SHYNE'S BIO
As a child, he was spurned by his father due to his illegitimacy and mixed ethnicity. Shyne is said to be a practicing Jew. Born in Belize, Barrow relocated with his mother to Brooklyn, in New York's Flatbush district at about age 13. Despite some time on the streets in his early teens, Shyne subsequently held down a steady job while continuing his education and pursuing his interest in music. He was fortuitously overheard rhyming in a barbershop by producer DJ Clark Kent, who, noting the young rapper's vocal similarity to the late Notorious B.I.G., steered him towards Combs and Bad Boy.
A protégé of P. Diddy who had been touted as the new star of Bad Boy Entertainment following the Notorious B.I.G.'s death, Shyne's career was left in the balance by his indictment on an attempted murder charge in January 2000. His involvement in the previous month's notorious nightclub incident (at Club New York on December 27, 1999), in which his mentor was also embroiled, hampered the promotion of his debut album. At the same time, however, the encounter raised Shyne's street credibility.
In 1998, Shyne signed a lucrative deal with the company, making low-key appearances on various Bad Boy compilations and solo albums while working on his own debut album. Immediately following the nightclub fracas, Shyne was brought center stage in the ensuing media circus. He was freed on bail in time for the release of his debut single "Bad Boyz", which featured vocal contributions from Barrington Levy. His self-titled debut, a gangsta rap album generally panned by the media as an uninspiring and mediocre, was eventually released in September. Shortly thereafter, on June 1, 2001, Jamal Barrow was charged in a New York court with first-degree assault, gun possession, and reckless endangerment. The trial was presided over by New York State Supreme Court Justice Charles Solomon, who commented that Shyne was intelligent and talented, but nevertheless guilty. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, a sentence that Shyne is still serving at Clinton Correctional Facility as of 2005.
Meanwhile, Puffy and his bodyguard, Anthony "Wolf" Jones, were acquitted of all charges. The seeming abandonment or betrayal of Shyne (some fans and journalists have labelled him as Puff Daddy's "fall guy") has driven a wedge between them, with Shyne leaving Bad Boy Records for Def Jam.
Album cover for "Godfather Buried Alive"
Album cover for "Godfather Buried Alive"
Since his imprisonment, Shyne has gone on to release his sophomore album, Godfather Buried Alive. On the album he dissed various artists, namely 50 Cent (on the track For the Record) The album has been criticised as being incomplete and underpromoted by his label, with several tracks having been literally "phoned in" from prison. He did enjoy one modest hit from the album: Jimmy Choo, a song that featured the vocal stylings of R&B singer Ashanti. He is now signed to his own Gangland imprint on Def Jam Records.
Goodfather Buried Alive sold more than 500,000 units. Shyne now protest disent towards Def Jam and now in searching other record labels to release his music. The Black Wall Street Records and Death Row Records have persued interest in the rapper.
Bad Boy
Shyne Lyrics
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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
I bang, and let your fuckin' brains hang, snitches
Fuck Marla Maple bitches with riches
Who carry 22's, up in they hosiery
A black teller when my father bust and unloaded me
Think he just finished sniffin' a ki, and dippin' the D's
Don't hate me, hate Nicky Barnes for hittin' my moms
Coke boil in the pot, shake the Feds
And bust shots at them street cops
Fuck yo' point is? My point is double fours at your fuckin jaws
Pointed, hollow point shit
Four-point-six, need I say more?
Or do you get the point bitch? c'mon
What type of nigga slang and bang in the streets? (Bad Boyz)
What type of nigga stay in the Trump for weeks? (Bad Boyz)
What type of nigga fly Bentley Coupes? (Bad Boyz)
Aim for the sky, cop the shit then shoot
Minks draggin' on the floor, bangin' on your whore
Suckin' the croissant just examine it for flaws
Pour the Cristal on the way to trial, RICO law
Got a nigga head hurtin' squirtin' til they pull the curtain
Let the money drip dry, hundred dollar bills
Wipe the tears from my eyes, no love
Fuck y'all niggaz, hope you die a slow death
As I coke-test and C. DeLores Tucker protest
Can't fuck with you weak rap niggas, witcha gay raps
Runnin 'round talkin' this and talkin' that
See me in the streets, tried to give me dap
Andrew Cunanan ass niggas
My two cannons blast niggas, ass niggas
Got me fucked up in the game, get your shirt stained
Keep your five mics nigga, give me the 'caine
Do the shit to clean my money dummies, gleamed the wrist out
Cop the pist-al, nigga, talk shit now, uh
What type of nigga slang and bang in the streets? (Bad Boyz)
What type of nigga stay in the Trump for weeks? (Bad Boyz)
What type of nigga fly Bentley Coupes? (Bad Boyz)
Aim for the sky, cop the shit then shoot
Bling bling, it's a Bad Boy thing
Bullets heat-seekin', streep sweepin', with an evil grin
Watch you die, one love, one life, one Shyne
Y'all niggaz ain't sayin nothin', like a mime
Every line, I live it, I write it with a pencil so niggas die
Of lead poison if they bite it, hate it but recite it
It's a G thang, me and Puff in St. Bart's set it off
Bitches walkin topless with G-strings, menage'
Bust shots at your crew, another charge
As the gulf stream fly through the fog
Make ya popular
Pockets filled with more high notes than the opera
Franklin's on top of the, Jackson's
My nigga Ty leave you tired
Bad Boy, respect it or die, coward
What type of nigga slang and bang in the streets? (Bad Boyz)
What type of nigga stay in the Trump for weeks? (Bad Boyz)
What type of nigga fly Bentley Coupes? (Bad Boyz)
Aim for the sky, cop the shit then shoot
What type of nigga slang and bang in the streets? (Bad Boyz)
What type of nigga stay in the Trump for weeks? (Bad Boyz)
What type of nigga fly Bentley Coupes? (Bad Boyz)
Aim for the sky, cop the shit then shoot
Man a Bad Boy on the corner
So move from on here, cause we a dangerous
Man a Bad Boy on the corner
So move from on here, cause we a dangerous
The lyrics to Shyne's song "Bad Boys" are a boastful proclamation of his street credibility and a warning to those who would dare to cross him. The chorus poses the question, "What type of nigga slang and bang in the streets?" and answers it with examples of Shyne's own behavior, such as staying in the Trump for weeks and flying Bentley Coupes. He also takes shots at other rap artists, calling their raps "gay" and asserting that he lives every line he writes. The second half of the song continues the theme of violence and criminal behavior, including references to cocaine trafficking and the murder of Gianni Versace's killer Andrew Cunanan. The repeated refrain, "Man a Bad Boy on the corner, so move from on here cause we a dangerous" reinforces the message that Shyne and his crew are not to be trifled with.
On a deeper level, the lyrics can also be read as an indictment of the social and economic conditions that lead young black men like Shyne to turn to crime and violence as a means of survival. The reference to Nicky Barnes, a notorious drug kingpin and informant, suggests that the cycle of poverty and criminality is perpetuated by those in power who exploit and manipulate vulnerable communities. In this context, Shyne's bravado and aggression can be seen as a defense mechanism, a way of asserting his humanity in a hostile world.
Line by Line Meaning
Now tell me who want to fuck with us?
Who is brave enough to face us and challenge our authority?
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
People are mortal and eventually become ash and dust after their death.
I bang, and let your fuckin' brains hang, snitches
I shoot and let your brain tissue hang out to show that you are a snitch or an informant.
Fuck Marla Maple bitches with riches
I don't like Marla Maple women who are wealthy, so I have sex with them to mock and insult them.
Who carry 22's, up in they hosiery
Who carry a small gun, like a 22-caliber, and hide it in their stockings or hosiery.
A black teller when my father bust and unloaded me
I was born during a chaotic event when my father was shooting and firing his gun.
Think he just finished sniffin' a ki, and dippin' the D's
My father was probably just finished snorting some cocaine and selling drugs on the streets.
Don't hate me, hate Nicky Barnes for hittin' my moms
Don't blame me for being born out of wedlock, blame Nicky Barnes for having a relationship with my mother.
Letting the condom pop, nigga I was born in the drop
Nicky Barnes' condom broke during sex with my mother, and I was born in a car (drop) on the way to the hospital.
Coke boil in the pot, shake the Feds
Cooking cocaine in a pot and shaking the Feds or the police who are looking for it.
And bust shots at them street cops
Shooting at the police officers who are patrolling the streets.
Fuck yo' point is? My point is double fours at your fuckin jaws
What's your argument or challenge? My response is to shoot you with my two .44 caliber guns in the face.
Pointed, hollow point shit
A type of bullet that expands upon impact and causes more damage.
Four-point-six, need I say more?
Refers to a gun that fires a 4.6mm cartridge, a powerful and deadly firearm.
Or do you get the point bitch? c'mon
Do you understand my message and my power, or do I need to make it clearer to you?
What type of nigga slang and bang in the streets? (Bad Boyz)
What kind of person talks and acts tough on the street?
What type of nigga stay in the Trump for weeks? (Bad Boyz)
What kind of person can afford to stay at Trump Tower for weeks and live luxuriously?
What type of nigga fly Bentley Coupes? (Bad Boyz)
What kind of person drives a Bentley Coupe luxury car?
Aim for the sky, cop the shit then shoot
Set high goals and aspirations, work hard to achieve them, and then enjoy the success and wealth that comes with it.
Minks draggin' on the floor, bangin' on your whore
Wearing long and expensive mink fur coats while having sex with prostitutes.
Suckin' the croissant just examine it for flaws
Eating croissants and checking them for defects or imperfections.
Pour the Cristal on the way to trial, RICO law
Drinking Cristal champagne on the way to a criminal trial for violating the RICO or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
Got a nigga head hurtin' squirtin' til they pull the curtain
Causing someone such intense pain that they are near death and their bodily fluids are ejected uncontrollably.
Let the money drip dry, hundred dollar bills
Spending money extravagantly until it runs out, using hundred dollar bills.
Wipe the tears from my eyes, no love
Showing no emotion or compassion despite being sad, hurt, or disappointed.
Fuck y'all niggaz, hope you die a slow death
Disliking and wishing death upon others at a slow and painful pace.
As I coke-test and C. DeLores Tucker protest
Testing cocaine purity or quality while also mocking and dismissing the political and social activism of C. DeLores Tucker.
Can't fuck with you weak rap niggas, witcha gay raps
Being unimpressed by and dismissive of other rappers who make cheesy and flamboyant songs.
Runnin 'round talkin' this and talkin' that
Talking excessively or bragging about things that don't matter.
See me in the streets, tried to give me dap
Meeting with me in person and trying to fist bump or acknowledge me.
Andrew Cunanan ass niggas
Referring to Andrew Cunanan, a notorious serial killer, to insult and degrade others.
My two cannons blast niggas, ass niggas
My two guns shoot and kill people, usually other disrespectful and foolish individuals.
Got me fucked up in the game, get your shirt stained
Misunderstanding me or underestimating me in the competitive rap game, leading to your injury or death.
Keep your five mics nigga, give me the 'caine
Dismissing the importance of music awards (five mics) and instead preferring to receive more cocaine drugs as payment.
Do the shit to clean my money dummies, gleamed the wrist out
Engaging in illegal activities, such as money laundering, to make my money look legitimate and sparkling my watch to show off my wealth.
Cop the pist-al, nigga, talk shit now, uh
Acquiring a gun and daring someone to insult or challenge me now that I'm well-armed.
Bling bling, it's a Bad Boy thing
Showing off and flaunting one's wealth and expensive jewelry as a sign of being a member of the Bad Boy record label.
Bullets heat-seekin', streep sweepin', with an evil grin
Dangerous and deadly bullets that can follow and hit their targets, while also having an ominous and sinister character to them.
Watch you die, one love, one life, one Shyne
Spectator to someone's death, acknowledging that there is only one love and one life to live, and reminding that the rapper Shyne is the one in control of life and death.
Y'all niggaz ain't sayin nothin', like a mime
Other rappers are not saying anything worthwhile or interesting, like a mime who performs without words.
Every line, I live it, I write it with a pencil so niggas die
Every word of my lyrics is based on my real life and experiences, and I write them intentionally to impress, intimidate, or even harm my rivals.
Of lead poison if they bite it, hate it but recite it
If someone tries to copy or mimic my rap style, they will suffer metaphorical lead poisoning or harm, even if they hate it and criticize it publicly.
It's a G thang, me and Puff in St. Bart's set it off
It's a gangster thing or a cool lifestyle, as I hang out with Puff Daddy in St. Bart's and start enjoying my success.
Bitches walkin topless with G-strings, menage'
Women walking around without their tops on and wearing only G-strings underwear, while participating in a sexual threesome.
Bust shots at your crew, another charge
Shoot at your group of friends or associates, and incur more criminal charges and problems as a result.
As the gulf stream fly through the fog
Traveling in luxury on a Gulf Stream jet plane through foggy skies.
Make ya popular
Doing something famous, successful, or noteworthy to make you more famous, successful, or popular.
Pockets filled with more high notes than the opera
Having a lot of money in one's pocket, so much so that it resembles the sound of high notes in a high-pitched opera performance.
Franklin's on top of the, Jackson's
Having hundred dollar bills (Franklin's) stacked on top of thousand dollar bills (Jackson's), showing off one's wealth.
My nigga Ty leave you tired
My friend Ty will make you exhausted, overwhelmed or tired out, possibly from doing drugs or having sex.
Bad Boy, respect it or die, coward
Bad Boy Records demands respect or else people who deny it will face consequences or even death.
Man a Bad Boy on the corner
There are people who are part of Bad Boy Records and hang out on street corners.
So move from on here, cause we a dangerous
It's best to avoid this area or location because we are tough and potentially dangerous.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: YANN PEIFER, MANUEL REUTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind