Former Bad Boy Records artist Shyne was recently welcomed back to the United States nearly 10 years after being deported to his home country of Belize. But it was an arduous road to not only secure his freedom from prison but also get to a point where he could talk to Diddy again.
In 1999, Shyne, Diddy and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez went to a Manhattan nightclub where a shooting took place. Shyne, just 20 at the time, was forced to make the rash decision to either defend himself and his friends or risk getting shot by alleged instigator Matthew “Scar” Allen. So, he pulled the trigger.
While no one was killed, three people were injured, and Shyne was ultimately charged with attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment. But Diddy, who was also arrested that night, was acquitted of all charges and their friendship was never the same. In fact, Shyne severed all ties with Diddy and Bad Boy Records.
For nearly 10 years, Shyne sat behind the bars of Clinton Correctional Facility as he immersed himself in books on Judaism. In 2009, Shyne was released from prison and into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. He was then sent back to Belize where he continued fighting for U.S. citizenship.
After changing his name to Moses Michael Levi Barrow in 2006, Shyne committed himself to the religion wholeheartedly and eventually moved to Jerusalem where he spent endless hours studying the Torah.
During a recent Zoom interview with HipHopDX, the 42-year-old made it clear he still applies the lessons he’s learned to everyday life as he talked about how he was finally able to find forgiveness and mend his friendship with Diddy.
Shyne, who’s now a member of the House of Representatives in Belize, was stoic as he spoke about a story he says has been “recycled” too many times. Nonetheless, it was a part of his history that undoubtedly helped shape him as a politician and man.
Earlier this month, Diddy was instrumental in securing a U.S. Visa for his former artist, proving they’ve come a long way.
“I think all families that I know on planet Earth have disputes and difficulties, and that’s part of a family,” he tells DX. “And I think you have to have perspective, and you have to have a vision and a focus as to where you’re going. I try not to focus on people and I try to focus on myself. Once I heal and once I get clarity as to my purpose and my mission, then taking the baggage of yesterday with me is not practical. You can’t move forward taking things from 23 years ago with you.
“I can’t plan and succeed in building my life for the next 23 years if I’m taking all the things that are holding me back, that are stagnating me, that are weighing me down. If I try to take those things with me, I won’t progress.”
Source :. HipHopDX