New Orleans rapper Mystikal was released from prison yesterday (Thurs., Jan. 14) and has plans to put himself back on the map as a Hip-Hop artist.
“I’m back. It almost feels like a dream,” he said in an interview with New Orleans’ radio station Q93 FM. “Six years off the scene for most rappers, it would be over with, but it’s a new beginning for me.”
The rapper, born Michael Lawrence Tyler, was released from prison late yesterday evening after serving a six-year sentence for sexual assault and battery.
Mystikal had always maintained his innocence and said that his spirituality helped him maintain.
“It had to be God [that got me through jail]. Going through it, it was tough. I had to get outta my way and let God handle that,” he stated. “He had his arms wrapped around me tight.”
Mystikal’s lengthy prison sentence stemmed from an incident in which he forced his hairstylist to perform sexual acts on him and his bodyguard.
He initially denied the charges, but accepted a plea in 2003, when a videotape of the incident was presented during his trial.
Because he taped the sexual assault, both men were charged with extortion.
Prior to his stint in prison, Mystikal was a chart topping rapper who have collaborated with artists like The Neptunes, Scott Storch, Juvenile, Outkast, Da Brat.
He didn’t indicate particulars on what he would be doing with his musical career, but said he had been writing significantly during his stay in jail.
Mystikal also plans to mentor kids to help them avoid the pitfalls that he was unable to avoid.
“I’m gonna let these knuckle head kids know…that dog that’s barking at them…he bit me,” he said. “I’m gonna be doing a lot of positive stuff.”
Information from Allhiphop.com and Q93 FM contributed to this report.
