AceShowbiz - Halle Berry's ex-husband Eric Benet has scored the ultimate career boost from Lil Wayne - the rapper is listening to his new music behind bars. The R&B singer was floored when the incarcerated hitmaker revealed Benet's "Sometimes I Cry" is giving him strength as he serves out his eight months at Rikers Island prison in New York.

In a recent post on his blog, Lil Wayne told fans, "If you haven't heard the new song by Eric Benet, Sometimes I Cry, please stop what you're doing and check it out. It's the best song I've heard since Maxwell's Woman's Worth. It's for grown folk. I actually listen to the radio all day waiting for that song."

Thrilled Benet tells Billboard.com, "It's a huge compliment. He's sitting somewhere where he is contemplating on life, so, to be drawn to my song while he's going through those things, it means even more."

And he admits the heartfelt soul song is special to him too: "When I'm in the studio, I'm making music for me but if it gives me goosebumps, that's my barometer - that lets me know it's ready for people to hear."