Mystikal
For the member of the hip hop music group Goldie Lookin' Chain, see Mystikal (UK rapper).Mystikal (born
Michael L. Tyler on
September 22,
1970) is an American
rapper who grew up in the
12th Ward of
New Orleans,
Louisiana. He is one of many artists from
Master P's
New Orleans-based
No Limit label to achieve both critical and commercial success.
Michael Tyler went to
Cohen High School in New Orleans. Later he would go on to be in the
Army and serve as a combat engineer detecting mines during
Operation Desert Storm.
His debut album was
Mystikal, released on the
indie label Big Boy Records in
1995. He signed to
Jive Records to release
Mind of Mystikal in
1996. The album sold well, and he signed to
Master P's
No Limit Records for
Unpredictable in
1997. The album sold well, and garnered him critical praise, though his real breakthrough was
Let's Get Ready released in
2000, led by
The Neptunes-produced hit "Shake Ya Ass," and the only slightly-less-successful single "Danger (Been So Long)," which featured rising pop star
Nivea.
One of his most recent releases was the 2001 album Tarantula, which contained the single, "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against The Wall)". Though it presented Mystikal's typical and unique flow style, the song also saw a blending of
jazz and
swing elements with
hip-hop. He was also featured on "Move Bitch" by
Ludacris.
On
January 16,
2004 Mystikal was sentenced to six years in
prison after being found guilty on several sex-related charges [
1]. His 2006 parole hearing led to a denial of parole, specifically "1002186 SEXUAL BATTERY OF INFIRM" and "702127 EXTORTION."
He is currently incarcerated at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, which is just outside of
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His
D.O.C. number is
00469659.
In August 2005, Mystikal was charged with two counts of failing to file
tax returns for 1998 and 1999; if convicted, he could serve up to an additional year in prison for each count.
Mystikal (1995)
Mind of Mystikal (1996) (Gold)
Unpredictable (1997) (Platinum)
Ghetto Fabulous (1998) (Platinum)
Let's Get Ready (2000) US #1 (2x Platinum)
Tarantula (2001) (Gold)
Prince of the South...The Hits (compilation) (2004)
Shake Ya Ass was featured in
Scary Movie 2, where it was played on
piano.
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Official Myspace Page
