Shyne Offers Advice To Vybz Kartel: “Move With Humility, Strategy And Purpose”

Belizean rapper-turned-politician Shyne, known for his storied days with Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs’ Bad Boy Records, just finished a whirlwind visit to Jamaica where he chopped it up with dancehall star Vybz Kartel. Shyne’s diplomatic visit to Jamaica also included drop-ins with political leaders, business magnates, and one former beauty queen.

The Bad Boyz rapper, who is now the leader of the Opposition in the Belize House of Representatives and the leader of the Belize United Democratic Party, took a photo with the recently freed dancehall star and shared a lengthy post chock full of spiritual guidance and heartfelt platitudes.

“To now see my musical brother free in the flesh after 13 years of bondage moved me to the core,” Shyne said in a post on his Instagram account.

“We should all be inspired by the resilience of Vybz who never gave up on his freedom, never gave up on making great music beyond most of his counterparts.”

Shyne recalled the soul-crushing conditions Kartel experienced when he last saw him in September 2016 at the Horizon Correctional Facility in Kingston.

“I visited him with my brother Michael Peyrefitte. It was a distressing experience to see a global musical icon in captivity. Having been wrongfully held in captivity myself I felt the pain of his suffering deeper than most,” Shyne said.

Shyne knows Addi’s experience all too well. He was incarcerated after things went sideways in a club shooting on December 27, 1999. At the time, Shyne had gone clubbing with his mentor-label boss Sean Combs, and Combs’ then-girlfriend singer-actress Jennifer Lopez.

Witnesses said a felon named Matthew “Scar” Allen started an argument with Combs and also threatened to kill Shyne. Guns were drawn, shots fired, and three bystanders were injured. In June 2001, Shyne was convicted of assault, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Combs and his bodyguard were acquitted on all counts. Combs had been arrested and charged with illegally having two 9-millimeter guns and with bribery but was acquitted of the charges at the trial.

He severed all ties with Sean Combs but Shyne’s 2000 debut album was a success, and he continued to record music while incarcerated – a similarity he shared with Vybz Kartel.

Shyne, who has had an impressive second act in Belize politics, after he was released from prison in 2009 and deported to Belize, offered heartfelt, spiritual advice to Vybz Kartel.

“All of us, especially the youth should know the resilience of Adidja Palmer is within all of us. We should also learn that life will humble you, life will sit you still to teach you but once you draw near to the Creator and never give up life will vindicate you with the rewards you sacrificed for,” he intoned seriously in his lengthy post.

Shyne converted to Judaism – practicing Orthodox Judaism – while incarcerated and officially changed his name to Moses Michael Levi Barrow in 2006. His spiritualism perhaps coloured his advice to the Teacha, who was released from prison on July 31, 2024 after his murder conviction was quashed due to jury-tampering.

“Take your time brother Adi, be patient with yourself, move with humility, strategy and purpose. You have been resuscitated, given life anew, may you enjoy in good health, happiness and the greatest dancehall music you will ever make,” Shyne concluded.

Social media users reacted with fire and heart emojis.

One user commented: Ayeeee🙌🙌🙌🙌 DE REAL BADMAN DEM 🙌🫡

Another remarked: What a collabo this would be 🔥 fire.

Shyne’s visit to Jamaica included meetings with the Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the Opposition Leader Mark Golding, MP and former Miss World Lisa Hanna and billionaire investor Michael Lee Chin.

Shyne is best known for his hit singles “Bad Boyz” and “Bonnie & Shyne,” which features Barrington Levy.