Shyne to Release Album From Jail

Shyne will be releasing an album from jail this summer. ... Jamal "Shyne" Barrow was on the cusp of hip-hop stardom when he was arrested for attempted murder. ...

(PRWEB) April 18, 2004 --Shyne will be releasing an album from jail this summer. Stay tuned we will feature an exclusive interview as soon as we get clearance to put it up.

Jamal "Shyne" Barrow was on the cusp of hip-hop stardom when he was arrested for attempted murder. The 22-year-old's rhymes were compared in subject and sound to those of slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. Combs, B.I.G.'s best friend and the most powerful man in rap, was poised to promote Barrow's debut album. Although the record, Shyne, was released in September, Barrow's notoriety is largely based on his role as Combs' co-defendant.

Born in Belize and raised by his mother and grandmother in a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn, Barrow began rapping at age 13. His often-violent lyrics reflected a real life of gangs and guns. He was arrested twice in 1992 for joining in mob robberies of other teens and spent a year in juvenile hall.

His legal troubles continued even after he was discovered by two record executives while freestyling at a neighborhood barbershop. In May 2000, a pick-up basketball opponent sued him for $6 million, claiming the rapper assaulted him during a game. Later in the year, according to sonicnet.com, he left the stage during a freestyling contest to pick a fight with a man who had been heckling him. During jury selection, he was involved in a car accident and was charged with driving without a license.

A jury acquitted Sean "Puffy" Combs on all charges against him Friday evening, bringing to an end a 15-month ordeal that began after a shooting in a New York nightclub.

Jamal "Shyne" Barrow was convicted of two counts of assault as well as reckless endangerment and gun possession. But he was cleared of the most serious charge he was facing, attempted murder. In 2001 Shyne was sentenced to to 10 years in prison.