By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — After several delays that included dental surgery and a fire at the courthouse, rapper Dwayne "Lil Wayne" Carter is finally on his way to Rikers Island to begin a one-year jail sentence on a gun possession rap.
Carter, 27, was met by hordes of aggressive camera crews when his Cadillac Escalade with New Jersey plates let him off in front of 100 Centre Street, the Manhattan criminal courthouse that reopened Monday after a fire last week caused a six-day displacement.
The star, whose nickname is "Weezy," covered his long dreadlocks with a baggy grey hood as he was escorted into the building.
Shouts of "Free Weezy!" were heard from fans outside enjoying the 60-degree weather, many of whom were at the courthouse on their own charges.
Despite the outdoor fanfare, his sentencing was brief and unremarkable.
When offered the chance to speak, Carter shook his head softly to decline.
"Yo! Keep your head up Weezy!" a fan shouted from the gallery as the rapper was handcuffed and brought to a holding cell.
Carter pleaded guilty in October to attempted criminal possession of a weapon.
He was arrested after police found a .40 caliber handgun in his possession in a marijuana smoke-filled tour van after a Beacon Theater concert in 2007.
Carter's attorney believes he will be out of jail in eight months on good behavior. He is expected to be housed away from the general population.
The prolific artist pledged to spend his sentence working on music for future recordings.
"He's an unstoppable musician and creator," his lawyer Stacey Richman said.
