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MICHEAL TYLER A.K.A MYSTIKAL

Ever since Percy Miller (Master P) discovered him, Micheal Tyler (Mystikal) has made a name for himself serving alongside the other soldiers on the No Limit tank. A Native of New Orleans, Mystikal had some real combat experience in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm. Although Mystikal wasn't on the front line, he served as a combat technician for the eight months of his active duty. Mystikal says he got a first-hand experience of the death and destruction war deals. When things got too rough, some soldiers turned to rapping. According to Mystikal, "I was rebellious before I left, but I was Tupac when I came back."

MYSTIKAL RETURNS

Mystikal's war experience had amplified his already rebellious attitude and had inspired him to write a song while in the stockade. [I'm Not That Nigga] became a hit song and paved the way for Jive to sign him. After years of playing local talent shows Mystikal finally got his big break. A local producer, DJ Precise, discovered Mystikal and setup a deal for him at Big Boy, which released Mystikal's first album, [Mind of Mystikal].

The truth about Mystikal is that his past actually seems to be quite mystical! Got to believe it...

Real Name: Micheal Tyler
Nicknames: Mystikal, G Money, Black Prince of the South, Bayou Boy
Age: 27
Family: His sister Michelle Elizabeth Tyler was shot and killed by her boyfriend. Mystikal is the father of three children.
Home: 12th Ward New Orleans
Current Albums: Mystikal - 1992
Mind of Mystikal - 1995
Unpredictable - 1997
Ghetto Fabulous - 1998
Other Projects: 504 Boyz, Was in a group called "The 39 Posse"
Other Info: Graduated from Cohen High School, and for some reason was a cheeleader in high school.


Mystikal grew up in New Orleans, where he started rapping in local talent shows at a young age. He used the name Mystikal Mike, and he was beginning to make an impression at the talent showcases when he met producer DJ Precise, who got him a record deal. Mystikal's debut album "The Mind Of Mystikal" became a hit, especially in his home state of Louisiana. For his second album, Mystikal secured a deal with No Limit Records, and Master P serves as executive producer on "Unpredictable". Guest performers include Master P, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Silkk The Shocker and others.


Courtesy of No Limit/Jive Records Master P, the gangsta of the moment, may soon pack up the mike on his solo career, but he's made a nice choice of proteges to take over his position. P oversees and produces several of the tracks on this, the second recording by New Orleans-born rapper Mystikal, and the disc illustrates a fine mix of production skills and urgent rhyming. Mystikal raps in a coarse, gravelly tone — it will be a miracle if he can maintain that voice for five to seven years without wrecking his throat — and he's a good writer. Although most of the subject matter is standard gangstaville pulp, Mystikal brings a refreshing flair in his rhyme schemes and cultural references. The production offsets the harsh leads with smooth, nuanced funk; often scratchy rhythm-guitar figures accent the verses while cool basslines percolate underneath. With guest spots from Snoop, Silkk, E-40 and Master P himself, this disc is designed to be with us for a while. Fortunately the leader has the skills to make it work INTERVIEW TAKEN FROM VIBE MAGAZINE: I represent a unique-ass city as a unique-ass rapper," says Mystikal. "And that's why niggas respect me." He's proudly sitting in his new Land Cruiser with the leather interior. Our backdrop is New Orleans's clear nighttime sky. And no one familiar with Mystikal's single "Y'all Ain't Ready Yet" (off his album Mind of Mystikal) can deny that there's something to this MC's odd fast-slow-fast tempo, his melodramatic pauses-and his loud, then low, then lower, then louder rhyme patterns. The end result is a boiling sonic gumbo. And it's about time-not much boom-bap has oozed up out of Louisiana's swamplands. There's Big Mike-the impassioned player whose work (alone and with the Geto Boys) put the state on the hip hop map. But Mystikal is far from a Mike clone. He's a swift verbal expressionist straight off the festive, Mardi-Gras-havin' streets of the Big Easy. His is a swanky poetry, custom-designed for players and those who enjoy acting like players. Mystikal, though, knows who he is. "I've been Mystikal since way back-since [1985's] `La-Di-Da-Di,' " says the 25-year-old storyteller, beaming and spreading clues about his influences. "UTFO, all the Roxanne stuff." Mystikal's voice, even in conversation, is electric-a bit reminiscent of Little Richard. "I was always down with the rhythms," he says. "Even in church. I used to be jammin'. My moms would say, `You ain't supposed to be dancin' like that in church!' I was all into the groove." But it wasn't so groovy in 1991 when Mystikal had to report in army fatigues to Saudi Arabia: "I woke up every day saying, `What the hell am I doing here?' " From New Orleans scuffles to international conflicts, the Gulf War veteran has seen a lot. "That was some put-hair-on-your-chest, disgusting shit that you had to take like a man," he says of his wartime experience. "It made me respect life a little more." And his album is deserving of 'nuff respect itself. "It's just starting," says Mystikal about his career and his rare flow. "I might be rappin' backward next year."