A native of New Orleans, Mystikal put in some combat time in the army, seeing eight months of active duty during
Operation Desert Storm. Mystikal, a U.S. Army combat technician, says he wasn't on the front lines, but he was close enough to the fighting
to see the death and destruction war deals. According to Mystical, soon he became immune to the sights. For him, the challenge was more mental
than physical, and he says to relieve the stress, many soldiers would turn to rhyming.
When Mystical came back, he had a rebellious attitude, and a hit song he penned while in the stockade. That song, "I'm
Not That Nigga," would pave the way for his signing by Jive. Mystical's year of dues paying at countless local talent shows would finally pay off.
A producer, DJ Precise spotted Mystikal and secured a deal for him at a local label called Big Boy, which released his debut LP, The Mind Of Mystical.
Today, 27-year old Mystical, a.k.a. Michael Tyler, reflects on his first taste of fame then disillusionment as necessary
steps to take him to the next level. After Mystikal's debut album, sold over 600,000 copies and brought him the fame and critical acclaim he had
sought, the bright reflection suddenly dulled. His friend Master P helped shiny up the mirror.
"Things just weren't working out to my expectations," says Mystikal. "P knew my situation before I knew it. He's been there
before. With this No Limit/Jive Records deal, I made a big step up."
Mystical's sophmore LP, Unpredictable, is the rappers's step up. Backed by No Limit's crew of master producers, Beats By The
Pound, adn a longtime musical ally, KLC, Mystikal finally had the sort of backup which makes for great records. "KL and I go way back," says Mysikal.
"In fact, he was the first producer I ever worked with, so he knows exactly what beats to put behind me. It's really like old times.
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