TQ Interview

I2G chilled with TQ for a exclusive interview. We discuss his new album, Kind Of Blue, his take on the music industry in the U.S. and overseas, and much more so check it out.

Illuminati 2G is here with TQ how’s it going?

I am good brotha, what’s happening?

Not too much. You recently dropped your new album, Kind Of Blue. Tell me about the album.

For me it is a throwback album. I started R&B solo as not so much the same old R&B. I wanted to do something different and talk about concepts that were relevant to me instead of just doing love songs.

I think at the time when I first came out that was what R&B was known as, just love songs. I wanted to put a stamp and change that because I feel that there were songs like Mercy Mercy Me back in the day that the older cats used to do and their songs were about life.

That was the album I put out in the beginning and I wanted to go back to that. I think the music as a whole is going back into that area again and with all the things we have going on around us man, the world is changing. We need to come together and talk about it and that is what I tried to do on this album.

That leads into and partially answers my next question. How would you say this album is different from your previous albums?

This album is a little bit deeper and I am older. I think when you get older, you are supposed to get wiser and I think the way a person puts words together when you have been doing it for so long, you can just tell the difference and also the growth.

I feel on this album I went into a lot more detail on topics on this album then I have in the past. I think that comes from writing so many songs over the years. On this album, I am showing that I know how to do it.

Do you have any more singles or videos that are set to drop from the album?

Yeah I am trying to make a decision if the next single is going to be Hollywood or Blue Lights. As soon as I can make up my mind on that, then we will be shooting the video. For me at this point in my career, it is more about the fans and I have a build in relationship with my fanbase.

That fanbase has been there since the beginning. I don’t think there are a lot of new TQ fans. The ones that do exist have been there for years. I communicate to them and it is more about them then it is about singles.

It is less about being non conventional and being more conventional with my music and with the fans. But to each his or her own, it works for me though.

So what is next for you as far as music and movies? Any new projects that you are working on?

I am all about touring right now. Me and my band are getting ready to go on the road and start smashing. One thing I did do this time around was that I put this album out everywhere.

I put it out all independent and coordinated almost the entire process. Right now I really want to focus on the touring aspect. Because a lot of those core fans like I was telling you before, have not been able to catch a show yet.

Because I have a wide fanbase across the world, I can’t see them all. But I definitely want to see more of them then I have in the past. For the rest of this year and probably part of next year too I am going to be touring, heavy.

I have spoken a couple of times to Shade Shiest and he has a very large international following and you do as well. What are some of the similarities or some differences that you have noticed in doing business overseas and touring as opposed to the United States?

I think part of it is what kind of marketing tactics you use and how you use them for your music. For me, I think my music has always taken off more in Europe and Asia more then the U.S. . I always got more airplay there then I did here and video play then I did here.

Actually who knows why people like what they like, I just tried to make my music tailor made to that and the money was there to be made as well so it is elementary. I just gradually learned how to do business there as effectively and efficiently as I could.

I think the difference is, is where the success is at. Business is business all around the world and everybody is about the bottom line. When there is a demand for you like everything else, it naturally puts you in a better position as a businessman. My demand, for the most part, has been in Europe and Asia and some of the U.S.

This is kind of a throwback question. One of the songs that I really dig from your first album is the song The Comeback with Tha Dogg Pound. Is there any good memories that you have from making the song and how did it come together for you?

I think a lot of people…, because I did not know them at the time, but the people I reached out to for the project they did the songs.  I was not expecting it but I think the song Westside was doing a lot out there man. Tha Dogg Pound loved the song and once they heard The Comeback and what I was talking about, they was like we need to get on this.

Same thing with Too $hort and same thing with E-40. The funny thing about that video, there is a part on that video where I am in the street and I am shooting a gun.

Right.

It just so happened that there was a lady walking across the street with her grocery bag. She was actually in the crosswalk during the scene. Man she almost had a heart attack when them guns started going off.

Laughs.

We had to stop the scene and I had to go over and comfort her but she was not trying to hear it so she cussed all of us out.  I felt bad, it was crazy.

You mentioned earlier you were planning on doing a lot of shows. Do you have any set in stone that you would like to let the people know about?

I am putting together some dates in Malaysia and Japan coming soon and then coming back towards Europe. I will be back in the states in July and then heading to Austraila in August.  Basically do 2 months out, 1 month in.

What is your website information?

www.thugpoetry.com. Actually a lot of people want to know how they can get the new album and they can get it at www.thehub.thugpoetry.com. That is the new limited edition album that you can only get from there. That has Dirty Diana on there and I have been getting good feedback on that.  Follow me on twitter and facebook as well.

Alright well that is all the questions I have for you. Appreciate you getting down for the interview. Is there any last words or shoutouts you want to get out there to the people?

Just to everyone out there, pick up the new album because it is hot. Real good R&B and it has been getting a good response.

Alright, appreciate your time.

For sho bro.