Shyne Speaks On Diddy’s Incarceration: “I Wouldn’t Wish That On My Worst Enemy”
Moses Michael Levi “Shyne” Barrow hosted a private screening of his forthcoming Hulu documentary, The Honorable Shyne on Wednesday (Nov. 13) in New York City. With striking imagery and clips from over the years as a Bad Boys artist, to being sentenced to 10 years in prison, to becoming a Belizean politician—Shyne told his story in only a way that he could.
Following the screening, the “Bonnie & Shyne” rapper held a fireside chat where he was asked about things viewers saw in the production. Shyne spoke on his imprisonment, practicing Judaism, his work in Belize, the 1999 NYC club shooting where he claimed to be “absolutely set up to be the fall guy,” and Diddy getting jail time.
When asked how he felt about the disgraced music mogul’s incarceration—being that he spent many years on Rikers Island—Shyne made it clear he doesn’t feel gratification. “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy,” he admitted. “And I take no satisfaction and no joy in anyone’s pain. I go to the Mikvah in Brooklyn every day, not far away from where he is.”
Speaking of those who have made allegations against the 55-year-old, he added, “And I pray for the victims. Especially, Cassie and different people have been traumatized. And I pray for him that he’s able to find whatever he lost along the way, and whatever lesson he’s supposed to learn and whatever he’s supposed to do.”
Shyne then shifted the focus of the question to his advocacy for the betterment of the Belizean people.
“If there was some type of karmic debt that was to be paid, it would be for me to be able to grow the Belizean economy from a $3 billion GDP to $100 billion, and for me to become the next Prime Minister,” he expressed. “And be able to implement all the policies that’ll create solutions for the problems of the Belizean people. That’s where my mind and my heart is. I wish everyone the best. My life has a defined path, and that path is all about the people of Belize. But from Belize, I can impact the globe.”
The 46-year-old mentioned how he and his musical brethren, DJ Khaled, have different religious views, but can still “come together”—something he hopes for everyone. “When you look at DJ Khaled and I, we are going through some trying times. I don’t believe in extremism, but I don’t believe in terrorists killing innocent people,” he spoke of the conflicts between Israel and Palestine. “But I want to bring us together. I don’t want to divide us. And Khaled is a Palestinian and I’m a Jew, and that’ll never change. But we have to figure out solutions. How do we bring everyone together?”
“That’s how I focus my life on how I can make humanity better, starting in Belize,” he continued. “But certainly the world, through this vehicle, through my memoir, through my motion picture, through my scripted series—we’ll be able to get some of that light that I have to offer because the world really needs more moderate leaders right now that are going to bring people together.”
The Honorable Shyne, which chronicles his rise, fall, and redemption, will be available via Hulu on Nov. 18. A trailer for the doc includes appearances and commentary from Shyne, Don Pooh, Barrington Levy, Kevin Liles, Faith Evans, Noreaga, Charlamagne Tha God, family members and more. See below.
More from VIBE.com
Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
