Jewish rappers Matisyahu and Shyne band together to celebrate the “Miracle” of Hanukkah. The former Bad Boy adds a verse to the reggae star’s single about the Festival of Lights, which appears on his Miracle EP.

“I recorded this aiming to make a celebratory, feel-good song that still gets across the depth of Judaism rather than the typical watered down Jewish humor about matzah balls and Chanukah Harry,” said Matisyahu. “I’m trying to make the Jewish kids out there proud.”

The two, who struck up a friendship over their Jewish faith, have recorded other collaborations together. “I’d say he was someone that I’d be there for anything he needs, and he has expressed the same for me,” Shyne told The Jewish Chronicle.

Shyne chops and screws it up with Gucci Mane on their collaboration “Trunk Full.” The riding anthem, driven by a fast-paced beat and ominous synths, sees the Belizean rapper dropping off tough rhymes with a 16 from Gucci sandwiched between verses. “This is the realest shit ever/ Gucci Mane, Shyne, you might get your head severed,” threatens Shyne. Heed his warning.

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Shyne is stacking up some heavy-hitters for his comeback album. The Def Jam rapper has nabbed all-star guest appearances for his upcoming LPs Messiah and Gangland, having already recorded tracks with Gucci Mane and a joint collaboration with Game and Pharrell. And in the next few months, he’s got plans to lay down a cut with Lil Wayne.

Speaking with Superstar Radio over video chat, the Belize native explained that Weezy extended his services to collaborate. “Wayne just reached out to me—him and Mack Maine—to do this record. That’s the first record I’ma do in a couple months. I’ve been putting everything on file,” he said, noting that he saluted Weezy on his track “King David.” “I pay homage to Wayne in a few records, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for them dudes, the whole Cash Money-Young Money.”

He also shared his appreciation for Young Money’s Drake, lauding him for his musicianship. “I think the Drake kid has serious potential to go down in the history of rap,” he noted. “I definitely get inspired. He’s not really a rapper. He’s a musician, you dig? He sings and he makes great music. I’m inspired by what he does.”

Shyne also revealed his love for Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, as well as Gucci Mane and Lupe Fiasco. “The Kanye record is a great record. Out of the new stuff… Gucci Mane, I’m definitely a fan of his, but that’s pretty much it,” he continued. With past business relationships gone wrong, Shyne is watching who he keeps close and admires.

“Most of the people I interact with are honest people. They are who they are. Drake is a kid that says listen, I’m not from the streets. I’m just making good music. Kanye’s a dude that doesn’t try to be anything other than who he is. Wayne is really off the block,” he stated. “All the kids I respect and admire are truthful people. I like the kid Lupe Fiasco. I think he’s extraordinary. I’m really about truth, man. If you’re being honest and you have integrity, I’m all for you.”

Shyne roams the streets of Jerusalem in a clip for the.LIFE Files TV, which shows the former Bad Boy spitter in full Orthodox Judaic garb. The Belize native, who changed his name to Moshe Levi Ben-David and currently resides in Israel, explains how his decade-long stint in prison changed his perspective on the world.

“I been in some wars in Brooklyn Vietnam, but ain’t nothing like down here,” explains the holy roller while perched in front of the Wailing Wall. “It’s happening, it’s happening wherever you go. That’s one thing that human beings all have in common, and that’s that thread of pain.”

Watch as Shyne goes clubbing, discusses the holy scriptures with rabbis, and is greeted by a fan who asks him to spit a verse from “Messiah.”

Just like his boss 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks has never been one to bite his tongue. The Queens native recently admitted his loathing for verses spit by the likes of rappers Shyne and Game.

“Shyne, he’s number one,” Banks said in a recent interview on AListRadio.net’s “I Am the Now” show. Though the rapper could not recall the name of Shyne’s song “Belize,” which features posthumous verses from the Notorious B.I.G. and Bob Marley, he did hint that the track was the basis of his ill feelings toward the former Bad Boy affiliate’s rhyming game.

“He disrespected Biggie Smalls, man,” he continued. “This record is the worst record. Like [the movie] Paranormal Activity, wack.”

The G-Unit member, whose third solo album H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2) is set for release November 23, also went on to name a track from Compton representer Game, which showcased his less than stellar lyrical abilities. “I think Game’s ‘Shake,’ that record was like super wack,” he admitted.

50 Cent is up to his old tricks. Shyne was taking calls from DJs in a live stream from Belize when 50 phoned in pretending to be a DJ. After asking for his thoughts on 50, he gets hung up on and launches into a Mel Gibson-inspired tirade laced with obscenities. Real or not, Curtis is pure comedy.

Following his release from jail, Shyne faces the harsh reality of being an ex-con. Although he may have landed a multi-million dollar deal with Def Jam, Moses Michael Levi is still on the other side of the law. “The ex-con can’t get the job, so what I’m ‘posed to do to feed my moms?” he asks in his deep baritone on “Roller Song,” the street single from his upcoming album.

Listen and check out his handwritten lyrics below.

Download: Shyne – “Roller Song”

After being locked up for nearly nine years, Shyne marks his homecoming with “Messiah,” a bass-heavy production by EZ Elpee, complemented by his husky voice. The Belize-born MC inked a reported seven-figure record deal with Def Jam, where he will release his third album later this year.

Download: Shyne – “Messiah”

After only a few months out of prison, Shyne is headed straight to the bank. The Brooklyn-raised rapper has reportedly inked a seven-figure record deal with Def Jam.

According to radio personality Miss Info, Shyne will reunite with his former label after an intense bidding war between several high-profile figures including Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. The 31-year-old MC found himself in a similar situation six years ago after labels clamored to sign him.

Shyne, born Jamal Barrow, was released from jail in October after serving a nearly nine-year term, and was deported to his home country of Belize where his father is prime minister. He plans to record in London while he continues to fight for a pardon so that he can remain in the U.S. where he has lived since the age of 13.

Shyne released his last album, Godfather Buried Alive, on Gangland Records/Def Jam in 2004. He will join the label’s hip-hop-heavy roster alongside Kanye West, Nas, Rick Ross, and Young Jeezy.

Upon his release from prison earlier this month after serving an eight-plus-year sentence, Shyne was detained by immigration officials. After his immigration status was reviewed, it appears as though the rapper will be deported.

According to HOT 97′s Miss Info, Shyne will be sent to his home country of Belize where his father lives. He has been in a federal facility in Buffalo, New York, awaiting his fate. The Brooklyn MC’s friend and radio personality Angie Martinez said that Shyne will continue to fight for a pardon so that he can remain in the U.S. where he has lived since the age of 13. His mother and grandmother also reside stateside.

“Shyne is one of the strongest people I know and he’s handling this situation just as I’d expect him to,” said Martinez. “It must be frustrating for all of his friends and family; he served his time, and keeps getting all these different dates and conflicting information. But he’s a soldier, he’s dealing with it.”

Shyne has Harvard professor Charles Ogletree on his side to advocate for him in his fight against immigration. Shyne’s camp did not comment on the situation as of press time.