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Nov
6
Written by:
Godfrey Smith
Friday, November 06, 2009
Moses
in the Land of Melchisedek
To refer to Moses Michael Levi (the rap artist Shyne,
formerly Jamal Barrow) as the prodigal son is to turn the parable on its
head.
Shyne never exacted a share of his father’s
inheritance while his father was still living, went off to a far away country
where he wasted the money on “riotous living” only to return home asking his father’s
forgiveness to the resentment of the brother who had stayed by the father’s
side. That’s not how it happened for him.
To be sure, a few strands of the parable ring true. Shyne
did go to a far away country, the mean streets of New York. There he did live riotously. But he sure as
hell wasn’t wasting any inheritance. He had none to waste.
Living ‘riotously’ ironically made him money – tons
of it.
at fifteen I sold my first bag of dope …since 15
I
been servin’ fiends and loadin’ magazines…
takin
shots…burnin’ blocks..
this
ain’t no fuckin’rap…
the
shit was takin’ flight
had my bitches cuttin’ up like 10 Ki’s a night
He acculturated quickly and with a mixture of talent
and smarts bootstrapped himself into the dizzying stratosphere of the rap world
and into the company of megastars like Jay Z, P Diddy and Jennifer Lopez.
We used to put coke on our dick and
make bitches
suck it off...
and we all made a pledge
not to fuck each other’s
bitches
or touch each other’s riches.
Riotous living had harsh consequences for Shyne,
just as it did for the prodigal son. He might have been wasting money. But he
had earned every cent of it. It was his to spend how and on whom he
pleased.
I spent Hundreds of Thou’s out of
paper bags
You
couldn’t name a car I ain't have
every minute new tags
He was on the cusp of superstardom in the rap world
when an unfortunate shooting incident in a New York nightclub landed him in
jail for close to nine years. But even from his prison cell he was able to
continue to make music and mint money.
Unlike the prodigal son who depleted his money and
decided that returning home to work for dad beat having to work as a pig farmer
(especially as he was a Jew), Shyne would have preferred not to return home
after he “did his time…flipped that dime”.
He retained the services of renowned Harvard
professor Ogletree to fight his forced repatriation to Belize. Under US laws, a
non-US citizen who completes a term of imprisonment is deported to his country
of origin.
The ‘lost’ son returned and was reconciled with his
father. There was no resentment from his brother but rather admiration. Shyne
had returned with more prestige, name recognition, google hits and perhaps more
money than his father. He had been, afterall, “the hottest nigga in New York”.
He has no desire to stay in Belize but wants to
return to America. He must if he is to fulfill his destiny.
Money, cars, guns, hoes
Sniff some blow and I’m good to go
Making his way into Belize City from the airport,
before even dropping off his bags at his hotel, Shyne stopped in at the youth
hostel to give a pep talk to the kids. Touching indeed. But it should be
understood that that was part of the script that Shyne must follow if he is to
have a chance to regain entry into the United States and back into the world he
left behind.
Professor Ogletree of Harvard must be able to
present a case to the relevant authorities, complete with photos and video
images, that Shyne is well and truly reformed, is a positive influence on the
young minds of Belize and if accepted back into American society would be a force
for good.
It is an act.
There is nothing wrong with that. To succeed in America the way Shyne succeeded,
you have to have an act, a good one. If he hopes to get back, he must keep
acting, the show must go on. Even in
Belize.
Appearances must be kept up: an entire floor of the
Radisson hotel, entourage, penthouse on the eight floor of the city’s tallest
building, black tie birthday party with rap stars flown in and pep talks to
high school kids.
The entire student population and principal of
Wesley College formed a welcoming committee for Shyne when he paid a visit to
his old high school.
It was a genuine expression of love and admiration
for a son of the soil who had made it to celebrity status in NYC by singing
Lay down nigga
Cut
ya dick off put it in ya mouth y’all
understand? (Let’s go)
Puncture
niggaz when I comfort niggaz
Motor
City to Brooklyn Vietnam
Nigga
it’s on till my flesh is gone
And
even then I live on in gangsta form
The
Wesley College welcome is fine so long as it is correctly interpreted. Shyne’s particular genius has to be accepted.
If just about anybody could produce lyrics like him and rise to the top of the
rap world, we’d all be cutting up each other to get there.
He’s
young and full of potential. We should participate in scripted events aimed at catapulting
him back into New York to fulfill his destiny. He’s the only bona fide
celebrity we’ve got.
You
can’t quite make the case that he is a role-model though. A role model is a
person whose behavior serves as an example, whose life should be emulated.
Shyne says
Every thing I talk about I live it
All
you hear these rappers rap about I really did it
I
was designed to hold nines, and grind
Step
out of line put you in that white line
Rearrange ya brain ain’t nothin’
change
You
know the game jet planes and cocaine
Not
quite the lifestyle we can openly encourage others to emulate.
Young
Belizean males have no realistic chance of getting to where Shyne is today
without immersing themselves into that rap, gangsta culture, just like Shyne
did.
Shyne
may be a hero; he’s not a role model. There’s a difference. But Belize should
not despair for role models. Two just emerged this week. Seventeen-year old Athina
Swazey, a Sandill Village girl, was the top finisher with eleven CXCs passes.
Twenty-year old Stacey Grinage, a Southside girl, won the prestigious Belize
Open Scholarship with an impressive 6 A level passes.
Emulating
the lifestyle of these two humble young women is guaranteed to yield better
results than pursuing the dream of the glamorous, volatile life of a big name
rap artist.
Shyne
meanwhile is stuck in the land of Melchisedek; a place without ancestry or
posterity, having neither proud history nor a great future. What does Belize
have to offer Shyne, a man whose
Game so tight I arouse dikes …
I’m
what these lil’ niggas rap about…
Shoot-outs,
jet planes, cocaine and
automobiles …
The
Life …love it.
44 comment(s) so far...
Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
I am a cayo youth and i can humbly say that shyne does not impress me...he is not even a role model for belize or belizean youths.
the spotlight is on him because his dad is the prime minister and he got $$$ otherwise shyne wouldn't even shine.
i tell all belizean kids, youths to connect with nature, the universe and find out their instrinsic motivations and be an asset to our lovely country belize and not a liablity. d not try to emulate youths like shyne.
shyne is visiting the youth hostel, wesley college etc. because he wants to tell uncle sam that he is creating a big positive difference in belize. my fellow youths, do not travel the road that shyne has travelled.
connect with nature and the universe, find your intrinsic motivation and be an asset to belize. if we just do this, we can win nobel prizes and make our beautiful country proud.
peace, love and respect to all belizean youths.
By Cayo Youth on
Friday, November 06, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
hmmm...wonder if lois will want some of shyne's $$$ too.
By Lice on
Friday, November 06, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Well put Godfrey. It bothers me, though, that so many Belizeans seem unable to understand the game.
While I admire Shyne's particular gifts, and don't begrudge him his wealth, I don't think he's someone I would wish to emulate.
By Glenn on
Friday, November 06, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
That cruffas got talent not like his pa that is all glitter and no substance!
By Shine on
Friday, November 06, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Finally ... This is the best article you have written in a while Godfrey: you finally found something to write about that you actually believe in. Well put together, excellent use of Shyne's lyrics to drive your points home and establish the setting in all its crude reality ... and deep!!!
By TheEqualizer on
Friday, November 06, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
...Glenn would wish to emulate someone as compassionate as Rt Hon Said Musa, SC- a man of great...disgust
By mini glenn on
Friday, November 06, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
This has got to be one of my favourites. Its deep and it speaks volumes. I would have wanted some more compassion for Shyne, especially since Shyne is a victim of his very vain father, who according to Shyne, declared him "unwanted". Listening to his story and lyrics, you would have thought that the father was no role model. Yet, it is interesting that he is into the coke thing and glamorous lifestyle...this would be an interesting study as to whether Shyne was influenced by his environs or genetics. Outta here.
By Wise one on
Friday, November 06, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
yeh! ah dat mi seh! big up shyne poe!
By simplesimon on
Friday, November 06, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
I agree with you The Equalizer, this is the best article in a while... very nice, very nice. I agree too with Wise that Shyne is a victim of vain father's cut and run actions. It's amazing that as Prime Minister, he is supposed to be the ultimate role model, but hardly can be given the cold way he treated his biological son early on in his life.
Shyne's battles are those of many a southside youths. we therefore must have much admiration for how far he has come from and gone. But, I agree with Godfrey, we shouldn't be looking to Shyne as a role model. I don't he wants to be viewed that way in any event; di yute seems to just live life. He hasn't as yet; went to prison at 20/21.
By Bring it on on
Saturday, November 07, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
put cocaine on my dick and then bitches suck it. is that a role model for bze youth? barrow just like shine are sheeps in wolf clothing. assholes.
By put cocaine on my dick on
Saturday, November 07, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
I really enjoyed this piece too. The lyrics of Shyne's songs blend right into Godfrey's writing. Great job! As Belizeans alike we should support Shyne in his career. Big up Shyne and Godfrey for this creative piece.
By wicked on
Saturday, November 07, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Actually, I did not find Shyne's lyrics blending with Godfrey's writing, but rather the lyrics operated like oxymorons beside Godfrey's writings, crude and empty lyrics, glamorizing the gansta lifestyle of drugs, cars and miysogyny, beside smooth flowing sentences, praising two academically successful women. I also found the contrast with Athina and Ms. Grinage, interesting. Here is a crippled male youth, mired in a web of fatherlessness (coining the word) and predisposition of sorts, and then here are two successful female youth, one from the Southside and one from the village of Sandhill. This microcosmic contrast reflects what is happening in the greater society, females are moving ahead of young males, especially on the Southside.
By Wise one on
Saturday, November 07, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Hey good one Godfrey and shine should go as far as God allow him to go it would be nice if he would promote a bzean youth while he's here.
By Finny on
Sunday, November 08, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Sorry, Godfrey, these kinds of topics don't interest me. I'm not a fan of gangsterism in any form. Let's get back to real issues. Tell us about your current status in Sketteldom, which is to say, PUP. Shyne is a none issue to Belize. Most Belizeans have no interest in him one way or the other, can't you see? You hear anybody calling any talkshow about any Shyne? For goodness sake, get back to the real issues, Godfrey! And I hope the news people would take this advise as well.
By Intolerant of Hypocrites on
Monday, November 09, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Excellent piece Godfrey, when you think about it, its a really sad story.
I feel sorry for him and his parents.
But everybody gets a second chance.
By musicman on
Monday, November 09, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
I must say I have to agree with Intolerant of Hypocrites. Shyne is a none issue. Do a poll and see how many people care about Shyne one way or the other. What we care about is the economy, jobs and security. Only good leadership can achieve that. Shyne is a ganster. He is no leader. At least not the type we need to promote or follow, especially at a time like this. Let's quit this stupid discussion and get back to the real isses that matter.
By Dean Musa on
Monday, November 09, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
by musicman - you must feel sorry for the belizean people too. dean barrow and musa have fucked up this country. we have the biggest public debt in belizean history. the highest crime and hiv/aids rate in central america. the poorest infrastructure too.
who benefitted from this super bond? who, musa, fonseca, barrow, finnegan and the other fucking assholes.
By by the revolutionist on
Monday, November 09, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
who cares about shyne? he is not a belizean artist, how many times he thought about belize before being deported? does he care about belize? i doubt it. having the belize media fixated on him is an insult to belizean artists. Ogletree's comments to the media were disgusting, shyne is not important for belize, he never was.
By moses on
Monday, November 09, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Nice piece. While I have sympathy for Shyne, I don't think he is a role model. However, I do think that he is in a position to do positive things for the young people in our country; if he sees fit to do so. Having said that, I think we should all focus on the real heroes and good role models in our communities. In our deteriorating society where good manners, honesty and humility no longer have a high place in our homes, its is nice to see positive actions and triumphs in the news. We need to get back to basics. Belize is no longer the place I grew up in- when children were held in high esteem and people were down- to earth and neighbours looked out for each other. I think if we start to show people doing good acts in the news instead of the usual bludgeon and slice then we may actually see things change. If we would live by the golden rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"....we would all think twice before causing harm to another human being.......someone's son, father, daughter, mother.......loved one.
By positive thinking on
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
You are on to something positive thinking. Perhaps it was not a good idea for Shyne's parents to parade him in front of our children and our local media, until he did something positive, until he pulled up his bootstraps, until he really turned around his life. We surely do not need anymore of this American gangster culture here in Belize.
By Positive too on
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Top Ten reasons why Shyne should go back to the USA:
1. We nuh wah he yah!
2. Cuz it might be possible that he ker his simple uncle Finnegan wid ah!
3. Maybe he ker Anwar and Dean wid ah too!
4. Luke nuh need fi mek no more money from house rent! PUP done mek nuff fi him already!
5. The fuss lady need fu concentrate pan all di govament cases and not be distracted by whether shyne wa outshyne Anwar.
6. If he stay long enough he might get appointed to the Senate and become Minister of Health like how he have knowledge bout drugs!
7. He wah tek too much woman from the Belizean gangsta dem!
8. He wah soon run outta hostel fi visit!
9. He might form wa alliance wid the PUP gangsta dem!
10. He faaava his puppa too much!
By Said Barrow on
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
and the best comment goes to... dum do dum.... Said Barrow!!! Hilarious!!!!!
By Ralph Finnegan on
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
If some other political leaders added some cusswords into their lifestyle and rapped about it, I'd say, they would be pretty much on the same level with Shyne -- bitches, hoes, coke ... this gangsta cultcha has been going on in Belize long before this idiot got here.
By Ralph Finnegan on
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Said Barrow, yuh neva done til yuh win the prize. Shucks, yuh might mek Intolerant of Hypocrites jealous.
By Lois Smith on
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Remember my name is Intolerant of Hypocrites, not Jealous of Hypocrites. Lol.
By Intolerant of Hypocrites on
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Intolerant, nuh di call mi hypocrite yu know! Ah nuh di faaaas wid yu!
By Said Barrow on
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Said barrow, console yuhself: Dah yuh win di prize.
By Lois Smith on
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Thanks...but mi neva know prize deh fi win! Anywaya...Ah would like to say thanks to the academy, Dean Barrow, Finnegan, Said Musa, Ralph, the UDP gangsta dem, the PUP one dem too, Shyne, the fuss lady n everybody weh gimme good material fi write bout. Thanks
By Said Barrow on
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
But on a serious note; Godfrey I think you left out the most telling of Shyne's lyrics:
"Imagine, grow'n up and never havin
Faggot ass pops actin like you never happened
FUCKED UP
Watching the tears stream down yo mammas cheek
She helpless in the kitchen looking for eats" - from the track "Quasi. O.G."
By Said Barrow on
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
good one godfrey, i hope we belizeans no let down one another,we need to focus on the community not the stupidness of a criminal dat does'nt even want to be in our country.
By melanie glenstar on
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
good one godfrey, i hope we belizeans no let down one another,we need to focus on the community not the stupidness of a criminal dat does'nt even want to be in our country.
By melanie glenstar on
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Said Barrow, why is that the most telling of Shyne's lyrics? Is it because it is the one that best makes your case against Dean Barrow, the one that provides you with the best opportunity to bring him down? You are the typical small-minded envious Belizean - the kind that has our country where it is today: NOWHERE!!!!!
What about the fact that Shyne and his father seems to be on the road to some kind of reconciliation? Isn't that better - as opposed to your first namesake who keeps denying that he ever wronged an entire country and through the land grabbing, hustling and corruption that occurred under his watch may well be responsible for not one but a whole generation of gangstas in the various alleyways of our city?
By TheEqualizer on
Saturday, November 14, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Equalizer, why are you UDPs so overly sensitive? Dean Barrow isn't a god, you know, even if you think so.
By Bring it On on
Sunday, November 15, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
I will not engage in an exchange with anyone who is blinded by fanaticism over a political party and its leader, PUP or UDP!. For the record, I have no reason fi envy Dean Barrow...I richer than he ...n I nuh have wa bad back wid wa young wife; n wa son weh call mi faggot!
By Said Barrow on
Monday, November 16, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Said Barrow, I dih staart a worry 'bout weh The Equalizer just seh. If Dean Barrow di mek up with fi him son, Moses, that mean that dah wah nadda child of his to give state inheritance too. BEL watch out...
By Lois Smith on
Monday, November 16, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Nuh man, da Ministry of Health the man qualify fa...wid the drugs n all. Or maybe di man could run Kolbe like how he have experience wid prison! Or maybe like how di man da wa jew he cudda run Ministry of Finance!
By Said Barrow on
Monday, November 16, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Shyne is an Artist that was born in Belize. Although his popularity was earned in another country he is a Belizean. I think we should not look at the politics surrounding his situation but rather the tough times he has been through. He is a fellow BELIZEAN and deserves compassion.
By Black Mamba on
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Please! Compassion for what? He went to someone else's country committed a crime and was sent packing. You know who deserved compassion?....Charles Good. He served his country and his people and then he was betrayed by the UDP who put out his wife in breach of the constitution and the PUP who set him up to stand outside the courthouse in his frail state. I tell you, both parties only seek to serve their own political agendas even at the cost of lives!
By Said Barrow on
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Said Barrow, yuh see weh dis meking up with Moses the cause...we now sign agreement with Israel, the state of the Jews.
By Lois Smith on
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Ah di tell yu, as Shyne n his puppa mek up, all jew could come ya without Visa jus fi mek Shyne could visit the Holy Land without the need fi declare his ex convict status with the Israeli dem!
By Said Barrow on
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Godfrey...write bout something else nuh! We di wait! Write bout the deaths of Ariable"
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By Said Barrow on
Friday, November 20, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
dat da "the deaths of Atanacio Gutierrez, Charlie Good and Dwain Davis"
By Said Barrow on
Friday, November 20, 2009
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i
i thought musa devastated our country, barrow di kill it now. dead belize...
By i thought on
Friday, November 27, 2009
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Re: Moses in the Land of Melchisedek
Power Corrupts!!! Said showed us and Barrow is proving it!
By Said Barrow on
Monday, November 30, 2009
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