Just over a week shy of Shyne's Oct. 6 release date from prison, his former mentor, Sean "Diddy" Combs dialed into New York City's Hot 97 radio station to put in a word about the rapper's return to the free world.

Despite the speculation that the incarcerated rapper -- real name, Moses Michael Leviy -- has held a grudge against the Bad Boy CEO for his role in the series of events that landed him behind bars, Diddy told Hot 97 that he and Shyne were on good terms.

"It's a blessing that he's coming home. I spoke to him like a couple of weeks ago and he sounded like he was in good spirits," Diddy said. "I know he can't wait to get home. I know he is definitely going to heat the whole scene up. He was definitely one of the most talented young artists that I had the pleasure to work with. I'm quite sure he's been using his time wisely and has some heat."

After a December 1999 shooting at a New York City nightclub landed the 21-year-old rapper in prison on charges of assault, reckless endangerment and attempted murder, rumors of an early release from his 10-year sentence have been swirling for some time. Early in August it was finally confirmed that an October release date had been set, after Shyne had served more than 8 years in prison.

Though Diddy sounded hopeful about Shyne's post-incarceration endeavors, the rapper's future record label affiliation is still uncertain. Diddy recently announced his decision to depart from his label at Warner Bros. Records and rumors about Shyne's possible partnership with Jay-Z's Roc Nation label have been squashed.