After serving eight months at New York's Rikers Island correctional facility, rap diva Foxy Brown is a free bird. The rapper -- who was sentenced to one year in jail for violating probation when she pled guilty to misdemeanor assault charges -- was released from prison this morning.

The rapper was greeted by excited fans and media as she stepped out of a white Rolls Royce donning a head scarf, diva-like sunglasses and a brown leather jacket over a fairly simple ensemble. Brown hugged and took pictures with almost every friend, fan and family member while making quick statements into a bevy of tape recorders and cameras before jumping back into the Rolls Royce.

Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, was sentenced in September 2007 for violating probation when she pled guilty to to misdemeanor assault charges stemming from an altercation with two manicurists in August 2004. Marchand is the second high profile female rapper to serve time behind bars. Lil' Kim served nine months of a 366-day prison sentence for federal perjury charges. Grammy-nominated rapper Remy Ma was found guilty of first-degree assault and faces up to 25 years in prison.