There's no glorifying prison. A bid is a bid. But, as twisted as it may sound, lock up has had its share of benefits in hip-hop. In addition to boosting street credibility, jail sentences also create anticipation for comebacks. In the last decade, MCs like T.I., Gucci Mane and Lil Wayne have all come out of jail larger than life. Prodigy of Mobb Deep is looking to follow in their footsteps. After serving three years on gun possession, the Queens lyricist was released in early March. P's already landed his talents to Jim Jones' "Take a Bow" and Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex leaked Mobb's "Love Y'all More" two weeks ago. Earlier this week, P teamed up with partner-in-rhyme Havoc and longtime collaborator Nas to release "Dog Shit," his first official single since being released from prison. Judging by the internets' reaction, the track is poised to join the annals of impactful comeback songs that have come out in the last 10 years. XXL looks back at hip-hop’s post-prison releases over the last ten years. Who’s had the best comeback track? —Amber McKynzie

loading...

Styles P Ft. Akon "Can You Believe It" 2003
After being sentenced to eight months in jail for stabbing a man in the buttocks, P's first single released post jail was "Can You Believe It."
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/04-Styles-P-Ft.-Akon-Can-You-Believe-It.mp3]

loading...

Tony Yayo Ft. 50 Cent "So Seductive" 2004
Yayo was released from prison in '05 after five and a half months behind bars for possessing a forged passport. Yayo hit the studio running the moment he was released. Soon enough, his first solo single, "So Seductive", hit the streets.
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/05-So-Seductive.mp3]

loading...

Project Pat Ft. Three 6 Mafia "Good Googly Moogly" 2005
The Memphis rhyme-spitter has always been known for his lyrics towards women of a certain body type, so it was only fitting that his first song out of jail was about a "bubble gum cap with a ___ that's stacked."
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/01-Googly-Moogly-That-Thang-Is-Juicy.mp3]

loading...

Beanie Sigel "Feel It In the Air" 2005
Beans served almost a year in prison for a federal gun charge, but when released he wasn't coming home to nothing. His third studio album, B. Coming, dropped five months after he was sentenced. The LP's first single was "Feel It In the Air."
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/Beanie-Sigel-Feel-It-In-The-Air.mp3]
After serving ten months in prison for

loading...

Pimp C- I'm Free 2005

After serving almost four years in prison for parole violations on an aggravated assault charge, the late great Pimp C was released in December 2005. He kicked off the new year by dropping the appropriately titled, "I"m Free" single from his solo set, Pimpalation.
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/02-Im-Free-1.mp3]

loading...

Cassidy Ft. Swizz Beatz "My Drink N My 2 Step" 2007
Only serving eight months in an eleven to 23 month prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and negligence, the Philly-born rapper swarmed the clubs and radio waves with a single that celebrated his new look on life.
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/02-My-Drink-My-2-Step-feat.-Swizz-Beatz.mp3]

loading...

Lil Kim "Chillin' Tonight" 2007
After serving 10 months in the Philadelphia Federal Detention Center, the Queen Bee was released and had no problem letting everybody know she was "Chillin' Tonight."
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/Lil-Kim-Chillin-Tonight.mp3]

loading...

Gucci Mane ft. Plies "Wasted"
Gucci was sent to jail for six months after violating his probation for failing to complete his community service in 2008. He released "Wasted" in 2009, but was sent back to prison before The State Vs. Radric Davis hit stores that same year for another probation violation.
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/16-Wasted-Feat.-Plies.mp3]

loading...

Foxy Brown Ft. Kira "When The Lights Go Out" 2008
After serving eight months for a parole violation in connection with assault of two manicurists, Fox Boogie headed for the studio to show not even prison could slow her down.
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/Lights-Go-Out.mp3]

loading...

Shyne "The Roller Song" 2010
After nearly 10 years in the bing for attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment charges, the Belize-born rapper came out spitting like a king.

loading...

T.I. "I'm Back" 2009
After serving eleven months for a federal weapons charge, Tip released a track to let all the haters know he's back!
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/Im-Back-www.best-clips.org-1.mp3]

loading...

Black Rob "Ventilation" 2010
Black Rob was released from prison in 2010 after serving almost four years for grand larceny. It's clear that he was ready for a breath of fresh air when he dropped this track.
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/Black-Rob-Ventilation-DOPEHOOD.COM_.mp3]

loading...

Gucci Mane Ft. Swizz Beatz "Gucci Time" 2010
After just a year in jail due to an aggravated assault charge, Guch wasted no time teaming up with one of the most respected producers in the game to let you know it was his time.
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/Its-Gucci-Time.mp3]

loading...

Lil Wayne Ft. Cory Gunz "6 foot 7 foot" 2010
The self-proclaimed "Best Rapper Alive" spent 8 months in prison for gun possession and was released in November 2010. After keeping relatively quiet for a few weeks, he teamed up with "A Milli" producer Bangladesh for another banger.
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/07-Lil-Wayne-Ft.-Cory-Gunz-6-Foot-7-Foot-Prod.-By-Bangladesh-1.mp3]

loading...

Mystikal Ft. Jazze Pha "Uh Oh" 2011
After spending six years in prison for sexual battery and extortion, the former No Limit rapper hit the studio with Atlanta super producer and Mannie Fresh to let the world know he's back.
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/02-Uh-Oh-RADIO-RIP-1.mp3]

loading...

Just released from a near three-year bid last month for criminal possession of a weapon he put it down lyrically like he hasn't lost a step.

Mobb Deep ft. Nas "Dog Shit"
[Audio://townsquare.media/site/812/files/2011/04/Dog-Shit-Steet-Mix.mp3]

id="200"]

More From XXL