Possessing talent is one thing. But equal measures of determination and focus are also required to succeed in today’s competitive music arena. Singer/songwriter/musician Jacqui “Qui” Rice is one of those talented few.

While maintaining a 4.0 average at Washington , D.C. ’s Georgetown University ,majoring in government and Spanish, with a focus on international relations, the college junior found time to pursue her long-held passion. Slated for a late summer release is Qui’s (pronounced “Kwee”) debut album, LUV ‘N LIFE (JJR Entertainment). The mix of mid-tempo, R&B/pop and ballads calls to mind such influences as Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson and Ciara. But LUV ‘N LIFE is definitely Qui’s show.

At a time when consumers are looking for more substantial melodies and lyrics, Qui’s music definitely fits the taste of today’s audience.

Born in Greenville , Mississippi and raised in Atherton , CA , Qui isn’t one of those paint-by-numbers artists who typify most contemporary music. Under the guidance of co-writer Francesca “Francii” Richard, and a team of talented production newcomers, Qui’s vocal talent, combined with her ability for writing relatable lyrics, shines against a backdrop of hypnotic grooves with across-the-board appeal.

On LUV ‘N LIFE, Qui chronicles the fun, yet scary rollercoaster ride, everyone experiences when it comes to relationships and love as well as the self-awareness that rises from this emotional journey. The siren intro and rousing beat of the opening track, “On the Line,” is infused with the exhilarating rush that happens when you meet “that someone” for the first time. Thrilled yet cautious, Qui explores her newfound feelings on the mid-tempo groove “Personal” and the poignant “Stay” (“You flipped the scenario/Every fear that I had/had to let it go).

Qui jumps into funky mode on the first single from her debut, the percolating dance joint “Rev It Up”. Her sultry vocals provide the perfect juxtaposition to the track’s featured guest, raspy-voiced, Mississippi-bred rapper David Banner.

Qui taps into her growing self-awareness as a young woman on the inspirational anthem “Girl Child.” Underscoring her subtly powerful vocal is a harmonizing chorus of girl-child voices backing Qui on the compelling hook (It’s hard being a lady when this world is crazy/Still I know it’s a blessing I was born a girl child). Love’s heartbreak is addressed on the moving ballad “It Was U,” while Qui’s awakening “a-ha” moment is expressed via the rock-infused “Solo.”

While recording LUV ‘N LIFE, Qui says her goal was to keep it “funky, fun and positive. You pretty much groove to every song on here.”

Emotion was a key factor as well. “It’s important to make people feel what you’re singing,” adds the artist whose musical influences also encompass pop/rock (John Mayer, Maroon 5), country (Johnny Cash, Shania Twain, rap (Snoop Dogg and David Banner) and gospel (Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin).

“Lyrics really inspire me,” adds Qui. “I was always writing random lyrics and poems in school in my assignment books. Finally getting to see these songs come to life is exciting.”

Listening to her paternal grandmother sing in church during summers spent in Mississippi as well as to her parents’ diverse oldies collection, which included Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Billie Holiday and Elvis, Qui began playing piano at the age of five. Then at the age of 10, she declared her intent to become a singer. That desire was put to the test at age 11 when Qui performed the national anthem before 62,000 football fans at a San Francisco 49ers game.

“Dancing, music and singing always went hand in hand for me,” she says. “I found I love performing in front of crowds. It’s an adrenaline thing.”

Her first formal introduction into the music industry occurred at 15 when Qui joined a teen quartet called Sorella (Italian for sister). Performing up and down the California coast during the summer at showcases and festivals in Florida and Texas, the multi-ethnic pop group signed with JJR Entertainment, an independent label established by Qui’s mother. After four years, the group disbanded.

Qui comes by her competitive drive and fortitude naturally. Her father is legendary NFL Wide Receiver and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, who put himself through a different kind of intense pace while a contestant on “Dancing With The Stars. Mother Jacqueline is a former pre-med student who manages the day-to-day operations of JJRE. “My Mom taught me how to multi-task,” says Qui. “She took us to school, ran the household and made sure my brother, sister and I had plenty of extra-curricular activities. She and my Dad taught us to dream.”

Though her career is a family affair, Qui is quick to proclaim she wants to forge her own identity and not trade on her parents’ notoriety. “My lifestyle doesn’t depend on my Dad or Mom’s success,” she adds. “I want to make a first impression based on who I am alone.”

In spring, 2008, Qui became the first African American to be crowned Queen of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, an achievement that Qui is quite proud of. Now in its 81st year, the festival is an annual tradition in Winchester , Virginia , (West of Washington, D.C.) that attracts more than 250,000 people.

A college girl at heart, she loves old movies, cupcakes, pizza and barbecued chicken and shares a house with five other students. Qui admits its difficult balancing her studies and a singing career. However, her “can-do” spirit remains just as strong as her zeal for LUV ‘N LIFE and the promise it holds. “It’s been difficult, but somehow you make it work and it’s worth it,’ she notes. “Music is where my heart is.”  

In popular music there are multitudes of groups that come and go, while we look for that flash of brilliance to break the monotony of current trends. This summer, the “fab five” commonly known as Final Draft, will bring us the beam of light we’ve been hungry for with the release of the group's upcoming new self-titled CD, FINAL DRAFT. The R&B flavor of this quintet is served up as a vigorously musical, yet lyrically lighthearted main course, garnished by perfect vocal harmonies, soulful guitar riffs, phat bass lines and distinct piano melodies.

FINAL DRAFT, based in Atlanta, share their sweet sounds via BLOCK ENTERTAINMENT. The label and group’s manager, AKINA LOVE of AKONO/SHOWROOM MANAGEMENT, have taken the leap to bring us an extremely gifted musically versatile group, which thrives on the roots of rhythm and blues. With the right mixture of boyish good looks, charm, incredible voices, edgy appeal and hypnotic dance moves, FINAL DRAFT reserves its own spot under the sun along with a new fraternity of R&B stars ( Chris Brown, Day 26, Pretty Ricky ) currently on the youth music scene. Although the guys' sound steps right up to this kind of popular music, FINAL DRAFT boasts a musical edge that shows its brilliance has its own star. FINAL DRAFT is a group that you can grow with not only because of its appeal as a solid, artistically-inclined unit, but also because of the unique flavor that each member brings to the microphone. MC/singer D-Nyce, 22, is brash and playful with a hint of east coast swagger; Fashun, 21, flows over his verses with the lyrical prowess of a veteran rapper, also sporting an air of mystery that keeps the ladies guessing; Singer Playboy, 22, is a showstopper who clearly loves the stage. His voice drips with the nectar of sweet soulfulness; Lead Singer, Lucky, 18, is vocal versatility at its best, delivering the goods on either slow or up tempo joints, while floating across the stage with commanding agility. Lead singer Choirboy, 20, has a vocal charm that is reminiscent of the popular singers of the last decade, such as K-Ci & Jo-Jo, Stokley Williams(Mint Condition) and Aaron Hall(GUY), which fits well with the four other unique voices.

FINAL DRAFT joined forces three years ago when Lady Jay of the R&B/Hip-Hop group NIA presented the talented crew to her management company, Akono/Showroom Management. Once they performed together, the lifelong friends realized their musical force was greater as a group than as soloists, which ignited the release of “What Is Luv,” a sweet soaring ballad that showcased the group’s melodically satisfying range, while singing about the intricacies of young love. The song, produced by singer/songwriter/producer SAM SALTER, received significant airplay on stations around the country. “The chemistry among us was so powerful, so undeniable,” says D-Nice, “that it would have been criminal for us not to pursue this.” Playboy agrees. “Each of us is strong at what we do but when we put it all together, it’s amazing.” “We have a little something for every occasion on our CD,” adds Fashun. “Sweet love songs, hot dance tracks, steamy joints for getting close with that special someone. “But, says D-Nice, “we do it all tastefully and respectfully. We are not those guys that go around and diss women in our music. We love and respect the ladies too much for that. “Wait until the ladies hear our new single, and our upcoming new music. They’re gonna really love us! “ as Choirboy chimes in. The new single, “Why,” is a melodic, infectious song that examines what it means to be with the young woman you love versus being without her. The song, written by Dante Peeps and produced by Will & Jay from their forthcoming CD, FINAL DRAFT, ships to radio June 3rd and is already receiving advanced airplay, spreading from radio playlist to radio playlist in the southeast, a true testing ground for how popular a song will be on a national radio airplay landscape. In addition to Will & Jay, the CD also boasts producers, Soundz, Big D and Deezle, the hot producer on Lil’ Wayne’s 1 BILLBOARD MAGAZINE’s Hot R&B/HIP HOP Single, “Lollipop.” Russell “Block” Spencer, CEO of Block Entertainment and President of Bad Boy South, comments in true Hip-Hop fashion about FINAL DRAFT by stating, "These boys are tight. I like everything they represent." Chart-topping MC and Platinum Producer David Banner has complimented FINAL DRAFT on a number of occasions and was the first to congratulate the quintet on the success of “What Is Luv." “I played that song over and over because it really made me think about some stuff at the time.” adds Banner. Keeping it real with their talent and background, FINAL DRAFT acknowledge their influences from Sam Salter, LL Cool J, Michael Jackson, The Temptations, Dave Hollister, Boys II Men and Jay-Z among others. Although people may be quick to compare them to other R&B male vocal groups, Final Draft’s music tends to be more diverse and the hope is that their self-titled CD will appeal to all kinds of musical tastes.

“We love what we do and after every song is completed we gotta love it,” explains Playboy, who at a young age is a recipient of a heart transplant. “The love we have for the music and each other is what will determine our success in the end.” FINAL DRAFT has performed on Soul Train, Good Day Atlanta, the BMI Awards Pre-Show and has opened for R&B star CIARA. The group is scheduled for a multi-city promo tour beginning in June and running through July in support of their new CD that will be released August 2008. In addition to being chick-magnets, the young men of FINAL DRAFT are also concentrating on the business end of music as well, making sure they are completely involved in the songwriting and production process of making their record, to creative video, marketing and promotional concepts. The fab five also own a high end fashion boutique in Discover Mills Mall in Georgia, a project that is just the beginning of their non-music successful projects. Astonishing dancers, performers and vocalists, D-Nice, Fashun, Playboy, Lucky and Choirboy are proving that age is truly a number. Becoming real men, respecting women and abiding by the good home training their families instilled, maturing into adulthood is a large part of who these guys are. “Think about all the things that young men go through in life,” Playboy says. “ Think of all the things we do to try to get it right. We go through so many revisions in life. “Well, FINAL DRAFT is the finished product, the final draft.” While FINAL DRAFT is indeed their name, the best things about the five young men, besides their immense talent, their wholesome attitude, sense of humor and ability to have fun creating their music is that this group is already on their journey to greatness.

Check Final Draft Out On MySpace

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