Lil Wayne has lived through some of the wildest moments imaginable, but few can top the time he landed in Saudi Arabia and walked away with a black Lamborghini and a luxury watch, all thanks to a prince. In 2020, what began as a minor airport inconvenience turned into a surreal experience involving Saudi Arabia’s powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aka MBS, who decided that an apology should come with horsepower and diamonds.
The story begins at the airport, where Wayne, known for traveling with serious bling, was stopped by security after putting his bags through the X-ray machine. A customs officer took issue with the amount of jewelry he was carrying, reportedly more than $25,000 worth. Rules in the country require high-value items to be declared in advance, and since that didn’t happen, things got tense fast.
Frustrated and ready to bounce, Wayne was about to return to his jet and leave Saudi Arabia altogether. “I was like man, I’m about to dip. This ain’t worth the hassle,” he later shared.
But this wasn’t just any ordinary airport. And this wasn’t just any ordinary passenger. The dispute reached the ears of Mohammed bin Salman, the then 35-year-old Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. He is widely seen as the country’s most powerful man. Often referred to as MBS, the prince has gained global attention for his sweeping reforms, billion-dollar investments, and headline-grabbing personal lifestyle. Whether you see him as a controversial modernizer or a man trying to reinvent Saudi Arabia’s image, one thing is certain: he knows how to make an impression.
Instead of issuing a quiet apology, MBS decided to go big. He personally Lil Wayne’s hotel suite to apologize and brought along some extravagant gifts. “He walked in like it was normal,” Wayne recalled. “He gave me a Franck Muller watch, said it was like twenty-five racks or something. But then he was like, ‘Wait, I forgot something.’”
As the prince was leaving, he asked Wayne, “Lamborghini or Ferrari?” Thinking it was a casual question, Wayne answered, “Lamborghini.” Then came the follow-up. “What color?” Wayne replied, “Black.” MBS smiled and said, “In front of your house in three weeks. I’m very sorry for this.”
Still not believing it, Wayne jokingly added that he wanted the Lamborghini truck. A few days later, a black Lamborghini Urus actually showed up. “I got that like two or three days ago,” Wayne said with a grin. “That man wasn’t playing.”
It makes you wonder. Is Mohammed bin Salman a Lil Wayne fan? Maybe. Or maybe he just didn’t want one of the world’s most famous rappers to leave Saudi Arabia with a bad taste in his mouth. Either way, Wayne got a story, and a Lambo, he won’t forget.
