Rapper Lil Wayne has begun a year-long prison term after a string of delays postponed his sentencing for weapons possession stemming from a 2007 arrest.

The 'Lollipop' hitmaker, real name Dwayne Carter, pleaded guilty in 2009 to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and admitted having a loaded 40-caliber semi-automatic gun on his tour bus.

Aceshowbiz.com reports that after several delayed court hearings, Wayne has now started a year-long prison term following his sentencing at Manhattan Criminal Court Monday.

He was expected to be sentenced in February but was granted a postponement to undergo dental surgery. The hearing was delayed again March 2 after a fire in the basement of the court house forced officials to evacuate the building and close it down for the rest of the day.

The rapper was finally taken away in handcuffs to begin his term at an undisclosed city jail. Reports suggest that he could be released in around eight months for good behaviour.