Shyne remains in custody while Immigration determines status

Shyne is not out of the woods just yet. (Photo: AP)

Contrary to the various media outlets that are reporting that Shyne was released from prison today, a representative for the rapper confirmed with MTV News that Shyne still remains in custody.

Shyne (real name Jamal Barrow) was scheduled for release today, October 6 after serving more than 9 years of his 10 year bid; however, Shyne is currently being detained by the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement at an unspecified location in the Western part of New York. The rapper is being held as Officials determine if whether or not he will face deportation back to his native land of Belize.

The former Bad Boy rapper was sentenced to 10-years in prison after he was involved in a club shooting at the now defunct Club New York in 2001. The shooting also involved Diddy and ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez.

Shyne’s rep revealed that Shyne will continue to remain in federal custody while Officials determine the future of his immigration status.

Slick Rick. (Photo: Google)

Shyne is not the first rapper that has faced the possibility of deportation. In 2002, Slick Rick was arrested by the INS after performing on a Caribbean cruise ship.

The MC that was born in Britain and brought to the States as a young child, was told that he was to be deported due to a law that was passed that called for foreigners convicted of violent felonies to be deported; a ruling that was enforced on Slick after the rapper served 17 months in prison for attempted murder charges after continuously being denied bail. Slick was pardoned in 2008 by New York’s Governor David Patterson who granted Slick an unconditional pardon on his attempted murder charges.

As for Shyne, there is no telling what his future may hold the decision at this point can go either way. At press time, the status of Shyne’s release remains unknown.