Lil Wayne has been criticized by State Senator Malcolm A. Smith for saying he doesn't like New York City. The Democrat called a news conference in Father Duffy Square on Wednesday (August 22, 2012) to denounce the rapper over his recent remarks about the city.
Mr Smith told the gathered crowds that he was "angry", "taken aback" and "shocked" by the five words uttered by Lil Wayne, adding, "I take strong exception to the words 'I don't like New York". Though the whole press conference seemed pretty farcical, Mr Smith demanded an apology from the rapper and seemed genuinely upset by the comments that he made to MTV News on Monday evening. The superstar had bluntly asserted, "Flat out: I don't like New York", while attending the launch of his new sneakers range in Las Vegas. It's probably no surprise that Weezy isn't too keen on the Big Apple, given that he was arrested after a show in Manhattan in 2007. He subsequently pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and spent eight months in Rikers Island prison. Nevertheless, Senator Smith was incensed by the comments, saying, "If you don't like New York.you don't have to come to New York. You don't have to sell your products here. And perhaps we won't come to your concerts".
Lil Wayne's remarks came just two days after more than 500 guns were handed in to police in New York following a firearms buy-back program which entitles the holder of every gun to a $200 bank card