Rapper Shyne Converts to Orthodox Judaism

Rapper Jamaal "Shyne" Barrow has been out of the spotlight for quite some time. Last we heard, the former up-and-comer was relaxing in his home country of Belize after being released from prison, where he served time for a controversial nightclub shooting involving Sean "Diddy" Combs and J.Lo... Here's what you had to say: Laura commented via Facebook: "I was baptized as a Roman Catholic, but I have considered Buddhism. Best of luck to Shyne in his new religion." Monique wrote via Facebook: "As long as he has God, it's all good."

ESSENCE.COM Nov, 11, 2010

Rapper Jamaal “Shyne” Barrow has been out of the spotlight for quite some time. Last we heard, the former up-and-comer was relaxing in his home country of Belize after being released from prison, where he served time for a controversial nightclub shooting involving Sean “Diddy” Combs and J.Lo. Barrow recently popped up in Israel, only he’s not Jamaal Barrow anymore. Shyne has legally changed his name to Moses Levi and converted to Orthodox Judaism. “My entire life screams that I have a Jewish neshama,” Shyne told the NY Times, using the Hebrew word for soul. For Levi, 32, Judaism offers a closer connection to God. The rapper sees no conflict in blending his hip-hop lifestyle with the more pious Hasidic way of living. “There’s nothing in the Chumash (Torah) that says I can’t drive a Lamborghini,” and “nothing in the Halacha (Jewish law) about driving the cars I love, about the lifestyle I live.” Well, Mr. Levi, Mazel Tov!