Sometimes in hip-hop even the best co-sign in the world isn’t going to guarantee you a career. One of the best examples of this is Quan who was once the protégé of Nas. Quan, who is a talented singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer, seemed to be hip-hop’s golden boy for a short period of time. He had a hit single with possibly the greatest MC of all time and on that single Nas passed the torch lyrically to Quan.

Unfortunately, things didn’t work out as planned and Quan got wrapped up in the everyday problems of life. Once a shining start Quan now has to work his way back to his former post. Sixshot.Com caught up with Quan to discuss some of his trials and tribulations, leaving his label, and Nas.

Sixshot.Com: I feel like I haven’t seen you in the spotlight lately, where you been man?

Quan: In the mainstream right? Political bullshit, you know. I was signed to Atlantic and the situation didn’t work exactly the way I wanted it so I asked for a release and they granted it. For those that have been checking for me in the meantime, I did some mixtapes, I didn’t try to over saturate the market. It’s quality, not quantity, you know?

Sixshot.Com: You mentioned politics, what kind of politics were you exposed to?

Quan: Well basically, you know how the whole major label system has a tendency to move with the machine. They want you to ride the coat tails of another artist when you yourself are a stand-up artist. You have one of the greatest artists ever telling you that his dude is a stand up artist, you know? It wasn’t about the music, I can tell you that. It was politics and poor management at the time.

Sixshot.Com: And the artist whose coat tails they wanted to ride, I’m assuming that was Nas right?

Quan: Yeah, basically they wanted Nas to hold my hand through the process but I’m a stand up artist and that’s the reason that Nas fucked with me. It was because I was that, because I didn’t need him to hold my hand. I worked all that, I worked ProTools, play the piano, I’m very familiar with the studio and I’m an excellent writer. Put it this way, all I can say is this, it was a beautiful experience with Nas and it was a beautiful experience with Atlantic and while it didn’t go exactly how we wanted it to, there is no bad guy and nobody is pointing fingers. It was a situation and God saw fit for all of us to move on. However, all of those relationships are still in tact and are still good.

Sixshot.Com: So you’re still cool with Nas to this day?

Quan: Yeah, why wouldn’t I be? That man changed my life.

Sixshot.Com: Now see, the one thing where I never got the whole story is how you got with Nas in the first place.

Quan: L.E.S, long story short, we got together and did three records and one of those records was “Just a Moment”. It got to Nas, he put his flavor on it and it became a poppin’ single, a hit single. That was my start into mainstream.

Sixshot.Com: So now you’re off Atlantic, what’s the game plan?

Quan: Yeah I got my release; I’m excited about that. I got people hollerin’ at me, I definitely got major connections. I got labels interested and I just plan to go in, like I been did. That’s all I can do is give people the real and the truth. All I can do is pray that the people accept the music and that they accept me.

Sixshot.Com: After being on a major label, are you still looking to go major or is independent a possibility?

Quan: To me it’s all about the situation that makes me the happiest. If the majors ain’t talkin’ right then the hell with ‘em. If the major indies is talkin’ right then that’s what it is. At the end of the day, those who want to hear what I have to say and hear my music they’re gonna find it and they’re gonna accept it. I thank God for that, be it 5,000 fans or 50 million fans. I’m thankful; I come from the jungle homey.

Sixshot.Com: How was the response to the mixtapes you dropped?

Quan: Great, the response was great and the reviews were all great. I was always getting 4 out of 5 in all the ratings. It’s been love, I been grinding. It’s been a blessing and in the meantime, it’s preppin’ and making the necessary moves behind the scenes to ensure that I have a career with longevity. I’m a wise and sharp cat so I don’t mind taking a step back to take ten steps forward. I got God, so who could stop me?

Sixshot.Com: You’re probably the only dude who can rap and sing at your level. You might be the best ever in terms of that right?

Quan: (Laughs) God willin’. I’ve heard some close but I’ve accepted the fact that I don’t have to rhyme. I accept the fact that I don’t have to sing. I accept the fact that I don’t have to do either one. I can make beats and write.

Sixshot.Com: So out of all those talents, which do you prefer?

Quan: The best way I could do it for you Jay. I could give you a sample and you’ll understand why I can’t really say.

(Quan goes and gets his engineer. He gets on the piano and plays a dope ballad type joint called “Why I Sing”. I sit and listen. The dude really is talented, there’s no denying that.)

Sixshot.Com: That’s dope man.

Quan: As long as I can remember, there was always some type of struggle I was going through. I think God brought me through all of that and he made me a writer and if people don’t like to read, he gave me the ability to rhyme, and if people aren’t feelin’ that then he gave me the talent to sing. I been through the problems, I been through the prison time and I’m still here and I still get to watch my son grow.

Sixshot.Com: And what was being locked up like?

Quan: Words can’t explain that. It wasn’t just one incident. I came back from all that.

Sixshot.Com: On “Just a Moment”, you said you’re sister was in Iraq, is she all right?

Quan: Yeah she’s back home, she’s safe. My baby brother, he back in the damn FEDS.

Sixshot.Com: Is there anything you would change about any of your music industry experiences?

Quan: I can’t really say I would homey. At the end of the day my walk ain’t no different from any other cat who’s where I’m from and made it to where I been. That goes for the 50’s, for the Jay-Z’s, you know what I’m sayin’? Every situation doesn’t work. You might got the talent but do you got the heart for it, do you got the balls for it? I been through too much and the only place I’m going homey is to the top of the charts. I done been where the sharks at and I did good there. I got the heart of a lion homey.

Sixshot.Com: What can we look forward to seeing from you in terms of music?

Quan: Soulful and relatable music, my testimony. I’m gonna give it to you from every angle I could give it to your from. When you get it it’s gonna be me. You let me tell it and you gonna love it, if you give me your ear. Once you give me your ear you gonna give me your heart. Once the world gets to see what God put in me it’ll all make sense. It’s gonna fuck the world up, I bet you that. Mark my word on that.

Sixshot.Com: Anything you’d like to say to all of your fans out there?

Quan: It’s coming 2008. Love is a verb. Friendship is one soul in two bodies. God is good. I’m still here, good when I’m not and aight when I ain’t. Until My Death coming soon, let’s get it.