Former Bad Boy Artist Shyne Claims Diddy ‘Ruined’ His Life: ‘I Defended Him’

Rapper and former Bad Boy Records artist Moses “Shyne” Barrow has spoken out about his former collaborator, Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The rapper-turned-politician was asked about the record label founder following his arrest Monday on charges of extortion, human trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution charges. Combs remains in custody after being denied bail for a second time on Wednesday.

“One thing I would never wish on my worst enemy is imprisonment… so I take no joy in challenging anyone,” Barrow said of his former mentor’s arrest.

But Barrow, who later became a politician in Belize and serves as opposition leader in the country’s House of Representatives, said in an interview published Thursday that the producer “destroyed” his life after the 1999 New York nightclub shooting.

Combs, his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and Barrow were arrested following a shooting at the now-defunct Club New York in Times Square in December 1999.

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The politician claimed that Combs offered witnesses who would prove Barrow’s guilt at trial. Barrow was later convicted of assaulting and shooting two people at random and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Combs and his employee, Anthony Jones, were acquitted of weapons possession charges.

The current leader of the United Democratic Party of Belize was released from prison in 2009 and deported to Belize.

“When I was an 18-year-old kid, I wanted to do nothing but make my mother and Belize happy, and … be recognized for my talent and take over the world,” he continued. “I defended him, and he turned around and called witnesses to testify against me.”

As a rapper, Barrow is best known for the singles “Bad Boyz” and “Bonnie & Shyne,” as well as notable collaborations, including Usher’s “Confessions Part II” remix with Kanye West and Twista. Released while he was still in prison, Barrow likely sent his verse over a prison phone. “I’m sitting in my cell, my head’s about to burst,” he rapped. “I wouldn’t be alive if I didn’t shoot first.”

Barrow said he has since forgiven Combs. The pair have appeared together, including at a November performance in London and at the 2022 BET Awards, where Combs received a lifetime achievement award. Barrow has also defended his relationship with the producer in recent years, saying he continued to work with Combs to promote philanthropic causes.

“This wasn’t someone I vacationed with and who… I enjoyed this big, intimate brotherhood,” he said. “This was someone who destroyed my life and who I forgave.”

Natania Reuben, one of the shooting victims, said in an interview earlier this year that Combs was responsible for her injuries.

Natania Reuben’s sacrifice insists Sean “Diddy” Combs pulled the trigger in the 1999 New York nightclub shooting.

“I literally saw them pull out their guns, I had a clear view. For God’s sake, I got shot in the nose. I was standing right in front of them. I saw everything that happened and I described it, very passionately, to all parties involved,” Reuben said during an appearance on NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” in March. “I have nine pieces of bullet fragments in my face.”

The trial lasted six weeks and involved many witnesses. Reuben testified, “I saw Mr. Combs… pull out a black pistol with his right hand,” the Washington Post reported at the time, adding that it felt like “a burning, hot sledgehammer hit me in the face.”

The victim said she assumed Barrow was convicted over Combs, despite her testimony, “because his name was more well-known … than the victim, who provided first-hand testimony.”

Collaboration: Naledi Ushe

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diddy: Shyne says he ‘ruined my life’ by shooting up NYC nightclub