage boy in Louisiana.

Gucci Mane is serving a six-month term for probation violation.

Remy Ma was convicted of assault, illegal weapon possession, and attempted coercion following an incident in which she was accused of having the boyfriend of a witness beaten up by several of her friends. She expects to be released in 2013.

There are many other talented rappers out there who have had run-in after run-in with the law. They have gifts, yet they insist on being "gangsta." To them I say: Use your talents to further yourself and use that talent to reach out positively to those who listen to your music. You have many young fans who look up to you. Do you really want them to remember and idolize you for your bad behavior and jail time?

Sources:
Rolling Stone Magazine
MTV
TMZ