Shyne Barrow, former rapper and current Leader of the Opposition in Belize, has reignited discussions about his troubled past with Diddy during a promotional tour for his new Hulu documentary, The Honorable Shyne, which premiered on November 18. In a candid appearance on The Breakfast Club on the same day, Shyne opened up about the aftermath of the infamous 1999 nightclub shooting that led to his arrest and a 10-year prison sentence.

“He Owes Me”: Shyne Calls Out Diddy

Shyne vehemently denied the long-standing rumors that he was paid to take the fall for Diddy during the 1999 incident. Instead, he revealed that Diddy attempted to reconcile with him in 2012 by offering $50,000—an amount Shyne found insulting.

“I got out in 2009… by 2012, he made his first attempt at reconciliation. He gave me $50 racks. I said, ‘You can’t be serious. Ten years? $50 racks?’”

Shyne recalled that Diddy visited him during his incarceration, a meeting he described as tense and unwelcome:
“He came to see me once… I think I tried to spit in his face. I didn’t even want him to come back. I didn’t even know he was coming to see me.”

The former rapper further accused Diddy of destroying his life, claiming his refusal to cooperate with prosecutors saved the hip-hop mogul from potential prison time:
“If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have been a billionaire. If I would have cooperated with the district attorney, he’d have gone to jail.”

Shyne Reflects on Healing and Moving On

While Shyne has been outspoken about his grievances in the past, he noted that he has since moved forward, embracing forgiveness and accountability. He admitted to previously viewing Diddy as a destructive figure:
“For years, I said what a creep I thought he was and how he destroyed my life. At one point, I thought he was the devil. But I healed, I forgave, and I moved on.”

The 1999 Shooting and Fallout

The shooting in question occurred at a New York nightclub in December 1999. Shyne, Diddy, and Jennifer Lopez were present when Shyne allegedly fired shots during a dispute, injuring two people. In 2001, Shyne was convicted of assault and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was released in 2009 and deported to Belize.

Shyne has consistently maintained that Diddy betrayed him during the trial, claiming the rapper cooperated with prosecutors and encouraged others to testify against him. The fallout left a deep mark on Shyne, who admitted his youthful ambition to protect Diddy contributed to his predicament.

Diddy’s Current Legal Woes

Diddy is currently detained on unrelated charges and has been denied bail twice. His trial is set to begin in May 2025.

As Shyne reflects on his past through the lens of his new documentary, his candid remarks shed light on the enduring complexities of his relationship with Diddy and the sacrifices that reshaped his life and career.

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