TQ – Legendary 2.0

By starrymag | May 26, 2015

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) To me, it’s just R&B. Stores put me in the rap section, which used to be really annoying. I read in a magazine in Germany that I was “reality R&B.” That’ll work. I ran with it.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Marvin Gaye, Prince, Michael Jackson and Tupac. Also, bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Black Keys. I’m into a lot of different music, to be honest.

Q) Legendary 2.0 is your new EP. How did you come up with the title?

A) When I started, it was just going to be Part 2 of my last indie album for my fans. I was going to do a lot of remixes and expand on the subject matter of that album. When I started back working with Damion and Mike, it just kind of changed shape. I had already set that name for the next project and we decided to drop an EP before the new album. So, I used that name as the title.

Q) Where do you get the inspiration from your lyrics?

A) Life, for the most part. The easiest things to write about are the things I’ve experienced. It’s kind of a no-brainer to writer about what you have been through…Or even things you’ve been told. There’s a lot of dimensions to the experience so I tend to go there first.

Q) What is the song writing process like for you? Do you need music before you can write your lyrics?

A) It always changes. I don’t have a formula. I come up with stuff out of the blue as much as I write to beats.

Q) You worked with producer Damion “Damizza” Young on these tracks, but how much of an influence did you have on the production?

A) I’m always one to give my two cents. At the end of the day, I let the producer produce though. Damion is a producer. He’s not a beat guy. I don’t have to take his beats and make them records. He knows how to do that, as he gives his two cents about m melodies or arrangements. He can do that too, but he knows that I can as well. We have been working together for years. It’s like a natural workflow at this point. We don’t have to really cross lines and when we do, it’s normally the right idea or change so it works even better. It kind of goes with time, I guess.

Q) You released “We Don’t Care” as the first track. What made you choose that song to drop first?

A) Playing it for DJ’s and kids, really. We knew we were going to drop a couple of singles from the EP anyway. So, whatever got the best response I was down with. At this point, I try to stay out of the decision if it is not a statement or concept song that I need to be heard, regardless. I make a lot of different stuff. I want people to get the stuff they like.

Q) How did you come to work with 2Chainz and Clarissa Serna on the song?

A) Mike Mosley hooked up the link with 2Chainz and Debbie Hammond from Clockwork Entertainment (who Mike introduced me to in order to put out my first album) linked me and Clarissa. It’s crazy how everything has kind of come full circle at this point.

Q) What can fans expect from a live TQ performance?

A) A good time – number one! I have a great band, The Young Mores. We do my stuff and some great covers also. If you’re into good live music, I suggest you come see us.

Q) You have also created the app iTQ. What inspired you to create it?

A) I was looking at my analytics one day and everything was pointing to mobile devices. Like NOBODY was accessing my website or social media from a computer! I dug a little further into it and saw how that was the trend and had been that way for a while. So, I’m putting my resources into a website that most people can’t get the full experience because they’re accessing it on their phones. Let’s cut that in half and create a better, faster and easier experience for people to access my music and everything else. I charge $4.99 in the app store and Google Play. We decided to charge for it because it’s also a distribution platform for my new music. The new EP is available exclusively through the app. It’s a one time fee that is going to eventually gain the buyer access to every TQ album, past and future, right on their phone with updates.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) They’re ALL on it! Honestly, they are the reason I’m on it. They introduced me to it. We had our own on a site called Thugpoetry.com WAY back in the day. They created the site for me and made me a member. That was my first experience with it. When Myspace came out, they told me to get on it. The same thing happened with Facebook and Twitter!

Q) What can fans do to help promote your music?

A) More than anything, just share the stuff that I do. The internet is crazy and it’s all about numbers. Sheer numbers make great things don’t go unnoticed. The BEST way for me to get on something is when somebody I know sends it to me like, “Check this out!” I’m more inclined to do it because of who sent it to me. That’s really powerful. I have lots of friends who love music. If they send me something, I’m expecting it to be good. So, I always ask people to share my app, music, photos, blogs and everything else.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your music?

A) Thank you very much for the support and please share my stuff whenever you see it!