| XxL iNtErVieW |
| Words written by Rodd McLeod Shot up at 15. Dismissed as a Biggie soundalike. Billed as the Gun- toting thug in the "Puffy Trial." Jamal "Shyne" Barrow deserves better. In an XXL exclusive convo, the Brooklyn MC declares his innocence and finally describes what happened that night in the club. Carved into the front of the New York State Supreme Courthouse in downtown Manhattan-literally written in stone-are the words, "The True Administration of Justice is the Firmest Pillar of Good Government." True Administration of Justice? In the case of Jamal "Shyne" Barrow- what the mainstream media calls "The Puffy Trial"-the truth is still a mystery. Even as Shyne was found guilty of assault, reckless endangerment and weapons possessions, questions remain as to who shot guns, who shot first and whose bullets injured the three people who got hurt. Here are the facts: On December 27 1999, there was a shooting at Club New York in midtown Manhattan which injured three people. Testimony indicates that perhaps as many as three people shot guns. Yet only Shyne was charged with a shooting crime. Evidence found on the scene indicates that bullets were fired from a .40 caliber weapon. Shyne fired a 9-mm weapon. Who shot the .40-caliber gun? It isn't clear. That means the truth may turn on the identity of a mystery gunman, a man described by two witnesses. Should the mystery gunman have been charged with assault or attempted murder? Should Sean "Puffy" Combs have been? Can justice be done when only one of the people who shot is charged with the shooting? And if that one person claims self-defence-as Shyne did-shouldn't the alleged instigator of violence also be charged, or at least investigated? With so many questions unanswered, it's a wonder that anyone was charged at all. Shyne spoke to XXL in the midst of the trial's turmoil. It was a few days before closing arguments, and he had no idea who the jury would rule. He was fully immersed in the details of the case, and fully determined to live by the code of the street-no testifying-even as he desired justice from court. "I'm Gotti, nigga, for real," he said. "I'm going out like a true warrior." But Jamal Barrow is not John Gotti. He's no master criminal, making himself wealthy by extortion and intimidation. He's a 21-year-old musician who escaped the horrors of street life, only to be pulled back into violence by the overlap between the streets and the rap world. Shyne chose to carry a gun, and while it may have saved his life, it's also sealed his fate. Awaiting that fate, Shyne was angry, fiercely intelligent, careful, emotional and articulate. XXL: You appeared on Politically Incorrect recently. Bill Maher really came down hard on you and you held your own. Did you feel that his attitude represents the mainstream view of Hip-Hop? Shyne: I mean, his attitude represents the White Anglo-Saxon ignorance and disease that exists in the world. People that claim America was discovered even though people was already living here. There's a continuity in his behaviour. It doesn't disturb me because I know that ignorance exists. And I thank God that I have the power to enlighten the people rather than just let them be bombarded with his ignorance. XXL: One thing a rap star needs to succeed financially is maintaine credibility. Rappers rap about being tough and it sounds great on wax. Then you get out to a club and there's people there who try to test you. How do you deal with that? Shyne: I don't understand why you are using the club situation, dog. People try to test me anywhere. Here's what I'm trying to say, dog. I'ma keep it real with you if you keep it real with me. Ask me the shit you want to ask me, and we get to the meat. I'm at a point in my life where I don't play no games; it is what it is. So if you want to ask me what went down in the club yo do that. Other than that, a nigga get tested anywhere, man. A nigga get tested at the airport; a nigga get tested walking to the store. |
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