Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is accused of ruining a young rapper’s life by forcing him to take the blame for a 1999 nightclub shooting.
Moses Michael Levi Barrow, who formerly performed under the name Shyne, was the only person convicted following the infamous New York City shooting.
The rising rapper, born Jamal Barrow, was was sentenced to ten years in prison before eventually being deported to his native Belize.
His conviction followed a high-profile lawsuit in which he alleged his former mentor had turned against him.
“When I was 18, 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 conquer the world,” Barrow said Belize Channel 5.
“I defended him, and then he turned around and called witnesses to testify against me.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs (right) is accused of ruining the life of aspiring rapper Moses Michael Levi Barrow by forcing him to take the fall for a 1999 nightclub shooting.
“He pretty much sent me to jail. That’s the context in which you always have to describe that relationship. Yes, I’ve forgiven. I’ve moved on. But let’s not pretend I was in Miami for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Barrow was part of Combs’ entourage on the fateful night in December 1999. Combs was on the rise to fame at the time, having just released his self-titled debut album. He decided to celebrate with Barrow and Combs’ then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez at Club New York.
But Combs accidentally bumped into Brooklyn resident Matthew “Scar” Allen and spilled his drink, leading to a heated argument that ended with a wad of cash being thrown in Combs’ face.
A scuffle broke out and gunfire rang out, leaving three people injured.
JLo, Combs and his bodyguard quickly fled the scene, but were pulled over for running a red light and arrested for having a gun in the getaway car.
Combs was subsequently charged in the shooting but was later acquitted, while Barrow was sentenced to 10 years in prison for assault and weapons possession.
Barrow, who performed 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 injured three people.
He said he was defending himself, a position he still maintains. Lopez was not charged in the scandal, but split with Combs shortly afterward.
In 2003, Barrow was dropped from Combs’ Bad Boy Records and a year later Barrow publicly stated that Combs had betrayed him.
“Let’s not lose sight of the cold, hard facts. This is not someone I’ve been on vacation with and he and I enjoyed this wonderful, intimate, brotherly relationship with,” Barrow added.
“This is someone who ruined my life, who I have forgiven and who I have let go.”
Barrow has since become a successful politician in his home country and explained that he had re-established contact with Combs, ‘for the better interest of Belize’
“Because at that time he was in a position to make grants and perhaps invest,” Barrow explained.
“I wouldn’t deny that there was an attempt to bring the investment to Belize and contribute to education in Belize.”
His comments came after Combs was arrested on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking conspiracy.
Barrow leaves the Manhattan Supreme Court on March 1, 2001 in New York
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ arrest and jail sentence in connection with a federal sex trafficking case is sending shockwaves through the music industry. The music mogul, 54, was photographed at the 2018 Met Gala in NYC
“Do I enjoy what he’s going through? Absolutely not. I’m different from other people — no one has to fail for me to succeed,” Barrow added.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which accuse him of soliciting female victims and male sex workers to engage in drugged, sometimes days-long sexual performances called “Freak Offs.”
He is currently in jail after a judge denied his request for $50 million bail.
Barrow became Leader of the Opposition in the Belize House of Representatives in 2020 and is a prominent figure within the Belize United Democratic Party.
In 2021, he returned to the US as ambassador to Belize, where he met with Combs on August 25 of that year.
According to Hot 97, Barrow said the two “had a rapport after talking on the phone” in 2012 and that they planned to meet up in the future.