High profile rapper Lil' Wayne was released from Rikers Island prison Thursday, after serving eight months on a gun conviction. NY1's Dean Meminger filed the following report.

Released in style, rapper Lil' Wayne left a Queens correction department facility Thursday riding in a $300,000 Maybach sedan. Unlike other inmates, the rapper -- whose real name is Dwayne Carter -- was allowed to have a personal car drive inside the city property to pick him up. Officials say because Lil' Wayne is high profile they were concerned about his safety and security and selected a secret location away from Rikers Island for his release.

"If you say the date and time when he is released there will be a riot. That's why they kept it all confusing and kept it as low key as possible. I respect them for it," said HOT 97 DJ Cipha Sounds.

The 28-year-old rap star served eight months on Rikers Island after pleading guilty to attempted weapons possession after a gun was found on his tour bus. Some of that time was served in isolation after the Grammy winner was found hiding an MP3 player and headphones.

"I think you will not see Wayne hanging in incriminating buses near New York City ever again," said HOT 97 DJ Peter Rosenberg.

Lil' Wayne, also called Weezy, has sold millions of albums. When he went to jail he was arguably the hottest entertainer in the rap game. His latest album was released while he was behind bars and it went to number one. In fact, he's been recording rhymes while on Rikers.

"There were a couple people who were hired to sit in a studio 24 hours a day and wait for Wayne to call. When Wayne calls they record and everything he has been writing, they recorded so he can hear how he had it in his mind," Sounds said.

Lil' Wayne is credited with developing new stars like Drake and Nickie Manage. The HOT 97 morning team says he has served his time and should be allowed to get back to his business of music and making money. They say they don't think he wants to get locked up again.