Up and coming singer, Quincy Roberts, tells Saturday Beats about his career
How would you describe your kind of music?
I would say that my kind of music is universal; the reason is that I can sing any style of music. My music cuts across every border and age range. If you love good music, then you will love my music because I sing for everybody. My music is universal.
It seems you are shunning the popular high tempo songs unlike other up and coming artistes, is that intentional?
Are you saying that most artistes are just copycats?
Yes, most of them are but I would not like to mention names. They are just going with the trend, not knowing that they can create a trend or join the trend and take over.
Are you saying you are not into music for money and fame?
I decided to become a singer because it is my passion. I decided to finish school first and after I got my degree, I decided to use my passion to build a life for myself. Music has always been a part of me. Of course I cannot rule out making money from music. Yet again, you can make money from something you are passionate about. It is all about perception. Personally, I am into the music because it is my passion and it is something that I love doing. I sleep, eat and breathe music because I love it.
Why did you decide to get a degree before embarking on your music career?
I made the decision because education is the key and without it, you might not survive in this industry. You will still need that school background to give you an ample insight into what you are really going into; how you will handle your business and numbers. Education is basic; education first then you can do whatever you like after that. I felt I had to address that aspect first before I started my music career fully.
What did you study in school?
I studied Languages and Linguistics from the University of Ilorin.
How were you able to combine schooling and music?
It was a trying period and very challenging. It was an experience. Sometimes we could have a test and I would have a performance the night before, so I had to learn how to value time. I would read very well days before the test, go for my performance then ensure I got home on time so that I could revise and then go for my test. I just had to train myself on how to multi-task. I had to learn how to be disciplined. Our lecturers were extremely demanding, so I had to really work on myself to get good grades.
Do you plan quitting music after a while to get a regular job?
I see myself as an entrepreneur; I do not plan on focusing on only music because my intention is to remain in this industry for a long while. While I am still doing music, I will also have other side businesses, investments and assets. So with time, I will decide on what I will do next but I don’t plan to dust my certificate and get a regular job.
Some would argue that your songs sound like those of the Plantashun Boys?
They can say my style is like Plantashun Boyz, Styl Plus, Boys 2 Men, but I would like to believe that my style is like Quincy Roberts. If you love good music, you would love my music. I am so confident that if you listen to my music, you will get something good out of it.
What sets you apart from other up and coming artistes?
I would say it is my versatility. I don’t want to be seen as an artiste that would be boxed into one corner. I can do any style of music as far as it is soothing to the ears and speaks to the soul.
What was your parents’ reaction to your decision of making music a full time career?
My mother has been the only one for me since the beginning. I was raised by a single mother; a very virtuous woman. My mother is a strong woman and it is my sole goal to always make her proud. She was sceptical about my decision to become a singer at first but I thank God that she is an understanding woman who lets her kids be what they want to be in life. When she found out that it is something I am good at and I really love doing, she gave me her blessing. My mother has been my number one fan.
What lessons have you learnt from being the man of the house?
I learnt how to be independent at a very young age. My mother is a woman and there are some things she would not be able to do on her own even if she tried, it is only natural. I had to quickly adapt and understand that I have to be a helping hand to my mother and my siblings. I learnt that I have to be a good example to my younger ones. That is why I am very thankful for the kind of mindset and mother that God gave me. I am thankful to God for the training, sense of responsibility and drive to succeed. Everything has been God’s doing.
How is your relationship with your father?
We do not talk and every time I try establishing a relationship with him, he keeps showing me that he does not understand what it means to be a father. Being a father is not just about the money, there are basic things it entails. I learnt how to shave from my mother; I learnt how to communicate with a lady from my mother. I learnt the basic things of life that a father is meant to teach his son from my mother. Even before we could get money from him, we had to call many times. He just did not care about us basically.
Has that been a motivating factor for you to succeed?
Yes, it has been a motivating factor for me to make it in life. I try as much as possible not to think about it because if I do, I would be hurting myself. All I have in this world is my mother and siblings.
What will your response be if he comes begging after you might have gained fame?
It is normal, I will forgive him but at the same time, I will keep my distance because there is nothing left for him to teach me again. If he comes to apologise, I will forgive him and that is where it will end. I do not have any form of relationship with him. We would keep our distance. My main focus is my mother, siblings and music.
Don’t you miss having a father figure around the house?
Trust me; I have had some father figures in my life. I will not say that I missed it because my mother is my father.
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