By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Welcome to New York, Weezy.
It was pasta marinara with beef sausage and steamed greens for Lil' Wayne's first meal at the Eric M. Taylor Detention Center at Rikers Island Monday evening as the rapper settled in for the first night of a one year sentence.
Before Dwayne "Lil Wayne" Carter traded his baggy threads for a jumpsuit and booking number — 3491003868 — he was met by a mob of fans and camera crews that engulfed him as he trekked from his black SUV to the courthouse entrance.
His fellow rapper and mentor Birdman arrived minutes earlier with an entourage to see off his long-time pal and fellow New Orleans native.
After a dental procedure and courthouse fire delayed his trip to jail twice, Carter was sentenced to one-year in jail on Monday afternoon. With good behavior, he is eligible for release in eight months.
The thoroughly-tattooed rapper will be allowed to keep his signature dreadlocks and infamous "gangsta grillz," which were rumored to have been removed or modified when he underwent dental surgery last month.
"Our understanding is that they're permanent," said Department of Corrections spokesperson Stephen Morello said of the diamond-studded oral jewelry.
Carter, who pleaded guilty to attempted gun possession in October, was classified as "general population-escort," and will generally be permitted to mingle with the 1,700 inmates in the housing facility.
He will, however, receive a private escort when he leaves his base facility.
Carter was assigned to a one person dorm. He is free to spend his time in the common room, which has televisions, card games and other activities, but he may also be required to take an in-house job, like laundry or cleaning.
Breakfast is served at 4:30 a.m. daily, but inmates can choose to sleep through the early call.
The prolific artist, described as "an unstoppable musician and creator" by his lawyer Stacey Richman, vowed to spend his time behind bars writing music with the aid of his iPod — perhaps before he was told personal belongings are off limits.
"He could purchase an AM/FM radio with earbuds from commissary," Morello said. "But not same as the iPod."
