BET Awards 2022: The Evolution of Rapper Turned Politician Shyne
Rapper-turned- politician Moses Michael Levi Barrow, better known as former Bad Boy rapper Shyne, almost lost it all following a 1999 club shooting in New York City. Still, through perseverance, the emcee completed a 10-year bid that would’ve defeated most and garnered himself a respectable political career as the Belizean House of Representatives. Over the weekend, the busy office holder stepped away from his duties to attend the BET Awards 2022 hosted by actress Taraji P. Henson where dozens more legendary industry figures gathered to celebrate culture’s biggest night. As we look back at some of the most memorable moments from this year’s ceremony, please get to know our presenter a little better with these fast facts.
Rap career
In the late 90s, Shyne caught the attention of legendary hip hop producer DJ Clark Kent while freestyling one day at a barber shop. Kent, who was working on Notorious BIG’s first posthumous album Born Again, took the aspiring star to the offices of Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, where the music mogul signed him to the iconic music label on the spot.
Legal troubles
On June 1, 2001, Shyne was sentenced to ten years in prison for his role in the 1999 New York club shooting that left three people injured. Shyne, who was 21 years old at the time, was ultimately charged and convicted of attempted murder, assault, and reckless endangerment. He spent ten years at the maximum security prison Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, NY. On October 26, 2009, he was released from ICE custody and deported to his home country of Belize.
He converted to a sector of Judaism now known as Hasidism
While in prison, Shyne converted to a sector of Judaism known as Hasidism. While behind bars, he changed his legal name to Moses Michael Levi Barrow in 2006. As of today, he practices Orthodox Judaism. He even spent some time living in Jerusalem following his release from prison.
He gave up sex and profanity
Following his return to the spot after a 10-year prison sentence that ended in 2009, Shyne revealed that he had made several changes in his life, including abstaining from sexual activities and refraining from using profanity in his art.
Political life
Nowadays, Shyne is a member of the House of Representatives in Belize after being nominated by the United Democratic Party to stand as a candidate. He is also the country's Ambassador of Music, tasked with developing the music industry in Belize. The star comes from a political family. His father, Dean Barrow, was elected the Prime Minister of Belize in 2008, while his uncle, Michael Finnegan, was once also a politician.
