As one-fourth of R&B supergroup 112, Quinnes Parker charmed listeners around world with his good looks and smooth vocals. But with six ASCAP awards to his credit, few of 112's legions of fans are aware that in addition to singing lyrics, Parker has a panache for penning them too.
Parker's musical resume includes a string of hits that made 112 a staple on R&B scene including "Cupid," "Anywhere," and "Peaches & Cream." In addition, Parker's talents have helped artists like Keyshia Cole (on her platinum single "I Should Have Cheated,") and the soca sensation Kevin Lyttle ("Turn Me On," an international dance hit) reach the top of the charts.
Having spent the past decade as part of a dynamic quartet, "Q" reemerged in 2007 ready to step out as a solo artist and entrepreneur — handling CEO duties for NeWFAM Entertainment, while preparing Real Talk, his first independent release.
Upon review of Real Talk, Quinnes Parker managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on 112, fatherhood and the current state of R&B.
Looking back at the liner notes from the first 112 album, I saw that you thanked your brother and sisters for "putting up with you," since you would sing all day, everyday. Is there a particular moment from your childhood that stands out?
Man, I used to walk around singing almost anything. My mom would say, "Go get me some milk." I'm like, "I'm going to get Mom some milk [singing]." Anybody that knows me will tell you that I am just a hummingbird. I've been doing this for so long, not realizing that I'm humming or I'm singing something. If you talk to anybody that knows me and you ask them what Quinnes does all the time, they will say, "He never shuts up. He's always humming something." I just have music in me and I have to get it out.
Is there a specific instance in which you became fully aware of your talent?
I would say around age eight. During that time, I got to sing the lead solo in elementary school and the lead solo in the church choir. At the time, I was in the Atlanta Boys Choir, which was equivalent to the Harlem Boys Choir in New York. Just being in those choirs in church and elementary school made me realize, "Maybe I'm onto something," because I would always be chosen to sing the lead on the songs.
Stevie Wonder once said that, "Ability may get you to the top but it takes character to keep you there." What character traits have kept you in the limelight?
Just being sincere, being honest, being authentic, and just staying true to the game. I believe character plays a lot in the success of a person in general because that's all you have. I'm a hard worker. I know the game I'm in. I'm very knowledgeable of it. My work ethic – I think that's the most interesting thing about me and the fact that I'm willing to do whatever it takes.
As an independent artist, when do you see your character being tested the most?
I may not travel the way I'm accustomed to traveling or I may not get to stay at this level of a hotel. I may not record in some level of a studio. If that's what I have to do just to show them – anybody – I'm always willing to do whatever it takes.
The title of your first solo project is called Real Talk. Is there a specific life event that inspired the title? And what kind of elements can listeners expect?
We have weekly meetings with my whole team. I hadn't had a title at that point. I thought about all the titles in my records and how they all came about. The phrase that I just kept saying was, "That's real talk, man. You have to understand that this is what it is. That's just real talk." I said it so many times that I said, "You know what? This is a "real talk" album because I'm talking about real experiences, real issues, real fantasy."
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