MTV’s new show “The Seven” premiered Monday with a phone call from Lil Wayne direct from Rikers Island, where the rapper is serving a one-year sentence stemming from a 200 arrest on gun charges.
The artist, who also celebrated a birthday yesterday, spoke about the inspiration behind the title of his “I Am Not a Human Being” LP (“I just looked in the mirror, plain and simple,” he laughed) and about his decision to release it while he’s still paying his debt to society.
“Making the album was totally fun, because I love recording. That’s what I love to do, next to breathing,” Lil Wayne said via phone. “I made sure I had some material before I came in here to release while I was in here.”
Wayne—who would later call into the show again to surprise Drake, who appeared as a guest on the show—also spoke about the communication he’s receiving from his fans, counting that he’s received about “a million” pieces of mail to-date. The MC said the kind words have kept him inspired to continue his music.
“[The] fans have been more than unbelievable,” he told “Seven” host Kevin Manno. “When I read those letters, that fan mail, and see what they say about what my music does for them, and how it helped them through situations … to read that, that makes me take my words and my whole outlook on what I’m doing a lot more seriously.
“I probably get 150 pieces of mail [a day], and I probably read a good 30 each day,” he continued. “I get to keep [the letters], I send ‘em home. If I keep ‘em in the cell, they say it’s a fire hazard. Honestly, I await the mail every day.”
He ended his interview by revealing what he hoped to do when he’s released from prison—reportedly on November 4—though, really, he could only talk about some of his plans on air.
“[I’m going to] hug and kiss my kids,” Wayne laughed. “And, uh, after that, I don’t think I’m allowed to say.”
