Rapper Lil Wayne has sparked fears for his health after allegedly becoming addicted to a drink containing the same cough medicine that contributed to Pimp C's death.

The hip-hop star - real name Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. - has, in recent months, reportedly developed a liking for "syrup", the potentially lethal mix of prescription codeine or promethazine with soda or juice.

The drink - which contains drugs usually only prescribed to those with severe colds and pneumonia - has become popular in the Deep South of the U.s., and New Orleans, Louisiana native Lil Wayne recently alluded to his struggle to quit the habit.

In an interview with Mtv, he says, "Everybody wants me to stop all this and all that. It ain't (sic) that easy - feels like death in your stomach when you stop doing that s**t."

"You gotta learn how to stop, you gotta go through detox. You gotta do all kinds of stuff..."

Pimp C died in his sleep in a Los Angeles hotel on December 13th, aged 33. His death was ruled an accident; the result of a pre-existing condition he had of sleep apnoea, combined with an accidental overdose of prescription codeine.