Today we’d like to introduce you to Shemuel Parker.
Shemuel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a Hip-Hop artist, producer, and sound designer. I go by the name 2xSammy. I’ve been writing music since I was 10 years old. I am originally from Norfolk, VA. I am currently inside of Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, VA. I was found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity in 2013 for some charges I caught in Virginia Beach, VA. With this acquittal, I had to undergo several evaluations over the course of 4 years. In May of 2017, I was finally released (conditionally) from Eastern State Hospital to an Adult Foster Care home in Virginia Beach, VA. Leading up to my release I had saved up $5,000. When I got to the home and got settled in, I purchased all new recording equipment. Gradually I started working on writing rhymes again.
After a 4 year stint between solitary confinement and mental institutions, this was no easy feat. I released 2 songs in 2017 but I kept working on my craft. In 2018, I was able to get a supervised apartment with a roommate. Building up stamina and the desire to make it, I was posting as much music as I could on Instagram. I came across UnitedMasters when the company was still in beta and invitation only. Early 2019, my song “Ball Harder” was featured in the NBA’s highlight reel. I viewed this success as an opportunity to grow as an artist and a brand.
All of a sudden, everything was cut off. I was back in jail, in solitary confinement in Virginia Beach. Let’s go back, before you can get released conditionally from a mental health facility in Virginia, you have to basically sign away your life. I agreed to follow a bunch of rules, including not smoking marijuana, for an UNLIMITED amount of time. They say that the NGRI Conditional Release plan is worse than probation because there is no set time when you can come off. So, I walked a straight line for 2 years, I was attending FullSail University online, working full time, and managing my career as a musical artist. When I went to court at the 2-year mark, the judge recommended that I stay on the conditional release plan without giving me any reason why. I was fed up. I wanted my freedom, I wanted to smoke weed and I wanted to travel. Well, the judge thought differently, I went to court again in August because I thought that I was being “transparent” by letting the CSB know that I was smoking weed. The judge immediately revoked my conditional release. I was sent straight to solitary confinement for 13 days and then back to Eastern State Hospital.
I lost my apartment, all my studio equipment, but what could never be replaced was my rap notebooks. I swore to myself that I would never rap again. I got kicked out of FullSail and lost my 20,000$ momentum scholarship because on record it said I was incarcerated. Well, even through all this turmoil and trauma, I was still able to push through. UnitedMasters kept pushing my music and I got a WNBA highlight feature. This surely was pure motivation.
I started taking online classes full-time at Berklee College of Music towards the end of 2019. I have achieved dean’s list multiple times since then. I am currently enrolled to reach my Bachelor of Arts in Music Business in 2024. Through this process, pandemic and all, I was able to come off all psychotropic medications. This is huge considering the fact that I am still in a mental institution with NO release date. Since being here, both of my songs ‘Ball Harder” and “2 Official” were featured on the in-game soundtrack for NBA2k21. With the help of UnitedMasters, I also obtained a sync deal with ESPN. I own my own music publishing company and I own all the rights to ALL of my music. Also, I still release more music than your favorite Hip-Hop artists. All of my music is recorded in my own professional recording studio located inside of Eastern State Hospital.
The thing I desire most in this life, is not money or fame. I just want my freedom to pursue happiness. Music.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been rough to say the least. I’ve had to constantly struggle with the Virginia Beach judicial system. Just thinking about this never ending process that they call an “acquittal” makes my heart race and gives me a headache. Music is easy, fighting for my freedom is not.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a hip-hop artist. I dip and dab in R&B too. I specialize in audio engineering which I have been doing since I was 16 and I am now 31 years old. What sets me apart is my drive, my energy, my innovative spirit. I want to deliver the best quality music possible to the world. If I have to drop $500 on a pair of headphone just to get a better mix, so be it, haha.
What matters most to you? Why?
Freedom. In all aspects. Whether in the music industry or judicial system. Freedom. Why? Because it is our constitutional right to be free and to not be manipulated into sacrificing that freedom.
Contact Info:
- Email: arflowz@gmail.com
- Website: https://unitedmasters.com/2xsammy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2xsammyofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2xSammy/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/arflowz?lang=en
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/KfXxnVEYwWo
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/2xsammy/1290847359
Image Credits:
Shemuel Parker
