Mystikal sentenced to 20 years in prison for rape

Rapper Mystikal has been sentenced to 20 years in prison over a 2022 rape charge.

The Shake Ya A*s artist, real name Michael Tyler, was arrested in July 2022 and later charged with first-degree rape, simple robbery, domestic-abuse battery, and false imprisonment.

At a hearing held in Louisiana's Ascension Parish Court this week, Tyler was sentenced to 20 years in jail for third-degree rape.

In March, the 55-year-old pleaded guilty to third-degree rape as part of a plea deal that meant he avoided the maximum life sentence of 25 years.

According to editors at WBRZ, Tyler attempted to address his victim at the sentencing.

"If I did that to you, I deserve the max sentence," he stated.

Representatives for the New Orleans native have not yet commented on the sentencing.

Just days before the sentencing was due to take place, Tyler's lawyer asked the judge to withdraw the guilty plea, claiming he "did not have sufficient opportunity to fully consider the consequences".

However, the request was rejected.

Tyler is a lifetime registered sex offender and will remain so following his release from prison.

He was previously convicted of sexual battery after assaulting his hairstylist in 2003.

The disgraced hip-hop star spent six years in prison for the offence before being released in 2010.

Tyler released his fifth studio album, Tarantula, in 2001.