Qwote Interview

How did you come up with the name?

Qwote: Wow, well when I was a little kid in the streets everybody gave me the name Qwote because I used to quote people I use to go back in forth with the whole you didn’t say this you said that, so they pretty much gave me the name and I ran with it block to block and as I got older I really didn’t want to separate myself from the name because I felt like it was a big part of who I am. I gave it a new meaning, meaning nothing but the facts and I feel like that’s what I bring to my music.

Keyana: Okay good. What do you bring to the current state of R&B?

Qwote: Well I believe that everyone comes to the table with their own perspective on life and what I’m bringing is on life from how I see it.

Keyana: Take us back a little bit, what was it like initially starting out for you?

Qwote: Well um it was pretty ruff starting off. Are you talking back from childhood?

Keyana: When did you get your start?

Qwote: Well it’s been along time you know, I mean I started off with my independent group Final Cut Music group with my manager Steve Obridge. He saw a vision in me and kind of help me out with the whole development thing and then from there he saw the opportunity for me to get on Trina’s project with Slip -N- Slide, so I got on that project working on it and matter fact I actually have a record with her on her new album called phone sex and from that project alone Slip-N-Slide was real excited with what I was doing with her and other artist from there I got a deal with Slip-N-Slide records.

Keyana: How would you describe yourself?

Qwote: I would say I’m hard working, I’m really focused, very respectful you know I get that from my grandmother. She imbedded that in me from a boy you got to be respectful to everybody else. But like I said hard work is my thing I’m all about my music I love music, music is my passion you know. Qwote is just a fun loving guy man.

Keyana: Where do you draw your inspiration for your music?

Qwote: God number one you know everything around me, I mean I draw inspiration from everything it could be a movie a book I read, um it could be just people talking on the street and boom you know anything, and anything at all can spark inspiration for me.

Keyana: Okay, give us a glimpse into the studio experience, what was it like recording your album?

Qwote; Okay well I’m still in the process of recording the album and the experience is like no other, I’m getting the opportunity to work with big shot producers. Producer’s that have worked with great artist, such as Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Jay-z, and Usher. To have the opportunity to be put into that situation and work with these producers, is you know I’m really fortunate. I was in the studio a few months ago with Bryan Michael Cox, who has great music out there and also to be apart of the project giving as much input as possible, writing because I write I’m a song writer as well. So to be apart of my own project, writing the music is like no other, so I’m really blessed.

Keyana: So did you write majority of the music on your album?

Qwote: So far I have written majority of the album but then again the album’s not done yet.
I anticipate the album to drop sometime in February of 2009, but so far I have written majority of the album.

Keyana: Does the album have a title?

Qwote: Yes, its called “Qwote on Qwote” and I titled it that because that best describes me and as a debut album, like I describe Qwote before it’s the truth nothing but the facts and I’m giving everyone what Qwote is. So when you listen to those tracks and the songs, you’re basically hearing the experiences that I’ve gone through.

Keyana: Okay, I checked out the song you did with Trina and that’s a pretty hot track, I’m feeling that.

Qwote: Thank you!

Keyana: Yeah, I also had a chance to hear the version with Shaggy. What was it like working with him?

Qwote: Oh man, just to work with Shaggy was like you know, Shaggy me and him go way back and his manager Robert is a really good friend of mine and a good friend of my manager as well. He’s also one of my mentor’s so I respect him a great deal. He hooked up the opportunity for me and Shaggy to work together and Shaggy is a real humble guy, were talking a guy whose gone diamond. Know what I’m saying.

Keyana: Yeah, Yeah.

Qwote: At the end of the day humble as he is, it was a great experience working with him I learned a lot of things from him.

Keyana: The song with Shaggy had a reggae tone to it, are you planning on doing anymore type of songs like that on the album?

Qwote: Well yeah, we’re actually in the process of working on another song together as we speak. So I and Shaggy definitely are going to be doing something else.

Qwote: Also, I want to let everybody know about the new record that’s out right now called 808 and that features Plies. The record was produced by J.R Rodham that song right there is, if you haven’t heard it check that record out because that’s the next single. It’s a banger man trust me.

Keyana: I heard it, it is. Plies real big right now in the rap game, what was it like working with him?
Qwote: Let me tell you something about Plies, Plies is a real cool dude. Man, he’s a very good, smart dude and he knows what he wants and he knows how lay it down on tracks and explain everything exactly the way that he want’s it. So you know working with him was very educational and I was thankful he jumped on the record. So this record is definitely going to do some things.

Keyana: Okay, I feel you. Tell me what sets you apart from some of the R&B guys out now, like the Trey Songz and J. Holiday’s. What sets your music apart from those guys?

Qwote: Like I said earlier, everyone brings their own perspective to the table. You know, Ne-Yo brings his own perspective, J. Holiday brings his, Lloyd brings his and Qwote is bringing his. I’m bringing my own perspective view on life to the table. I can only touch on things from my point of view, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Tell the story from my point of view, no one has walked Qwote shoes but Qwote and that’s the difference.

Keyana: Tell me this. Are you going to be going on any tours with anyone soon?

Qwote: Well, we are in the process of working out some things right now. So it’s possible I may be going on tour, hopefully the end of January..

Keyana: With declining music sales right now, do artists need to secure other revenue streams, besides digitally?

Qwote: Well, I think artist are doing it now besides digitally. I mean artist are getting into other avenues such as clothing lines cologne/perfumes, movies you know what I’m saying. So these are other ways of making money as well and artist is doing that. You know the saying don’t put all your eggs in the same basket? You have to do that with the entertainment business because you never know.

Keyana: The ability for artist to use the internet to promote their music is as easy as having a myspace account; the internet is congested with a lot of music but not much talent. So, how do you use it for your music and how do you feel it’s made a difference in your career?

Qwote: Well, I mean such as myspace and youtube it is like one of the best tools as far as getting your music out you know and also these tools are tools you can you use that you don’t have to pay for. So for example I think myspace and you tube has done a lot for my career. Because songs that let say radio hasn’t had the opportunity to play yet, the world pretty much has heard you know what I’m saying. So a lot of people have gotten to hear my music from that, I get a lot of fans over just you tube and myspace alone. They have been a big part of the success of my career.

Keyana: So do you really check you myspace and respond to the fans, a lot artist say they do, do you?

Qwote: I think it’s real important to do that and I do follow-up on my myspace. Understand these are people that are looking into you, these are your potential fans, so I think it’s important to follow-up on what they’re saying about you and what they want there concerns etc, etc. This is your bread and butter you know what I’m saying? Their the ones that are going to go out and buy that album when it drops, so it’s very important for me to follow-up with what they say and what they do. So, yes I follow-up on my myspace, on my face book, on my phone calls, I have a number that I give out which is, the number is 305-432-9288. My fans call that number and I call and listen to every single one of those messages. And I try my hardest to get back as much as possible to give my thank you‘s for the support etc. I want to develop that relationship with my fans so they’ll know who Qwote is and what I’m about.

Keyana: Being on the label that you’re on with artist like Trina and Trick Daddy, do you feel pressure on you to take it to the next level?

Qwote: I mean I feel I have a responsibility as and artist to show and prove. Being on a label, a successful label such as Slip-N-Slide, it’s only my duty to carry that torch and to keep it going and I’m very honored to be on the label. We have big dreams we’re not just nationally but we’re venturing off internationally and that’s the type of music we are also doing.

Keyana: Which artist in your opinion speaks to the world on multiple levels, who do think is striving to change the world through their music and has the ability to do so?

Qwote: Lot artists now are getting a bit more social about things, especially what’s going on in the world. So to name a few artist, I feel like the Big Boi record with Mary J. Blidge I think that’s a real big record, it speaks out about what’s really going on in the world right now so that’s a real big look. Also I think Jay-z, I listen to Jay he talks lot of stuff, Kanye west, and Common. Those are a few artists that are really talking to people right now and letting them know, what’s really good!

Keyana: Let’s get a little political with the election going on and all, and having a black nominee running as president. How do you feel about that?

Qwote: Well you know, let’s just put it this way, history in the making!

Keyana: Now, I want to ask you about some of your favorite things. So this segment is all about your favorite things at the moment.

Qwote: Okay

Keyana: What’s your favorite thing to eat or cook?

Qwote: Spaghetti and meatballs, I love it!

Keyana: Do you cook anything; do you know how to cook?

Qwote: Trust me I cook, when I’m on the road I try to get like hotels with kitchens, so I can cook, I love to cook.

Keyana: What’s one of your favorite movies out right now or the last movie you saw?

Qwote: Actually the last movie I saw was a movie called ‘Eagle Eye’ and I went to see it last night, hot movie I like it. Also that Tyler Perry movie is crazy too. I forgot the name of it.

Keyana: A Family That Preys?

Qwote: Yeah, yeah that’s a hot movie, so you could put that as number one and Eagle Eye number two.
Keyana: Alright, that’s what’s up.

Qwote: I like Tyler Perry movies.

Keyana: Yeah, he’s doing big things right now. Speaking of movies are you planning on doing in acting?

Qwote: Yeah we are actually working on that as we speak, you know working out some deals as far as getting into movies and T.V shows.

Keyana: Give us a glimpse of your day to day?

Qwote: First thing I do is turn on the radio to see what’s hot, I check out some news to see what’s going on in the world, I try to cook breakfast at least and get ready for the studio. I usually like to get in the studio early most people like to record in the evenings, but I have this thing that I have to record as early as possible in the morning. So I usually am in the studio by 10 o’clock in the morning. That’s really odd because a lot of studio sessions are at night.

Keyana: So you like to get in earlier and get it over with, huh?

Qwote: Yeah, I like to get in early in the morning, I call my engineers and producers that are working with me and see if we can get in there. Sometimes that doesn’t work but I try to get in there as early as possible and hit the gym way early before that. And just go to work man, I be in the studio from 10am until who knows. That’s pretty much it man, might squeeze a meal in here and there and a play a little basketball, maybe a video game. I love madden, so yeah that’s it.

Keyana: Are you coming to Atlanta anytime soon?

Qwote: I love Atlanta; the last time we were in Atlanta we had a good time man. So yeah hell yeah

Keyana: So do you have any crazy fan stories, since you’ve been in the music industry?

Qwote: Yeah, I remember one time we were leaving from a show in Texas and I had this fan jump on the hood of the car and she just wouldn’t let go. She just kept screaming I love you Qwote, I love you. So that’s one of the craziest thing I’ve seen so far, I’m sure I probably see something crazier than that but that’s crazy.

Keyana: Yeah, that’s pretty crazy, jumping on the hood of cars and stuff.

Qwote: Yeah, that isn’t normal

Keyana: Are there any words of wisdom that you like to live by?

Qwote: Actually, my grandmother embedded this in my head everyday I left the house, from 5yrs. on. She would say “do unto other’s as you would have them do unto you” so that’s a famous quote I live by, I believe that and I tell everybody else. I believe that’s in the bible or something?

Keyana: Yeah, that’s in the bible.
Qwote: So “do unto other’s as you would have them do unto you”.

Keyana: Any last words?

Qwote: Yeah basically want to draw everybody’s attention to what’s going on in the world right now with Haiti. I know Haiti’s going through some things right now and I hope everybody can get together and see what they can do. It’s just not Haiti, the Caribbean islands in it self you know, Turks and Caicos, Cuba these places need help. Especially after the hurricane situation, so if I people could raise awareness about that or if I could that will be real good, because people are doing real badly over there.

Keyana: Yeah, I saw Wyclef and Matt Damon over there last week helping out in Haiti.

Qwote: Yeah it’s pretty bad, and I’m not just saying that because I’m Haitian but I mean the world in itself you know pretty low all over. Like Zimbabwe also in Africa they going through it too, so I try to like let everybody know when I’m doing interviews to keep that in mind. Know what I’m saying?

Keyana: Yeah for sure, I caught the slight accent in your music and I was going to ask you where you were from your background?

Qwote: My background is Haitian.

Keyana: You were born there or here in the states?

Qwote: I was born in Haiti

Keyana: Okay, that’s what’s up cool. I thank you for the interview, it was really nice talking with you and I wish you much success in your future.

Qwote: Thank you; I appreciate the time and much success to you and your team as well. Thank you