1. What’s going on? Please introduce yourself and tell us where you’re from.
I am JQ The Kruzan Innovator and I am from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
2. When did you start rapping and who or what inspired you?
I started rapping at the age of 13 (1999) but I started to take it more seriously at the age of 15. I was personally inspired by my grandfather. He played the guitar and keyboard in a band and he always put those instruments in my hands every chance he got. I guess you can say music is in my blood.
3. With so many independent artists out here what makes you different & sets you apart?
First of all, being born and raised in the Virgin Islands as well as having Puerto Rican roots, those elements are displayed in my music. Not many artists have a triple threat. I rap and mix it with reggae and Spanish. My flow is different in almost every song and I touch on a wide variety of topics.
4. Tell us something you enjoy doing [besides music] that most people don’t know.
Many people that I come into contact with in the music industry have no idea that I love doing IT work. I actually graduated from ITT Tech with an Associate’s Degree in Computer Networking Systems.
5. Currently, what project or single are you working on or pushing & where can we find it?
I am currently pushing my new single “Just Won’t Cut It” and my upcoming mixtape “On My Way” which will be released on 1/13/2016. You can find my single as well as anything JQ related on my website jqthekruzan.com
6. What’s been the most memorable moment so far in your music career?
The most memorable moment of my career was opening up for Lil Wayne in 2004 in my hometown, St. Croix. I was a fan of the whole Cash Money movement at the time and it was a surreal feeling performing on the same stage as someone of that caliber. That type of opportunity is not often presented to a hungry teenager from the Virgin Islands.
7. If you could work with any artist, (current or past) who would it be and why?
If I could work with any artist, it would definitely have to be Bone Thugs n Harmony (One or all five). Listening to their music growing up was one of the main reasons I started creating rhymes of my own. To this day, my voice and flow is compared to Bizzy Bone and Layzie Bone on certain songs and that just goes to show how deep of an impact their music had on me.
8. What are your goals musically for 2016?
My main goal in 2016 is to make music a full time career. I feel it is my destiny.
9. What’s your favorite quote?
There are so many quotes I can think of but if I have to narrow it down to one, I would have to say “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” -Winston Churchill.
10. Tell everyone where they can find you? [Websites, Social media, Booking info etc]
You can find everything you need on my official website JQthekruzan.com
Follow me @JQ340 on all social media sites (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Facebook, Soundcloud, etc.)
You can subscribe to my YouTube channel youtube.com/officialjq340
For booking, you can call 662-4BOOK-JQ (662-426-6557) or send an email to BookingJQ@JQtheKruzan.com
11. What words would you like to leave us with? Any Shout Outs?
