Mystikal is a boisterous New Orleans rapper who became a ’90s superstar during his stint with No Limit Records. • Before music, Mystikal was a combat engineer in the US Army. He served during the Gulf War. • His big break came when he opened for hip-hop legends Run-D.M.C. in his hometown of New Orleans. Producer Leroy “Precise” Edwards caught his performance and signed him to Big Boy Records. • After some early regional success, Mystikal joined Master P’s No Limit Records for two platinum albums: 1997’s Unpredictable and 1998’s Ghetto Fabulous. • Mystikal topped the Billboard 200 album chart with 2000’s Let’s Get Ready, featuring the Neptunes-produced hits “Shake Ya Ass” and “Danger (Been So Long).” • In 2001, Mystikal topped the Hot 100 as a guest on R&B singer Joe’s “Stutter.” • The rapper’s career took a pause in 2004, when he was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually battery. • In 2011, Mystikal signed with Cash Money Records, No Limit’s crosstown rival.