In a recent interview on The Breakfast Club, rapper-turned-politician Shyne spilled some tea about him, Brandy and Mase that has a lot of people talking. While promoting his new Hulu documentary, The Honorable Shyne, the former Bad Boy artist opened up about a surprising love triangle involving himself, fellow rapper Ma$e, and R&B superstar Brandy.
According to Shyne, their love triangle caused so much friction behind the scenes that Sean “Diddy” Combs had to step in and hold what Shyne described as a “family meeting” to resolve the tension.
So let’s take it back to 1998—a year when Brandy was dominating the music charts, Ma$e was enjoying the success of Harlem World, and Shyne was just beginning to carve out his path in the industry.
Brandy’s Career Success in 1998
By 1998, Brandy Norwood was not just a singer but a multimedia star whose influence spanned music, television, and film. That year, she released her second studio album, Never Say Never, which cemented her status as an R&B icon. The album, released in June 1998, included massive hits like “The Boy Is Mine,” her unforgettable duet with Monica that became the longest-running #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 that year. Another standout track, “Have You Ever,” showcased her vocal maturity and resonated with audiences worldwide, contributing to the album’s multi-platinum status.
Beyond her music, Brandy was thriving in her acting career. She continued to star as Moesha Mitchell in the hit TV series Moesha, which aired on UPN and was a staple in Black households. The show, known for addressing real-life issues, positioned Brandy as a role model for young Black women. Her impact extended to film as well; while her groundbreaking role as the first Black Cinderella in Disney’s 1997 Cinderella aired the year prior, its success was still fresh in the public’s mind.
Brandy’s public image in 1998 was polished and pristine—America’s sweetheart of R&B. Her success and star power made her a natural magnet for attention, both personal and professional, setting the stage for her entanglements with Ma$e and Shyne.
Ma$e’s Career Details in 1998
If Brandy was the reigning princess of R&B, Ma$e was the prince of Bad Boy Records. His 1997 debut album Harlem World was at the top of the charts in 1998, selling over four million copies and earning him Grammy nominations. Singles like “Feel So Good” and “What You Want” were still in heavy rotation, and his signature laid-back flow made him one of the most recognizable voices in hip-hop.
Ma$e’s collaboration with Brandy on “Top of the World,” a standout track from Never Say Never, was another highlight of 1998. The song brought together Ma$e’s swagger and Brandy’s smooth vocals, blending hip-hop and R&B seamlessly. This collaboration was emblematic of Bad Boy Records’ dominance in creating crossover hits.
Beyond his music, Ma$e embodied the flashy, larger-than-life image of Bad Boy Records. His playboy persona and ability to appeal to both hardcore rap fans and mainstream audiences solidified his place as one of the most bankable stars of the era. However, behind the scenes, his relationship with Brandy and the emerging tensions with Shyne hinted at a more complicated reality.
Shyne’s Career in 1998
While Ma$e and Brandy were firmly established stars, Shyne was just beginning to make a name for himself. Signed to Bad Boy Records, he was widely viewed as Diddy’s next big project—a fresh talent who could potentially fill the void left by The Notorious B.I.G. His deep voice and street-oriented lyrics drew comparisons to Biggie, creating significant buzz even before his debut album.
However, Shyne himself admitted that his lack of focus in 1998 hindered his rise. In his Breakfast Club interview, he reflected on how his involvement with Brandy distracted him from fully committing to his career. Compared to Ma$e, Shyne was still in the shadows of Bad Boy’s established stars, but his potential was undeniable.
1998 was a year of foundation-building for Shyne. While he didn’t yet have the accolades or visibility of his peers, his raw talent and association with Bad Boy made him a promising contender. But his budding career was complicated by his romantic entanglements, but Brandy’s words to him actually helped him decide to focus on his career.
The Love Triangle Drama
During his Breakfast Club interview, Shyne dropped the bombshell that he had been romantically involved with Brandy at the same time as Ma$e, creating a love triangle that sparked tension within the Bad Boy camp. According to Shyne, the situation escalated to the point where Diddy intervened, calling a “family meeting” to mediate. Shyne recalled Diddy compared the drama to a rookie player on a basketball team pursuing a veteran’s partner, advising him to focus on his career instead.
Shyne also reflected on an argument he had with Brandy during this period, where she reportedly told him, “You’re nobody… You haven’t sold a record.” This stinging remark was a wake-up call for Shyne, who admitted that his priorities were misplaced at the time.
