Shyne Reveals Jay-Z Planned To Sign Him Before Hearing His Post-Prison Music

Shyne says Jay-Z planned to sign him after prison, but a leaked recording revealed how hard he struggled to get his voice back.

The rapper revisited that period in the October 9 episode of Drink Champs. He said he expected to return to music ready to work, but found his voice and energy weren’t where they had been.

“He was going to sign me,” Shyne said of Jay-Z.

Shyne said a recording he made with DJ Khaled leaked from the studio. According to him, Jay-Z heard it on the radio at a Yankees game and was stunned by how it sounded.

Shyne described his own performance as poor and said losing his voice had left him unable to deliver.

“My voice was gone,” he said.

Interest in a possible Roc Nation deal was public at the time. AllHipHop reported in October 2009 that Jay-Z denied meeting with Shyne, while acknowledging a signing was possible.

DJ Khaled also discussed working with Shyne in a 2010 AllHipHop interview. He called him a friend, said he had contacted him after prison and credited Shyne with coming up with the concept for their beat.

The discussion comes as Shyne heads back to the stage. AllHipHop previously reported on the 2622 LGND Tour, which follows his sold-out Kings Theatre show in Brooklyn.

Barrington Levy and Lil’ Cease were announced for nearly every date. Levy appeared on “Bad Boyz” and “Bonnie & Shyne” from Shyne’s 2000 debut.

The announced run opens October 21 at Denver’s Ogden Theatre.