“Lil Wayne dead 2017” : Rapper killed by internet death hoax

News of rapper Lil Wayne’s death spread quickly earlier last week causing concern among fans across the world. However the February 2017 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the rapper best known for hit songs like No Worries or Lollipop is alive and well.

Rumors of the rapper’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Lil Wayne’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the American rapper’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (February 17, 2017), our beloved rapper Lil Wayne passed away. Lil Wayne was born on September 27, 1982 in New Orleans. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 34-year-old rapper was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major American network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a rapper of Lil Wayne's stature would be major news across networks.

On Saturday (February 18) the rapper's reps officially confirmed that Lil Wayne is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved rapper. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.