Award-winning songwriter and producer David Jassy and the Music Program at San Quentin State Prison announced the release of San Quentin Mixtape, Vol.1. The 17 track effort was written, recorded and produced within the walls of San Quentin State Prison, through the Youthful Offenders Program, over the court of four years.
The project brings the experiences of incarceration to headphones and has received critical acclaim from the likes of J. Cole, DJ Khaled, Meek Mill, and more. You can hear all those voices on the opener.
“Music is a form of therapy that unites people from all backgrounds,” Jassy said. “I really wanted to use this program to help the young, talented kids I saw rapping on the yard. I didn’t want them to waste their potential and channel their energy into violent behavior, so it is a blessing to finally introduce this project to the world. It’s been incredible to watch these guys flex their creative muscles and get the support of the music and entertainment industry.”
“This album is truly a testament to the power of music,” Fat Joe said. “It’s inspiring to watch these young men use music as a rehabilitative tool – both to express themselves and send a positive message to communities across the country. Creating an album is a complex process, so for these young men to achieve this goal from within San Quentin State Prison, they should be very proud.”
Jassy was once an occupant of San Quentin, where he was exposed to several educational and programming opportunities, and began to pursue an idea, which formed while making music with a group of young incarcerated men.
Jassy’s music program particularly resonated with Kardashian West, J. Cole, Common and MC Hammer, each of whom personally visited the incarcerated men at San Quentin to learn more about their recording process and offer words of encouragement.
Criminal justice reform organization #cut50 learned about Jassy’s story, supported the music program, and advocated for his release. When Newsom finally commuted Jassy’s sentence in March, the news prompted Kardashian West to thank the governor and lauded the Youthful Offenders music program online.
You can hear the album below.