Professional singer, songwriter, and producer Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd has worked with Usher, Drake, and Mariah Carey, and recently he visited a correctional facility to showcase talent behind bars.

Boyd collaborated with the California Model Team at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center to set a platform that allows incarcerated men to display their skills.

“I believe an event like this is important, because it gives the incarcerated a platform of creativity in a safe place; it will bring them a sense of hope,” said Kaleo “9yne-40E” Kealoha Schreinea, an event performer. 

The event took place on the facility’s Lower Yard with a variety of music and culture such as: Rap, R&B, Native American, Reggae, and faith-based messages.

At the previous day’s auditions Boyd stated that he has aspirations to make the event a traditional thing. The songwriter added that he would keep coming back as long as the prison’s administration lets him.

SQ resident Alonzo “Bruzzin” opened up the event, telling the audience he wanted to help them release a little anger with his words. 

“Get the hell out of my way, and stay from in front of my face,” he rapped.

Resident Jamal Harris hosted the event; he thanked every one for showing up. 

Harris introduced Mesro “The Human Sun” Coles-El, who performed spoken word.

“My thoughts wander the page like nomads, my rage might lead to an early toe-tag. When I turn up, solar get so mad. I disregard consequences and things go bad,” Coles-El said.

The next performer introduced was Miguel “Yoz” Munoz-Huerta, who said he wanted to take responsibility for his past actions.

“I usually make music from my own perspective. This [song] came from a woman’s [perspective]. This is accountability for the way I treated women in the past,” he said.

The host introduced crooner Amos Carter, who sang a rendition of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me.” The attendees sang along with Carter, which showed that it was a crowd favorite.

“Lean on me, when you’re not strong,” Carter sang. “Just call on me brother when you need a hand, we all need somebody to lean on.”

SQ resident Alexander “Poetic Injustice” Parloto’s rap song “Cover it up” brought attention to distinguishing the truth from a lie. 

“It’s never good when you cover things up. We got to face the truth, [because] the ugly truth is better than a beautiful lie,” Parloto said.

Situe “Skooee” Toluao graced the stage with a reggae song called  “Jah’s [God] Plan.” 

“You got to be able to tell a truth from a lie, look into your heart and you’ll see Jah’s plan,” Toluao said.

Jackson “Supreme” Jackson told the audience that he is not an entertainer, he is a teacher. The crowd cheered his spoken word as he confronted the use of the N-word, bringing awareness and social consciousness about the derogatory language. 

Resident rapper Jarvis Garner stated that his rap messages entail positivity.

“I am a conscious guru; everything I say is always conscious,” he said. “I try not to use negative words. I like to approach my craft with non-negative words.”

SQ’s CMT officers Lopez and Kruse caught everyone off guard when they escorted resident Lawrence “Chosen” Randall to the stage, telling him “You’re going to perform or go to the hole.” A joke, of course, but it set up Randall’s performance as he expressed his faith.

“I am about to wake their game up, I salute all those who did not change up,” Randall rapped. “I give the glory to God, he’s the one that gets me through.”

Next was Native American resident Maxx Robinson representing his heritage with vocals and beating a spiritual drum.

“Can’t you see how I rock my feathers to the sky? I got the heart of a warrior, look in my eyes, and my spirit can’t be broken ‘cause [I] stand strong as long as I have sacred ground to stand on,” Robinson said.

Grabriel Moctezuma was introduced to perform his song titled “Moth.” He said that it came from a dream of traveling and meeting his future wife. He knew in the dream when he met her he would know.

“A moth to your flame, pull me closer now,” Moctezuma sang. “I dreamt of your face before we spoke out loud, though I can’t say where we’ll go or how, ‘til my dying day hold my soul.”

SQ resident Mike Adams and the Protestant Chapel’s choir brought a song of praise to the attendees titled “Call Him Up.”

“This is real-time church,” Adams said. “In a place where so many are trying to connect, our faith tells us that we can call on Jesus, and be one in praise even when times are hard.” 

Gerry Muratalla, who is known for Gerry and La Banda Esperanza (the Band of Hope), performed a solo titled “Forgiveness.” 

“I am very grateful because I have [a] life, I have an opportunity to share my personal story about forgiveness, about my brother who passed [away],” Muratalla said.

All the attendees identified with each genre of performances. They danced, rapped along with performers, and rocked to the messages of hope, truth, and spirituality.