UPDATE: A statement from a spokesperson for Diddy has been added to the story.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow is gearing up for the release of his candid The Honorable Shyne documentary, which will land on Hulu on Nov. 18.
The former Bad Boy rapper-turned-politician stopped by the Tamron Hall Show on Wednesday (Nov. 13), where he discussed overcoming hardships, Belize and his turbulent relationship with his embattled ex-boss Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Hall pressed Shyne about reuniting with Diddy to perform “Bad Boyz” with him at the 2022 BET Awards, which he labeled a “legacy moment” and a chance to honor hip-hop as well as Belize, where he serves as the the Leader of the Opposition in the Belize House of Representatives. “I didn’t want to do it, but he said, ‘Listen, this is about Belize. Imagine this platform,’” Shyne explained.
She then cited a time on stage when Diddy — who is currently behind bars awaiting trial after being indicted on charges for sex trafficking and racketeering — referred to Shyne as his “brother” after all they went through.
“I wish I was his brother in 2000 when we were on trial,” Shyne quipped in reference to their fallout after the 1999 NYC nightclub shooting which saw him charged and Diddy walking away scot-free. “I wish I was his brother for the last 26 years when my mom, who is here with me, never got any assistance. He never helped to dry her tears.”
Shyne was sentenced in 2001 to a decade behind bars on first-degree assault, gun possession and reckless endangerment charges, while Diddy was acquitted on gun possession and bribery in the case.
“I keep having to put into context without spitting on someone’s grave that this is the person that destroyed my life,” he declared to Hall. “You hear my mom, she’ll probably start crying when she comes on this couch. People ask, ‘Do you think that he did those things?’ Well, I know what he did to my family so the potential is there.”
After serving eight years in prison, Shyne was released in 2009, but was immediately deported to Belize, where he began his redemption arc and pivoted to a career in politics.
“I moved on and I healed,” he reflected. “I didn’t see him shooting, but I know that he made me take the fall. I know that he called witnesses to testify against me. We sat here and I said, ‘Please, don’t call that witness. That witness is going to destroy me and the witness is lying.’ So I had to tell that truth.”
Billboard has reached out to Diddy’s reps for comment.
Watch the video below. Stream The Honorable Shyne on Hulu on Nov. 18.
A spokesperson for Diddy relayed to Billboard that, “Mr. Combs categorically denies Mr. Barrow’s allegations, including any suggestion that he orchestrated Mr. Barrow to ‘take the fall’ or ‘sacrificed’ him by directing witnesses to testify against him. These claims are unequivocally false. Mr. Combs was acquitted of all charges related to the 1999 Club New York incident and has consistently maintained his innocence. He cannot accept or condone any characterization of his actions as ‘demonic’ or malicious.“
They continued: “Mr. Combs appreciates the path Mr. Barrow has pursued and wishes him continued success. It is unfortunate that Mr. Barrow has chosen to revisit these allegations. Mr. Combs trusts that responsible journalism will weigh both the established legal outcomes and Mr. Combs’ positive, longstanding support for those he has worked with.“
