To simply label Q-Unique as just an “underground rapper” is doing a great injustice to his contributions to several genres of music. Q has written, produced and performed in countless areas of music and entertainment from his early years with the legendary Rock Steady Crew to the indie rap group the Arsonists to becoming the lead vocalist in the super hard rock group Stillwell along with Fieldy from the multi platinum metal band Korn and Wuv, also from a multi platinum band known as P.O.D.
Q-Unique’s career began in New York, where he was surrounded by the early forms of Hip Hop. Q instantly took to the culture finding a creative outlet for his soul. It wouldn’t be long before his demos would find their way to Crazy Legs, president of the iconic Rock Steady Crew. Seeing potential in Q, Crazy Legs would be the first to show Q-Unique the ropes as far as dealing with the music industry, and provided Q with several career changing opportunities, from becoming a cast member in the off Broadway production of “Jam On The Groove” to appearing in music videos like “Rappers Delight” with Redman, Keith Murray & Erik Sermon, to scoring a #1 Billboard hit with the multi platinum dance / pop group C+C Music Factory.
Q-Unique's 1st experience in independent Hip Hop was with a small group Q put together called "The Nomaads", the death of the groups DJ would force the members to disband by 1995, but not without releasing a 12" single called "The Ultimate", which would prepare Q for what he considers one of his personal favorite moments in Hip Hop, joining the indie super group, The Arsonists. Together they recorded 2 critically acclaimed albums, "As The World Burns" & "Date Of Birth". They toured the world earning a reputation as one of the best live Hip Hop acts. Rage Against the Machine’s Zack De La Rocha is quoted in Rolling Stone magazine stating “The Arsonists are seeing Hip Hop again as a vehicle by which to engage in things that are substantial in people’s lives”. The Arsonists music started to spread everywhere from Fox Sports’ extreme sports show, "Bluetorch TV," to movies like “Restaurant” with Adrien Brody and “Empire” with John Leguizamo. The Arsonists thought outside the box when it came to music, collaborating with the electronic band Atari Teenage Riot on their “60 Second Wipeout” album and Q doing a remix for the alternative rock band Yo La Tengo.
Q-Unique was approached by fellow lyricist Ill Bill who became Executive Producer to Q-Unique’s solo debut “Vengeance is Mine” which is considered an indie Hip Hop classic. During this time Q would produce for and collaborate with artist like La Coka Nostra which featured House of Pain, Raekwon of the Wu Tang Clan, DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill, Necro, Immortal Technique, the Beatnuts, Tony Touch and Pitbull. Q released his 2nd solo album “Between Heaven & Hell” on his own label capital Q music partnering up with Fat Beats records, again earning Q-Unique praise for a solid performance both lyrically and production wise.
Shortly after Q released his first solo album he received a phone call from Bobby Ruiz, the President of Tribal Gear clothing that would again change the course of Q’s life and career. Bobby had asked Q if he would be interested in working with Fieldy from the world renowned Nu Metal group Korn. The result was Q and Fieldy forming a "Street Metal" band called Stillwell, along with Wuv, the drummer from the Metal band P.O.D. and new comer to the scene, Spider, on the bass. Q reinvented himself in a new position as the lead vocalist for the band. Their debut album “Dirtbag” has a raw, real, and rugged sound. Fieldy describes it best, “It's bluesy metal with a street edge. It's a little dirtier and heavier than your average rock band is.” With the combination of Fieldy’s Metal background and Q’s roots in street music, Q came up with the genre, Street Metal to give their sound a lifestyle and its own lane.
Q has recently co-produced Fieldy’s solo bass album “Bassically” a collection of bass driven music that includes funk, jazz, break beats, electronic and world music, all instrumental and will be released in the near future. There’s no telling what Q-Unique will get involved with next, a true renaissance man who simply cannot be labeled or placed into one box.
