Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been accused of ruining a young rapper’s life by allegedly forcing him to take responsibility for a nightclub shooting in 1999.
Moses Michael Levi Barrow, who used to perform under the name Shyne, was the only person convicted following the infamous New York City shooting.
The emerging rapper, born Jamal Barrow, was sentenced to a decade behind bars before eventually being deported to his native Belize.
His conviction came after a high-profile trial in which he says his former mentor turned against him.
“When I was an 18-year-old kid, all I wanted to do was make my mom proud and make Belize proud and do what we all want to do, be recognized for our talent and take on the world,” Barrow said. Belize Channel 5.
“I was defending him and he turned around and called witnesses to testify against me.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs (right) has been accused of ruining the life of aspiring rapper Moses Michael Levi Barrow by allegedly forcing him to take the blame for a nightclub shooting in 1999.
“He almost sent me to prison. That’s the context in which you always have to describe that relationship. Yes, I forgave. I moved on. But let’s not pretend I was in Miami for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Barrow was among Combs’ entourage on the fateful night in December 1999. Combs was on his way to stardom at the time, having released his self-titled debut album, which he decided to celebrate with Barrow and Combs’ then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez at Club New York.
But Combs accidentally collided with Brooklynite Matthew “Scar” Allen and spilled his drink, leading to a heated argument that ended with a wad of cash thrown in Combs’ face.
An altercation broke out and shots were fired, leaving three people injured.
JLo, Combs and their bodyguard quickly fled the scene, but were pulled over for running a red light and arrested for storing a gun in their getaway car.
Combs was later charged with the shooting but was later acquitted, while Barrow was sentenced to 10 years in prison on assault and weapons charges.
Barrow, performing under the name Shyne, was Combs’ protégé at the time of the infamous New York City shooting.
But he claims his former mentor turned against him in court and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the shooting that left three people injured.
Lopez has said she was defending herself, a stance she maintains to this day. Lopez did not face charges in the scandal, but she split from Combs shortly afterward.
In 2003, Barrow was fired from Combs’ label Bad Boy Records, and a year later, Barrow publicly said that Combs had betrayed him.
“Let’s not lose sight of the harsh reality. This is not someone I was on holiday with and enjoyed a great and intimate brotherly relationship with,” Barrow added.
“This is a person who destroyed my life, whom I forgave and moved on.”
Barrow has since become a successful politician in his home country and explained that he reconnected with Combs “for the good of Belize.”
“Because at that time I was in a position to give out scholarships and maybe invest,” Barrow explained.
“I would not be averse to trying to attract investment to Belize and contribute to education in Belize.”
His comments came in the wake of Combs’ arrest on racketeering and sex trafficking conspiracy charges.
Barrow leaves Manhattan Supreme Court on March 1, 2001 in New York
The arrest and imprisonment of Sean “Diddy” Combs in connection with a federal sex trafficking case is sending shockwaves through the music industry. The 54-year-old music mogul was photographed at the 2018 Met Gala in New York.
“Does it make me happy in any way what he’s going through? Absolutely not. I’m different from other people, nobody has to fail for me to succeed,” Barrow added.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is accused of inducing female victims and male sex workers to engage in drugged sexual acts, sometimes lasting several days, known as “freak offs.”
He is currently in jail after a judge rejected his $50 million bail offer.
Barrow became Leader of the Opposition in the Belize House of Representatives in 2020 and is a leading figure in the United Democratic Party of Belize.
He returned to the United States in 2021 as ambassador to Belize, where he met with Combs on August 25 of that year.
Barrow said the two had an “understanding after talking on the phone” in 2012 and planned to meet in the future, according to Hot 97.
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