Shyne speaks on Diddy’s arrest.

Following the recent arrest of Diddy in New York City, many have been sharing their opinions. Among them is Shyne Barrow, former Bad Boy rapper and current Leader of the Opposition in the Belize House of Representatives. In a recent interview with the media in Belize, Shyne reflected on his own past, specifically the 1999 club shooting that resulted in him spending nearly nine years in prison.

Shyne expressed that Diddy played a role in his imprisonment, claiming he was trying to defend the music mogul at the time. While the two reconciled after Shyne’s release, he made it clear that their relationship remained strictly professional. “This is someone who destroyed my life, but I forgave him and moved on,” Shyne said. “For the betterment of Belize, because he was in a position to provide scholarships and potentially invest, I couldn’t deny the opportunity to bring that support to Belize’s education system and economy.”

Natania Reuben was right all along. Diddy shot her in the face and Shyne took the rap for it. She deserves justice. pic.twitter.com/TFzRZCn0dV

— ✨👑 DaddyMO👑✨🏁 (@therealdaddymo1) September 19, 2024

The history between Shyne and Diddy (then known as Puff Daddy) dates back to the late 1990s, when Shyne was signed to Diddy’s Bad Boy Records. Their relationship was significantly affected by a 1999 nightclub shooting incident in New York City, which would later have profound consequences for both.

On December 27, 1999, Diddy, Shyne, and Diddy’s then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez were involved in a shooting at Club New York. A gunfight erupted after an altercation, and three people were injured. Shyne was alleged to have fired a gun during the incident, which led to his arrest alongside Diddy.

While Diddy was acquitted of all charges after a highly publicized trial, Shyne was convicted of attempted murder, assault, and reckless endangerment. In 2001, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison, serving almost nine years before his release in 2009. The trial strained their relationship, with Shyne feeling that Diddy distanced himself to protect his own career and avoid legal repercussions.