Rapper Mystikal sentenced to 20 years in prison following Louisiana rape conviction

Rapper Mystikal has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty in a Louisiana rape case stemming from an incident at his home in 2022.

According to the Associated Press, Mystikal, whose legal name is Michael Lawrence Tyler, was sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty in March to third-degree rape.

The plea agreement reduced the original first-degree rape charge, which carries a mandatory life sentence, and included a sentencing cap of 20 years, five years below the maximum penalty for the offence.

Days before the sentencing hearing, Mystikal sought to withdraw his guilty plea, arguing that he “did not have sufficient opportunity to fully consider the consequences”, according to local reports cited by the Associated Press. The request was unsuccessful.

During the hearing, the victim addressed the court and urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence.

She alleged that Mystikal assaulted her at his home in Prairieville, Louisiana, stating that he punched her, choked her, pulled out her braids and forcibly raped her.

In response to the victim’s statement, Mystikal told the court, “If I did that to you, I deserve the max sentence.”

The rapper has remained in custody without bond at Ascension Parish Jail since his arrest in 2022. His legal representatives did not immediately comment following the sentencing.

Mystikal rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, earning multiple Grammy Award nominations during his music career. His hit single “Shake Ya Ass” received a nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2000.

The artist also faced previous legal troubles. In 2003, he pleaded guilty to sexual battery and was sentenced to six years in prison.

That same year, he received Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album for Tarantula and Best Male Rap Solo Performance for “Bouncin’ Back (Bumpin’ Me Against The Wall)”.