New Orleans rapper Turk is officially a free man, after serving almost 9 years in prison for weapons violations.

The rapper, born Tab Virgil Jr., was released from the Forrest City, Arkansas Federal Prison this morning (October 12).

Turk checked in with AllHipHop and was in good spirits on his first day of freedom.

Turk was a member of the hit Hip-Hop group The Hot Boys on Cash Money Records, from 1996 – 2001.

The Hot Boys are the group that launched the careers of Turk, Lil Wayne, Juvenile, and B.G.

In 2004, Turk’s career was derailed, when he was involved in a shoot-out with members of the Memphis, Tennessee S.W.A.T. Team, as they raided an apartment.

Two officers were injured during an ensuing gunfight, an incident which eventually resulted in Turk’s conviction and subsequent sentencing to almost ten-years in prison.

Turk is currently working on new material to be released, in addition to a book about his life titled “The AutoThugography” of Turk.

The rapper is also working on a screenplay about his life title “Reckless,” that will be released shortly.

AllHipHop will be publishing excerpts of “Reckless,” now that Turk has officially been released from prison.