Ask Shyne in 2021 and he'll tell you that his goal is to be what "Bob Marley was for Jamaica" for Belize. The former Bad Boy superstar was sentenced to 10 years in prison after an infamous nightclub shooting involving him, Diddy and Jennifer Lopez. Upon release from prison in 2009, he was deported back to Belize and after remaining out of the limelight, the GRAMMY-winning rapper is back on U.S. soil as a new man on a mission.
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In an exclusive conversation with Audacy's Big Tigger, Shyne spoke on his role in Belizean politics, why Belize is the world's "best kept secret" (in regards to tourism), his abrupt fall from the music industry, his relationship with Diddy and more.
Shyne (born Jamal Michael Barrow) was born in Belize in 1978, but moved to Brooklyn as a child. In 1998, he was discovered in a barbershop by the legendary DJ Clark Kent who took him to Bad Boy Records and was signed on the spot. His career skyrocketed until the shooting in 1999. When he was sentenced, his eponymous album was a huge success and while imprisoned, he went on to record his second album, Godfather Buried Alive, convert to Orthodox Judaism and change his name to Moses Michael Levi Barrow.
Due to his massive musical successes and extensive skill set, he was appointed Belize's Ambassador of Music in which he would use contacts and resources to "discover and support sustainable development in the music industry on behalf of the government." He expressed, "that made sense" and it's what he's spent the past 12 years doing.
He took a few minutes to brag on the successes from his Belizean protégés before getting into his new role as part of their House of Representatives. Shyne detailed his career pivot as a "[continuation] of human development" and it's just another step in his personal journey.
"What I'm doing now, my transformation is really an example of what all of us as human beings can do if we make that investment in ourselves and our humanity," he explained. The 42-year-old was allowed back in the United States to meet with legislators to discuss "what more could be done as far as tourism or legislation." He even revealed that one discussion point was making Belize a "sister city" to Atlanta.
Shyne bragged on the growth of Belize as a tourist site. There's now a host of "boutique [and] upscale hotels" and he labeled the country, "a best kept secret." He continued, "we're a virgin paradise island and I feel someone like me could do what Bob Marley did for Jamaica and popularize all the attractions that we have [...] I think it's just a matter of time."
When it's all said and done, Shyne knows exactly what he wants to be remembered by. "I want to remembered as the human being that transformed his country and improved the standard of living for the masses that are always overlooked and underprivileged and disadvantaged and disenfranchised [...] my good friend, JAY-Z said 'I brag different' and I wanna brag about better housing for the normal, hard-working Belizean. I wanna create just a better life where they go on vacation, educate their kids, make a decent, livable wage. I believe that those of us that are privileged should empower and uplift the rest of other brothers and sisters."
For more on Shyne's current relationship with Diddy, the full rundown of who's poppin' in Belize, the meaning behind name change, and more on Shyne 2.0, dive into the full convo above.
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