TQ (singer)

Infobox musical artist

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Name = TQ

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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Terrance Quaites
Alias = TQ
Born = Birth date and age|1976|5|24|mf=y
Died =
Origin = flagicon|United States Compton, California
Instruments = Piano
Voice_type = Tenor
Genre = R&B
Occupation =
Years_active = 1990s – present
Label = Clockwork / Epic Records (1998-2001)
Cash Money Records (2002-2004)
HUB Muzic / Lightyear Entertainment / WEA (2004)
EMI (2008)
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URL =
Current_members =
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Terrance Quaites (born May 24, 1976), known professionally as TQ, is an American R&B singer.

Background

Growing up in Compton, California, TQ formally revealed his music during the 2Pac era; in which controversy surrounding his Westside inspired lyrics censored and hindered the radio play and award eligibility most likely he would have received. Despite this TQ never stopped expressing. "I guess the truth, for a lot of reasons, mainstream America won't be able to accept. But I think most of those are foolish reasons, but that's just the way it is." There are unwritten rules that says to be a successful R&B singer you must maintain a safe, middle of the road lyrical agenda. Yet, breaking rules is the rule for the LA-bred singer and composer TQ.

TQ isn't the first artist to combine hard-core hip-hop lyrical scenarios with a melodic R&B vocal delivery. But with this 18 track debut, he's taken this particular form to the next level of expression. TQ wraps his soulful, yearning tenor around the raw, uncensored language of the '90s hip-hop generation, but uses that language to tell stories of cinematic detail and heartfelt emotion.

Terrance Quaites was never a thug in the true sense of the word. His hard-working parents instilled positive values and did not hesitate to set him straight when he was wrong. "From Monday to Saturday, I was hanging out, partyin’, chasing girls, and getting into trouble, straight-up acting like a fool," he admits, "but Sunday my mother dragged me out of bed to go to church. In retrospect, sending me saved my life. Well it did something anyway."

His music is a mix of West Coast hip hop, based on artists like Too Short, Ice-T, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur and Eazy-E. As far as hip-hop goes, it influenced his writing along with the older R&B acts such as Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder.

Career

Music

Originally a native of Mobile, Alabama, TQ began his music career in the early 1990s with the R&B ensemble "Coming of Age", who had a hit with the ballad "Coming Home to Love". After two album releases, the group went their separate ways.

The summer of 1998 saw TQ explode onto the music scene with the smash hit "Westside". Reaching #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, it was also a hit in the UK, peaking at #4 in that country. TQ's success continued in later that year, when "They Never Saw Me Coming" was released, along with the single "Bye Bye Baby"; "Better Days" followed the next year.

The pending 2000 release of a new album, "The Second Coming", further proved TQ's talent. Unfortunately record company interference saw its release turn into shambles—missing songs and songs with the wrong guest appearances hampered the release of the album. However, despite never being released in America, it saw success overseas in Europe.

After this, TQ joined Cash Money Records. He made guest appearances on other Cash Money artists albums. He recorded his own album, "Gemini", but again, after problems, it was never released.

TQ eventually left Cash Money and independently released "Listen" in America in 2004. It was later released in the UK.

He has just finished working on his new album "Paradise", which is scheduled for release on April 29, 2008 in partnership with Gracie Productions and EMI Distribution. In November 2007, TQ released the "Gemini" album for sale online, via a message on his MySpace page.

Acting

TQ has also branched out into acting. His first film release, "Rockin' Meera", was released in 2007. He also appears in "Richard III", as the DJ.

TQ has completed a film with Sally Anthony called "The Devil's Grind". It seems to be a film for Sally Anthony's single "C'mon C'mon". This was due out around the turn of the year, but no further information is available. [ [http://www.sallysteam.com/ ::Official Sally Anthony Street Team:: ] ] [http://www.protocolentertainment.com/newsdetail.cfm?Story=6]

He is also working on a few other films, but there is limited information about them as of 2008.

Discography

Albums

Films

References

External links

* [http://www.thugpoetry.com/ Official Fan Website]
* [http://www.tqfan.fsnet.co.uk/ Fan Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/tqofficialsite Official Myspace]
* [http://www.rockinmeera.com/ Rockin' Meera Official Site]
* [http://www.basiliskfilms.com Richard III Official Site]
* [http://www.tygereye.net/tq TQ's Paradise album publicity page]
* [http://www.britishhiphop.co.uk/features/interviews/tq.html Interview at britishhiphop.co.uk, May 2008]