Former Bad Boy artist Shyne says Diddy 'destroyed' his life: 'I was defending him'

Rapper and former Bad Boy Records artist Moses "Shyne" Barrow is now speaking up about his former collaborator, Sean "Diddy" Combs.

The rapper-turned-politician was asked about the record label founder after his arrest on Monday on racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution charges. Combs remains in custody after being denied bail for a second time on Wednesday.

"One of the things that I would never wish on my worst enemy is to be incarcerated ... so I take no joy in anyone's challenges," Barrow said of his former mentor's arrest.

But Barrow, who has since made the transition to politician in Belize and serves as leader of the opposition in the country's House of Representatives, said in an interview published Thursday that the producer "destroyed" his life after a 1999 nightclub shooting in New York City.

Combs, his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and Barrow were all arrested following the shooting at the now-defunct Club New York in Times Square in December 1999.

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The politician claimed Combs offered witnesses to assert Barrow's guilt in the resulting trial. Barrow was later convicted of assault in shooting two bystanders and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Combs and an employee of his, Anthony Jones, were acquitted of weapons charges.

The now-leader of the Belize United Democratic Party was released from prison in 2009 and deported to Belize.

"When I was an 18-year-old kid, just wanting to do nothing other than make my mother proud and make Belize proud and ... be recognized for my talent and take over the world," he continued. "I was defending him, and he turned around and called witnesses to testify against me."

As a rapper, Barrow is best known for the singles "Bad Boyz" and "Bonnie & Shyne," with notable collaborations including Usher's "Confessions Part II" remix with Kanye West and Twista. Released while he was still incarcerated, Barrow is assumed to have sent in his verse over prison phone. "Sitting in my cell, head about to burst," he rapped. "Wouldn't be alive if I didn't shoot first."

Barrow said he has since forgiven Combs. The pair have made appearances together, including at a November performance in London, and at the 2022 BET Awards, where Combs received the lifetime achievement award. Barrow also defended his relationship with the producer in recent years, claiming he continued to interact with Combs to push philanthropic causes.

"This was not someone who I vacationed with and who ... I enjoyed this great intimate relationship of brotherhood," he said. "This is someone who destroyed my life, and who I forgave."

Natania Reuben, one of the victims of the shooting, maintained in an interview earlier this year that Combs was responsible for her injuries.

Victim Natania Reuben insists Sean 'Diddy' Combs pulled trigger in 1999 NYC nightclub shooting

"I literally watched them pull out the guns, I had a clear point of view. I mean, for God's sake, I got shot in my nose. I was facing them directly. I watched everything occur and have described it, vehemently to all parties involved," Reuben said during an appearance on NewsNation's "Elizabeth Vargas Reports" in March. "I have nine bullet fragments remaining in my face."

The trial lasted six weeks with a plethora of witnesses. Reuben testified, "I saw Mr. Combs … pull out a black gun with his right hand," the Washington Post reported at the time, adding she then felt as though "a flaming hot sledgehammer had hit me in the face."

The victim said she assumed Barrow was convicted over Combs despite her testimony "because his name was more notable … rather than a victim who gave it firsthand account."

Contributing: Naledi Ushe

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Diddy: Shyne says he 'destroyed my life' in NYC nightclub shooting