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.
Godfather
Shyne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you, Uh yeah, Uh, Come on
Oh no, big Shyne Po
Back up in the motherfuckin heezy for sheezy
Gimme a tech that don't jam (bang bang)
I'm tryin to jucks some more grams and work this whole thing
My minds poisoned, corrupted and diseased
Money make the world spin
I make your chest smoke
Have your mother singing hymms
Particles of your brains up on your tims
Kiss you before I twist you
170 miles
Headed for disaster faster
I put it down right
Bustin off these rounds like
Real niggaz is kings
You ain't rockin' that crown right
Harder more PK watches
Topless, bitches in cars
Only meals could heal my scars
[Chorus]
Niggaz want to rhyme like shine like me
They supposed to
Niggaz want to bust their guns like me
They supposed to
Niggaz want to grind like crime like me
They supposed to
Niggaz want to mash like me, dash like me
[Repeat]
Allegations got me pacin'
Grand jury wouldn't understand my fury
For fast cars and jewelry
I could give a fuck if there's a heaven for a G
This is heaven for me
Go to trial never plea
Do a bullet and come home to the throne
I don't rhyme, I just talk about this life that's mine
I've seen niggaz die, in front of my eyes
Doin' my filth
Niggaz is expiring like milk
Different strokes for different folks
Just give me, different coke in different boats
Black Aristotle Onassis
All I see is crack addicts and automatics
You rap niggaz is faggots
y'all cannot be serious
I'm in coupes with gucci interiors
Airin' out your areas
Tech nines, two in the flex and shit
Lookin' at myself like
Yo, I'm the best in this
[Chorus x2]
Sometimes I really wonder
What's it all about?
How many bitches can I fuck until I get out
How many ki's can I cut, guns can I bust
Wigs can I push, spots can I juck
Every single one, 'cause I'm a fuckin' savage
Til I'm cremated, most hated, self made
Blood type G
All these young hustlers want to bubble like me
They supposed to
Sippin on syrup, until I perish
Pickin' bitches off the run-way
Look forward to, gun-play
Go to sleep with one eye shut
Wake up and do the same shit
I ain't never gonna change bitch
And that's the cycle
I don't want to be like Michael
More like Darrell Porter
Gettin' shipments at the border
Yeah, it's a wrappity wrap
[Chorus x4]
The song Godfather by Shyne speaks of his life as a gangster and the various criminal activities he is involved in. The lyrics show how Shyne sees himself as a kingpin in the underworld, someone who can make people's chest smoke and whose actions have the power to make mothers sing hymns. He talks about the corrupted and diseased state of his mind and his willingness to do anything, including killing people, to achieve his goals. Shyne also talks about his despise towards fellow rappers, whom he considers to be fakes and not serious about being part of the game.
Moreover, Shyne also touches upon his legal troubles and how he is willing to go to great lengths, including going to trial, to defend himself against the allegations. He feels that his world, where he can do anything he wants, is his heaven, and he is okay with not going to a 'heaven for a G.' He talks about being a self-made person and not wanting to be like Michael, probably referring to Michael Jordan or Michael Jackson, but more like Darrell Porter, who was a drug dealer and one of the biggest cocaine suppliers in Harlem in the 1980s. Overall, the song Godfather by Shyne glorifies the gangster life while providing a glimpse into the criminal underworld.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh huh, Uh huh, Brooklyn Vietnam
Acknowledging the violent nature of Brooklyn, Shyne compares it to the war in Vietnam
Oh no, big Shyne Po
Shyne introduces himself as 'Big Shyne Po'
Back up in the motherfuckin heezy for sheezy
Indicating his return, Shyne uses slang to emphasize his confidence
Gimme a tech that don't jam (bang bang)
Asking for an efficient firearm, Shyne plans to commit crimes
I'm tryin to jucks some more grams and work this whole thing
Shyne wants to steal more drugs and make more money
My minds poisoned, corrupted and diseased
Acknowledging the negative effects of his lifestyle, Shyne reveals his regretful mindset
360 ki's
Expressing his drug trafficking success, Shyne boasts about having large amounts of kilos
Money make the world spin
Shyne acknowledges the influence of money in the world
I make your chest smoke
Shyne promises to shoot and kill his enemies
Have your mother singing hymms
Shyne threatens his enemies' mothers, implying they will mourn their deaths
Particles of your brains up on your tims
After killing his enemies, Shyne intends to leave evidence of their deaths such as blood and brain matter on their shoes
Kiss you before I twist you
Shyne promises to show his enemies some kindness before killing them
170 miles
Revealing the distance he travels for his crimes, Shyne brags about his dedication
Headed for disaster faster
Metaphorically, Shyne acknowledges the risks of his criminal lifestyle but embraces them regardless
I put it down right
Confident about his rapping skills, Shyne boasts about his performance
Bustin off these rounds like
Shyne demonstrates his willingness to shoot his enemies by using hand gestures to mimic firing rounds
Real niggaz is kings
Shyne reveals his respect and admiration for successful Black men
You ain't rockin' that crown right
Shyne implies that some Black men are not fulfilling their potential
Harder more PK watches
Shyne expresses his desire for luxury watches
Topless, bitches in cars
Shyne reveals his desire for women and fast cars
Only meals could heal my scars
Shyne implies that social status and money can cure the emotional pain he's endured
[Chorus]
Shyne repeats the chorus as a hook for the song
Allegations got me pacin'
Shyne reveals his anxiety over his legal problems and pending trial
Grand jury wouldn't understand my fury
Shyne doubts that the lawyers and jurors will understand his side of the story
For fast cars and jewelry
Shyne reveals his love for materialistic items
I could give a fuck if there's a heaven for a G
Shyne expresses his disregard for the concept of an afterlife and believes he can enjoy life while alive
This is heaven for me
Shyne implies that his criminal lifestyle is his idea of 'heaven'
Go to trial never plea
Shyne intends to fight the charges against him in court
Do a bullet and come home to the throne
Shyne plans to go to jail and return as a successful rapper
I don't rhyme, I just talk about this life that's mine
Shyne clarifies that his music is about his personal experiences, not just for entertainment value
I've seen niggaz die, in front of my eyes
Shyne reveals the traumatic experiences he's witnessed
Doin' my filth
Shyne admits to committing crimes
Niggaz is expiring like milk
Metaphorically, Shyne implies that other gangsters are dying quickly
Different strokes for different folks
Shyne acknowledges that people handle life differently
Just give me, different coke in different boats
Shyne expresses his desire for various types of drugs to sell
Black Aristotle Onassis
Shyne compares himself to a wealthy, legendary figure
All I see is crack addicts and automatics
Shyne laments the poverty and violence in his community
You rap niggaz is faggots
Shyne disrespects other rappers, implying they are not real men
y'all cannot be serious
Shyne is dissatisfied with other rappers' skills and attitudes
I'm in coupes with gucci interiors
Shyne boasts about his expensive cars and fashion
Airin' out your areas
Metaphorically, Shyne threatens to commit violent crimes in certain neighborhoods
Tech nines, two in the flex and shit
Shyne describes the type of gun he carries for protection
Lookin' at myself like
Shyne reflects on his life and accomplishments
Yo, I'm the best in this
Shyne believes he is the best rapper and gangster
[Chorus x2]
Shyne repeats the chorus as a hook for the song
Sometimes I really wonder
Shyne reveals his contemplative side
What's it all about?
Shyne questions the meaning of life
How many bitches can I fuck until I get out
Shyne is focused on his sexual pursuits
How many ki's can I cut, guns can I bust
Shyne is focused on his drug trafficking and violence
Wigs can I push, spots can I juck
Shyne is focused on his criminal activities
Every single one, 'cause I'm a fuckin' savage
Shyne reveals his barbaric nature
Til I'm cremated, most hated, self made
Shyne intends to continue his criminal lifestyle until he dies and has a legacy
Blood type G
Shyne implies that gangster behavior is in his blood
All these young hustlers want to bubble like me
Shyne reveals his influence over young people who aspire to be like him
Sippin on syrup, until I perish
Shyne admits his drug addiction
Pickin' bitches off the run-way
Shyne reveals his desire for women
Look forward to, gun-play
Shyne admits his addiction to violence
Go to sleep with one eye shut
Shyne is always alert and cautious to potential danger
Wake up and do the same shit
Shyne's lifestyle is repetitive and dangerous
I ain't never gonna change bitch
Shyne has no intention of changing his ways
And that's the cycle
Shyne acknowledges the cyclical nature of his lifestyle
I don't want to be like Michael
Shyne has no desire to be like Michael Jackson
More like Darrell Porter
Shyne admires Darrell Porter for his drug trafficking success
Gettin' shipments at the border
Shyne plans to receive drug shipments at the border
Yeah, it's a wrappity wrap
Shyne ends the song with a confident, boastful statement
[Chorus x4]
Shyne repeats the chorus as a hook for the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMAAL BARROW, JEREMY A. GRAHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind