Former Nas Protégé Quan Discusses Nas, Drake and his new Album

In 2004 Nas released the album “Street’s Disciple” and the third and biggest single “Just a Moment” featured a then unknown MC/Singer named Quan from Bridgeport, Connecticut via Newport News, Virginia. The song generated a huge buzz and everyone assumed Quan was signed to Nas’ Ill Will Records and that his album would be coming soon. Although he did appear on a song with Cassidy and Nas from Cassidy’s “I’m a Hustla” album, his own album “Until My Death” never came out and Quan faded away from hip-hop’s mainstream. We recently caught up with the versatile musician and asked him everything from what happened with the Nas situation, to what he thinks of another rapper/singer who has generated a huge buzz lately and a deal with 50 cent that never happened.

1. Where has Quan been since “Just a moment” came out on Nas Street Disciple album in 2004?
I’ve been active just not in the mainstream. I released 5 mixtapes that did real well and I did a mixtape tour from NY to Miami, I scored a record for The Wire, I’ve been talking to troubled kids and just perfecting my craft, playing the piano.

2. Give us the background of that song?
I wrote Just a Moment in jail and when I came home I went in the studio with L.E.S and I picked three beats and one of them was Just a Moment. Nas heard the record, he loved it so he added a verse and put it on his album. When it was time to shoot the video the label felt Nas should have two verses since it was his single so they clipped some of my second verse and Nas added another verse.

3. Let’s step back even farther, tell me about Quan growing up?
My mom was thorough. My dad was a street n***a and so were my uncles, so that influence was there but I always wanted more but I always got money whether it was selling drugs, robbing n***as or whatever.

4. What did you get involved with first the streets or the music?
I always rhymed but I didn’t know how good I could sing until I went to jail. The more practice I got the more confidence I got.

5. At one point you were facing life [in prison] does that help you cope with the stress of the music industry?
It does, There is still pressure because I love music, I know this is what I was put here to do so even though I would love to go platinum, I still eat of music so it’s a blessing.

6. Do you think you are an equally talented singer and rapper or do you shine more in one area?
Yea I’m equally talented I just haven’t had all the right tools and practice for R&B.

7. What happened to the situation with Nas?
A few things…it was a beautiful ride but Nas will tell you himself he’s not the business executive type. Nas would disappear for a month at a time when the song was poppin’. At times I felt like Nas abandoned me so when the song’s buzz was at its highest point I signed a deal with Atlantic. I was never actually signed to Ill Will Records that was just the family. Nas had executive Producer rights to my album but the things Atlantic wanted him to do such as appear on the album and so forth, Nas wasn’t willing to do. 50 Cent and Sha Money XL tried to step in and do a deal but because of the situation between 50 and Nas, Nas basically blocked that situation. I have no hard feelings I’m a grown ass man and I’m gonna eat regardless. I was riding big cars and wearing jewelry before I got the deal.

8. While you were signed to Atlantic Records you were working on an album called Until My Death, what happen to that album?
I’ve been writing that album my whole life! Until My Death…I’m holding that one back until I have the right platform to release it. It’s going to explain why I did what I did. If you see a movie based on a book you know the book is better. So my digital album, Walking Testimony, is the movie and Until My Death is the book.

9. What do you think of Drake? You have similar styles but completely different subject matter.
Congrats to Drake and I wish him much success! I feel I’m the best at what I do as far as the signing and rapping. I wish I had that machine [Lil Wayne and Young Money Records] behind me. I think I made it cool for a n***a to sing and rap.

10. How frustrating is it to have a crazy buzz and good material and be mishandled or marketed?
It’s frustrating as hell! It’s not a day that goes by that people don’t ask me for music…but at the same time it’s a blessing because I have beautiful children, I did 7 years in prison and I did God knows what in the streets but I’m still here. My music is timeless so I don’t have to worry about getting old when I’m tired of rapping I’ll start signing or playing the piano and become a gangsta ass John Legend.

11. KRS-One and Nas co-signed you, that’s a big compliment, how did it feel to hear that from 2 legends?
It feels great I mean I heard the voicemail KRS left Nas saying the song was beautiful, Big Daddy Kane told me I was one of the best he ever heard, Nas said I am the future of hip-hop these are three legends. I could cut hair as long as I can take care of my family it doesn’t matter the one thing nobody can take away from me is the fact that I’m nice on the mic!

12. You and The Clipse are similar in the fact that your both “lyrically’ sharp and rap about the streets that’s not common from a Southern Artist…who influenced your rap style?
Kane, LL, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC. I was always hip to the new fashions so when I’m up North they think I’m from there until I start talking and when I’m deep in the south they think I’m from up north. I’ve always been lyrical because I strive to be the best.

13. You have new album Walkin’ Testimony tell us about it?
The album I have out right now is called Walking Testimony because it’s like a testimony in church from a n***a who really lived it.

14. Being independent gives you more creative control but how hard is it from a marketing standpoint to reach all the fans you gained from the appearances with Nas and Cassidy?
That’s the issue. I can be who I am and still make a good record, so I have no problems being challenged to make certain kind of records as long as the challenge makes sense, because it makes me better. Sometimes an artist needs a person on the outside looking in. My problem has never been the creative aspect…it’s always been the industry politics.

15. Do you have a relationship with other artists from Virginia?
Me and Pusha are real cool and I’m cool with Trey Songz, Skillz is my dude and Notz is like family.

16. What’s your favorite song on the album?
That’s a hard one but I got I’m Good tattooed around my neck so I’ll go with that.

17. Any last thoughts?
God is Great and “Kingz Nation” is the squad! Download Walking Testimony right now on iTunes or AmalgamDigital.com.

Interview By: Thomas Freeman Jr.