Just A Few More Things: Mystikal, Paisley and Ja Rule

Magical Mystikal Tour

Rapper Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Lawrence Tyler, was released from prison Jan. 14, according to CBS News.

Mystikal was found guilty of sexual battery in 2004 and sentenced to six years in prison. He was denied parole in 2008.

The victim, who was also Mystikal’s hair stylist, accused the rapper of forcing her to perform oral sex on him while his two bodyguards filmed it. The victim also said Mystikal and his bodyguards accused her of stealing $80,000 worth of checks from them, a charge she denied.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why Mystikal was convicted. After all, it’s pretty hard to deny committing a crime when there’s a video of the entire incident. Mystikal originally pleaded not guilty to the charges, but switched to a guilty plea after the videotape surfaced. Mystikal’s bodyguards also pleaded guilty to sexual battery, with one of the guards receiving four years in prison while the other received three years.

Mystikal also pleaded guilty to extortion and received five years probation for the crime. Citing court docs, CBS News says Mystikal paid the victim $350,000 to keep quiet, and that $300,000 of the amount was obtained through a loan from his record label.

Click here to read the complete CBS News article.

Paisley To Headline New England Country Fest

The folks at the annual New England Country Music Festival have snagged a big one for the event’s headlining position – reigning ACM and CMA male vocalist Brad Paisley will close the event scheduled for Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.

Also appearing on the one-day country music festival is Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker, Sara Evans and Easton Corbin.

Tickets are the 7th annual event are priced at $82.50 $52.50, and $29.50 and go on sale Saturday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. Eastern time.

Lawyers, Guns & Ja Rule

Today wasn’t a good day for Ja Rule. The rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, lost an attempt to prevent New York City prosecutors from using a loaded weapon found in his car against him.

Ja Rule is currently standing trial in a weapons-possession case resulting from when police stopped his Maybach sports car in 2007. According to prosecutors, the stop was legal because the car didn’t have any insurance and its registration was suspended.

However, Ja Rule did have some success in the courtroom today. The judge threw out the statement the rapper made to police at the time of the stop, saying he had some marijuana in his pocket. While Ja Rule is charged with illegally possessing a weapon, he is not charged with drug possession.

But the weapons charge is enough of a headache for anyone. Ja Rule faces up to four years in prison if convicted.