Rapper Mystikal Released From Prison

By Amanda Pendolino on January 15th, 2010

mystikal-1 Remember Mystikal? The one who told us to shake, and watch ourselves? It turns out we haven’t heard from him in a while because he’s been in prison for the last six years – but he was released today. According to BET, the New Orleans-based artist was sentenced in 2004 to six years in jail after he plead guilty to sexual battery.

The 39 year-old rapper, whose real name is Michael Lawrence Tyler, was accused of forcing his hair stylist to perform sexual acts on him while his two bodyguards (Leland “Pokie” Ellis and Vercy “V” Carter) videotaped it. Mystikal believed that the hair stylist had stolen $80,000 in checks from him. When the video tape of the incident later surfaced, Mystikal had to confess to the crime.

Mystikal gained popularity back in the late 90’s after being signed to Master P’s No Limit Records. In 2000, he released the hit single “Shake It Fast,” produced by the Neptunes.

On the New Orleans’ radio station Q93 this morning, Mystikal said of his time in jail: “It was tough. I took it in stride.” But he looks to the future: ”I’m back. It almost feels like a dream. For a while, it felt like, I was gone so long,” he said.

Mystikal also said that he’s been writing while in prison, so we’ll be able to hear some new songs soon. He said to his fans, “I’m back and I love y’all and I missed y’all, and I want to send out appreciation for all the fans.”