For over a decade you have known him as one of the members of 112, but Q. Parker is ready to strike out solo and set the tone for this generation with this music. MiddleChild spoke with the self-proclaimed sex symbol about his project, the standards he wants to set for the industry and of course...Alabama.
Q. Parker: What’s up man?
MiddleChild: Oh nothing man. On the road actually. I’m getting some food right now.
Q. Parker: What are you about to eat?
MiddleChild: I was trying to get some Burger King but they were playing so now I’m at Wendy’s. (laughs)
Q. Parker: Wendys? Get me a number two.
MiddleChild: (laughs) Not the number two.
Q. Parker: You’re in Alabama?
MiddleChild: Yes sir. That’s where I be.
Q. Parker: Man stop it. You know that’s where I’m from? I’m from B-ham.
MiddleChild: Man stop it. (laughs) I ain’t know that. I be in that “A” a lot tho. I actually may end up there this weekend again. I had no idea that you were working on a solo album.
Q. Parker: Yep. It’s called “Real Talk”. It’s going to drop in September.
MiddleChild: “Real Talk”, huh? I hear you Q. (pause) Okay. I got my food. You ready?
Q. Parker: Yes sir.
MiddleChild: Well first of all tell me what made you want to come out and do your thing on the solo end.
Q. Parker: Well you know after twelve years of being together professionally as 112 and then you add another five years to that before we became a professional group, that’s seventeen years of being together. So after seventeen years and five albums it came a point and time where we just need to spread out and explore individuality and in doing so one of the things I wanted to do was a solo record.
MiddleChild: I can see that. How will your solo style be different than what you brought to 112?
Q. Parker: Well what I brought to 112 was… I was the more mellow, laid back, very sultry, very sensual, very…I guess the ladies considered me one of the sex symbols in the group. (laughs) Those elements you’re going to get from 112…you’re going to get from me. Lyrically I decided that I wanted to go a much more mature route and that’s not saying that the high schoolers and the teenagers won’t be able to love and become one with my music because they will, but I’m thirty years old man and I’ve experienced a whole lot. So I’ve grown as a man, as an artist, as a songwriter, as a producer, as an entertainer and I just believe that radio and the fans out here are really lacking in that department. In that department I’m talking about songs with substance. Songs that have real melodies and songs that are sing-a-long. And songs that are really talking about something. So I made a vow that I’m going to make this album and directly direct it to the women because they need somebody to talk to them. They need somebody to sing to them and who better to do that than Q?
MiddleChild: Right. More than “make it clap” and make your booty talk”. (laughs)
Q. Parker: Yea man. And no disrespect to none of those guys or none of those artists, but for me I plan to make something that’s classic and classy at the same time.
MiddleChild: Okay. Now you’re one of the fellas that recently got married right?
Q. Parker: Yes. Well it’s been five years.
MiddleChild: Five years. So how does all of that come into play for you? The whole family thing.
Q. Parker: Well I mean it definitely makes you prioritize your life because not only am I married, but I have a son and it kind of makes you reevaluate your priorities and everything you do now is a representation of your family. And with that being said, I like to carry myself in a classy, very mature and respectful way when I’m outside of my home and outside of my family.
MiddleChild: Well I know at this moment you are in the studio with Tim and Bob, who else have you or are you looking to hook up with for the album?
Q. Parker: Well let me just say this man. Tim and Bob man are phenomenal. I’m out here in L.A. man and we’re doing about four records and actually they are the last producers that will be a part of this album. I pretty much laid the foundation lyrically and I did about 50 to 75% on my own and then I incorporated some other songwriters like Chrystle Johnson. She just wrote the “Touch My Body” by Mariah Carey and she’s a very talented songwriter. I wanted to give back. Somebody invested into me when I was a teenager so what I’ve been doing is I’ve been introduced to young and up and coming producers and songwriters that are very just very talented and I’ve signed a few of them. Two in particular are these two guys called The Pirates from Orlando. Very talented. I signed them and they did some songwriting and production with me. Macy Green did some stuff with me. I’m going in with Jammy and B. Cox. Daron Jones of 112. I can’t forget him. Platinum Brothers. I’ve just really been trying to get a group of producers and songwriters, in addition to myself, that believe in what I’m trying to stand for and what I’m standing for is just grown, mature, very classy, classic and sexy. I’m trying to be this generation’s Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross…to where these women really know that I’m making music for them.
MiddleChild: Okay. Big shoes to fill! No pressure though right? You’re not putting any pressure on yourself.
Q. Parker: Oh naw. I totally embrace all what I put on my shoulders. In addition to being an artist, I am a fan of music as well. So when I turn on the radio and if there is nothing that I like on there I say to myself “Well Q. You owe it to yourself as a music fan and to the listeners out there to put something that you represent and that you stand for and that totally represents you on this radio.” And that’s what I’m going to do.
MiddleChild: And that is how the album title came into play right? “Real Talk”.
Q. Parker: Yes sir. Everything about it is just real. From a lyrical standpoint…from a production standpoint…from a vocal standpoint. I don’t really believe in that whole auto tune and vocal line and computer enhancing your vocals and all that kind of stuff. I’m a product of my era and that’s the 90’s. When if you said you were a singer, you had to be able to get on stage and sang.
MiddleChild: Exactly. I always talk about how I’m happy that I actually grew up in that time with the 112’s, the Jodeci’s, Xscape and TLC. Monica, Brandy, Aaliyah and Usher. We discuss that a lot on my forum and I also tell people how I feel sorry for my baby brother. He is about to be seventeen and I just don’t know who he is going to be able to look back on ten to twelve years from now and be happy that they were out at the time he was growing up and getting into music. No one does the classic sound much anymore.
Q. Parker: There you go. There you go.
MiddleChild: So do you have any word on the lead single yet?
Q. Parker: Well what I plan to do is take it back to the old way of picking and choosing your single. I’m doing a listening session. Not a listening party, but a listening session where I’m inviting radio personalities, DJ’s, songwriters, producers and just average music lovers to one specific location and I’m going play about thirty records and out of those thirty records I’m going to have a forum for everyone to kind of like give me their opinions on the records and we’ll go from there. So if you can you should come out too.
MiddleChild: I would love to come. Just let me know when to be there. So what’s the best way for your fans to get in touch with you man?
Q. Parker: Oh. Hit me up on my myspace. It’s myspace.com/kitparker. My website is under construction right now, but it should be up in the next two weeks. So man just hit me up. I’m doing my album independently. It’s a joint venture. My label is entitled NeWFAM Entertainment and I teamed up with Drift City Records. You can also hit me up on their website. It’s www.officialdriftcity.com
MiddleChild: Well we will definitely do that. When the album drops we’ll get back in touch also and do a follow up and all of that. You know how it goes. You definitely get love MiddleChild Promotions and I’m going to look out for you. Aight?
Q. Parker: Oh man. I appreciate it. I appreciate your time.
MiddleChild: No problem at all.