Sean “Diddy” Combs has responded to Shyne Barrow’s latest claims amid the release of his new documentary.

Mr. Combs’ legal counsel sent AllHipHop a statement on his behalf in response to allegations made by former Bad Boy rapper Shyne Barrow in the newly released documentary Honorable Shyne. The statement comes after a recent surge in press interviews Barrow has given to promote the documentary, during which he has made claims against Diddy, including that he was “the devil” and more.

The music mogul and his representation have strongly denied allegations that he framed Barrow during the infamous nightclub shooting incident in 1999. In addition to labeling Barrow’s remarks as “unequivocally false,” Combs and his representation maintain innocence and commitment to supporting Barrow for over two decades.

“Mr. Combs categorically denies Mr. Barrow’s allegations, including any suggestion that he orchestrated Mr. Barrow to ‘take the fall’ or ‘sacrifice’ him by directing witnesses to testify against him,” Combs’ legal counsel said in a statement. “These claims are unequivocally false. Mr. Combs was acquitted of all charges related to the 1999 Club New York incident and has maintained his constant innocence. He cannot accept or tolerate any characterization of his actions as ‘demonic’ or malicious.”

Diddy’s legal team emphasized that while Combs has always been supportive of Barrow’s personal and professional journey, he cannot condone the resurgence of these allegations.

“Mr. Combs appreciates the path Mr. Barrow has taken and wishes him continued success,” the statement continued.

“It is unfortunate that Mr Barrow has chosen to revisit these allegations. Mr. Combs trusts that responsible journalism will weigh both the legal outcomes established and Mr. Combs’ positive and long-standing support for those with whom he has worked.”

The infamous nightclub shooting occurred in December 1999 at Club New York, where shots were fired during an altercation between Combs, his entourage and rival individuals. Shyne, a rising star on Combs’ Bad Boy label, was one of the people involved in the incident. At the time, Combs and Shyne were both facing serious charges in connection with the shooting, which left three people injured. In 2001, after a high-profile trial that lasted seven weeks and featured the testimony of 60 witnesses, Diddy was acquitted of all charges, including gun possession, by a Manhattan jury.

The trial included 126 exhibits, and Combs, confident of his innocence, took the stand in his own defense, rejecting any plea deal. Despite the legal outcome, Shyne was convicted of first-degree assault, attempted murder and other charges in connection with the incident.

While Shyne’s legal troubles took place, he maintained a close relationship with Combs. However, in recent years, Shyne has publicly revisited the events of 1999, claiming in interviews and his new documentary that Combs orchestrated a cover-up, allowing him to take the fall for filming. Shyne’s comments raised eyebrows, especially given his longstanding professional and personal ties to Combs.

In fact, as recently as 2022, Shyne appeared at the BET Awards to publicly praise Combs, declaring, “I’m really here for Diddy” and noting that he “celebrated Diddy with his Lifetime Achievement Award.” Their bond was further highlighted when Shyne joined Combs on stage at a charity concert in London in November 2023, showing the world that the two had apparently reconciled and continued to publicly support each other.

After the 1999 shooting, Shyne Barrow was convicted of multiple charges, including attempted murder and assault, for his role in the incident. In 2001, the rapper was sentenced to ten years in prison. He served nearly nine years of his sentence before being released in 2009 after his sentence was commuted.

Despite his legal battles, Shyne was able to rebuild his career, transitioning from rap to politics and becoming the leader of the opposition in the Belize House of Representatives. His journey was marked by both personal redemption and public scrutiny, his documentary sparking renewed attention to the long-closed chapter of the 1999 nightclub shooting.

However, Diddy’s legal team claims that the allegations against him are false and that the public should not overlook the legal verdicts and history of support Combs has shown for his former artist.