Hip-hop star told to ‘hop it’ by UK immigration officials

Ex-prisoner rapper Shyne was denied entry by UK immigration officials on Thursday (04Feb10).

The hip-hop star walked free from prison last October after serving eight years of a 10-year sentence for his part in a 1999 shooting in New York, and was deported back to his native Belize immediately after losing his appeal to stay in the U.S.

After arriving in his homeland, Shyne returned to the recording studio with producer Scott Storch to make his first new music in more than a decade.

But upon arriving at London’s Heathrow airport last Thursday to meet with British producers, immigration officers did not take a shine to the artist’s travel documents and he was refused entry.

Shyne’s last two albums, his self-titled debut in 2000 and Godfather Buried Alive in 2004, were made up from songs recorded prior to the 1999 shooting, which involved his then-mentor Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Combs’ girlfriend at the time, Jennifer Lopez.

If you need any immigration advice or help with Studying in the UK, Settlement, Citizenship, Sponsorship, extending Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk