MYSTIKAL

'Michael L. Tyler' (born September 22, 1970), known by the stage name 'Mystikal', is an American rapper who grew up in the 12th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is one of the few artists from Master P's New Orleans-based No Limit label to achieve both critical and commercial success.
In 2003, Mystikal pleaded guilty to sexual battery and extortion. He is currently serving a six year prison sentence in the Louisiana State Prison system. He was eligible for parole in 2005 and 2007, but was denied parole both times.^[1]

Contents

High school and military service

Music career

Legal issues

Discography

Solo albums

Compilation albums

References

External links

High school and military service

Michael Tyler went to Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans. Following his graduation from high school in 1988, Tyler enlisted in the United States Army and served as a combat engineer detecting mines during Operation Desert Storm.

Music career

Mystikal's debut album, ''Mystikal'', was released on local, New Orleans-based independent record label Big Boy Records in 1994. Mystikal's sister, Michelle Tyler, who sang the chorus on "Not That Nigga" was murdered (stabbed) by her boyfriend, Damion Neville (grandson of the Neville Brothers' Charles Neville), prior to the album's release. The songs "Dedicated To Michelle Tyler" and "Murder 2" on the ''Mind of Mystikal'' and ''Unpredictable'' albums, respectively, refer to Mystikal's sister's murder.
Mystikal signed to Jive Records and released ''Mind of Mystikal'' in 1995. The album sold well, and he signed to Master P's No Limit Records for ''Unpredictable'' in 1997. ''Unpredictable'' also sold well, and garnered Mystikal critical praise, though his real breakthrough was ''Let's Get Ready'', released in 2000. ''Let's Get Ready'' contained "Danger (Been So Long)," which featured rising pop star Nivea, and was the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one single in June, 2001. The album also featured the popular, Neptunes-produced hit "Shake Ya Ass." ''Let's Get Ready'' debuted at Number One on the Billboard 200, making it Mystikal's only chart-topping album to date.
Mystikal's most recent solo release was the 2001 album ''Tarantula'', which contained the hit 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. The well received album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2003, and Mystikal was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Rap Solo Performance that same year.^[2] Mystikal was also featured prominently in the single, "Move Bitch" by Ludacris, in 2002.

Legal issues

On January 16, 2004, Mystikal was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to forcing his hairstylist to perform sex acts. He also admitted to extortion. The rapper and two bodyguards forced the woman to perform oral sex, after they accused her of stealing $80,000 in checks. Mystikal initially denied the assault, but confessed after a videotape of the crime was found at his home. Bodyguards Leland "Pokie" Ellis and Vercy "V" Carter also pled guilty to sexual battery.^[2]
In August 2005, while incarcerated on the state sexual battery and extortion charges, Mystikal was charged federally with two misdemeanor counts of failing to file tax returns for 1998 and 1999. On January 12, 2006, he was convicted in federal court of the tax offenses, but was allowed to serve the one year federal sentence concurrent with his six year state sentence.^[4]
Mystikal is currently incarcerated at Louisiana's Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, which is located in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. His assigned prison number is 00469659. On January 19, 2006, Mystikal was denied parole at a parole board hearing. ^[4]
On January 11, 2007, Mystikal was released from custody on the federal misdemeanor tax convictions (as his one-year sentence had expired), but he remains in custody on the 6-year sentence for the Louisiana state felony convictions.^[1]

Discography

Solo albums

Album cover	Album information
	'''Mystikal''' ★ Released: June 20, 1994 ★ Chart positions: ★ RIAA certification: ★ Singles: "Y'all Ain't Ready Yet", "Not That Nigga", "The Murderer"
	'''Mind of Mystikal''' ★ Released: February 1, 1995 ★ Chart positions: #103 US ★ RIAA certification: Gold ★ Singles: "Here I Go", "Out Tha Boot Camp Clicc", "Neva Gonna Bounce (The Dream)", "Beware"
	'''Unpredictable''' ★ Released: November 11, 1997 ★ Chart positions: #3 US ★ RIAA certification: Platinum ★ Singles: "Unpredictable", "Ain't No Limit"
	'''Ghetto Fabulous''' ★ Released: November 10, 1998 ★ Chart positions: #5 US ★ RIAA certification: Platinum ★ Singles: "There He Go", "That's The Nigga", "Respect My Mind"
	'''Let's Get Ready''' ★ Released: September 26, 2000 ★ Chart positions: #1 US ★ RIAA certification: 2x Platinum ★ Singles: "Danger (Been So Long)", "Shake Ya Ass", "Neck Uv Da Woods"
	'''Tarantula''' ★ Released: December 18, 2001 ★ Chart positions: #25 US ★ RIAA certification: Gold ★ Singles: "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)", "Tarantula", "If It Ain't Live It Ain't Me"

Compilation albums

Album cover	Album information
	'''Prince of the South...The Hits''' ★ Released: August 10, 2004 ★ Chart positions: ★ RIAA certification: ★ Singles: "Oochie Pop"
	'''Chopped & Screwed''' ★ Released: December 7, 2004 ★ Chart positions: ★ RIAA certification:

References

1. Mystikal Still Incarcerated, Reps Clarify 'Released' Status Strong, Nolan
2. Rapper Mystikal sentenced to six years
3. Rapper Mystikal sentenced to six years
4. AHH Stray News: 50 Cent Sued, Mystikal, Ms. Dynamite, Dilated Peoples Nolan Strong
5. AHH Stray News: 50 Cent Sued, Mystikal, Ms. Dynamite, Dilated Peoples Nolan Strong
6. Mystikal Still Incarcerated, Reps Clarify 'Released' Status Strong, Nolan

External links

★ AllMusic.com Biography - Mystikal

★ Official Website