Every city across the U.S. has always had their own collection of artists that have strived to make it into an industry that they grew up dreaming to be a part of one day. In their lifetime, some make it and some don’t, however the ones that do continue to push forward their career making a name for themselves and taking their music into higher levels.

Tennessee has always held Hip-Hop in their roots, coming from predominantly music scene anyway outside of Hip-Hop. We are aware of artists like Three 6 Mafia, 8Ball & MJG, Project Pat, out of Memphis and Young Buck from Cashville, but then again like every city there are artists who are gradually making a name of themselves through the city’s radio buzz and eventually becoming part of Tennessee’s Top 40 radio in a short matter of time. One such artist reigning from Memphis goes by the unique name of QPid and is seriously pushing his name across his city limits. His single ‘Never Gon Stop’ is already making its own buzz in Memphis and other surrounding cities through all the radio stations. 24hourhiphop.com has secured an interview the one QPid that you will only read here.

24: Introduce yourself to the fans that aren’t already familiar with your music. 
 
QPID: I’m a Hip-Hop artist from Memphis 10, everyone calls me QPid. About ready to make this move to Miami.

24: Let’s get right into it, can you describe your history and how it all started for you in music

QPID: There’s really no history with me. I’ve only been doing this for a year. I guess you can say I’m one of those stories you hear about being in the right place and the right time. I introduce myself to Young Juve at So So Def. He listened to my music and here I am today.

24: As a child, who were your influences growing up in Memphis?

QPID: As a child I grew up in Texas. There really wasn’t no Hip Hop scene in Texas at the time. So I always listened to LL Cool J, Hammer and mainly west coast artists. Dre and Snoop was my favs in the early 90’s. While livin in Omaha Nebreska in 94 I listened to alot of Brotha Lynch. But when I moved to Jackson 10 it was all Triple Six. Gangsta Pat was the man. I bought that tape I know 5 times. Kats kept stealing it.

24: Your stage moniker derives from the archer ‘Cupid,’ what exactly is your definition of the name that you have chosen? 

QPID: The name came from the song “Cupid” by 112. Its always been my favorite song. Still to this day its my favorite song. But alot of folks called me that in Texas cause I was the chubby white guy. Just kinda stuck with me through the years.

24: Now since we put all the formalities aside, let’s get into your music. I got a chance to listen to some of your tracks, your music narrates like a story. Where does all that inspiration come from?

QPID: My life. Everyone as a story to tell, I’ve just decided to share mine through music.

24: I’m not quite sure if this is your first single you are pushing, but ‘Never Gon Stop,’ seems like a very influential song. Who was the producer and who do you have featuring on the record?   

QPID: Never Gon Stop was produced by Vybes outta Cali. He’s the same kat that produced “All The Way Turnt Up” that’s tearing up the air waves and clubs now. Gregg Self and Kasanova are featured on the song. I meet these guys thru Bad Boy producer Tony Dofat. All three of us came up with tha same background. We all three grind, we all three have that Never Gon Stop mentality. I told them about this track. We all kilt that junt. We’re at about 30 stations spinning right now. It’s definitely a work in progress. 

24: I see that you have songs recorded with both Mariah and Gucci, can you describe how that came about and which on are you pushing?

QPID: The Gucci record is a sample on the chorus. And he was gon record his verse for the track but you know what happened to him so it was never completed. I might hold it out and remix it when he gets it. The Mariah track was given to me because of the situation I had just went thru. I had just caught my fiance cheating and the next day I recorded it. That song is a true story. I never had meet Mariah yet though. The song was actually for somebody else but was given to me.
 
24: Are there any other heavyweight artists that you want or plan to work with in the near future?

QPID: Garth Brooks! A lot of folks may laugh at this but I’m serious. I don’t only wanna sell to Hip-Hop fans. I wanna do something thats different. Everything is the same now, Chorus, 16, Chorus, 16, Chorus. I really wanna go away from that. I want to work with Bon Jovi, Prince, Kanye West and Jodeci. I want everyone to listen to my music. I’ll even do a song with Hannah Montana. Them disney kids be having they parents buy everything.


24: With this industry drastically altering, what would you bring to the game that could possibly assist in Hip-Hop’s leisurely decline?

QPID: Well the label Im signing with understands this decline. We understand markets, and once again this goes back to who I work with and who I make music for. If you make music for the club then your bank account gonna be $0 in 2 years. When you get into an elevator QPid needs to be playing. Hospitals, nursing homes, stadiums, commercials and movies. This is how you market yourself. I don’t give a damn about keeping it hood and having a rep to hold. My hood don’t feed my son. We will crash every market and get paid from everybody.

24: Before we close out, this is a spotlight question. With all the up and coming artists in the game, what would you say sets you apart from all of them? 

QPID: I have a 360 visual. I have a team that I trust. I have a label thats not signing me for no tax write off. Half these kats coming up now dont even know what BMI is. I know my business and what I dont know I can walk up to my team and they will explain to me what anything is. Too many kats rapping and got hot songs on the radio and they broke. 

24: How would the fans go about contacting you for more information or just to listen to some of your music?
QPID: You can hit me up on twitter.com/qpid0825. You can also hear new music on on myspace.com/cpdrm112. Hell, I’m real, call me 707-901-QPID. Let’s get paid. Don’t be callin’ me and B.S.’n either.

24: Thank you for providing 24hourhiphop.com with this exclusive interview; do you have any last words for your present or future fans? Shout Outs?

QPID: I’m Never Gon Stop! I gotta give shout outs to Sergio, Divine, Dani, Dofat, Black Jacka, Skitzo, Young Juve, King Henry, Kinz, Rocky and a big shout out to Tone Yates. Hes helped me out alot! And I gotta give shout out to my DJ’s: Nina Stakz, X-Rated, Bay, 007, Impact, Dimepiece, Daisy Dukes, Skno, Ice Mike, Care Bear, Swagga, Scut and Ms DiVita if your a DJ and I left you out charge it to my mind and not my heart. I love my DJ’s!! Without them, I’m nothing!!