Woodbridge Artist Finds Hip-Hop Locally Relevant

Hip-hop, as a genre, is in desperate need to preserve its remaining intellectuals. In an era of shallow celebrities, there is a pressing need to preserve genuine image.

For local hip-hop artist Tim Shriner, authenticity comes with candidly reflecting one's environment.

"A lot of my influence just comes from life experiences," Shriner said, describing his experiences growing up in Woodbridge. "I've seen a lot of things in [Woodbridge] that have offered me experience and inspiration."

His memories are not necessarily becoming.

"Straight-A students becoming high school drop outs, good kids building criminal records and doing serious time, friends turning into snakes, kids fist fighting over basically nothing, people pulling out knives and guns," Shriner said, describing his experiences growing up in Woodbridge.

With a flux of cautionary tales, Shriner's experiences are more enlightening than anything.

"I've seen the bad but I've also seen the good," Shriner said. "Both influence me."

The Woodbridge-native is still in the process of finishing his official mixtape, his website and full-length album. Although he's only been rapping for about a year and a half, persistence has made Shriner's craft second nature.

"I basically started just writing rhymes with horrible flow and recorded them in terrible quality," Shriner said. "I actually started out just writing joke raps and people actually said I had some potential, so I decided to write some real songs. Since then, I've just been working at my craft [attempting] better flow, better concept songs and better sound quality."

Along with a newfound determination, an enthusiastic support group could not have come at a better time.

"People I grew up with are starting to both accept and encourage my rap," Shriner said. "People I've met in college have been generously supportive."

Shriner, a junior civil engineering major at Virginia Tech, keeps a watchful eye for talent back in his hometown.

"Woodbridge specifically has some talented kids to offer," Shriner said. "There are some guys trying to go far like the Sensillya crew, Wondon and Farma Wesley."

Shriner sees enough local talent to overcome the lack of venues.

"There aren't too many venues in Woodbridge, but there is raw talent and that's enough to work with," Shriner said.

With a saturation of artists in the area, Shriner has taken note of those who do not seem to keep up.

"All around NOVA there are mad clowns who think they can rhyme," Shriner said. "Don't get me wrong, there are a handful of guys who can do it well and have passion in being real rappers. But so many people, they just throw on some shades and a hat and all of a sudden they think they can freestyle. Some of them actually get love locally."

Shriner sees thievery as inspiration.

"Hearing those guys and knowing that I'm much better really encouraged me to show my talent and see what kind of love I could get from listeners," Shriner said. "The response has been pretty positive."

Shriner said that he has a couple of friends back home that he would freestyle beats with; which quickly improved both his confidence and rhyming speed.

As the old adage goes, practice makes perfect. Along with the developing habit of practice, Shriner has another ally on his side -- time.

"I still have a lot of time left, and I have a very far way to go," Shriner said. "I hope to play more shows and gain more recognition and respect locally. There are some local artists I would like to collaborate with, so hopefully once I establish a name, they'll be willing to work together."

Shriner said that at this point, all he can say for sure is that he will be performing more shows, putting out actual albums and will hopefully compete in some rap battles for the money and exposure.

All these are steps toward a primary objective.

"My biggest goal would probably be to collaborate with my favorite artists," Shriner said.

Shriner cites his main influences as Diabolic, Wax, Big L, Rhyme Asylum, Immortal Technique and Nas.

"My writing is really influenced by anything I hear that impresses me," Shriner said. "I love the way Nas flows and I like the way new school kids rhyme. There are so many more complexities and intricacies in writing now that it's easy to distinguish between a dude who knows how to emcee and a guy who has no clue."

According to Shriner, originality and variety are key aspects of developing a unique hip-hop craft.

"Nothing about getting girls, driving nice cars and making money," said Shriner. "Some people have talent but can't go eight bars without mentioning weed. Widen your range, people."

In terms of embracing the new, Shriner is a connoisseur of the modern era. He takes full advantage of the virtual resources around him, primarily on YouTube and ReverbNation.

"I've done collaborations internationally and through the Internet, including a dope artist from Canada named Panther," Shriner said. "I've always posted most of my songs on YouTube and worked my way up to this point where I'm somewhat known in the 'YouTube Rap Community,' as corny as it sounds."

Viral or not, fame is fame. Shriner has routed his own path through virtual mediums and encouraged others to take their own.

"Don't look to follow my footsteps," Shriner said. "Look to go far beyond my footsteps. Don't listen to those guys just making a buck off of hip-hop, listen to the real heads trying to keep it alive. Don't make music that you think other people want, make music you want to hear."

Shriner cited the current global hip-hop culture as an endless font of inspiration but also cautioned rappers just embarking on their journey to draw from others but to ignore pessimistic attitudes.

"Don't get discouraged by what anybody says, because plenty of people out there who don't know anything will have some negative opinions," Shriner said. "Just do everything you can to keep it real."