CaribWorldNews, BELMOPAN, Belize, Fri. Oct. 30, 2009: Famed Belize-born U.S. rapper, Jamal Shyne Barrow, who was deported to his homeland Belize on Wednesday, is now relaxing at the posh Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City, CaribWorldNews has learnt.
Shyne, the son of Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow, was greeted by his father, uncle Michael Finnigan, who is also the country`s Minister of Housing, his mother Imeon Myvett, his brother Anwar, other relatives, several curious Belizeans, and the press corps upon his arrival late Wednesday.
Moses Michael Levy, a name he adopted in prison after he changed his religion from Christianity to Judaism, then journeyed to the Princess Royal Youth Hostel where he spend more than an hour chatting with delinquent youth who live there.
His uncle, Minister Finningan, who spoke to the media, apologized on behalf of Shyne, stating that the rapper was advised not to speak to the media at this time and his advisor, Harvard Professor Charles Ogletree. But he said he will meet the press tomorrow, Saturday, October 31st.
Fennigan also revealed that his nephew has rented the entire floor at the Radisson Hotel where he will stay until renovations on an apartment are completed.
He added that `Jamal needs to sit and contemplate his whole life, and I think we need to respect that.`
The rapper was convicted and jailed for ten years, following a shooting incident in New York that included Sean P. Diddy Combs and then girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, but was released after serving a little over eight years. While in prison the famous rapper released a recording and it is expected that he will continue his work in Belize. - By Oscar Ramjeet/Special to CWNN