Shyne, former protégé of Diddy, has claimed the rapper “destroyed” his life amidst the Bad Boy label founder’s arrest for sex crimes.
The rapper (real name Moses Barrow) was previously signed to Bad Boy Records. However, Barrow was implicated in a shooting on December 27, 1999, when Diddy, his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and Barrow went to a nightclub. After Diddy got involved in an argument with another man at the club, guns were allegedly drawn and three bystanders were injured by shots fired. Barrow claimed at the time he shot in self-defence, and that he did not believe the bystanders were injured by bullets from his own gun.
Barrow was eventually convicted in March 2001 on two counts of assault, reckless endangerment and gun possession and sentenced to ten years in jail. Diddy was acquitted of his charges, whilst the charges against Lopez were also dropped.
The Belize-born Brooklyn-raised rapper, who is now serving as the Leader of the Belize United Democratic Party, has spoken out against Diddy at a news conference. “One of the things that I would never wish on my worst enemy is to be incarcerated,” he said. “So I take no joy in anyone’s challenges whether with the criminal justice system or otherwise.
“But I’d just like to clarify – you have to be truthful in the description of the relationship,” he continued. “This is someone who in essence testified against me when I was on trial, when I was an 18-year-old kid just wanting to do nothing other than make my mother proud and make Belize proud and do what all of us want to do: be recognised for our talent and take over the world.
“This is someone who destroyed my life.”
Barrow was also asked whether he knew of Diddy’s now infamous day “freak-offs”. Diddy has been arrested over these “freak-offs”, or alleged days-long sex events over which he would coerce victims to participate and “electronically record”, often used as “collateral” to prevent victims from speaking out against him.
In response, Barrow said: “Oh my goodness – sir, I have nothing to do with Sean Combs’ personal life. Everything was strictly on a professional level.”
He added that he “forgave” Diddy and “moved on”, saying: “But … let us not forget what the cold, hard facts are. This is someone who destroyed my life.
“Do I take any satisfaction in what he is going through? Absolutely not. I am different [from] other people. No one needs to fail for me to succeed. No one needs to suffer.”
Following a lengthy series of sexual abuse accusations in recent years, Diddy was arrested on September 16 in New York.
According to legal documents, the rapper has been charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Appearing in court the next day, Diddy was denied bail by federal judge Robyn Tarnofsky, who voiced “very significant concerns” regarding his alleged substance abuse, his “anger issues” and his alleged efforts behind closed doors to control the outcome of his prosecution. Diddy was also claimed to be a “flight risk” by the judge.
Following the hearing, Diddy’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo stated he would appeal the decision, telling Rolling Stone and other members of the press in a statement: “Mr. Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this until the end. He is innocent. We’re going to fight this case with everything we have.”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
