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 45)[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]

  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 Sryon, HipHopDX - (December 31, 2009). "Shyheim Talks "Disrespectfully Speaking," Bottom Up Records". Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  6. ^ "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. ^ "Rapper Shyheim Franklin is still in the game, despite his share of ups and downs". November 5, 2009. Retrieved March 10, 2017.