S. Samuel
Reformed rapper Shyne has decided to push his body to its limit by sacrificing sexual activity while working on a follow-up album to his 2004 release, Godfather Buried Alive.
Along with refraining from sex, Shyne also plans to drop non-explicit rap projects in the near future.
He is planning a world tour and the release of two albums by early 2012 but promises that the lyrics will be clean, and his shows, like forthcoming videos, will be without female dancers in deference to Jewish modesty laws. He says that he had asked for divine help in bringing the world his debut album in which he sings about “b*tches walkin’ topless with G-strings”. In return, he promised to adopt a lifestyle alien to the world portrayed in his music – one without any sexual activity whatsoever. In 2000, as his trial loomed and he feared that the album, Shyne, would be shelved due to negative publicity, he declared to God: “You know what? You know how much I love women, I’m going to be shomer habris [refrain from all sexual activity unless married] until this record comes out.” (The Jewish Chronicle)
Keeping on the topic of music, Shyne is also working alongside Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu.
Like Matisyahu, he found his inspiration in Chasidism, and the two have become firm friends. “I’d say he was someone that I’d be there for anything he needs, and he has expressed the same for me,” he comments. He reveals that the two are collaborating on recordings and are likely to appear on each other’s albums. (The Jewish Chronicle)
Over the winter, Matisyahu spoke to SOHH about Shyne’s new Jewish lifestyle.
“I read the article and right away reached out to him,” Matis said referring to learning about Shyne’s newfound faith in Judaism. “I had a conversation with him and he was real cool. My feeling is that he’s [serious about his conversion]. Somehow, he really connected to this. He seems real about it and inspired when you’re talking to him — But he’s still the same guy. When you listen to him talk, when you hear him talk, you hear where he’s from. He didn’t change who he is. I’m sure he changed his lifestyle and a lot of things but I went through a very similar process, so I respect that a lot. I think it could be really good for Jewish people for him to do something like that. I think he can be an inspiration. He’ll be in New York soon…Definitely [expect a collaboration from us], we’ve already been back and forth on the e-mails. We talked about doing some shows together.” (SOHH)
Last November, Shyne discussed maintaining his street credibility while walking a sanctified path.
“All these rules, rules, rules,” the rapper said about the strict religious requirements. “But you know what you have if you don’t have rules? You end up with a bunch of pills in your stomach.” Even though Shyne sports a Hasidic-style hat and a black jacket that hangs to his knees, the Brooklyn-raised rapper said he hasn’t lost his street cred. “There’s nothing in the Chumash [a Jewish book] that says I can’t drive a Lamborghini,” said Shyne, who was released from prison last year after serving nine years. (New York Post)
Check out some recent Shyne footage below:
