DJ Howard Q

AMERICA'S PREMIER STEEL SPINNER
Howard Q.
Howard was introduced to the entertainment industry in 1986 repairing sound equipment and carrying records for Detroit and Chicago DJs while attending Tennessee State University. After connecting with Detroit native Lamarr 2 Smooth Taylor, this duo later referred to as Voice Entertainment, became the most sort after combination on the Nashville collegiate party scene. In 1990 Howard graduated from T.S.U. with a Computer Science degree and accepted a Computer Engineering position with a Memphis based firm. He satisfied his passion for DJing by producing mix tapes containing popular styles of music from other regions in the country and opening up for popular DJs in the city.
In 1992 with an effort to separate his corporate identity from the rising popularity of his underground entity, Howard began using his first name and his middle initial to reference the individual that formed the Collegiate Connection and by this time was promoting events with attendance over 1000 people. By 1994, Howard Q. was forced to relinquish his professional position and pursue his passion full time. Soul Nite as his first weekly promotion that grew from an average attendance of 1200 to over 2500 at Memphis largest nightclub (Denim & Diamonds) by the time promotion was forced to end in1999.
Americas Premier Steel Spinner Howard Q. continued working to bridge the distance between the streets and mainstream urban radio by hosting the first ever mix show (Power Mix @ 6) and live broadcast from The Spot (Saturday 10p Midnight from July 1999 November 2000) on the 100,000 watt heritage station WHRK K-97 FM in Memphis Tennessee. In November of 2000 the Sunday night phenomenon was once again rekindled at Denim & Diamonds. His popularity awarded him the opportunity to be the first DJ ever in Memphis radio history to have active shows on 3 radio stations simultaneously. (Thursday & Sunday night mix show live from Denim & Diamonds on K-97, Old School Drive @ 5 on V 101.1 & Saturday night live on Hot 107).
Today DJ Extraordinaire Howard Q. continues to provide the city with Old School flavor on V 101.1 mixing the Old School Drive @ 5 hosted by Stan Bell. Even though he traded his Sunday airshift on K-97 to pursue a live broadcast from Jillians ( Downtown Memphis ) with Power 99, he still remains the only DJ / promoter to have active relationships with more than one radio company. With 25 mix CDs, an original album, countless club & special event promotions, a record label, a graphics company and an organized approach to event promotions, many regard him as the Teflon Don of the Memphis street scene. On the radio, in the record stores or in the streets...you never know what to expect from architect of underground promotions.
Howard Q. is…
The master in the art of living who makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both.

Streetmasterz Magazine May/June 2006
Been In Tha Game For A Long Time