Urbanworld Film Festival wrapped up this past Saturday with its closing night documentary, The Honorable Shyne (Hulu). The film chronicles the tumultuous life of Moses “Shyne” Barrow, former rapper signed to Bad Boy Records who sounded a lot like the hit-maker Notorious B.I.G. Barrow is now the Opposition Leader for the House of Representatives and the Leader of the Belize United Democratic Party, in his home country of Belize, and is running for Prime Minister.
Barrow was deported back to Belize following an 8 1/2 year prison stint for first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon resulting from the highly publicized 1999 Club New York nightclub shooting. Sean “Diddy” Combs and, then girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez were also at the nightclub. Combs was also charged and stood trial but was found not guilty.
As Vice President of PR at Bad Boy Records at the time, I worked closely with Shyne in marketing his hit single, “Bad Boyz”, and self-titled CD. And I was in the courtroom on June 1, 2000 when Combs was acquitted and 22 year-old Barrow was sentenced to 10 years. I was, thankfully, not in the club the night of the shooting.
The film is well done and well shot. We learn about Barrow’s early life and early rap aspirations and finally hear him speak on what happened in the club that night. Although there isn’t much new information revealed, the rapper opens up about his claim that his lawyers worked with Combs’ lawyers to guarantee full blame for the shooting was placed in his lap with Combs walking free. He says his lawyer made no effort to argue his self defense claim. Barrow was found guilty on five charges which could have brought him 25 years behind bars. The judge showed leniency in sentencing him to 10 years.
In interviews Shyne has maintained that he never saw anything resembling a “Freak Off” in his years with Bad Boy. I can also say that I never saw anything either. As a hardworking senior female executive at the label, if there had been events of this type, I would likely have not been privy to them. Aside from the highly curated, star-studded and media-driven Hamptons white parties, Grammy and Birthday celebrations, I can say that I was invited to only one private celebration at Combs’ home.
The Honorable Shyne will premiere on Hulu today, Monday, November 18 and is directed by Marcus A. Clarke (Blood Brothers: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali).
Other films screened at Urbanworld this year included Unstoppable starring Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, Mykelti Williamson, and Jharrel Jerome; Fannie, starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor; Nickel Boys with Daveed Diggs and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor; Albany Road (Renee Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield) and Dream Hampton’s hip hop documentary It Was All A Dream.
About Urbanworld
Urbanworld is a five-day festival, based in New York City, showcasing narrative and documentary features, short films, web originals, spotlight screenings and conversations.
The Urbanworld Innovation Summit happening during the festival convenes industry experts sharing insights on the evolving landscape of content creation, financing, distribution, marketing and AI through informative panel discussions.
The Honorable Shine
Director: Marcus A. Clarke
Producer: Jason Perez
Executive Producer: Dwayne Bray, Talitha Watkins, Jason Aidoo, Carolina Groppa, Angela Augustus, James Shani, Ameer Collier, Steve Carless
Co-Producer: David Dennis, Jr., Justin Tinsley
Cast: Moses Barrow with interviews with music executives Kevin Liles and Shawn “Pecas” Costner, the late DJ Clark Kent, publicist/photographer Cheryl Fox, artists Faith Evans and N.O.R.E, Barrington Levy, activist Conrad Tillard (formerly Minister Conrad Muhammad), manager Manny Halley, entreprenuer Robert “Don Pooh” Cummins, and we heard truly ridiculous stories from former bodyguard Gene Deal who seems to be talking to whoever will listen.
RELATED: The 25th Anniversary Urbanworld Film Festival Announces This Year’s Winners
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