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.
Diamonds
Shyne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I switch it up now guess I'll never know
Bet the gun could go blow if I prep it tho
Better pick it up now
Now
Boy better thank
Swipe out my card till I blank out my bank
Slip off the drank
Ima skip from the whip till I trip in it
Diamonds by 20 old
If I switch it up now guess I'll never know
Bet the gun could go blow if I prep it tho
Better pick it up now
Now
Boy better thank
Swipe out my card till I blank out my bank
Slip off the drank
Hip it won't drip 'less I dip in my chip
Ima skip from the whip till I trip in it
Go
Made me hate em and it shows
Photo finish shit no pose
Why she grilling when I'm spinning
I don't know
Why I'm on ceiling
I don't know
Why it feel like I'm on rogue when I'm on the road
Stop it I don't know
I'm tryna boot I might go go
What I like, like
Wouldn't wanna live ya life
Boy from bean he in your sights, yikes
Couldn't be me if you got a genie and you asked to be me like twice
Rig this shit don't roll the dice
You could do it if you fight, sike
Ima get a piece of pie
How ima get a slice I gotta use a knife
Right
Diamonds by 20 old
If I switch it up now guess I'll never know
Bet the gun could go blow if I prep it tho
Better pick it up now
Now
Boy better thank
Swipe out my card till I blank out my bank
Slip off the drank
Hip it won't drip 'less I dip in my chip
Ima skip from the whip till I trip in it
Boy you a sinner
Boy you a sinner
Boy you way outta control
Boy you way out of it, out of it
Measure your clothes thats that counterfeit
I'm on a roll on a power trip
I do not know
Do not know boy I'm doubting it
Out with it
Help me I'm sinning and spinning and winning and grinning
And screaming and kicking and beaming and liquor licking
Need 'em
Diamonds by 20 old
If I switch it up now guess I'll never know
Bet the gun could go blow if I prep it tho
Better pick it up now
Now
Boy better thank
Swipe out my card till I blank out my bank
Slip off the drank
Hip it won't drip 'less I dip in my chip
Ima skip from the whip till I trip in it
Diamonds by 20 old
If I switch it up now guess I'll never know
Bet the gun could go blow if I prep it tho
Better pick it up now
Now
Boy better thank
Swipe out my card till I blank out my bank
Slip off the drank
Hip it won't drip 'less I dip in my chip
Ima skip from the whip till I trip in it
The song "Diamonds" by Shyne begins by acknowledging the value and symbolism of diamonds, stating that the rapper obtained them at a young age of 20 years old. He then raps about the potential dangers of changing his ways, referring to the risk of pulling a trigger, implying that he may lose his life if he loses his focus. Shyne continues with a flurry of references to his card's swiping, drinking, and dipping, suggesting a lifestyle of extravagance and indulgence. The chorus repeats this warning against changing his plans abruptly for fear of losing out on what he has achieved.
The second verse of "Diamonds" begins with Shyne exploring his success and the jealous faces he sees around him, perhaps from his peers or even from women who try to lure him. He confesses that he does not fully understand why people are staring and seems dizzy from the effects of his own fame. Despite the confusion, Shyne seems determined to continue striving for more, encouraging himself with affirmations that others should aspire to his level but could not handle his lifestyle. The second chorus strikes a similar note to the first, ending on a powerful image of Shyne continuing to skip and trip in his whip without taking his eyes off his objectives.
Overall, the lyrics to "Diamonds" are playful yet filled with an element of danger, highlighting the excitement but also the risks of living to excess. The song seems to suggest that the rapper is aware of the temptations around him but is determined to keep chasing his dreams despite the potential pitfalls.
Line by Line Meaning
Diamonds by 20 old
The song is titled 'Diamonds' and it's performed by someone who is 20 years old.
If I switch it up now guess I'll never know
The artist is hesitant to change their style or approach because they're unsure of what the outcome might be.
Bet the gun could go blow if I prep it tho
The artist is suggesting that they have a weapon that can be used if necessary.
Better pick it up now
The artist is urging someone to take action or make a move immediately.
Now
The artist is emphasizing the need for urgency.
Boy better thank
The artist is warning someone to be grateful or show appreciation.
Swipe out my card till I blank out my bank
The artist is describing a situation where they've spent all their money or gone into debt.
Slip off the drank
The artist is suggesting that they're under the influence of alcohol.
Hip it won't drip 'less I dip in my chip
The artist is talking about their expensive clothes and how they won't get dirty unless they take risks.
Ima skip from the whip till I trip in it
The artist is talking about driving fast or recklessly in a car.
Made me hate em and it shows
The artist is suggesting that someone has caused them to have negative feelings.
Photo finish shit no pose
The artist is describing a situation where they're giving it their all without holding back.
Why she grilling when I'm spinning
The artist is wondering why someone is staring or questioning them while they're dancing or performing.
I don't know
The artist is admitting that they don't have an answer or explanation for something.
Why I'm on ceiling
The artist is describing a feeling of euphoria or high energy.
Why it feel like I'm on rogue when I'm on the road
The artist is talking about feeling like a renegade or outsider when they're traveling or on tour.
Stop it I don't know
The artist is dismissing a question or request for an explanation.
I'm tryna boot I might go go
The artist is suggesting that they're trying to leave or escape from a situation.
What I like, like
The artist is expressing a preference for something.
Wouldn't wanna live ya life
The artist is suggesting that they wouldn't want to be in someone else's shoes.
Boy from bean he in your sights, yikes
The artist is referencing another person who's in danger or at risk of being targeted or attacked.
Couldn't be me if you got a genie and you asked to be me like twice
The artist is suggesting that they're unique and it would be difficult for someone else to fill their shoes or live their life.
Rig this shit don't roll the dice
The artist is suggesting that they control their fate or situation and that taking risks is unnecessary.
You could do it if you fight, sike
The artist is dismissing the idea that someone else can achieve their level of success without putting in the work or effort.
Ima get a piece of pie
The artist is expressing a desire or goal.
How ima get a slice I gotta use a knife
The artist is suggesting that they have to be strategic or aggressive to achieve their goals.
Boy you a sinner
The artist is describing someone as being sinful or immoral.
Boy you way outta control
The artist is describing someone as being reckless or out of line.
Measure your clothes thats that counterfeit
The artist is suggesting that someone's appearance or style is fake or inauthentic.
I'm on a roll on a power trip
The artist is describing a feeling of being unstoppable or in control.
I do not know
The artist is admitting that they don't have an answer or explanation for something.
Do not know boy I'm doubting it
The artist is expressing skepticism or doubt.
Out with it
The artist is urging someone to be honest or upfront.
Help me I'm sinning and spinning and winning and grinning
The artist is describing a feeling of being in control and achieving success, despite negative behavior or actions.
And screaming and kicking and beaming and liquor licking
The artist is describing a situation where they're letting loose or having fun.
Need 'em
The artist is suggesting that they need something or someone.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Giordano Rogers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind