Lil Wayne is a man of the people. Prior to yesterday’s (March 8) reports from tmz.com that Weezy would be serving out his one-year gun charge at Rikers Island under protective custody, it ends up that the rap superstar will be treated like any other inmate.

According to New York’s Daily News Wayne’s lawyer, Stacey Richman, originally claimed that the rap superstar was being forced into protective custody. Stephen Morello, a spokesperson for the Correctional Department, cleared up those allegations, saying that the New Orleans-bred MC will have “general population escort” status. This means that whenever Lil Tunechi is outside of his housing unit, he will be accompanied by a correction captain; similar to how authorities handle gang members.

Inside his housing unit, on the other hand, he has the option to socialize with the 17 other men sharing his cell block.

Wayne was arrested in 2007 when a police officer boarded his tour bus, after smelling marijuana. Once inside the vehicle she caught the rapper with a .40 caliber handgun. Last October he entered a guilty plea in order to receive lesser jail time. He was sentenced and immediately shipped off to Rikers yesterday, after several failed attempts. With good behavior the Young Money general may be home in eight months. —Elan Mancini

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