 Author, Sammy Lowdermilk Q Bosilini is familiar to a lot of people in Chattanooga and East Tennessee, but he's about to be more familiar to those throughout the U.S. He recently signed with Spice1's Thug World Music Group, so we checked in on him to see how things have changed for him recently. Check out the Q&A below: Sammy: How did the collaboration and signing with Spice1 come about? And what convinced you to sign with Spice1s Thug World Music Group? Q Bosilini: I had reached out to Spice 1 to jump on a song I was working on called Strapped. Which contain interpolations from his 1994 hit "Strap on the Side." Spice loved the song and before I knew it he had sent me a contract to be the first artist signed to his label, other than himself. Without going into full detail, I have to say this is the best contract I have ever been offered. I signed a 4 album record deal with Spice 1's label "Thug World Music Group" which is distributed through Orchard/Sony Music. I love my deal! Sammy: Since signing with Spice1, how are things different now than with prior deals in the past? Q Bosilini: I've noticed everything that used to cost is now basically free to me (laughs). Spice's name holds a lot of weight. As of before the deal (even though my name is pretty big in Tennessee) when I would hit up hip hop sites, blogs, producers, promotion sites, etc. where my name wasn't so familiar they were throwin' that price tag at me. Now, them same people literally are reaching out to me asking how they can assist me at no charge. It's funny how those tables turn (laughs). I started this music thang very young. At 13, I was in a full-fledged studio recording an album. I'm now in my mid 30s so I've definitely been thru it all in the music biz. I signed my first record deal with Atlanta based rap label Big South Music Group in 1997. I was label mates with Atlanta rapper Alley Boy who at the time was Lil Curt. I remained on Big South up until 2001 but have always had particularly close ties to the label. I was offered my 2nd contract from 101 Ent in 2002. 101 is a label owned by Terrance Camp, the executive producer of Nappy Roots' first and biggest selling album " Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz". Unfortunately we did not see eye to eye on the contract. Later, I was offered my 3rd contract by Goodie Mob Records in 2003, directly after recording my song "My Pimp Wayz" featuring Khujo Goodie & Cool Breeze of the Dungeon Family. We just couldn't come to an agreement so I left that contract on the table as well. I eventually formed my own label with my partner DJ Jimmy called Wyde Open Records and started going super hard in the studio. My album "Aint Stoppin Nothin" was released in 2003, nationally distributed by Select-O-Hits and promoted by Elusive inc. a company ran by Shawn Williams of Def Jam South; which came with its perks and enabled me to be on the movie scene of "Hustle & Flow" in Memphis. During this time period, I had met "Original Hot Boy" BG, and we recorded a song together. Next thing I know BG is allowing me to open up for him at his shows and givin me game on the music game. I went down to New Orleans for BG's video shoot "Keep It Gangster" where I met the late, great Soulja Slim. Which led to Slim and I developing a friendship. Which then led to Slim offering to me a spot on his label, Cutt Throat Music. I had planned to go back down to New Orleans in December of 2003 to discuss the deal. Unfortunately Slim was gunned down in November. I continued to push my music hard on through 2004 til my partner DJ Jimmy was hit with a drug case and sentenced to almost 10 years in prison. Jimmy was the money man, so that really pumped the breaks on everything! Remember, this was 2004, before social media. So if you wasn't out here in the streets, hittin the road with cds, flyers, doin radio interviews, doin in-stores, buyin up radio slots and tv commercials.... no one knew you! This really had me at a standstill, plus during this time I had got into a relationship that lasted 10 years and was pretty much toxic from the beginning. The only thing that good that came out of it were my first two daughters. It was a learning lesson for sure but for those 10 years my music career might as well been non-existent. We separated in 2014 and it was like I just picked up from exactly where I left off with my music. I started back writing and recording almost instantly because I had 10 years worth of life to talk about. Needless to say so much had changed since 2004. It was like I had stepped out of a time machine! I had to learn the business side all over. Sammy: So you just dropped "The Beautiful Struggle" (linked below). What was the thought process or message you wanted to convey with the album? Q Bosilini: The Bible says in the last days men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. I wanted to be opposite of that as much as I could. I know there are more people out here struggling than ballin'! I wanted to speak on real life....non-fiction so that I could connect with more people. I dropped my single "Let God" and I swear people message me every other day and tell me how much they relate to that song. Sammy: What's been the highest and lowest point of your career? Q Bosilini: The highest point would have to be signing with Spice 1 and also back in 2003. I was workin' with BG. I was at Def Jam South every week, chillin' with Soulja Slim, doin' songs with Goodie Mob and BG. I met John Singleton on the set of Hustle & Flow: I came so close to bein' on the "Too Fast To Furious" soundtrack but that's another story (laughs). 2003 was great man but if you would have told me back in 1995 that I would one day be signed to one of my favorite artists....a west coast legend.... 2pac's right hand man (laughs)....Spice 1!!! I would have shit a brick and said you fulla shit (laughs). Sammy: What are your plans for the remainder of 2018? Q Bosilini: Spice 1 and I are getting dates lined up right now for him and myself as a package. Most dates that are already locked in are on the West Coast, but I'm sure I will have plenty shows here in the South soon! I signed a 4 album deal so we just released "The Beautiful Struggle" on March 15, 2018. I plan on releasing another album this year, one next year and one the year after. I will be shootin' a video to "Dead Got It So Good" next; then "Strapped" will probably be next. Sammy: What producers do you typically work with? Q Bosilini: I really got my name from being a producer, myself. I produced 80% of (Chattanooga Native) Big Vinnie The Shark's "Rock On" album. Plus I was featured on a few songs as well. I gave producing up a long time ago though. Really just lost the passion for it. Plus I used to be able to get anywhere from $500 to $1,500 for a beat back in the day. These days these "producers" sell 20 beats for $5! (laughs) These cats out of Kentucky make the majority of my beats named Kyng Of Da Beatz. Sammy: What are the top 5 artists that have influenced you the most? Q Bosilini: 2Pac, Spice 1, 8Ball & MJG , Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and UGK..... but so many more man. Sammy: What 5 artists are you listening to these days? Q Bosilini: (Laughs) Those same 5. I hate today's music that's on the radio....so I don't listen. But naw man, I like Ball Greezy, Lil Bizzy, NBA Young Boy, Kay B Brown, Big Krit, YFN Lucci and Freddie Gibbs. Sammy: So what else do you want the readers to know? Q Bosilini: I pretty much just gave you a short version of my life story so not much (laughs) If you are an inspiring artist out there best advice I can give you is just keep pushin if it's what you have a passion for. You never know when God is goin to flip that switch on for you. I'm in a good place now even though there is a hole in my heart due to the situation with my 2 older daughters. A loving and supportive female in your life can make a WORLD of difference in the confidence you have. Which is what I have now! Make sure yall go get "The Beautiful Struggle" and visit my website WWW.QBOSILINI.COM For all feature/booking enquiries email QBosiliniBooking.com Salute to Tha Milk Drop for reachin out to ya boi for the interview! The Extended Drop
BUY "THE BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE"
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1 Comment
Debra Johnson
3/24/2018 12:44:59 pm
This is my one and only son. So proud of you. You have put in long hours and lots of time. God has helped you thru your struggles. Time helps everything. Thank you to my beautiful D for her love support and my L and L. . Leave a Reply. |
Tha Milk Drop is a site focused on highlighting the hip-hop culture in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but also taps into hip-hop worldwide. Each week we drop exclusive and new content from artists. Also catch the profiles and interviews of hip-hop artists and creatives.
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