The Honorable Shyne has climbed to the #1 spot on Disney’s Hulu streaming platform. Directed by Marcus A. Clarke and produced in collaboration with Andscape, the nearly two-hour documentary premiered on Monday, November 18, 2024. It tells the compelling redemption story of Jamal “Shyne” Barrow, a former New York immigrant rapper turned politician.
The film chronicles Shyne’s journey from his birth in Belize to his rise in Brooklyn, New York, where he signed to Bad Boy Records. His promising rap career was derailed in 1999 when he was convicted for his involvement in a nightclub shooting and sentenced to 10 years in prison. After serving eight years, he was deported to Belize in 2009, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life as a politician.
A central theme of the documentary is redemption, highlighting Shyne’s transformation from a controversial music figure to a respected member of Belizean politics. It also examines the complex relationships in his life, including his claims that Sean “Diddy” Combs, his former mentor, set him up to take the fall for the shooting—a claim Combs denies.
The film also includes candid interviews with Shyne’s friends, family, and colleagues, such as his parents Frances Myvette and Dean Barrow (Belize’s first Black prime minister), music executive Kevin Liles, Charlamagne tha God, Faith Evans, and Noreaga. It also features rare footage, including a 2021 conversation between Shyne and Combs.
Among the musical highlights of the film is the story behind Shyne’s biggest hit, “Bad Boyz”, the lead single from his self-titled debut album featuring reggae legend Barrington Levy.
Shyne, the current Leader of the Opposition Of Belize recalls the pivotal studio session when Bad Boy founder Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs introduced him to the track. Puff played the beat and suggested they feature Barrington Levy, famously saying, “We need the guy that says ‘wooaah.’” Shyne immediately identified Levy and agreed.
Levy, however, shared a different perspective on his involvement. Initially under the impression that the collaboration would be with Puff Daddy himself, he admitted to feeling let down when he discovered it was for one of Puff’s artists. “When they called my manager, they said it was to do a song with Puff Daddy,” Levy explained. “But when I went into the studio, it wasn’t Puff—it was one of his artists. I was a bit disappointed, but when I heard the riddim, my creativity just clicked. I said, ‘This is a bad beat,’ and we made magic.”
Released on May 27, 2000, under Bad Boy and Arista Records, the track was produced by Ez Elpee. “Bad Boyz” combines hip-hop and reggae influences and samples Grace Jones’ “Nightclubbing” and Levy’s “Here I Come.”
The song achieved significant chart success: No. 57 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 9 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and No. 11 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs.
Stream The Honorable Shyne on Hulu. New users can take advantage of Hulu’s free 30-day trial or opt for student discounts and bundle packages.
