For the first time since being released from prison in February, Mystikal returned on stage to perform, making a surprise appearance Saturday night at the Funk Fest in Orlando. Mystikal was brought on stage by Doug E. Fesh to perform a set including Ludacris' "Move Bitch" and his own "Shake Ya Ass" hits.

The annual Funk Fest celebration is a highly anticipated event that hosts a string of industry veterans such as Erykah Badu, TI and Jeezy, among others, and marks the first major public appearance of the Southern artist after 18 months in jail for rape and kidnapping.

His release took place only after he filed a $ 3 million bail, amount that he would have had after gaining an advance on a new record deal. The charges were brought against the rapper after a woman from Louisiana charged him with sexual assault. Shortly after, he would turn into a police officer.

Since his release, Mystikal and his legal team have called for the dismissal of the charges and the dismissal of the case, rejecting a plea agreement.

"On the basis of all the evidence before us, we firmly believe that an amicable resolution is not only possible but likely as an outcome in this case," said his lawyer, Joel Pearce, in a statement. communicated. "Michael Tyler will never be sentenced to prison for a crime he did not commit."