Draft:QG The Great
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Comment: Wikiepdia doesn't support the posting of personal autobiographies - clearly WP:SELFPROMOTION. Noting YouTube is not an acceptable or reliable source and neither is Apple Music. Dan arndt (talk) 08:44, 11 November 2024 (UTC)
Quinn Michael Gray, known professionally as QG The Great, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He began his music career in 2023, gaining recognition for his classic and modern sound. Drawing influences from artists such as Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar, and Kanye West. QG The Great's work explores themes of identity, ambition and societal issues.
QG The Great is known for his collaborations with his cousin MaDrique[1] and his mixtape, Destined 4 GREATness. He has built a growing following and is regarded as an emerging figure in the North Carolina music scene.
Early Life and Education
[edit]Quinn Michael Gray was born on March 11, 2009 in Raleigh, North Carolina, in a family with a strong musical background. His father, a record producer, and his grandfather, a multi-instrumentalist and rapper, were influential in his early exposure to music.
Gray's interest in music and the arts began at an early age. He was often taken to his father's recording studio, Where he was drawn to his creative process of producing.[2] In 2018, he started making music using the GarageBand app on his iPhone, which allowed him to experiment with sound before obtaining his first computer in 2021. Following technical issues with his computer, he returned to using his phone to produce music, eventually working on his debut mixtape, Naranja.
He attended East Millbrook Magnet Middle School, where he took a piano class for three years. Outside of school, he taught himself to play drums using household objects. These experiences contributed to his development as a musician and led him to pursue a career in music.
Music Career
[edit]2021–2023: YouTube Remixes
[edit]During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gray used the quarantine period to further develop his musical style. In 2021, he began producing beats and remixing popular hip-hop tracks by artists such as J. Cole, Mos Def, and Playboi Carti. These remixes helped him refine his production skills and build a following on YouTube. His remixes, which combined classic hip-hop elements with modern influences, contributed to his growing recognition in the online music community.
At this time, he was performing under the name Quinn Gray Beats. He later adopted the stage name QG The Great, a suggestion from his mother. His growing popularity in remixing led to his transition into original music.
2023–2024: HAPPY NEW YEAR, Naranja, and Destined 4 GREATness
[edit]"HAPPY NEW YEAR" (Single)
On New Year’s Day of 2023, MaDrique released the single "HAPPY NEW YEAR," produced by QG The Great, through the independent label Dreams of Children Music Group.[3] The song, which reflects on new beginnings, was his first composition released on streaming platforms. The music video, directed by Linus, was released the same day and has garnered over a thousand views on YouTube. This collaboration increased Gray's visibility and led to further opportunities in music.
“naranja” (Mixtape)
On March 4, 2023, Gray released a beat tape entitled naranja. The hip-hop project features a mix of electronic, jazz, and R&B influences. The title, meaning "orange" in Spanish, reflects Gray's personal association with the color due to his experience with chromesthesia—a form of synesthesia in which he perceives colors when hearing music.
All of the beats on the mixtape were produced using his iPhone, showcasing Gray’s approach to mobile music production. Although naranja did not initially receive widespread recognition, it played a role in establishing his presence as an emerging producer.
“Destined 4 GREATness” (Mixtape)
Following the release of Naranja, Gray took time to refine his production skills and learn songwriting. On July 25, 2024, he released his second mixtape, Destined 4 GREATness.[4] The project features a mix of alternative rap and golden age hip-hop influences.
Recorded at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina, Destined 4 GREATness was written, produced, arranged, mixed, and mastered by Quinn himself.[5] Much of the production was done on his iPhone, but the mixtape also incorporated live instruments, including drums, electric piano, and synthesizers. The mixtape includes collaborations with MaDrique on ‘Heartbreak Stories’ and with Kueen on ‘Crown.'
The mixtape features tracks such as "’Til the End of Time (The Outro)" and "Therapy Session," the latter exploring Gray’s relationship with his absent father. The project has been noted for its blend of introspective and experimental elements, offering insight into Gray’s personal life and artistic development.
2024–Present: The Silver Lining Story
As of 2024, Gray is supposedly working on his debut studio album, The Silver Lining Story.[6] The album is expected to be released in 2025, though no official release dates or singles have been announced.
Discography
[edit]Mixtapes
- naranja (2023)
- Destined 4 GREATness (2024)
Studio album
- The Silver Lining Story (2025)
Acting Career
[edit]2015: Early career
[edit]In addition to his music career, QG The Great has pursued acting and musical theater, making his debut in 2015. He first appeared in a theater production at his daycare program of the popular fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk, where he portrayed The Giant. This role marked the beginning of his acting career and was noted for his singing voice at five years old.
2016-2019: The Justice Theater Project
[edit]Following his initial role, Gray expressed an interest in continuing to explore acting and joined The Justice Theater Project. From 2016 to 2018, he was in Black Nativity as Angel. And in 2019, he portrayed Joe in Justice Theater Project’s ‘Caroline, or Change.’ [7] Due to COVID-19, The Justice Theater Project took a temporary break. He used that time to focus on music.
2023-present: Pure Life Theatre
[edit]In 2023, he made his return to acting as a member of Pure Life Theatre Company. He has taken on roles such as Maurice in The Face of Emmett Till, Ziggy in Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds, and Sylvester in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.[8][9][10] As of 2024, he is still working with Pure Life Theatre Company along with making music. His work in the field has been received positively by multiple critics.
Theatre
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Giant (Lead) |
| 2016-2018 | Black Nativity | Angel (Ensemble) |
| 2019 | Caroline, or Change | Joe Thibodeaux (Supporting) |
| 2023 | The Face of Emmett Till | Maurice (Supporting) |
| 2023 | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Sylvester (Supporting) |
| 2024 | Bob Marley's Three Little Birds | Ziggy (Lead) |
References
[edit]- ^ Jennings, Kyesha (2023-10-04). "Her Take: Releases by MaDrique, Durham High, and Pat Junior Do North Carolina Hip-Hop Proud". INDY Week. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "QG THE GREAT on Apple Music". Apple Music - Web Player. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "MaDrique - HAPPY NEW YEAR (single + video)". Madrique.com. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Post from QG The Great". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Post from QG The Great". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Post from QG The Great". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ Hemert, Lauren Van (2019-06-19). "Theater Review: Justice Theater Project's 'Caroline, or Change' is a Master Class in Musical Theater Regional Coverage". Beltline to Broadway. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "THROUGH 5/21 & 6/9-17: "The Face of Emmett Till" is Perfectly Authentic at Pure Life Theatre | CVNC". cvnc.org. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Triangle Review, September 19, 2024 Issue, Part 2 (Kurt Benrud's BOB MARLEY'S THREE LITTLE BIRDS Review)". Triangle Review. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ Lewis, Lillian (2023-09-22). "Emelia Cowans In Pure Life Theatre's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom": Powerful! (4/5 Stars)". Spectacular Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-11.