“I made it about Belize”, “Shyne” on B.E.T Performance

Reporters also got a chance to ask the Leader of the Opposition about his world class performance at the B.E.T. Awards. Barrow says his appearance on stage with Diddy was about nation building and promoting Belize in a manner that he says the Belize Tourism Board would not be able to accomplish. In response to the Prime Minister’s remarks, Shyne says the P.M. has it all wrong, because he is already a successful rapper.

Shyne Barrow

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“Well, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Belize in such a fashion that has impacts for tourism, economic development, and just lifting the spirits of Belizeans in every way, and strengthening the relations that we have with people in the United States, that of our Belizeans and friends in Belize. So, it really accomplished everything that I live for. I am extremely grateful to have had that opportunity and to have made that into all that I just said for Belize, because that is truly what I live for. It is what the people like George Price and Phillip Goldson live for. When you hear about it as a child. When you hear about it as someone evolving you imagine what nation building is when you get the opportunity you do your part. So, every opportunity I get to build our nation I do it and that is what that night represented for me and for so many others. It was truly unforgettable and it will be one of the highlights of my life.”

Paul Lopez

“One of your critics, among the many was the leader of our nation, the Prime Minister of Belize. He dropped his on bars saying you stand a better chance at reviving your rap career than becoming the next Prime Minister of Belize. How do you take to those criticisms?”

Shyne Barrow

“That is not what he said. He said that I have a better chance of becoming a successful rapper. So, quintessential John Briceño, he put his foot in his mouth because I am already a successful rapper. I know you like to push and advance the cause of that political party, so it seems. You came with your own remix of what he said, because that is not what he said. But, I have already been a Grammy award winning rapper and I have no desire to do that. I happen to have a friend who is one of the most famous, influential people on planet earth. In honoring him I made it about Belize, and even he on stage was saying Belize, Belize. We can’t pay for that. Nobody on the tourism board hires can accomplish that and that is fine.”