Incarcerated rapper Ja Rule is set to be released from prison in February (13).

The Always On Time hitmaker, real name Jeffrey Atkins, began a two-year prison stint at a facility in upstate New York in June, 2011 after he was convicted of weapons charges relating to a 2007 arrest.

He was later handed another 28 months behind bars after neglecting to pay taxes on $3 million (£1.9 million) worth of earnings between the years 2004 and 2006.

Ja Rule was initially projected to remain behind bars until 2015, but he will now walk free on 21 February, 2013.

It is not yet known whether overcrowding or good behaviour played a part in the decision.

A post on the star's official website reads, "Ja Rule's prison sentence is coming to an end. The sentence began on June 7th 2011. During that time he is (sic) gained his high school diploma and released his 7th studio album Pain is love 2 (Pil2) with the help of long time producer 7 Aurelius. He is expected to be released on 02/21/2013."