Although Florida rapper Plies' last official album came in June 2010, in the form of Goon Affiliated, he's kept fans fed with new music through a trio of mixtapes in 2011 and now, kicks off 2012 with a brand new tape -- titled On Trial.

The 17-track mixtape serves as a prelude to his forthcoming, fifth studio LP, titled Purple Heart; and according to the rapper, it gives listeners a better understanding of what's going on in his head.

"A lot going on in a n**** life right now. A n**** feel like, honestly, that most n****s that's out here for real, n****s' lifes on trial every day. I think a n**** can never escape they past, for real," Plies said in a clip discussing the new tape (watch it here ).

"This mixtape is so different for me, because I allowed myself to go back and really pour my heart out for the first time in a long time about sh** that I feel like was important, and sh** I feel like is important to people that really f*** with a n**** for real."

Plies reveals that over the past several months, he's been dealing with the legal system, via an unspecified court case. This opened his eyes a bit, and made him realize he's like to open up to everybody ... and vent about what's been bothering him.

"Just had another situation that a n**** was dealing with that was an eye-opening experience for me, being on trial for real," the rapper explained. "I'mma touch on certain aspects that I feel like allow you to really understand how I think for real. For me man, being a street n**** that come from Ft. Meyers that never had sh** for real, but also been blessed to play with financial means that a n**** never dreamed of -- I think that's important to me because I wanna open up and do sh** I ain't never did before.

"I'm trying to bring n****s 1000% into my world for real," Plies continued. "This On Trial mixtape gone probably be the first time n****s know for real what I'm thinking, how I feel for real, probably n****s I don't f*** with for real. I think I'mma real vent on his mixtape."

On Trial is free of any guest appearances, and boasts production credits from Lody, Drumma Boy, Zaytoven, and DJ Montay, among others.