Earlier this year, fans expected to hear Quan’s debut, Until My Death, but instead, recently heard about the rapper from a recent arrest by Hampton, Virginia police. The police alleged that the Nas protégé [born Don Ferquan] was inside a hotel room with a gun, minor amounts of weed, and a large amount of cash. As fans await Quan’s album, he must contend with a legal system that may not be impartial to him. Earlier this year, the rapper told AllHipHop.com about his criminal past, and reformed vision. Will these new circumstances allow Quan to be judged him fairly? Read the rapper proclaims his innocence and speak on the Nas/Jay-Z peace treaty, Ill Will Records and his reliance on God. [Click here to read the original interview with Quan.]
AllHipHop.com: How are you doing?
Quan: Man, I’m maintaining.
AllHipHop.com: It’s been a minute. The last time we spoke, you were overseas performing with Nas.
Quan: I was runnin’ around with son [Nas].
AllHipHop.com: I’m sorry to have to speak to you like this under these circumstances. Did you want to speak your peace on things?
Quan: I’ma just touch on it lightly. Basically, I’m innocent. You know I got caught up in a f**ked up situation with some f**ked up individuals, man. It’s obvious that it’s not what the public makes it to be, or I wouldn’t be where I am at now [as an artist].
AllHipHop.com: You have been through the system on a previous occasion.
Quan: That’s the reason why, they are really trying to blow it up to be – you know what I mean – more than what it is.
AllHipHop.com: Right. What did you think of the press reports? How inaccurate was the press?
Quan: Basically, it’s a bunch of bulls**t. People are gonna take things and run with it and they’re gonna twist it and chop it up which ever way they can to make me look bad. On top of that, I’m and artist. You know how it goes.
AllHipHop.com: Were you the only person arrested?
Quan: I’m not going to get into that. At this point in time, I am the only person they charged [with a crime]. The other ones got away.
AllHipHop.com: Do you think they recognized you? Honestly, I wouldn’t think police would know your face that way, then again, I don’t know.
Quan: All I can say is that I’m in VA [Virginia], dog – the start of the Confederacy. Yeah, Nat Turner walked here. Either way it goes, you know what it is. I don’t want to get into that. I’m thankful for the support that I’ve got, and the love that I’ve gotten from the fans. I’m innocent and it’ll show. My [music] project, I’m still moving forward. Basically, that’s what it is, man. Trials and tribulations, they come and either you allow them to make you or you allow them to break you. I’m a fighter, dog.
AllHipHop.com: Did somebody…
Quan: You steadily asking me about this case man. My life is on the line.
AllHipHop.com: I feel you. Can you speak on the music?
Quan: We can definitely talk about that, man. That’s what I want to talk about. I’m here to let the world know I’m innocent. I came too far. I’ve been that route. That’s over and done with. Look at the story, it don’t even sound right.
AllHipHop.com: A lot of people felt that way like we know your history and people are like, “Why? He’s there on the edge of major success.” On the music note, I heard one new joint.
Quan: Quan: “D-Tight,” it lifts the Faith Evans beat.
AllHipHop.com: Yeah!
Quan: [sings] “I done did a lot of things, caught a lot of cases…” and even that will tell you, “Lost some of my best friends, but I’m gonna be alright.” Look, man, I’m doing music now. Let me tell you, you can’t do both.
AllHipHop.com: A lot of cats think you can do both.
Quan: That’s some bulls**t. I’m the first one to tell you. That’s some bulls**t.
AllHipHop.com: A lot of us have been anxiously waiting. We heard the Nas joint and thought there would be a quick follow-up, but it didn’t come.
Quan: I been in the lab working – grinding. I got some things poppin’ with [DJ] Big Mike and we gonna get it right. Ill Will is the family, Atlantic is the movement.
AllHipHop.com: Atlantic’s the movement?
Quan: I’m signed to Atlantic.
AllHipHop.com: Oh, Okay. I thought you were on Sony/Columbia, but I’ve heard Nas talk about possibly going to Atlantic too. I thought you were dropping a hint.
Quan: That’s what it is. I know there was a lot of confusion about an interview that I had did when I mentioned that I’m signing to Atlantic. Some people took it the wrong way like I don’t rock with Nas no more. That ain’t the case, and that needs to be known first and foremost. That’s my dude regardless of what. He allows me to be my own person. He watches over me and Ill Will is still what it is.
AllHipHop.com: Are you still signed to Ill Will?
Quan: Am I still signed to Ill Will? I don’t want to get into all of that. Just know, it’s all love. I got a lot of people that’s involved with my project, my career – for the betterment of my career. I’m with Ill Will, I’m with Atlantic. How I’m signed, I’m trying to keep that will me and will all due respect, it’s the same – all love. I’m going to keep it moving.
AllHipHop.com: With your album, you sing and you rap. I’m seeing a few people poppin’ up doing that. Even Tyrese is talkin’ about rappin’ and singing.
Quan: I’ll I’ma say is God got me. He brought me this far. And, my music is going to speak for itself. My album is going to speak for itself. It’s a beautiful thing. After “Just A Moment,” I had to get some things in order. Its unfortunate that these trials and tribulations came about, but I’m going to be all right.
AllHipHop.com: I believe you. What did you think of the Jay-Z/ Nas peace treaty at New York’s Powerhouse recently?
Quan: It was a beautiful move for Hip-Hop – a beautiful move for them. It is what it is. It happens and dudes don’t always agree, you have your fallouts. Me and my brother have fallouts. But, at the end of the day, it’s about the bigger picture and the bigger picture is: that’s good for Hip-Hop and that’s good for them. Now some people may not be mature enough to understand and may have their own opinions, but I applaud them. Put this pride aside, and get this paper. That’s what it’s about: getting this paper and feeding families. It ain’t all about “F you and F me and I’ll blow your head off. And n***a I’ll ride on you.” There is a time and place for all that sometimes, but not all the time and that invalidates you. I applaud all of that [with Jay and Nas]. I wish I was there, but I was dealing with a lot [legally].
AllHipHop.com: Right, right…
Quan: Beautiful things, man. My head is up. God got me, trust me. I been through the worst. I been through the worst. I’m going to be okay. I thank everybody for the love and the support.
AllHipHop.com: What’s on deck for you? How are you going to proceed?
Quan: As far as other dudes that rap and sing, do you. Its only one of me like its only one of them.
AllHipHop.com: Who are you working with on your project?
Quan: I was working with Lil’ Scrappy when I was down in Atlanta. I just been recording. However, whenever, whatever and just been getting it popping. I been working with plenty different artists. I built with the kid Wacko from UTP. Quite a few producers and I’m about to go in with Just Blaze, Kanye and possibly Scott Storch. You gonna see me on the screen again – God willing.
AllHipHop.com: You got the right label now, because Atlantic is winning.
Quan: I got a lot of support there. The whole building supports me. I’m just so mad that this bulls**t came up man, but like I said, “God got it.”My innocence will be proven. For once in my crooked a** life, I’m really innocent. That’s really talk. Ain’t no way in hell I’ll put my momma through this s**t again. Ain’t no way. She been through too much. Ain’t no way in hell I’m going to do seven years and some change and me just jump back out there on some stupid s**t. Any n***that do that deserves what he gets. And, I’ve been behind that wall. The truth is gonna come out and we gonna sell millions of records.
AllHipHop.com: Keep your head up…stay strong.
Quan: And you do the same.
