Photo by Ryan Dombal

UPDATE: We just received this message from the voicemail of New York's Victim Information & Notification Everyday program-- which tracks the custody status of inmates-- once again confirming Wayne's release. Feel free to drop it into your Weezy's Free mix:

Lil Wayne has been released from New York City's Rikers Island after serving eight months for attempted possession of a weapon, MTV reports. There was some confusion early this morning as to whether or not he would get out today; officials originally told reporters that Wayne had "lost a day of good time" and would be released tomorrow. But that was not the case, and he's out now.

According to MTV, he does not face any subsequent probation or parole from the gun charge, though he faces three years of unsupervised probation and community service after pleading guilty in Arizona to one count of possession of a dangerous drug.

MTV also reports that Wayne plans to fly to Miami to spend time with friends and family before he goes on a possibly-record-breaking recording tear. There are also rumors of him showing up at a Drake show in Las Vegas this Saturday, November 6. Bill Clinton is psyched. Us, too.

UPDATE: Read on for an account of what it was like at the scene this morning:

We were at the Rikers Island parking lot for a few hours early this morning, hoping for a glimpse of Wayne upon his release. Even high-profile inmates are usually dropped off in the lot, according to a veteran New York Post reporter we spoke with at the scene, but the rapper managed to leave on the low. As of right now, it doesn't seem like anyone actually saw him leave Rikers, though he could have been whisked off undetected by one of the many windowless correctional vans that are constantly zipping in and out.

Some background: To be clear, Rikers Island is an actual island. There is one road leading to it, appropriately named Rikers Island Bridge. Only authorized personnel are allowed on the road; police officers in booths regulate the traffic. The parking lot where we were waiting is located right before the bridge starts. While standing in the light drizzle, we saw employees' cars cross the bridge, some ominous-looking vans, and once in a while, a bus exiting the premises with a few dazed-looking men inside of it-- possibly non-Wayne-caliber prisoners returning to freedom. People tend to drive quickly on the 500-foot stretch of road between the bridge booth and the rest of Queens, whether coming or going. It's a surreal space.

Before an officer told us around 3 a.m. that Wayne's release was going to be delayed a day (incorrectly, as it happens), we hung out with the members of the press documenting the event and fans looking to celebrate Wayne's freedom. At that early hour, there weren't that many people there. But among the dozen or so fans standing near the bus shelter in the parking lot was Taylor Baker, a college freshman who wore a Free Weezy shirt and brought a "marry me" sign. Her friend, who preferred not to be identified, came with her "to make fun of me," said Baker with a laugh. Her recent Wayne favorite was a mash-up of his "Hustler Musik" with the theme from "The Office". She had never waited for someone at Rikers before.

Along with Baker was Michael Sgrio, who was at a nearby friend's house, read about the release online, and decided to head over. Two French students currently studying in New York City were there, too. It was hardly a mob scene, but it felt special. Our little slice of Waiting for Godot. Nobody may have seen him get out, but we'll see him soon enough.