Music:
Member Since: 27/03/2008
Band Members:
Singer/songwriter/producer TQ hit the music scene in 1998 with a style
that made him different than any other R&B singer on the
market. A native of Compton, California, his swagger and delivery made
some fans regard him with the same appeal as a rapper. In fact, he has
been told that he reminds many of a "singing Tupac"
with his realistic lyrics in songs that deal with real life issues. Now
with a solid 15 years in the business to his credit, TQ will debut his
new album Paradise on April 1, 2008 in a partnership with Gracie
Productions and distribution through EMI. While most R&B
artists sing about mainly about love, TQ set himself apart with cutting
edge songwriting, branding his own type of "Reality
R&B". He started his professional music career in
’93 with a young B-Boy group Coming of Age, releasing two
albums with the group. His own 1998 debut solo album They Never Saw Me
Coming, which included the hits "Westside" and
"Bye Bye Baby," made him an instant worldwide
success.
The single "Westside" debuted in the Top Ten in
several countries, and in some countries at 1 the first week. The song
stayed on top of the charts for weeks, collectively selling in excess
of 1.2 million singles worldwide. TQ had fans from all over the world
"throwing their dubs in the air" with the
two-fingered Westside symbol, including many fans who didn’t
speak a lick of English.
TQ then followed up with a second album The Second Coming with the
classic hit "Daily," which was exclusively
distributed in Europe. For his third album, TQ returned to the U.S.
market with Listen, which offered a perfect rendition of
Prince’s hit ballad "Adore." Many fans and critics stated it
was one of the best Prince cover tunes that had ever heard. The album
also included production Manny Fresh, formerly of Cash Money Records.
While he has had both major label and independent success, TQ is
staying the independent route in a partnership with Gracie Productions
for the new album Paradise. The freedom to create is equally as
important as being able to control his business.
"I guess for me the biggest thing now is ownership of the
biggest slice of pie", explains TQ. "Due to the
state of the music business, in order to be successful I have to make
the highest dollar amount per unit. In order to do that you have to cut
out a lot of the middle men. This situation with Gracie Productions
allows me to get straight to the consumer, and that’s exactly
where I want to be."
After having such a phenomenal success with his first single
"Westside", it appeared that some of TQ’s
songwriting talents got lost in the shuffle of his promotion. He is now
in a position to let the world experience his full discography, which
is still growing by the day. Throughout his career, TQ’s
diehard fans from all walks of life respected his true talent.
"After ’Westside’ was an established hit,
the damnest person would come up to me in the streets and give me props
on my pen", recalls TQ. "Like some guy wearing a
suit in the elevator, or some old lady that you’d never
expect. I think the most satisfying part of my work comes from the fans
who write me and quote some of my lyrics in past songs. Now
that’s hot!"
TQ has written, produced and collaborated with some of the top artists
in the music industry from all genres including N’Sync, Lil
Wayne, R.Kelly, Whitney Houston, Dru Hill, Jagged Edge, Ron Isley,
Swizz Beatz, Petey Pablo, Another Level, LFO, Donny Osmond, Juvenile,
Krazyie Bone, Layzie Bone, E40, Too Short, The Outlawz and Sarah
Conner. Needless to say, he loves staying in the studio making music.
With Paradise, TQ is bringing more of his stellar songwriting and
production talent to the table. "I think that longevity
breeds growth and vice versa", he says. "I think my
fans will recognize my growth in every aspect of this album. This is
grown folk music, ya feel me? For new and potential fans, this is a
break from the norm. This is real… like music therapy. It’ll
take you somewhere if you let it. I think people will appreciate the
fact that this isn’t your average R&B."
Although songs are naturally like children to an artist, TQ does have a
couple of personal favorite songs from Paradise. "Off the
bat, the title track ’Paradise’ is my favorite
song," he expresses. "I love the pen on it. It
deals with the past, present, and future - all the while taking some
kind of gain out of loss. I think it’s extremely serious, but
definitely positive. The things that I’m singing about are the things
that I live by. ’Pumpin’ is another one of my
favorites. It’s a straight up hustlas’ anthem... nuff said.
I got a chance to do some joints for the ladies on this one, and I
think that ’Sexy’ and ’Ain’t the
Same’ are battling each other for second single right
now."
A man of many talents, TQ also branched off into an acting career. TQ
landed four film roles in a short time, and plays the main character in
two of them. Richard III, a Shakespeare film; Devil’s Grind,
a hardcore urban film; and Rockin Meera, an internationally
action-packed love story, are all due to release this year. TQ’s latest
project will be playing a lead role in a gritty, urban Romeo and Juliet
modern day drama entitled One Love.
TQ’s mission is do more albums, more films, modeling and
commercial endorsements. At the same time, he takes pleasure in
remaining true to himself as Mr. Westside - the guy who always keeps it
real. "I’m just really determined," asserts TQ.
"I set goals for myself at an early age, and I refuse to not
reach them all. There have been times when I’ve been knocked down, but
I just get the f*ck back up. The next time I’ll see that punch coming
and slip it. It’s all a learning experience, but you gotta keep that
fight in you. If you don’t, then it just ain’t worth it."
Pre-order TQ’s "Paradise" today and be entered into a drawing for an all expenses paid trip to Paradise (Los Angeles, CA) and a day with TQ!
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