Former Brooklyn rapper turned Belize politician Shyne Barrow says he was the fall guy in the notorious 1999 club shooting in New York. For those who forgot, Shyne served about eight years for his conviction in that shooting. The victim who was shot in the face blames Diddy, and even though Shyne isn’t agreeing to her accusation, nearly 25 years later.
Shyne is now an elected member of the House of Representatives. He turned his life around and is a politician in his native Belize. He spoke to the media in his island nation, where he was deported after being released. Shyne says he’s put that part of his life behind him, but there’s been some renewed interest in the story due to all that surrounds Diddy’s legal and civil trouble.
TMZ reported on Shyne’s chat, and the Brooklyn artist maintains his innocence but won’t blame his former boss.
But what’s interesting is that he kind urges anyone to watch the videos posted by the victim, Natania Reuben, who was struck in the face with a bullet that fateful night.
It’s wild, but Natania posted several clips where she recounts her experience and thoughts that night. She steadfastly points the finger at Diddy for the shooting, although Diddy was never actually charged for pulling the trigger.
Way back when Diddy was hit with gun possession and bribery charges but was acquitted, while Shyne was found guilty and did time.
Diddy did pay over a million to Reuben so there’s that part.
What’s crazier is this was back when Diddy was dating Jennifer Lopez. She was not charged with anything and rightfully so. Times have changed. Lopez is back married to Ben Affleck and a mogul in her own rite. Shyne is a whole politician and Diddy is well, you know what’s going on there.
Despite spending nearly nine years of his ten-year sentence in New York prisons, Moses “Shyne” Barrow has come out the other side a far more confident man. Now a politician in Belize, the 45-year-old works as the Leader of the Opposition in the country’s House of Representatives as well as the leader of the United Democratic Party. Rather than staying stuck in the past after the 1999 nightclub shooting that put him away, Barrow is doing everything he can to move forward. Unfortunately, this is growing difficult now that the case is resurfacing in the news lately.
Shyne didn’t shoot a woman over two decades ago. Instead, he took the blame for Diddy. Some say that Jennifer Lopez lied under oath for her former lover during the case and that she carried his gun at the venue. For the most part, the political leader has kept quiet about the case, though he did have a lot to say in a new interview. “I’ve done my best to put it behind me and to move forward. But it certainly reopens the wounds that I’ve been saying this all along, everyone knew all along that I was the fall guy,” the former Bad Boy artist said, as per Channel 5 Belize.
“I’m just saying that I maintained my innocence all this time. I said I was defending myself, I didn’t get into who did what, but the victim is telling you who did what and I understand that there are other witnesses,” Shyne continued, though he didn’t want to discuss the details too in depth. “I am relieved that people are saying what the truth is, that I did not shoot those people; I maintain that I never shoot nobody, that there were other guns there. I’ve always said that, that has not changed and that is the testimony that came out,” the ex-prisoner said before thanking Diddy for his contributions to the people of Belize.
“I wish him well and I pray for him, and I pray for the alleged victims and if it is true, may justice be served and if it’s not, it’s a tragedy because a global icon would have been destroyed,” Shyne added. The cries of condemnation against Diddy have been far louder than those supporting him at this time. Still, some artists and industry executives have done their best to help clear the embattled star’s name, such as Tyrese and Slim Thug. Read more about those who are backing Sean Combs amid the harrowing allegations rising against him at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
Thanks to recent developments in the news, Diddy has been under a great deal of scrutiny. Many hip-hop heads are looking back into the history of the Bad Boy Records founder with a fresh set of eyes. One major moment in Diddy’s story that has gone back under the microscope is his connection with the decade-long incarceration of former Bad Boy signee Shyne. In 1998, Shyne, a major up-and-comer in hip-hop, signed with the label. However, his career took a significant hit in 1999 after a shooting incident. In 2001, authorities charged and imprisoned Shyne, only three years after he signed the multi-million dollar deal. Diddy and Shyne faced charges, but the label mogul was mysteriously acquitted. Let’s look at the incident and incarceration of Shyne and how it connects with Diddy in light of recent events.
The Shooting Occurred In December 1999
Just one year after joining Bad Boy, Shyne found himself embroiled in a shooting incident alongside Diddy and Jennifer Lopez. Diddy and Lopez maintained a romantic relationship during that time, and the trio attended an industry event at a New York nightclub. According to witness testimony, a man named Matthew Allen, who went by the nickname Scar, entered into a verbal altercation with Diddy. This soon escalated into a series of death threats and physical violence. Guns were drawn, and shots were fired inside of the packed night club, injuring three random bystanders. Prosecutors accused Shyne and Diddy of drawing guns in the building, though both rappers claimed to be acting in self-defense.
Shyne claimed he fired into the air, assuring the court that he did not hit any bystanders. Despite eyewitnesses’ statements contradicting Shyne’s claim and asserting that all three injured civilians sustained gunshot wounds from Shyne’s gun, testimony from a ballistics expert appeared to challenge his assertion. The expert revealed that one of the injuries resulted from a 40-caliber weapon stock, which did not match Shyne’s 9-millimeter weapon. Nevertheless, despite this evidence, the court convicted Shyne of two counts of assault and reckless endangerment. He was also tacked with criminal possession of an illegal weapon. Consequently, he received a ten-year prison sentence with no possibility of parole.
Diddy Was Acquitted Of All Charges
Why bring this up now? What’s going on? _______
Natania Reuben, the victim of the nightclub shooting that involved Diddy and Shyne, says Diddy shot her in the face, not Shyne. She also says she wants the case reopened. pic.twitter.com/OuzpsEoyes
Despite Shyne’s conviction, Diddy managed to wriggle his way out of numerous charges associated with that fateful evening. Diddy’s charges included attempted murder, intentional assault in the first degree, illegal possession of two firearms, and bribery in connection with the impending trial. Once Shyne was incarcerated in Clinton Correctional Facility, he severed all ties with Diddy and Bad Boy Records. He has since expressed feeling extremely bitter to his former label boss. The details surrounding Diddy’s acquittal are murky. Yet, many rap fans assume the executive and his lawyers conspired to pin the entire shooting on his signee.
Shyne Has Since Made Up With Diddy
Despite their past conflicts, Shyne and Diddy eventually reconciled after authorities released the former rapper from prison and deported him to his home country of Belize. Since his sentencing, Shyne has converted to Orthodox Judaism, reunited with his estranged father, and actively served his constituents after they elected him as Leader of the Opposition in the Belize House of Representatives. Shortly after joining the House of Representatives, government officials across Belize called for an amendment that would bar ex-convicts such as Shyne from running for office. This injustice caused Diddy to reach out in support of his former collaborator, and the two made peace.
In a January 2022 interview with Drink Champs, Shyne expressed, “Puff, to me, totally redeemed himself” in response to Diddy’s political support. He continued, “I did go through a stage of bitterness. But in retrospect, I blame it more on the lawyers that were advising [Diddy.]… That was over a decade ago and I was in a different space then.”
Diddy and Shyne recently reunited on stage in London during the One Night Only concert. The event aimed to support the Sickle Cell Society and Black Minds Matter. The surprise appearance of Shyne alongside Diddy added an extra dose of nostalgia as they performed their classic hits “Bonnie & Shyne” and “Bad Boys.” ‘One Night […]
As a rapper, Shyne has largely flown under the radar recently. Especially as he is now actively focused on the political scene in his native country, Belize. However, once upon a time, he was bumping out great music, and his self-titled debut album is still a classic Hip Hop body of work. The former member of Bad Boy Records gained prominence in the late ‘90s and early 2000s.
Unfortunately, legal troubles impeded his growth. He was ultimately deported from the US after serving time between 2001 and 2009. Despite these circumstances, however, his self-titled debut album was released in 2000, and even after 23 years, it is undeniable that he dropped a gem. Overall, Shyne’s rollercoaster life and career have truly been one for the books.
The Build-Up To Shyne
Shyne was discovered by DJ Clark Kent in 1998 and signed to Bad Boy Records soon after being introduced to Sean Combs. Before releasing his debut album, the rapper made guest appearances on some 1999 tracks, including “From Scratch” by Mase and “Reverse” by Puff Daddy. Even back then, Sean “Diddy” Combs was one of the most influential figures in the music industry. As a result, Shyne’s affiliation with him made the young rapper’s debut album highly anticipated in the Hip Hop community. Shyne was recorded between 1999 and 2000 and was subsequently released on September 26, 2000, under Bad Boy Records.
Music From The Perspective Of Shyne
The album’s background is rooted in Shyne’s life experiences, as well as the musical atmosphere of the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Shyne, originally from Belize, had a unique background that added to his appeal. In addition, his raspy voice and gritty lyrics set him apart. Shyne’s debut album also came when Hip Hop was evolving and exploring new sounds and styles. As a result, his album explicitly reflects the diverse influences of that era. Particularly, his collaboration with Barrington Levy exemplifies the experimental nature of Shyne.
Furthermore, his storytelling ability is showcased through his vivid and raw lyrics on the album. Addressing themes such as crime, struggle, and survival, he paints a picture of the challenges faced in urban environments. Additionally, the album reflects a “gangsta” persona, a common theme in Hip Hop during that era. Shyne dons that persona well, and his lyrics effectively portray a streetwise, tough image throughout the album.
Production & Feature Credits On Shyne
The production of Shyne was a collaborative effort involving several talented producers, including The Neptunes, Chucky Thompson, and Mario Winans, among others. Each producer contributed to the album’s diverse sonic palette, bringing Shyne’s vision to life. Moreover, the rapper’s Belizean heritage and love for reggae music are apparent in the album’s production.
Notably, many songs on Shyne contain samples, with the most popular songs being “Bad Boyz” and “Bonnie and Shyne.” The sampled tracks on “Bad Boyz” are “Here I Come” by Barrington Levy and “Nightclubbin” by Grace Jones, while on “Bonnie & Shyne,” Grace Jones’ “La Vie En Rose” is sampled. In addition to his track being sampled, Barrington Levy is credited as a featured artist on “Bad Boyz,” as well as “Bonnie & Shyne.” The only other guest appearance on the album is by Slim of 112, who features on “Get Out.”
The Rapper Shynes On
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 26: (L-R) Shyne and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs perform onstage during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Despite mixed reviews from critics, the album was a commercial success upon its release. It reached the number five spot on the Billboard 200 chart, so evidently, listeners took a liking to it. Regardless of the legal challenges Shyne faced soon after the album dropped, the album’s impact on the music industry was undeniable. Twenty-three years later, it is still felt strongly, and its representation of the Hip Hop culture of that era remains noteworthy. Likely, Shyne may never drop another album, as he has moved on to the political arena. However, with the influence of his self-titled debut album, his legacy as a rapper holds firm.
Music and politics have always been intertwined, especially in the world of hip-hop. But not all rappers relegate their political viewpoints to the confines of their art. Sometimes, they bring political candor to an actual campaign trail.
Plenty of rappers have flirted with the idea of running for political office. However, there have been a few who have thrown their hat in the ring, earnestly. From Belizean rapper-turned-congressman, Shyne to Kanye West, here are five rappers who have legitimately run for political office.
5. Shyne
Before his career in politics, Belizean rapper Shyne was probably best known for his hit song “Bad Boyz.” The track reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Shyne’s musical career was hit with some turbulence after he was convicted and imprisoned for assault and reckless endangerment.
While incarcerated, Shyne signed a multi-million-dollar contract with Def Jam Records and released his second album Godfather Buried Alive. The album was a hit. After Shyne’s release from prison in 2009, he was deported to Belize. A year later, he was appointed the Belize Music and Goodwill Ambassador. In 2020, he was elected to the Belize House of Representatives. Shyne’s political career shows no signs of waning as he is currently looking to run for prime minister of Belize in 2025.
4. Esham
Detroit-based rapper Esham has had a long career in the world of underground rap. His breakout album Bruce Wayne: Gothom City 1987 reached number 57 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart the year of its release. In 2002, Esham signed to Psychopathic Records and released a string of experimental “acid rap” albums including fan-favorite release Repentance.
In 2008, Esham told Metro Times he was in the process of petitioning to run for Mayor of Detroit. His petition was ultimately denied. However, his potential bid for candidacy did give fans a mayoral campaign EP. And to be honest, it was kind of ill. Seriously.
3. Uncle Luke
Luther Campbell (aka Luke, Uncle Luke, or Luke Skyywalker) was the leader of one of rap’s foremost group of provocateurs, 2 Live Crew. With that in mind, it’s hard to believe Miami native would ever run for office. After all, this was the guy who co-wrote “Throw the D.” So, make of that what you will.
However, in 2011, Campbell ran for mayor of Miami-Dade County. He ran on a somewhat(?) progressive platform that looked to bring transparency to local government (and tax strippers). Uncle Luke came in fourth among a group of eleven candidates. Regardless, he still managed to get 11% of the vote, which seemed like an impressive percentage, all things considered.
2. Kanye West
Kanye West has been the subject of countless controversies over the course of his career. From interrupted awards shows to several public feuds, West was no stranger to combative behavior. However, one of the strangest moments in his career was his bid for the presidency of The United States. On July 4th, 2020, Kanye West announced his campaign for President of the United States. In what seemed like another media stunt by the controversial rapper, West managed to qualify for ballot access in 12 states. His bid for the highest office in the US garnered over 66 thousand votes, receiving an average of 0.32% of voter support
Wyclef Jean has never been stranger to politics in his art. He helped galvanize the socially conscious rap group The Fugees in the early ’90 and has been politically active ever since. Jean has tackled several political topics in his art, but in 2010 he went a step further.
In a CNN interview, Jean confirmed that he was running in the 2010 Haitian presidential election. He intended to run for the Viv Ansanm (Live Together) party. However, shortly after his announcement, Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council rejected his bid. The reason was that Jean had not lived in Haiti for five years prior to the election. This did not meet the council’s constitutional residency requirements. Jean gracefully accepted the terms and bowed out.
He has come a long way from a rapper to a politician, and Shyne is ready to share his story. In 1999, Shyne was enjoying his successes when an incident at a nightclub shifted the direction of his life. He was out with Sean “Diddy” Combs and the Bad Boy mogul’s then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez when a confrontation erupted. Gunshots were fired, and three people were injured.
Shyne was convicted of several charges, including assault and reckless endangerment. He served nine years of a 10-year sentence, and upon his release, he was deported to his home country of Belize. While there, Shyne began community building, and later, he started his political career.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 26: Shyne performs onstage during the 2022 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET)
Although he’s left his rap aspirations behind him, Shyne’s time in the industry is much talked about. According to an Instagram post, his story will soon hit the big screen in a feature produced by Roc Nation and DJ Khaled.
“Very pleased to partner with Walt Disney, ESPN & Andscape to tell the Shyne story,” he wrote. “With @djkhaled and @rocnation executive producing you can expect nothing short of a riveting film that takes you on an unfiltered journey of my life from birth in Belize to the dreams, nightmares, triumphs and tragedies involved in selling millions of albums, winning Grammy Awards, sacrificing my career and freedom to defend myself and friends, incarceration to reincarnation, fury to forgiveness, hurt to healing poverty to patriotism and purpose.”
“Legendary Rapper to next Prime Minister of Belize!”
On this date in 2000, Bad Boy Records premiere artist Jamal “Shyne” Barrow released his self-titled debut album on the ever-popular Bad Boy imprint under the leadership of BB honcho, then known as “P. Diddy.”
Shyne’s debut album release was a bittersweet one, with his LP being dropped while the Belize-born rapper was serving 8-10 years in an upstate prison for a shooting in Club New York in Manhattan just a year prior involving his boss and then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez. Despite Barrow having to do time behind bars, his album was an undisputed success, selling over a million copies in less than a year. It also was a tremendous help that Shyne’s voice was eerily identical to slain Bad Boy artist Notorious B.I.G.
With the album content surrounding Shyne’s real-life gangster image, the project’s leading singles, “Bad Boyz”, which features reggae legend Barrington Levy and the thug love story “Bonnie And Shyne”, were not only popular in the streets, but also did their numbers on-air, with the singles in constant rotation on the radio around the country.
Salute to Diddy, Shyne and the rest of the Bad Boy staff for bringing the people such a timeless Hip Hop classic!
Former Bad Boy bodyguard Gene Deal spoke to The Art Of Dialogue about the shooting in Club NY in 1999 which landed Bay Boy Records signee in prison for a decade and did not pull any punches when saying Diddy snitched on Shyne to save himself.
Deal insinuated that Diddy separated himself from Shyne, whose name is Jamal Barrow, while others made statements against the Biggie soundalike, forcing Shyne into a solitary corner. “They came to Shyne, and they asked Shyne for 20 racks ’cause they had somebody that was gonna make sure all of them got off ’cause they was not going to agree to none of them charges, and they was on the jury stand,” Deal says. “Shyne may not admit to it, but he knows that to be true. So now, the reason they got off was people was coming to Bad Boy security and said that they were there.”
Deal spoke about the never-before-mentioned snitches on Diddy’s side who were going to assist in throwing Shyne under the bus, saying, “He was like, ‘You supposed to be my brother, and you got people testifying against me?’ Those people were testifying, they were brought to Puff first, saying what they saw against Shyne, what they saw Shyne do. The D.A. didn’t even know those people existed,” said Deal.
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