Shyne Interview w/ CNN

Former Bad Boy Records rapper Shyne begins his journey of finding the truth; getting closer to God. Moses Michael Levi (born Jamal Michael Barrow) talks about how his research into Judaism started well before being imprisoned in 2001 for 10 years (serving 9) for attempted murder, assault, and reckless endangerment.

The music, he says, is informed by his Jewish faith, but listeners should not be expecting religious rhymes.

“I am not rapping about Kadish or Shabbat shalom – that’s not the music I make,” Levi says, referring the Jewish prayer for the dead and the Hebrew Sabbath greeting.

While he’s ditching the vulgar language of earlier recordings, his music still has not lost its edge, he says.

“It’s really just a change in direction – the anger is still there, you dig? The outrage is sill there at the profanity and obscenity of poverty.”

His lyrical focus now, he says, is much more political than it was in the past.

“I am still angry that people are suffering in Palestine, the people who aren’t terrorists. I am angry (Israeli soldier) Gilad Shalit is captive right now the way I was in captivity – but it’s just a different way to channel that anger.”

Props to NahRight via CNN.