V Exclusive! Mystikal Preps Young Money Album; Talks Busta Rhymes YM Debut

After the surprising news of Mystikal signing with Young Money and the release of his debut track with headliner Lil Wayne and Birdman

(“Original”), the veteran New Orleans MC is now gearing up for a full-length album. The gritty-voice lyricist, who first gained notoriety as a member of No Limit Records in the ‘90s and saw an artistic rebirth following his work with the Neptunes (“Danger,” “Shake Ya Ass,” and "Bouncin' Back-Bumpin' Me Against the Wall"), has already knocked out songs for his upcoming April release. And according to Mystical, the recording process has been more than surreal.

“It’s been crazy,” Mystikal tells VIBE. “I still feel like the same way I did when I recorded my first [Young Money] song. When I walked through the parking lot and when I walked in the actual Young Money building, I saw Wayne’s Grammy’s on the wall. And I made it to the booth and recorded some songs, man. I’m trying to make a great album.”

But Mystikal won’t be alone in terms of being Young Money’s elder spitter. With the signing of Busta Rhymes—the animated MC who has more than 20 years in the game and a bevy of scene-stealing tracks (from A Tribe Called Quest’s 1992 classic “Scenario” to Chris Brown’s 2011 hit “Look At Me Now”) and platinum albums—fans can also expect new material this year from the Dungeon Dragon.

“Me and Busta were talking about his album last night,” says Mystikal. When asked if Busta Rhymes’ youthful-like energy has rubbed off on his recording process, Mystikal answers: “He has totally re-charged me.”—Keith Murphy