The 10 Question(s) Q&A Session Series: Q-Unique

The 27th edition of the 10 question(s) Q&A series, features an emcee widely known for his musical versatility, Brooklyn’ underground Hip Hop mainstay, Q-Unique. Fresh off the back of releasing his highly anticipated new album “Between Heaven & Hell” he takes some time out to let us know about the new LP and future projects, both his groups “Stillwell” and “Arsonists” and speaks on some of his previous work.

Dub MD: Q-Unique, what’s good fam? For those who don’t know, could you just give a short review of what you’ve experienced in your music career up until now?

Q-Unique: I’m going to take the easy way out on this one and paste a blurb that’s been going around that sums it up real quick: Q-Unique’s history in the hip-hop / music world includes revitalizing the legendary Rock Steady Crew, fronting the rock group Stillwell with Fieldy of Korn, membership with hip hop super group the Arsonists, production and spittin’ on the La Coka Nostra album as well as spittin’ on the DJ Muggs vs. Ill Bill album.

On top of all of this, his own critically acclaimed solo debut album “Vengeance is Mine” in 2004. In 2010, Q-Unique released through the legendary Fat Beats records  : “Between Heaven and Hell”. A true hip hop album, an audible display of Q-Unique‘s visual lyricism partnered with his signature bangin’ boom bap production.

Dub MD: Coming from Brooklyn, how does coming from there shape your attitude to the music/culture? and what do you think of the New York music scene right now?

Q-Unique: Brooklyn to me is where I get part of my soul from when it comes to making music, my life experiences living here, mixed with the criteria of lyricists that have come from here (Big Daddy Kane, B.I.G, Jay-Z, M.O.P, just to name a few). There’s no place like Brooklyn. As far as the NY scene personally I think we’re good, I just think there’s no unity, its a very “every man /woman for him/herself” mentality here, so I wish there was more unity, there’s strength in numbers, hate to sound corny but its true.

Dub MD: You’ve got a new album in stores right now called “Between Heaven & Hell”? Can you give us a little background on it and what the concept behind it is?

Q-Unique: I think life is a constant balance / war between heaven & hell, or whatever you might believe in , dark & light, etc. So on this album I give true life experiences as well as real life issues and expand on the concept of between heaven & hell.

Dub MD: With this new album, what artists and producers are you connecting with this time around? and what’s your label situation like just now?

Q-Unique: As far as lyricists, Ill Bill, Slaine, Cashis, Realm Reality, Psycho Realm, Mr. Hyde, and original Arsonists members: D Stroy, Jise, Freestyle & Ching Rock..on production: Necro, myself, Quincy Tones, Al’ Tarba, Lost Sun, Rob Flow, and my son (10 years old) Q Dog.

Dub MD: Aswell as being a solo artist your apart of two groups “Arsonists” and “StillWell” whats the status on your groups and when can we expect to hear some new music from both?

Q-Unique: As far as an Arsonists one, there isn’t any plans for an album, but with StillWell we are almost done and ready to release real soon, but that music is very different from what I do as Q-Unique, which I’m very happy about.

Dub MD: Where do you get the inspiration to write the type of material you do? what is the writing process like when it comes to working on your projects? and why do you think mc’s that keep integrity in their music, never make a real mark on soundscan?

Q-Unique: I draw my inspiration from life, whether its my own or my observation, mixed with music that inspires me, and that isn’t always hip hop. The reason for not making a real mark on soundscan is simple to me, I just never had a machine / team of people behind the music I do to give it the proper push in that direction. Not everyone who is a musician is blessed with that type of situation, because there are some musician or hip hop artists that keep integrity and still chart and are successful and that’s because they have that „machine” working with them.

Dub MD: How does this new album ” Between Heaven & Hell” differ from your previous release “Vengeance Is Mine”, and how do you think you’ve changed as an artist since you released that CD back in 2004?

Q-Unique: I’d say the one major thing that has changed is that I’d rather share more about life and speak on real life issues then spit „hot” 16’s. For me, I don’t see any value in the whole, spit a hot verse” mentality, I think its been done over & over again and I don’t need to continue to add to that pile, let those who are in that mindstate do their thing, I’m on a reality trip right now.

Dub MD: What do you think is your most defining and unique characteristic that sets you apart from every other emcee out there? and how would you describe your style to those who still haven’t heard your music?

Q-Unique: I approach writing with a sense of realism, I’m not the only one that does that, so I’m not ego trippin’, but that’s how I approach writing, if I had to label my style, I’d call it “Grunge Rap” because to me, its similar in content to what a band like Alice in Chains or Nirvana or Pearl Jam would go, lyrics that deal with life whether personal experience or life issues.

Dub MD: You’ve performed on stages all over the world, If I’m coming to a Q-Unique show. What am I going to experience, that I won’t experience from just listening to your material on CD?

Q-Unique: A real show, a well thought out performance, getting your money’s worth, I take performing VERY seriously, to me, its equally as important as recording music.

Dub MD: What is on tap for Q-Unique for 2010 and beyond? do you have anything to say to the fans? anything you wanna get off your chest? any shout outs?

Q-Unique: I always want to thank the fans, the ones that have that unconditional love for what I do and have ran with me from the beginning of this journey. For more info go to www.q-unique.com. Peace and thanks!