“SHYNE” TO KEYNOTE ISLAND MUSIC CONFERENCE 2026!

From Stage to State: Former ‘Bad Boy’ Artiste and Belizean Politician Addresses the Caribbean and Music Industry.

The Island Music Conference announces Shyne as keynote speaker for IMC 2026.

The Grammy Award-winning artiste turned politician addresses IMC participants on February 26, 2026 at 2:00 PM at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.

Moses Michael Levi Barrow known professionally as Shyne rose from a Brooklyn

barbershop discovery to Bad Boy Records stardom. His 2000 debut album went platinum.

Singles "Bad Boyz" and "Bonnie & Shyne" featuring Barrington Levy became commercial

hits. He contributed to albums by The Notorious B.I.G., Mase, Puff Daddy, Usher, and Lil

Wayne.

A 1999 nightclub shooting was lifec hanging for him. Shyne was convicted of assault

and unlawful weapon possession in 2001. He served 10 years. During

incarceration, he released his sophomore album "Godfather Buried Alive" through

Def Jam in 2004.

Shyne changed his trajectory and was elected to the Belizean House of Representatives

in the 2020 general election, as a member of the center-right United Democratic Party.

He served as Leader of the Opposition and leader of the United Democratic Party

between June and September 2021, and again from February 2022. He served as

Member of Parliament from November 2020 to March 2025. On September 26, 2025,

Shyne marked the 25th anniversary of his platinum debut album.

His keynote "From Stage to State" explores his journey

from music to politics and back again.

IMC 2026 runs February 25 thru 28. Year four’s staging

brings 30 international DJs from the UK, US, Canada, and

Caribbean to meet artists and acquire new music. Previous

conferences created real opportunities:

@Hot 97's DJ Enuff playlisted Yaksta after meeting at IMC.

@Sean Paul and J'Calm connected for studio sessions.

@Warner Records signed Teejay following his IMC appearance.

@Bizzle Osikoya did recordings with newcomer Imani Beau.-

The conference connects global music industry leaders with the Caribbean talent and industry. IMC Brings Youtube, Meta, Spotify, Tik Tok, Audiomack, Billboard, Blavity, Grammys, BMI, Sirus, VP and numerous other global music powerhouses and events into the learning, networking and action space. Panels cover practical strategies for navigating the music ecosystem.

Founders Orville "Shaggy" Burrell, Judith Bodley, and Sharon Burke designed the event

for transparency and access.

"The intimate panel discussions foster an environment where established and

undiscovered talent engage in meaningful conversations," say the founders. "This results

in critical career evolution."