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News item: January 16, 2004: Rapper Mystikal (real name Michael Tyler) was sentenced to
six years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual battery against his hair stylist. |
Mystikal
(a.k.a Michael Tyler) is known as the sharp-tongued, hi-energy rapper of New Orleans. His
rapping talents and his youthful fire and vigor has made him into the
true success he is today. Mystikal has the ability to lead
hip-hop into another level. This rapper has surpassed many
stepping-stones and milestones in hip-hop and plans to further break
barriers.
  When it comes to kickin' the tightest lyrics and
freaking some of the dopest flows on this side of the Mississippi, no
one does it better than Big Easy's boy wonder Mystikal. His
lyrics are so fly and flamboyant they can only be described simply as
ghetto fabulous.
Mystikal
(born Michael Tyler) began his studies in hip hop back in 1980 (also
called the golden age of hip hop) when New Orleans hip hop scene was
bristling with raw untapped talent, such as the late N.O. pioneer Warren
Mayes, MC Thick, Gregory D and Mannie Fresh. According to the Crescent
City born lyricist, all these aforementioned rappers played a major role
in helping him develop his style.
"Some of my major influences were early New Orleans
MCs like Gregory D. He was one of the first cats to make a record in New
Orleans. Mannie Fresh, Sporty T, MC Thick...I grew up either challenging
them at gong shows (a popular series of talent shows held around New
Orleans) or opening up for them."
In 1994, Mystikal, fresh from a harrowing tour
of duty of Desert Storm, caught a lucky break when he signed with a
small local label called Big Boy Records, which released his first
underground LP called "The
Mind of Mystikal."
"Basically, with the first record, I was just
trying to get my foot in the door," says Mystikal. I was a
freshman and I wanted to prove that I had something. All I asked my
company was 'Put me out and I'll do the rest.'" Indeed he did. The
record blew up instantly, selling well over 300,000 units independently
and earning him a distribution deal with New York based Jive Records.
Under Jive auspices, "The
Mind of Mystikal" went gold and helped to establish his
highness as one of the premiere MCs in hip hop. Three years after the
release of his debut LP, Mystikal sent shockwaves through the hip
hop nation when he joined forces with Master P's No Limit Records and
released the platinum selling "Unpredictable."
"With 'Unpredictable'
I was finally a sophomore. I went from local to national with the first
album; with this one, I went from national to super-national."
His third set "Ghetto
Fabulous" also reached platinum status and solidified Mystikal's
position as a national superstar. With two platinum and one gold record
under his belt, the brass young MC from the N.O. was ready to soar into
the stratosphere with his fourth effort "Let's
Get Ready."
A standout track is "Some Of Us Ain't Gone See
Tomorrow." Inspired by Mystikal's deep faith in God, this is
an introspective song where Mystikal examines socio-political
issues from a spiritual perspective. "Anybody who really knows me
knows that I'm real close with God," says the artist. "I just
wanted to do a song that reminds people how serious life is."
"I have surpassed a lot of stepping stones and a
lot of milestones in hip hop," says Mystikal about his career.
"But I'm still growing. Mark my words, this is going to be my era."
Awards include --
- Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video ("Shake Ya Ass")
-- Soul Train Music Awards, 2001
Hit songs include --
- Danger (Been So Long)
- Shake Ya Ass
- Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against The Wall)
- Y'all Ain't Ready Yet
- That's The Nigga
- Ain't No Limit
- Neck Uv da Woods
- Tarantula
Mystikal may be available for your next special event!
For booking information, click
HERE!
Genre: ..Rap
Styles:
..Dirty South
..Southern Rap
..Rap
Years active:
..90s, ..00s
Born: ..in Louisiana
..in New Orleans
Sep 22, 1975
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Buy this album: "Tarantula"
(edited) (2001)
Buy this album: "Let's
Get Ready" (edited) (2000)
Buy this album: "Unpredictable"
(explicit) (1997)