Shyheim Understands Why Wu-Tang Clan Didn't Visit Him In Prison

BY Erika Marie 18.0K Views
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Shyheim Wu-Tang Prison
Shyheim had to realize that he had to take a step back and let his friends and mentors tend to their daily responsibilities.

The relationships between Shyheim and members of the Wu-Tang Clan are solid now, but for a brief time, there was a bit of a strain. The rapper has been affiliated with the rap collective since he was a child, so when Shyheim got sent away to prison over a second-degree manslaughter conviction, he thought they would come to see him. Shyheim admitted that it didn't happen, and it took him some time to come to terms with it.

"Like, damn, RZA ain't come," Shyeim said. "You sit there sometimes it's like, dream it, right? I remember I used to dream sometimes like, yo, RZA gon' show up. I know [Method Man] comin'. And then it's like, nobody come. Not to say that they owe me anything to come besides friendship and things like that but I just believed I had a different relationship."

Shyheim added that as he "evolved," he realized that the Wu were grown men with responsibilities and families that don't involve his troubles. "They got love for me, but it's just not in the schedule. It's not like when you young and you're like, I'm goin' to see my man... You're preparing for your future and your retirement."

He also dropped off some advice to the younger generation of emcees. "Get rid of your ego," he said. "Get rid of what people are gonna think of you, because most of the time, we're trying to live up to status quo. We're trying to look like—I know for me, it was kinda like, yo, I'm f*cked up for real in real life. I'm struggling. I gotta get to it. I can't show up without having a Benz. What Shyheim look like without a Benz? Then you start perpetrating for what other people think." Watch Shyheim's clip with VladTV below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.