TQ
The Westside singer explains how acting has broadened
his range as he bounces back with a new album Paradise
R
nb singer/songwriter TQ to please them. I’m not afraid to On your website, you talk
exploded onto the scene say no to major labels and do my about your education growing
with his debut album They own thing. I have my fans, I don’t in Compton – both the church
Never Saw Me Coming back in need you. If you don’t like it, let’s education and your education
1998. Mostly remembered for his fight. I still come out on top. on the streets. Do you think
worldwide smash hit Westside, TQ that if your mother hadn’t taken
has now returned with his latest I was also interested to learn you away from there that you
album Paradise. When I arrived that you are now an actor. How may have gone down a different
for the interview at a plush hotel did the transition come about? path to the one you are on now.
in Kensington, I was met by TQ, My booking agent helped me I would not be here. Period! Not
who had become far sexier than I by taking me to meet the right just in this career. I probably
remembered him to be and who
was as open as he was engaging.
How excited are you about how
your album Paradise will be
received in the UK?
It’s great to be back. I have such
a major fanbase here and back
home in the States, as well as all
over the world. I have built my
career out of being different and
giving people a flipside to the rnb
they are used too. I know that my
UK fans will appreciate the single
S.E.X.Y and the album Paradise.
It’s exciting as there has been
so much feedback already, all
positive and the interest is high.
What is your opinion on the rnb
singers of today, such as Chris
Brown, Lloyd and Bobby V?
I’m not really into that kind of
music, I think mainly because of
the fact that I’m a songwriter first,
I just need more substance in the
music that I personally listen to.
You can’t knock them, but it goes
back to what I said. Sometimes
I’m at home, watching TV and
I’m watching these cats and I’m
thinking raise the game! Rnb
BACK FOR GOOD: TQ hopes
artists today haven’t stayed true
his UK fans appreciate Paradise
to the music – a style which was
all about meaning. But, it’s the
people. He let them know that I wouldn’t even be on this earth.
money-making element. It takes a
was interested in acting. I started When I was living in Atlanta, I
certain amount of strength, ability,
going to castings and readings to lost four of my homies. They all
power and control to be able to
get a feel for the scene. I started met violent ends – gunshot – and
not succumb to those influences.
getting pretty far on my own I still believe to this day that if I
without an acting coach. I was hadn’t been taken away from that
The theme of this month’s
down to the final two for the film situation, I too would be dead.
Flavour Magazine is all about
Save The Last Dance but I didn’t It’s a trip man, it’s deep when you
trendsetters. Do you consider
do it because they wanted me to think about it. I’m blessed and I’m
yourself to be one or not?
cut off my braids, shave my beard happy that I’ve got the mother
I am a trendsetter because I
and moustache. So I decided not that I have. She had the intuition
played around with the genre
to in the end. When I started to get me out, just in time.
and I can I do it again. At this
taking acting classes the first
point I gotta be real. When I first
thing that came up was the TQ’s new album Paradise is
came out I felt like I could change
Shakespeare remake. That was out now on The HUB City/
the world and I had the budget
the first thing I did, and it’s an Gracie Productions
to change the world. This time
unwritten rule in Hollywood that
around it’s independent. So, it’s
if you can do Shakespeare then Visit www.myspace.com/
ds by Sasha ‘Miss Flavour 08’ Bennett
all about my hardcore fans, I want
you can do just about anything. TQofficialsite
or
W
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