The son of rapper Mystikal voiced his hope for the former No Limit Records artist to rehabilitate himself after being sentenced to 20 years for rape.
Mystikal’s son, Million Tyler, gave an interview to TMZ on Monday (June 22), and described the time since his father's June 15 sentencing as "an emotional run" for their family. The New Orleans artist, real name Michael Tyler, pleaded guilty to third-degree rape in March before receiving the maximum sentence earlier this month.
His victim claimed that she was forcibly raped at Mystikal’s home in Prairieville, Louisiana, home in 2022 and was allowed to leave after being forced to pay the now-55-year-old via CashApp.
During the TMZ interview, Tyler said that he empathises with both the victim and his father. "Nobody wins from these situations," he said. "It's hard for both parties if we're being honest."
When asked if he thinks that his father receiving a 20-year sentence was fair, Tyler said that he couldn't place "too much judgment on him." Tyler also confirmed that he was in the courtroom when the victim testified about the rape, to which Mystikal acknowledged that he should receive the maximum sentence.
"All I can say is it was pretty emotional to see both sides and to see it all unfolding," Tyler said, adding that the sentencing has been "a lot to deal with" within his family. "It creates a huge array of different emotions and things to have to deal with from the situation," Tyler said, adding that he has to "keep pushing" in his music career.
The Baton Rouge native also confirmed that while he plans to eventually talk to his father, it will likely be "later in life" before he ended with a message for the "Danger" artist.
"I hope you get the help you need. I really hope you do," Tyler concluded.
According to Variety, Mystikal’s attorney filed a motion days before sentencing to withdraw the guilty plea, citing emotional distress and insufficient time to weigh the consequences. The motion was dismissed.
Mystikal, who has been held without bond since his July 2022 arrest, will be in his late 60s before he is eligible for release. The sentencing judge also ordered him to maintain his registration as a lifetime sex offender upon release. Mystikal was previously incarcerated for battery in 2003 after his former hairstylist alleged that he and 2 bodyguards forced her to perform sex acts on them after being accused of extortion. The rapper was released from prison in 2010 before again being accused of rape 6 years later, although charges were later dropped.
At sentencing, Mystikal attempted to address the victim directly before being ordered to turn his remarks to the judge only. "If I did that to you, I deserve the max sentence,” he told the court.
