Martha, Take Note

By Sora Song

Sometimes a prison sentence is a career move. Ask rapper SHYNE, a.k.a. Jamal Barrow, a Sean (P. Diddy) Combs protege, convicted for assault in 2001 after the now famous 1999 shooting at a New York City nightclub. Though Barrow is serving a 10-year sentence and may not be up for parole until 2009, Def Jam Records reportedly signed him to a record deal, worth up to $3 million, after a bidding war with at least two other labels. Alas, his touring schedule will be limited.