Rapper Ja Rule has been released from prison after serving out sentences for attempted illegal gun possession and tax evasion.

The hip-hop star, real name Jeffrey Atkins, was released from Ray Brook Federal Prison in New York on Tuesday morning (07May13), according to sources.

He will remain on home confinement until 28 July (13).

The rapper was initially sentenced to a two year spell behind bars in 2010 after he pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

A month after he started his sentence in June, 2011, Ja Rule was also ordered to spend 28 months behind bars for tax evasion. He served that sentence concurrently with his gun possession punishment.

Tmz.com reports Ja Rule was originally set to walk free in July (13) but was granted an early release.