Before the SAMMY Awards, Tyjhier Goodman, artistically known as Tyjhier, was a kid in Syracuse sitting in amazement in front of the TV, watching performers.
She would watch old Soul Train clips, re-watch scenes from The Wiz and Dreamgirls, and try to recreate what she saw. Inspired by artists like Alicia Keys and the neo-soul music her parents played around the house, Tyjhier soon began taking piano and vocal lessons of her own.
“I would rewatch clips over and over and try to emulate what I was seeing,” said Tyjhier.
Looking back, she credits Syracuse with helping her build the confidence that would eventually carry her far beyond Central New York.
Artistic Inspiration
Today, at 26, Tyjhier has established herself as one of Central New York’s rising R&B artists, earning SAMMY Awards for Best R&B and Best New Artist.
For Tyjhier, songwriting starts with real life. Nearly everything she writes comes from personal experiences, whether it’s a triumph, a setback, or a lesson learned along the way.
“I’m most inspired by life itself when it comes to my writing,” said Tyjhier. “Almost everything I write is what I’ve experienced in actuality or emotionally through different stages in my life.”
That approach is pretty evident on “In My Room,” a standout single from her latest project, Bloom Where You’re Planted. Written shortly after moving to New York City in 2024, the song reflects on faith, resilience, and trusting yourself when nobody else understands the path you’re taking.
The song was written while sitting in her NYC apartment, shortly after moving from Syracuse. For Tyjhier, it became a way to reflect on taking a chance on herself despite uncertainty and outside opinions.
The song was shaped by some of the most difficult moments of Tyjhier’s life. She speaks openly about growing up in a difficult household, facing housing issues, working multiple jobs, and carrying responsibilities she never expected to have.
Tyjhier said the song was influenced by growing up in what she described as a “broken home,” returning from college to her mother’s abusive marriage, dealing with near homelessness, a car that constantly broke down, and working three jobs while saving enough money to make the NYC move.
While the move was a risk, she felt she had to take it.
“A lot of people couldn’t understand it,” said Tyjhier. “Why take a risk like that? What if it doesn’t work out? Shouldn’t you do something more practical?”
For Tyjhier, music became a way to process those experiences and let go of some of the weight she had carried for years.
What’s Next
As she looks toward the future, Tyjhier is focused on releasing new music, sharing visuals connected to Bloom Where You’re Planted, and opening herself up to more collaboration after years of primarily writing alone.
Recently, she has begun writing more with friends, fellow musicians, and her partner. Tyjhier said the experience has helped her grow as a songwriter by bringing new perspectives into the creative process.
“I’m learning that my ear is first and foremost when it comes to my music, and the right people will gravitate towards it.”
Her goal for the rest of 2026 is to release new music and visuals before closing the Bloom Where You’re Planted project and moving into her next era as an artist.
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