{{short description|American rapper (born 1977)}} {{Redirect-distinguish|Manchild (album)|Man-Child}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Shyheim | image = Shyheim in 2011 (cropped).jpg | image_size = | caption = Shyheim in 2011 | birth_name = Shyheim Dionel Franklin | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|11|14}}<ref name=EPM>{{cite book |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2006 |last=Larkin |first=Colin |publisher=MUZE |page=439 |isbn=9780195313734}}</ref><ref name=AllMusic>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/shyheim-mn0000038573/biography |title=Shyheim |website=AllMusic |access-date=May 27, 2021}}</ref> | birth_place = Staten Island, New York City, U.S.<ref name=EPM/><ref name=AllMusic/> | other_names = The Rugged Child<ref>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Kiani|date=April 20, 2019|url=https://rockthebells.com/articles/shyheim-recognizing-the-rugged-child/|title=Shyheim: Recognizing the Rugged Child |work=Rock The Bells|access-date=November 10, 2019}}</ref> | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|actor}} | years_active = 1993–present | children = | relatives = Ghostface Killah (cousin)<ref name="Lars">{{cite web|author=Lars Brandle|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/rapper-shyheim-franklin-arrested-after-new-years-day-hit-and-run-5862649/|title=Rapper Shyheim Franklin Arrested After New Year's Day Hit-And-Run Death|publisher=Billboard|date=2014-01-09|access-date=2019-11-10}}</ref> | website = | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = {{hlist|Hip-hop|hardcore hip-hop }} | label = {{hlist|Virgin/EMI|Wu-Tang/Priority|Nervous }} }}<!--end-module--> }}
'''Shyheim Dionel Franklin''' (born November 14, 1977) 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 17 in 1994. He has spent the majority of his career affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan, frequently collaborating with Method Man and Ghostface Killah.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.10354/title.shyheim-talks-disrespectfully-speaking-bottom-up-records#|title=Shyheim Talks "Disrespectfully Speaking," Bottom Up Records|first=HipHopDX -|last=Sryon|date=December 31, 2009 |access-date=March 10, 2017}}</ref>
As a teenager, Shyheim was considered one of hip-hop's brightest prospects, being referred to as a "Wunderkind"<ref name="theboombox.com">{{cite web|url=http://theboombox.com/2pacs-hit-em-up-greatest-diss-song-of-all-time/|title=20 Years Later: Why 2Pac's 'Hit 'Em Up' Is the Greatest Diss Song of All Time|date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=March 10, 2017}}</ref> and a "prodigy",<ref name="auto"/> even being admired by fellow rappers such as Jay-Z, who said he "looked up to him" in admiration in his autobiography ''Decoded''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/11/in-case-youve-been-missing-shyheim/|title=In Case You've Been Missing…Shyheim - XXL|date=November 18, 2012 |access-date=March 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapradar.com/2010/11/10/shyheim-speaks-on-decoded-mention/|title=Shyheim Speaks On Decoded Mention|date=November 10, 2010 |access-date=March 13, 2017}}</ref>
After 1996's ''The Lost Generation'', Shyheim's career saw a string of underperforming releases over the next 18 years, and was finally derailed due to a hit-and-run conviction. He was released from prison in early 2020.<ref name="silive.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2009/11/rapper_shyheim_franklin_is_sti.html|title=Rapper Shyheim Franklin is still in the game, despite his share of ups and downs|date=November 5, 2009 |access-date=March 10, 2017}}</ref>
==Career== ===Music=== Shyheim's Virgin Records debut, ''AKA the Rugged Child''. It included the single "On and On" the video of which featured Method Man,<ref name="mtv.com"/> and the album rose to number 7 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' R&B chart.
Shyheim joined others, notably the Fugees, to provide a free concert to deaf children in a summer camp in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/21/nyregion/the-fresh-air-fund-meeting-urban-musicians-at-a-camp-in-the-country.html|title=The Fresh Air Fund;Meeting Urban Musicians At a Camp in the Country|date=July 21, 1996|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 10, 2017}}</ref>
Shyheim released another album in 1996, ''The Lost Generation'', which featured members of G.P. Wu and Brooklyn Zu.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/172666-Shyheim|title=Shyheim|website=Discogs |access-date=March 10, 2017}}</ref> He also shared the stage with the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Scoob and Big Daddy Kane at Madison Square Garden, for a live freestyle session.<ref name="theboombox.com"/><ref name="silive.com"/> He also made an appearance on Big Daddy Kane's "Show & Prove," which featured Ol' Dirty Bastard, Sauce Money, Scoob and Jay-Z.<ref name="mtv.com"/>
Shyheim resumed his career after almost a decade and released subsequent albums on the label he founded, Bottom Up Records.<ref name="auto"/> His next few albums drew little notice. Shyheim released his sixth solo album, ''Disrespectfully Speaking'', October 2009 on his label Bottom Up Records.<ref name="auto"/>
===Acting=== Shyheim starred in the video for TLC's "Waterfalls".<ref name="mtv.com"/>
He has had roles in films such as the 1996 Pam Grier, Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, and Richard Roundtree vehicle ''Original Gangstas'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/11/movies/film-review-middle-aged-vigilantes-the-gang-has-grown-up.html|title=Middle-Aged Vigilantes: The Gang Has Grown Up|date=May 11, 1996|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 10, 2017}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=March 2017}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/shyheim-franklin-58025428/|title=Shyheim Franklin - Biography and Filmography|first=Hollywood.com|last=Staff|date=May 23, 2014|access-date=March 13, 2017}}</ref> ''In Too Deep'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/1999/04/25/new-shyheim-album-due/|title=New Shyheim Album Due|first=Grouchy|last=Greg|date=April 25, 1999|access-date=March 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name="mtv.com"/> and ''The Preacher's Wife''<ref name="silive.com"/><ref name="mtv.com"/> and he also starred in the television show ''The Parent Hood''.<ref name="silive.com"/> Shyheim appeared in a small role in the prequel ''Carlito's Way: Rise to Power''.<ref name="silive.com"/>
==Legal problems== In July 2002, Shyheim was sentenced to a year in prison after second degree attempted robbery. On November 4, 2003, Shyheim was released from prison.{{Citation needed|date=August 2025}}
In January 2014, Shyheim turned himself into authorities facing charges for leaving the scene of an accident during a hit-and-run accident that left one person dead.<ref name="mtv.com">{{cite web|last=Markman|first=Rob|date=January 9, 2014|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1720195/shyheim-faces-felony-charges/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514135357/http://www.mtv.com/news/1720195/shyheim-faces-felony-charges/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2014|title=Wu-Tang Affiliate Shyheim Faces Felony Charges In Fatal Hit And Run|work=MTV News|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> On August 21, 2014, Shyheim was sentenced to 14 years in prison after he pled guilty to second degree manslaughter. He also received a concurrent term of seven years for a gun conviction, and is subject to five years' post release supervision.<ref>{{cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Frank|date=August 21, 2014|url=http://www.silive.com/northshore/index.ssf/2014/08/rapper_shyheim_franklin_senten.html|title=Rapper Shyheim Franklin sentenced to up to 14 years in fatal hit-and-run|work=SILive.com|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Muhammad|first=Latifah|date=August 23, 2014|url=https://www.bet.com/article/kr5hoc/shyheim-franklin-sentenced-to-14-years-for-hit-and-run|title=Shyheim Franklin Sentenced to 14 Years for Hit-and-Run|work=BET.com|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> On January 6, 2020, Shyheim was released from prison after serving a five year sentence.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Spezzamonte|first=Irene|date=January 8, 2020|url=https://www.silive.com/news/2020/01/wu-tang-affiliated-rapper-shyheim-franklin-out-on-parole-after-fatal-hit-and-run-conviction.html |title=Wu-Tang-affiliated rapper Shyheim Franklin out of prison after fatal hit-and-run conviction|work=SILive.com|access-date=February 5, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Moorwood|first=Victoria|date=January 7, 2020|url=https://www.revolt.tv/news/2020/1/7/21055392/wu-tang-shyheim-released-from-prison|title=Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Shyheim released from prison: He served a five-year bid.|work=REVOLT.tv|access-date=February 5, 2020}}</ref>
==Discography== ===Studio albums=== *''AKA the Rugged Child'' (1994) number 52 Billboard 200; number 7 R&B/Hip Hop *''The Lost Generation'' (1996) number 63 Billboard 200; number 10 R&B/Hip Hop *''Manchild'' (1999) *''The Greatest Story Never Told'' (2004) *''Enter the Bottom'' (2008) *''Disrespectfully Speaking'' (2009)
=== Guest features === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Title !Album !Artist(s) |- | rowspan="2" |1994 |Show & Prove<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://djbooth.net/features/2019-08-20-big-daddy-kane-show-and-prove-legendary-story/|title=“Show & Prove”: The Legendary Story of Big Daddy Kane‘s 1994 Posse Cut|date=August 20, 2019|website=Djbooth.net|access-date=August 26, 2025}}</ref> |''Daddy's Home'' |Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, Sauce Money, Scoob Lover, ODB |- |Life of a Shorty<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/1k5kaMKKKw6i99jYQK6EcR|title=Spotify – Web Player|website=Open.spotify|access-date=August 26, 2025}}</ref> |Destination Brooklyn |Vicious |- | rowspan="6" |1996 |Word Is Bond<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://genius.com/702-word-iz-bond-lyrics |title=702 (Ft. Shyheim) – Word Iz Bond |access-date=August 26, 2025 |website=Genius.com}}</ref> |''702'' |702 |- |What Does It Mean?<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7BzSazuAYAGAOZTStR1la8 |title=Spotify – Web Player |website=Open.spotify |access-date=August 26, 2025}}</ref> |''Diamond in the Ruff'' |Ruffa |- |It's You That's on My Mind (Remix)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/1QdN85EuZejbc0mjarUsec|title=Spotify – Web Player|website=Open.spotify|access-date=August 26, 2025}}</ref> |''Quindon'' |Quindon, Smooth |- | Floatin' On Your Love (Soul To Staten Isle Mix)<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z1AM9O5Ggc}}</ref> |{{Non-album single}} |The Isley Brothers |- |Blackberry Molasses (Amiri Remix)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whosampled.com/Mista/Blackberry-Molasses-(Amiri-Remix)/|title=Blackberry Molasses (Amiri Remix) by Mista feat. Shyheim|website=Whosampled.com|access-date=August 26, 2025}}</ref> |{{Non-album single}} |Mista |- |Lover's Groove (Get Hooked Remix)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Immature-lovers-groove-get-hooked-remix-lyrics|title=Immature (Ft. Shyheim) – Lover's Groove (Get Hooked Remix)|access-date=August 26, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref> |{{Non-album single}} |Immature |- | rowspan="2" |1997 |Sugar Honey Ice Tea (NY Hip Hop Mix)<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P6a3u8sDxw}}</ref> |{{Non-album single}} |''Goodfellaz'' |- |Soul in the Hole<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Wu-all-stars-soul-in-the-hole-lyrics|title=Wu All-Stars (Ft. Dreddy Kruger, Killa Sin, Royal Fam, Shyheim & Timbo King) – Soul in the Hole|access-date=August 26, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref> |''Soul in the Hole (soundtrack)'' |Wu All-Stars |- |1998 |Co-Defendant<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Shyheim-co-defendant-lyrics|title=Shyheim (Ft. Hell Razah) – Co-Defendant|access-date=August 26, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref> |''The Swarm'' |Hell Razah |- |2000 |One Four Love Pt. 2<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Hip-hop-for-respect-one-four-love-pt-2-lyrics|title=Hip Hop for Respect (Ft. Cappadonna, Channel Live, Crunch Lo, Rockness Monsta, Shyheim & Wise Intelligent) – One Four Love (Pt. 2)|access-date=August 26, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref> |''Hip Hop for Respect'' |Rockness, Cappadonna, Channel Live, Crunch Lo, Wise Intelligent |- |2001 |Big Business<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/28zd7urb4csZOUEYNAETas|title=Spotify – Web Player|website=Open.spotify|access-date=August 26, 2025}}</ref> |''The Yin and the Yang'' |Cappadonna |- | rowspan="4" |2002 |Get at Me | rowspan="3" |''The Sting''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Wu-tang-killa-beez-when-you-come-home-lyrics|title=Wu-Tang Killa Beez (Ft. Shyheim) – When You Come Home|access-date=August 26, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Wu-tang-killa-beez-gat-lyrics|title=Wu-Tang Killa Beez (Ft. 12 O’Clock, Black Knights, Northstar (Group), RZA, Shyheim & Solomon Childs) – G.A.T.|access-date=August 26, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Wu-tang-killa-beez-get-at-me-lyrics|title=Wu-Tang Killa Beez (Ft. Black Knights, Shyheim & Two Da Road) – Get at Me|access-date=August 26, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref> |Two da Road, Black Knights |- |When You Come Home |{{N/a}} |- |G.A.T. |Black Knights, 12' 0clock, North Star, RZA, Solomon Childs |- |The Proem<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Dj-quik-tha-proem-lyrics|title=DJ Quik (Ft. Hi-C (Compton), Shyheim & Talib Kweli) – Tha Proem|access-date=August 26, 2025|website=Genius.com}}</ref> |''Under tha Influence'' |DJ Quik, Hi-C Talib Kweli |}
==Filmography== * 1996 ''Original Gangstas'' as 'Dink' * 1996 ''The Preacher's Wife'' as Teen * 1999 ''In Too Deep'' as 'Che' * 2005'' Carlito's Way: Rise to Power'' as Unknown
== See also == *List of Wu-Tang Clan affiliates
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.youtube.com/user/bottomupinfo Shyheims Official Website] * {{IMDb name|0291547}} * {{Discogs artist|Shyheim}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Living people Category:African-American male rappers Category:20th-century American male rappers Category:20th-century American rappers Category:Rappers from Brooklyn Category:Male actors from Brooklyn Category:Virgin Records artists Category:Wu-Tang Clan affiliates Category:Gangsta rappers Category:1977 births Category:21st-century American rappers Category:Rappers from Staten Island Category:Underground rappers