Q-Unique (NY - US)
March 17th, 2009 | By YouDee
Q-Unique recently came through town on the Zulu Supa Jam tour with fellow NY legends Roc Raida & Lord Finesse (if you missed it you fucked up). BNEsFinest.net got the chance to build with him and find out how he got down with Rock Steady Crew and got the info on the new Q-Unique projects.
How did you get down with the Rock Steady Crew?
Crazy Legs got a hold of my demo back in the days, and asked me to run with the crew. It was real surreal cause I was always a fan, but it was with a twist, cause I wasn’t gettin’ down as a dancer…
Your recent appearances with Lord Finesse & Roc Raida had two of the most influential crews ever represented (D.I.T.C. and Rock Steady Crew), how did you feel about touring with the boys and was it something that’d been planned?
Oh man it was an honour and a pleasure touring with them. Me and roc have been friends for a while and I got to chill and build with finesse, that meant a lot to me. It wasn’t planned, the only people that I think knew what was going on were the promoters.
It’s mentioned through out your tracks in increments but how did you become fam with Uncle Howie? (With the label along with down with Uncle Howie himself).
Well Ill Bill and I have been friends for a while, when he saw that The Arsonists came to the end of its run he hollered at me to go on tour with Non Phixion. Then eventually do the 1st Q-Unique solo album. As far as Howie himself, he is a great guy. He was present through out the recording of my album, has a lot of stories to tell and he is truly in a lane by himself
What do you think of the current state of what mass media portrays as hip-hop?
It’s dramatic bullshit, but thats been the history of the media, and I don’t know if there’s any changing that.
What do you think of the recent trend of claiming hip-hop is dead?
Also unnecessary dramatic bullshit, anyone who states that hip hop is dead should not be involved with it.
What CD would we find in your CD player right now? What has been in heavy rotation for you lately?
Korn’s Greatest Hits
Slaine “The White Man is the Devil 2″
Ill Bill “Is the Future part 2″
There was talk of a collaborative project between Ill Bill and yourself, is this still going ahead or has it taken a backseat to the La Coka Nostra project for the moment?
It’s getting done. “What’s Wrong With Vengeance” Ill Bill & Q-Unique.
What do you think of the Aussie hip-hop scene from what you’ve seen?
I think it’s awesome.
You’ve already collab’d with Lyrical Commission, are there any other Australian acts that you hope to work with?
With things like that, I dont plan on it, it just happens. But with LC, we fam now, so there always a chance of that happening again.
As addressed by yourself on your intro ‘The Resume’ off ‘Vengeance Is Mine’ it is a little known fact that you’re quite skilled on the MPC. How long have you been producing and is this an area you plan to involve yourself in more in the future?
I’ve been making beats since 89, and I’m always looking to expand on my resume with that aspect. I produced both Arsonists albums and some of my solo. I’m producing the new solo album.
Also on ‘The Resume’ you talk about all your achievements in music paling in comparison to being a father. Is it important to you to have a message or something to say in your music over the trend of one-sided gun talk and gangsterisms?
Gangster shit, jiggy shit, whatever, I like to bring difference to the table, my own twist. If you look at my work from Arsonists to solo, there are songs that have never been made in the history of hip-hop. That’s how artists should approach the situation, maybe then they’ll stop bitching bout what’s dead.
What is next for Q-Unique? Is there a new album in the works or any projects you can give us a little insight in to?
Working on the new album right now. so far the craziest guest appearance is Fieldy for Korn, that’s my dawg right there. Overall I’m real happy bout this album. Aside from that got the new mix CD in the streets right now “Street Supreme”.
Thanks for taking the time to build with us a little. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Just thanking the people down under. I’ll be back. Check out the site Q-Unique.com and the MySpace page MySpace.com/QUnique. Peace.