Rap artist looks to make good on his talents once released from prison
Tierney “TJ” Shellmyer Jr., 26, has been incarcerated since 2023; he was sentenced to two years and a half years for great bodily injury. He arrived at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center on March 20, 2024.
“A goal of mine is to get my life back, have a perfect mindset,” Shellmyer said. “I have a vision to become a recording artist.”
He is a percussionist in the prison’s rock and R&B Bands. The snare drum is his favorite instrument; he played the drums at a recent SQ event that honored incarcerated writers.
“Being a drummer is like the heart beat of the band,” Shellmyer said. “I will be playing the drums for the rest of my life.”
He went to Crenshaw High in Los Angeles California, where he reach the 12th grade. He currently attends a songwriting class, taught by professional song writer Essence Goldman. She mentors the men at SQ, healing through voice.
According to Shellmyer, his mom went to jail when he was young. The Los Angeles County Protective Service wanted to put him in foster care, but his grandmother allowed him to live with her.
Shellmyer previously particpated in a rap battle competition on the prison’s exercise yard, sponsored by incarcerated residents. He was dubbed the front runner, until something happened.
“I was nervous at first, but I started free styling. I did not stick to the script [plan], he said. “I rehearse every week, conducting lyrical exercise. I write five verses, and five hooks [chorus] a week.”
Shellmyer says he would like to gain more understanding of how Black culture empowers people through music.
He told SQNews that rap artist Kendrick Lamar gives him insipration because he gives back to the community, despite a prior life of drugs and violence. Shellmyer and Lamar grew up in the city of Compton, Calif., but in different eras.
He says Calvin “Snoopdogg” Braudus is his favorite rap artist. He adds that Braudus’ album “The Blue Carpet Treatment” is his favorite amongst the many.
After reading Malcom X’s Biography, he was inspired to do better. He learned how a street hustler name Detroit Red went on to become a human rights advocate.
According to SQ resident Steven “Rhashiyd” Zinnamon, prior to prison he was a certified sound engineer; he is now a sound designer for the prison podcast “Ear Hustle.”
Zinnamon says that Shellmyer brought a new style to the young generation of incarcerated rap artists. He has the energy and the vibe like no other at The Q. He is always smiling; that separates him from other residents, because smiling is not common in prison.
“His swag [style], his wave [sound], and skill level is deeper [better] than current rap artists,” he said.
Zinnamon is currently a mentor in a program called “Music and Masculinity.”
He says the self-help group enables young people to get insight about themselves through the process of music.
“Our objective is to take these men and allow them to speak their truth. We hold the flashlight [helping them], while they work on their engines [themselves],” said Zinnamon.
Shellmyer revealed to SQNews that his primary goal at the moment is to focus on parole, once released in July.
“I do not want to have kids until I’m at least 35,” he says.”By that time I will be financially stable. I want to be a great provider.”
