Lil Wayne the New Michael Jackson According to Birdman

It's no secret that Cash Money founder Bryan "Birdman" Williams is fond of his protege Lil Wayne, but he may have taken his adoration to new heights, comparing the currently incarcerated rapper to Michael Jackson.

In a recent interview with XXL Magazine, Birdman brushed off possible rap competitors, proclaiming that Wayne is in a league of his own. "When Wayne comes home he lifts everybody's spirits, he lifts everybody's value, he lifts the brand, he lifts everything," he explained. "Wayne is gonna be the biggest artist in music, not just in hip-hop; in music. It's some Michael Jackson s--- right here goin' on right before our eyes."

"He's a beast. He went back to that raw rappin'. That n---- still be impressin' me with his music. I say that to say that I be around him a lot so the s--- he do and say shouldn't be as impressive to me. I'm one of his biggest fans, I be geeked out on him. I watch him work, he's just cold. It's some magical shit to watch the young blood do what he do."

Wayne, who has been locked up since March, has been keeping in touch with fans via his website WeezyThanxYou.com where he posts updates on life behind bars. After his release the father of four is set to drop his long awaited eighth solo album 'The Carter IV.'