Yelawolf launches new tour after bouncing back from injury

Rapper Yelawolf is back on the road for the first time since he was hospitalized after rupturing his spleen during a gig.

The hip-hop star, real name Michael Wayne Atha, was forced to cancel a string of shows after he was admitted to a medical center in Madison, Wisconsin last month (Mar12).

He was later placed in an intensive care unit (ICU) for several days so he could recover from the serious abdominal injury.

Atha subsequently blamed the rupture on his antics during his energetic performances, and insisted he had to put an end to his stage dives - but now he's ready to get back on the road.

He launched a new world tour in North Carolina on Saturday (21Apr12), and will head to Europe next month (May12).