What is Shyne's Net Worth?
Shyne is a Belizean rapper and politician who has a net worth of $500 thousand. Shyne serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Belize House of Representatives and the leader of the Belize United Democratic Party. As a rapper, he rose to fame with his 2000 self-titled debut album and its singles "Bad Boyz" and "Bonnie & Shyne." Just prior to the release of the album, Shyne was involved in a shooting at a nightclub for which he was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison, during which time he became an observant Jew.
Early Life and Education
Shyne, whose real name is Jamal Michael Barrow, was born on November 8, 1978 in Belize City, Belize to Frances Myvette and future prime minister of Belize Dean Barrow. He has Ethiopian Jewish ancestry on his mother's side. Growing up, Barrow split his time living with his mother in New York City and his father in Belize. In New York, he lived in near poverty in the Crown Heights and East Flatbush neighborhoods of Brooklyn. At the age of 15, Barrow got into a fight during which he was shot in his right shoulder. Back in Belize, he attended Wesley College for a while before going back to the United States to attend the New York City College of Technology. He ultimately left the latter to pursue his music career.
Career Beginnings
While freestyling in a Brooklyn barbershop in 1998, Barrow was discovered by hip hop producer DJ Clark Kent, who subsequently introduced him to Sean "Diddy" Combs. In turn, Combs signed Barrow to his label Bad Boy Records. Using the rap name Shyne, Barrow went on to be featured on various recordings by his label-mates at Bad Boy.
Shooting and Conviction
At the Manhattan nightclub Club New York in the early hours of December 27, 1999, a man named Matthew Allen began arguing with Sean Combs, who was with Shyne and Jennifer Lopez at the time. He also allegedly threatened to kill Shyne. Allen, Combs, and Shyne all drew guns, and Shyne fired three times, injuring three bystanders in the crowded club. Although there was a dispute as to whether the three injuries were in fact caused by Shyne, he ended up being convicted at trial by a jury on two counts of assault, as well as of reckless endangerment and criminal possession of an illegal weapon. He was ultimately sentenced to ten years in prison.
(Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Incarceration
Shyne began his prison service in 2001 at the maximum security prison Clinton Correctional Facility in New York. During his incarceration, he became a practicing Jew with the help of rabbis, and in 2006 he legally changed his name to Moses Michael Levi Barrow. He established a reputation in prison for his commitment to the code of silence, and was visited by various record label representatives. In late 2009, Shyne was released and deported to his birthplace in Belize. He was subsequently transferred to Rikers Island, and then to Woodbourne Correctional Facility, where he remained for the final months of his incarceration.
Albums
In 2000, a few months after he was convicted for his role in the Club New York shooting, Shyne released his self-titled debut album. A substantial success, it debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and launched the singles "Bad Boyz," "That's Gangsta," and "Bonnie & Shyne." While in prison, Shyne signed with Def Jam Records, and subsequently released his second album, "Godfather Buried Alive," in 2004. Partially recorded prior to his imprisonment and partially during his imprisonment over the phone, the album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200.
Post-incarceration
After being granted an early prison release in 2009, Shyne was deported to his native Belize. Early the next year, he signed a contract with Def Jam Records. Shyne officially converted to Orthodox Judaism in 2010, and collaborated with Jewish-American singer and musician Matisyahu on the single "Messiah." He continued collaborating with Matisyahu over the subsequent years, as well as with Lil Wayne on his album "The Carter IV." Meanwhile, Shyne became the Belize Music and Goodwill Ambassador.
Political Career
Shyne entered politics in 2020 when he ran for the Belize House of Representatives as a candidate for the Belize United Democratic Party, representing Mesopotamia. Running on a platform largely focused on fighting violent crime, he ultimately won the House seat in the general election. Shyne went on to become the Leader of the Opposition in the House as well as the leader of the Belize United Democratic Party. He later announced his intention to run for prime minister of Belize in 2025.
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