Former Bad Boy Records rapper Shyne has a harsh message about Sean “Diddy” Combs amid the mogul’s legal fallout: “This is someone who destroyed my life.”
The Belizean hip-hop artist-turned-politician broke his silence on Combs' latest legal troubles during a press conference earlier this week, evoking a 1990s shooting that ruined his relationship with the Bad Boy Records founder.
“This is a person who, in a sense, testified against me when I was on trial,” Shyne said during the conference, according to a clip aired Thursday by Belizean radio station Love FM.
“I was defending him and he turned around and called witnesses to testify against me,” Shyne (born Jamal Barrow) continued, “he practically sent me to prison.”
A former protégé of Combs, Shyne was sentenced in 2001 to 10 years in prison for an assault conviction stemming from a 1999 shooting at a New York nightclub involving Combs and his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez. Three bystanders were injured. Combs was acquitted in the case, which received widespread press coverage. Shyne was released in 2009 and deported to his home country.
The former entertainer, whose career was derailed by the conviction, said during the press conference that he has “forgiven” and “moved on.” He acknowledged Combs’ efforts to help promote education in Belize, but distanced himself from his former mentor. He clarified that their relationship is far from friendly.
“This is not a person I was on vacation with and [with whom] “I enjoyed this great intimate relationship of brotherhood,” Shyne said.
Shyne's comments came after Combs was arrested Monday night and charged with three counts of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation for prostitution. Combs remains in a federal jail in Brooklyn, New York, awaiting trial.
Combs' alleged history of sexual assault came to light when his ex-girlfriend and singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura sued the rapper in November 2023. The suit was settled a day after it was filed, but it opened the floodgates for more civil lawsuits, including those from producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones and Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard.
Mounting allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking paved the way for a federal investigation that included Homeland Security raids in March at Combs' mansions in Holmby Hills and Miami.
Shyne, who had previously condemned Combs’ “disgusting behavior,” concluded his press conference by reiterating the negative impact the disgraced music and media mogul had on his career. He also appeared to take the high road.
“He’s someone who destroyed my life,” she said. “But does what he’s going through give me any joy or satisfaction? Absolutely not.”
