Rapper Shyne Being Released from Prison Today

Bad Boy Records recording artist Shyne is set to be released from prison today. He has served nearly nine years in prison for charges stemming from his involvement in a 1999 shooting at a Manhattan night club. Shyne, who was 21 years old at the time of the incident, maintains that he acted in self defense.

Shyne, (born Jamal Barrow but later changed to Moses Michael Leviy when he converted to Judaism in prison), was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the shooting at the Manhattan night club Club New York, where he was enjoying an evening with his boss Diddy and Diddy's girlfriend at the time, Jennifer Lopez. A Manhattan judge signed the order last month to set a release date of October 6, 2009. The release from prison stipulates two and a half years of probation.

Diddy stated recently that there are no longer any hard feelings between him and Shayne, and that the two are on speaking terms. On a recent phone call with New York's Hot 97 radio station, Diddy said "It's a blessing that (Shyne's) coming home. I spoke to him like a couple of weeks ago, and he sounded like he was in good spirits. I know he can't wait to get home."

During his time in prison, Shyne released two albums. In 1999, he released an eponymous album on Bad Boy Records which went platinum. 2004 saw the release of Godfather Buried Alive on the Def Jam label - an album which included a song that was recorded over the phone from inside the prison.

Twitter has been alive with comments from other rappers eager to see their friend Shyne released from prison. Rapper Fabolous said in a tweet: "Somebody gettin outta jail is like a Hood Holiday... Welcome Home Shyne Po... Brooklyn Love." From rapper Red Café came the following message: "welcome home to my flatbush comrad shyne po!!!" Washington DC rapper Wale also sent a shout to Shyne: "shyne got out today...its gonna be a wonderful day."

Still unknown is what Shyne will be doing once he's home. While there has been talk over the years of him signing with various labels (including Murder Inc., Death Row Records and Roc Nation), Shyne has never confirmed any of the rumors. How will his time behind bars affect his career - will it give him 'street cred' or will he have been forgotten after all this time out of the spotlight? We'll have to wait and see what the future holds for this now 30 year old man, who has spent most of his adult life behind bars.

Sources:
Jordan Langley, Shyne expected to be released from prison today, HipHopDx.com
Cyrus Langhorne, Fabolous, Red Cafe & Wale Welcome Shyne Home, SOHH.com