Q: First I want to thank you for the interview. Let's just start off by letting you introduce yourself. Who is Qwote? Where are you from,when did you start singing, etc?

A: Ladies and gentlemen my name is Qwote (laughs). I got the name Qwote on the streets just verbatim, quoting everybody. Growing up in NY and Miami, I was able to get into the game. I was working with Trina on her album Still The Baddest and my manager Steve Obas, you know managers do whatever they can to get you that break. I did a song called “Don’t Wanna Fight” and asked Trina to hop on it with me. She did the honors, man and the rest is history. I ended up getting signed to Slip N Slide and Jive and now I’m just grindin’. I’m a hustler, man. I hustle, I hustle, I hustle! You have to understand, I look crazy on the streets sometimes. People think I’m talking to myself, but I just get in that mode (laughs). This music is in my DNA.

Q: Both New York and Miami have big music scenes with distinct sounds. Do you think that either one of these places has influenced the sound of your music?

A: A little bit a both. New York is where my roots are, so of course that style kind of always stays with you. I spent many years in Miami,though and that has definitely affected my music.

Q: Well, let’s continue to play off of your name. Give me your favorite quote?

A: This quote was embedded in my head by my grandmother. She always quoted the bible. She would say like a million bible quotes before I left the house (laughs), but this one always stayed with me. You know she used to say (in grandmother’s voice) “Now baby…” (laughs), you know. She used to always say, “Do unto to others as you would have them do unto you.” I live by that creed.  

Q: You don’t only sing, but you also do song writing; not only for yourself, but for others, as well. Do you prefer one to the other?

A: I’m like the seasons. Every season is different. This season, I’m feeling the writing. I’m in the writing season. I started writing, but I had to sing because I had nobody to sing my music. I didn’t have an outlet for my music, so I had to do it myself. I love both because music changes people’s life and their world. So I love to do both, but my passion is writing.

Q: You have been getting a lot of publicity as of late. Congratulations on your page in XXL. How does it feel to be getting this recognition?

A: I count all my blessings. I thank God for allowing me do what I do. Getting that spot in XXL, that’s success. It’s a successful move. I take every step that I can. It’s a great feeling. It’s enough for me to pop bottles. And I’m serious about that. It may seem small to some people, but that is a big thing. I want to do all I can to be the next big thing.  

Q: I hate asking the questions that everybody else is asking, but I wouldn't feel like I was doing my job if I didn't ask you your thoughts on Michael Jackson's passing and how he may have influenced you as an artist.

A: First and foremost, I want to send my condolences out to the family. [Michael Jackson] will never be replaced. I feel like I lost a role model in the music business. Like, I feel like I lost the biggest role model you could have in this business. I remember my grandmother playing Michael Jackson in the house. For me, it’s an automatic. I fell in love with his music and style. He influenced me to sing a certain way, and to sing with that passion. Michael sang with such passion. He was one of the prominent artists, along with others, I stayed tuned in to.

Q: Alright, being that this is Straight Outta Hip Hop, I feel it's my duty to ask you something pertaining to that genre. So, which hip hop artists would you most enjoy working with, outside of the Slip N Slide camp, of course?

A: I’ve enjoyed working with many artists, you know. I’ve enjoyed working with a lot of them, but I would love to work with Jay-Z. There’s just something about him and the way he does his thing. I would love to put something together with him. Hopefully he sees this (laughs). Other than that, I’ve had a chance to work with a lot of other artists. I’ve worked with Lil Jon, J.R. Rider, Shaggy, and more. I’ve gotten to work with some producers, too. I want to give a big shout out to Jump Starters. They produced the first single I got coming out, “Girls Gone Wild.” I am amazed by these dudes. Pit Bull is featured on there, as well.  

Q: I know that you have been in the studio with Trina a few times and I’m assuming some of your other label mates. Is there anybody else that you’ve been working with on projects as of late?

A: I don’t wanna spoil the surprise, but I’ll just say this; there are a few people on this album that you love to hear everyday. There are people that you’ve heard before, that you missed. This is an album you won’t be disappointed about. It’s about time we get back to that feel good music. The music that just makes you feel right. It’s time we get back to that.

Q: What has it been like being signed to Slip N Slide? A lot of big names have come out of that camp? Do you feel any kind of pressure to maintain that momentum?

A: I’m honored to beon Slip N Slide Records. I’m glad Ted Lucas wanted to bring me in. All the artists on our label are real focused artists. Trina, real focused. Rick Ross, real focused. Plies is focused. We just signed Jagged Edge. There have been artist that have done great things and I want to keep that movement going. I want to carry that torch. I have no doubt I’ll be a frontier. But being on the label is incredible. We have a Motown over here. You remember Motown when they used to have everybody working together and collaborating? We’re like Motown. We’re a family.

Q: Speaking of Jagged Edge, how does it feel to have them on the label? They’ve been in the game a long time now and have had plenty of success. I know that they were just recently signed. Have you had a chance to meet them and get any advice yet?

A: Honestly, I haven’t met them yet, but I’m definitely going to be meeting up with them soon.There’s some tracks I want to try to work on. They’re talented brothers, though. It’s an A+.

Q: So, tell about the mixtape Pillow Talk.What can we expect from it?

A: The mixtape, Pillow Talk is out already. It can be downloaded on the Slip N Slide website. Pillow Talk is the name of album, too though. Pillow talk, to me, is everything that you could sit with your girl and discuss and go over. Not pillow talk snitching (laughs), that’s different. But just when you’re talking to your lady about relationships and where you’re gonna go from here. That’s what this album is. It’s all of the things you can talk to your girl about. I’m tellin’ you, the ladies are gonna be feelin’ this album. They’re gonna love it.

Q: And when can we expect the album?

A: All I have to sayis the album is coming soon. Right now, we’re focusing on the new single “Girls Gone Wild.” I feel the album is going to do some amazing things. We’re going to put this single out and see what kind of response it gets and then figure out where to go from there. Shout out to Big Yard Records, by the way.

Q: How many tracks have you recorded for the album so far?

A: I believe we’ve cut about 60 records so far. We’re getting to the point where we’re about to start picking tracks to go on the album?

Q: So the recording process is finished for now?

A: Recording for me is never over. Recording for the album is done when they say “Okay we need the album.” That’s when recording for the album is done, but I never stop recording.  

Q: You have the hot new street single “Aw Shit” out rightnow. I’m sure it’s gonna have people going crazy in the clubs. Is this going toalso be featured on the album or just on the mixtape?

A: I don’t know if it’s going to be on the album coming out. Shout out to Hatian Fresh for gettin’ on the track with me. We’ve been getting a lot of feedback from the record. I didn’t know it was going to be that big. I wanted to do something a little different from what we’re doing for the album. They don’t call me the bad boy of pop for no reason. I’m not just a pop artist. I just love to do music. So, I did the track just to show people I still got it. It’s really been buzzin’.

Q: What are your goals and expectations for your career?

A: I was watching the Michael Jackson…the news and everything. They’re taking this man’s life and flipping everything around, and we’re forgetting the true legacy of this man. He changed the world, broke down racial barriers, tried to make people’s lives better. My legacy, and I’m not comparing myself to Michael in any way, but I would love to leave a legacy where people would look back and say “He did something for us.” I’m a real big humanitarian. I take that very seriously. Outside of that, I definitely wanna get into the movie situation. I’m actually starting to look at a few roles now. I’m really into screen plays. I can see a future in that. I’m keep tellin’ you, I’m a hustler!

Q: It has been a pleasure doing the interview. I can tell you are very excited about the album, which means it must be good. Any thing else before we wrap the interview up?

I just want to give a few shout outs. Shout out to Final Cut Music Group, my manager Steve Obas, Slip N Slide, Ted Lucas, the whole Slip N Slide Records family, the street team, Robert Livingston, Shaggy, my fans, Trina. Trina, she opened the doors for me. I never bite the hand that feeds me. I really appreciate her for that. Julian Boothe, Dennis D. Everybody that has been supporting me. And big up to Straight Outta Hip Hop.

Q: Thanks a lot. We’re going to stay tuned in for the album and good music.

A: Oh yeah. Like I said, it’s in my DNA.