The Return of Rapper Shyne

The Return of Shyne: Spiritual Return and Jewish Identity

By Mikhail Salita

Moses Michael Levi Barrow, known to the world as the rapper Shyne, was born in Belize—the only English-speaking country in Latin America. Raised by his mother, his father, lawyer and politician Dean Barrow, did not acknowledge him for many years. Later, Dean Barrow became the first Black Prime Minister of Belize.

As a teenager, Shyne moved to New York and grew up in Brooklyn. His musical talent was quickly noticed. In 1999, he signed a multi-album deal with P. Diddy and Bad Boy Records. The contract included millions of dollars, cars, and real estate. He recorded with Mase (Double Up, 1999), appeared on remixes with Total and 112, and featured on Combs’ own album Forever. His debut album, Shyne, was released in 2000 and went gold within a month.

But with fame came trials. After a nightclub shooting incident, Shyne was sentenced to prison. And it was there that his deeper journey began. He began studying Judaism—not as an idea, but as a way of life. He converted and took the name Moses Michael Levi. After his release, he moved to Jerusalem, where he embraced religious observance: Shabbat, tefillin, Torah study, prayer.

In Jewish tradition, there is a pivotal moment: at Mount Sinai, the people of Israel said, “We will do, and then we will understand.” Not everything must be explained in order to be accepted. Shyne may have followed the same path—he didn’t wait for full clarity. He simply chose.

He later returned to Belize and committed himself to public service. In 2021, he became Leader of the Opposition and head of the United Democratic Party. In 2022, he was reappointed to both roles. In August 2021, he visited the United States as an official guest. The Atlanta City Council declared August 20 “Shyne Barrow Day” in recognition of his service. He has since announced his intention to run for Prime Minister in 2025.

“I am Jewish. I believe in the One God. I serve not power, but Heaven,” he said in an interview.

This is not a story of show business. It is a path of teshuvah, spiritual growth, and inner light.

Afterword from the Author
Perhaps in the future, Moses Michael Levi Barrow will become Prime Minister of Belize. Perhaps a rabbi. Perhaps both. But even if he does neither, something essential has already happened: he became a Jew. He chose the path of faith. And that is enough.

This story feels especially personal to me. My brother knows him personally. They’ve spoken, stayed in touch, and that means something to me. Now that I am completing my rabbinical studies, working with Jewish music, and preparing for future cantorial service, I do not rule out the possibility of a future collaboration. Something musical. Something Jewish. Something real.

About the Author
Mikhail Salita is an American writer, educator, and rabbinical student specializing in Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah, and cultural memory. He was born in Odesa, USSR, in 1973, and emigrated to the United States in 1991. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the City University of New York in Cross-Cultural Social Studies, a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Pratt Institute (2002), and a master’s degree in Education and Special Education from Touro University (2004). He also holds an Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Education, an Advanced Certificate in Behavioral Analysis, and a Certificate in Documentary Filmmaking from the New York Film Academy.

Among his published works are: Golden Gloves (2013), B Is for Brighton Beach (2015), B Is for Boxing (2014), Princess of Brighton (2017), Psycho (2020), and From Langeron to the Hudson (2021). His books are held in the libraries of Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, and Cornell.

References
• Atlanta City Council. (2021, August 20). Proclamation: Shyne Barrow Day. City of Atlanta Archives.
• Barrow, M. M. L. (n.d.). Parliamentary biography and public statements. Official Belize Government.
• Combs, S., & Barrow, M. (1999). Forever [Album]. Bad Boy Records.
• Gottesman, R. (2022). Faith and fame: The dual identities of Moses Levi Barrow. Journal of Caribbean Jewish Studies, 14(2), 45–58.
• Klein, I. (1976). A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice. The Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
• Matt, D. C. (Trans.). (2004). The Zohar: Pritzker Edition, Vol. 1. Stanford University Press.
• Talmud Bavli. (n.d.). Shabbat 88a. Vilna Edition.
• Salita, M., & Petrov, G. (2013). Golden Gloves. Liberty Publishing House.
• Salita, M. (2015). B Is for Brighton Beach. Best Seller Press.
• Salita, M., Salita, D., & Kaplan, B. (2014). B Is for Boxing. Best Seller Press.
• Salita, M., & Petrov, G. (2017). Princess of Brighton. Liberty Publishing House.
• Salita, M., & Zonis, V. (2020). Psycho. Liberty Publishing House.
• Salita, M. (2021). From Langeron to the Hudson. Liberty Publishing House.