Shyheim Talks Getting "Out Of Control" Following Mother's Death From Heroin Overdose

BY Erika Marie 2.1K Views
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Shyheim
He was already spiraling, but his mother's death changed his life dramatically.

Traumatic events can be a defining turning point in a person's life, but the tragic death of a parent can be earthshattering. Shyheim has been opening up about his successes and failures with VladTV now that he's recently been released from prison after serving five years. The rapper was convicted of second-degree manslaughter following the death of a motorist during a car accident. As he's becoming acclimated to life outside of prison walls, Shyheim is ready to share portions of his life story that many people never learned about the Wu-Tang-affiliated artist.

In 2009, back when Shyheim was in his early thirties, the rapper's mother lost her life after overdosing on heroin. "Losing a mom at 30, that's pretty young. So then, I was really, really lost," he said. "I was lost before, but then I really started gettin' out of control." Shyheim admitted that his life took a turn back in the 1990s, but the death of his mother "added to the wounds and to the psychological trauma that was going on in my life."

"You see your mom, the one that raised you on the floor gone," Shyheim continued. "It does something to you. You'll never be the same. I'll never be the same as I was as that kid. From the trauma and the things that I went through." He added, "The weird thing [that] started the happen [was] I would hear her voice clearly of everything she ever told me. That's what would make me cry and that's what would touch me. It's just like, yo. What do you do? Where do you go from here?"

Shyheim said that there were people around him with the ability to change his life and remove him from troublesome situations, but didn't. Check out his clip below where he also talks about learning how to be a good father.


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.