Shyheim

"Manchild (album)" redirects here. Not to be confused with Man-Child.

Shyheim
Shyheim in 2011
Born
Shyheim Dionel Franklin

(1979-11-14) November 14, 1979 (age 44)[1][2]
Staten Island, New York City, U.S.[1][2]
Other namesThe Rugged Child[3]
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • actor
Years active1993–present
RelativesGhostface Killah (cousin)[4]
Musical career
Genres
Labels

Shyheim Dionel Franklin (born November 14, 1979) is an American rapper from New York better known simply as Shyheim. He initially gained fame as a teenager, releasing his debut album AKA the Rugged Child at the age of 14 in 1994. He has spent the majority of his career affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan, frequently collaborating with Method Man and Ghostface Killah.[5]

As a teenager, Shyheim was considered one of hip hop's brightest prospects, being referred to as a "Wunderkind"[6] and a "prodigy",[5] even being admired by fellow rappers such as Jay-Z, who said he "looked up to him" in admiration in his autobiography Decoded.[7][8]

After 1996's The Lost Generation, Shyheim's career saw a string of underperforming releases over the next eighteen years, and was finally derailed due to a hit-and-run conviction. He was released from prison in early 2020.[9]

Career

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Music

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Shyheim's Virgin Records debut, AKA the Rugged Child. It included the hit single "On and On" the video of which featured Method Man,[10] and the album rose to #7 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart.

Shyheim joined others, notably the Fugees, to provide a free concert to deaf children in a summer camp in 1996.[11]

Shyheim released another album in 1996, The Lost Generation, which featured members of G.P. Wu and Brooklyn Zu.[12] He also shared the stage with the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Scoob and Big Daddy Kane at Madison Square Garden, for a live freestyle session.[6][9] He also made an appearance on Big Daddy Kane's "Show & Prove," which featured Ol' Dirty Bastard, Sauce Money, Scoob and Jay-Z.[10]

Shyheim resumed his career after almost a decade and released subsequent albums on the label he founded, Bottom Up Records.[5] His third, fourth, and fifth albums, Manchild, The Greatest Story Never Told, and Enter the Bottom were released to little fanfare in 1999, 2004, and 2008 respectively. Shyheim released his fifth solo album, Disrespectfully Speaking, October 2009 on his label Bottom Up Records.[5]

Acting

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Shyheim starred in the video for TLC's "Waterfalls".[10]

He has had roles in films such as the 1996 Pam Grier, Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, and Richard Roundtree vehicle Original Gangstas,[13][failed verification][14] In Too Deep,[15][10] and The Preacher's Wife[9][10] and he also starred in the television show The Parent Hood.[9] Shyheim appeared in a small role in the prequel Carlito's Way: Rise to Power.[9]

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In July 2002, Shyheim was sentenced to a year in prison after second degree attempted robbery. On November 4, 2003, Shyheim was released from prison.

In January 2014, Shyheim turned himself into authorities facing charges for leaving the scene of an accident during a hit-and-run accident that left one person dead.[10] On August 21, 2014, Shyheim was sentenced to 14 years in prison after he pled guilty to second degree manslaughter. He also received a concurrent term of seven years for a gun conviction, and is subject to five years' post release supervision.[16][17] On January 6, 2020, Shyheim was released from prison after serving a five year sentence.[18][19]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • AKA the Rugged Child (1994) #52 Billboard 200; #7 R&B/Hip Hop
  • The Lost Generation (1996) #63 Billboard 200; #10 R&B/ Hip Hop
  • Manchild (1999)
  • The Greatest Story Never Told (2004)
  • Enter the Bottom (2008)
  • Disrespectfully Speaking (2009)

Filmography

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. MUZE. p. 439. ISBN 9780195313734.
  2. ^ a b "Shyheim". AllMusic. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  3. ^ Williams, Kiani (April 20, 2019). "Shyheim: Recognizing the Rugged Child". Rock The Bells. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  4. ^ Lars Brandle (January 9, 2014). "Rapper Shyheim Franklin Arrested After New Year's Day Hit-And-Run Death". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d Sryon, HipHopDX - (December 31, 2009). "Shyheim Talks "Disrespectfully Speaking," Bottom Up Records". Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "20 Years Later: Why 2Pac's 'Hit 'Em Up' Is the Greatest Diss Song of All Time". June 4, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  7. ^ "In Case You've Been Missing…Shyheim - XXL". November 18, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  8. ^ "Shyheim Speaks On Decoded Mention". November 10, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Rapper Shyheim Franklin is still in the game, despite his share of ups and downs". November 5, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Markman, Rob (January 9, 2014). "Wu-Tang Affiliate Shyheim Faces Felony Charges In Fatal Hit And Run". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  11. ^ "The Fresh Air Fund;Meeting Urban Musicians At a Camp in the Country". The New York Times. July 21, 1996. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  12. ^ "Shyheim". Discogs. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  13. ^ "Middle-Aged Vigilantes: The Gang Has Grown Up". The New York Times. May 11, 1996. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  14. ^ Staff, Hollywood.com (May 23, 2014). "Shyheim Franklin - Biography and Filmography". Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  15. ^ Greg, Grouchy (April 25, 1999). "New Shyheim Album Due". Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  16. ^ Donnelly, Frank (August 21, 2014). "Rapper Shyheim Franklin sentenced to up to 14 years in fatal hit-and-run". SILive.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  17. ^ Muhammad, Latifah (August 23, 2014). "Shyheim Franklin Sentenced to 14 Years for Hit-and-Run". BET.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  18. ^ Spezzamonte, Irene (January 8, 2020). "Wu-Tang-affiliated rapper Shyheim Franklin out of prison after fatal hit-and-run conviction". SILive.com. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  19. ^ Moorwood, Victoria (January 7, 2020). "Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Shyheim released from prison: He served a five-year bid". REVOLT.tv. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
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