Brooklyn native, Shyheim (born Shyheim Franklin) spent his time as a child living with his cousin, and Wu Tang Clan member, Ghostface Killah in Staten Island, New York. Through him he became affiliatef with the Wu Tang Clan and released his first single “On and On” off of his 1994 debut album aka The Rugged Child. He also appeared on the classic posse cut “Show & Prove” on Big Daddy Kane’s album Daddy’s Home alongside Scoob Lover, Sauce Money, Jay-Z and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Shyheim appeared in the music video for TLC’s #1 hit single “Waterfalls” playing the main character. He has since been acting in film and television starting in 1996 with the movies Original Gangstas, The Preacher’s Wife, In Too Deep and television sitcom The Parent ‘Hood.
You can click here to read more info on his debut album.
I was kinda young when he came out, and I wasn’t into hip hop then, but I liked him because he was different. He wasn’t like his bubblegum rappin predecessors Kriss Kross, and Another Bad Creation. He spoke on life, reality, and all things going wrong in the world.
The Source had even given the young MC 4 mics, and labled him the next generation of hip hop. Shyheim went on to release three more albums: The Lost Generation(1996), Manchild(1999), The Greatest Story Never Told(2004).
According to Wikipedia, Shyheim was supposed to have his own reality show following his 2 year stay in prison in 2005. Below is a short video interview on Shyheim titled, Life As a Shorty Shouldn’t Be So Rough.
Right now, Shyheim is back with his own label BottomUp Records, and he is working on new music.
Tags: Brooklyn, hip hop, kid rappers, Shyheim, Staten Island, teen rappers, Wu Tang Clan
