There are so many questions surrounding Q Parker, the storied member of 90s R&B group 112. Lucky for you, truthful reader, we’ve got the solutions. First, Q is on a solo mission. With his new R&B album Evolution of Romance, the singing sensation continues a chapter that doesn’t embody his former bandmates. With the undertaking, he discusses redefining masculinity and infuses the legacy of Bad Boy Records.

The Atlanta-based singer reveals The Notorious B.I.G.’s affect, the early days at Bad Boy, and the emotional complexity ofDiddy/”> Sean “Diddy” Combs. undergo his present authorized turmoil. Parker additionally revealed that he performed Diddy a number of songs from Evolution of Romance the day earlier than the mogul was taken into custody — a second that now carries much more weight as he displays on loyalty, progress, and the evolution of his personal artistry.

Clearly drained from work and promo, Chuck Jigsaw Creekmur and Q chop it up over all of the questions followers have together with the reunion of the seminal group.

AllHipHop: You’ve acquired a brand new album out — Evolution of Romance.

Q Parker: Yes, sure. I’m actually feeling good about it. I’m loving the power across the undertaking. I’ve coined myself “the romance dealer” as a result of I’m out right here campaigning and dealing this romance to those that need it, want it, and wish to incorporate it into their relationships. We’re going door to door, metropolis to metropolis, pushing this romance.

AllHipHop: You sound like a seller… not that type of seller, however like Herbalife or Avon or Tupperware.

Q Parker: (Laughs) Avon and Tupperware — I’ll take that.

AllHipHop: I just like the method. Hand-to-hand. Why do you suppose that’s necessary?

Q Parker: Because individuals nonetheless wish to really feel one thing. They need an actual expertise with the artist. Everything now’s fast-paced and non-social, though we reside in a social media world. People nonetheless need actual social interplay. I like the street. I like digital interviews too, however I actually get pleasure from being face-to-face. With a mission centered round romance, including the bodily part is a successful mixture. I’m dedicated to it.

AllHipHop: I actually wished we might’ve related in New York. That was inside stuff on our facet, so I apologize.

Q Parker: All good. No want for an apology.

AllHipHop: When you speak about romance and males, it will get difficult. What recommendation would you give males in 2025 to do higher?

Q Parker: Presence. And don’t be afraid to function in all of the qualities and traits we had been blessed with. We’ve acquired to do away with stigmas, “don’t cry,” “don’t be sensitive,” “don’t be vulnerable.” We are our greatest selves after we’re susceptible, delicate, and expressing true feelings. Getting rid of these compartments does a disservice to us and to {our relationships}.

AllHipHop: Yeah, it’s a fragile steadiness. Women need either side. They need you to have the ability to defend them if one thing goes down, however they don’t need you too hardcore or crossing into poisonous masculinity.

Q Parker: Exactly. There’s a time to be powerful and direct, but in addition a time to pay attention, obtain, and be delicate with the individual you like. We’ve acquired to faucet into the whole lot that makes us who we’re — not simply the toughness, however the sensitivity too.

AllHipHop: You got here up in an period the place hip-hop and R&B had been blowing up collectively. What are your ideas now — individually and collectively?

Q Parker: Each style needs to be revered for what it’s. There’s a time and place for all of it. You don’t have to like one and hate the opposite. 112 was hip-hop and R&B — we might do each. Fans beloved that mix. Both genres are vital. If we allow them to function of their greatness, we’ll be okay.

AllHipHop: What are your ideas on the state of R&B now?

Q Parker: I respect it. I give grace and house to the artists creating at the moment versus my period. I’m positive after we got here out in 1996, the O’Jays or the Whispers didn’t love our model of R&B. But they gave us house to interpret the style our method. Now, as an elder statesman, I received’t condemn one thing simply because it’s not what I rock with. I don’t should find it irresistible, however I all the time respect it.

AllHipHop: Back within the day, I used to be hardcore hip-hop — as you’ll be able to see, I’m sporting a Wu-Tang hat. But I appreciated 112, and Biggie was wonderful. What was Big’s affect on 112 and your success? What was it like working with him?

Q Parker: Man…the place do I begin? Biggie impacted my life in a significant method. I’ll all the time really feel indebted to him. He launched us to the world and stamped us as quickly as he rhymed on our first single. That was the very best introduction anybody might get.

Outside the music, he had a delicate, large coronary heart. He made positive we had cash in our pockets, meals within the studio, entry to telephones — no matter we wanted. He purchased us our first goose-down coats in the course of the ’96 Blizzard as a result of we had been from the South and didn’t know chilly like that. He had us laced in Brooklyn Mint. He’d hand us $100s simply because. As youngsters, that was enormous.

AllHipHop: You took me again with that ’96 Blizzard. Only time I ever acquired stranded within the snow.

Q Parker: (Laughs) Yeah, man.

AllHipHop: Of course, we’ve acquired to speak about Diddy. But earlier than that, let me ask about Bad Boy normally. Y’all had been the youngest on the roster, however nonetheless a pressure. What was your general expertise?

Q Parker: It was thrilling — and nerve-wracking. We actually had been a household. We taken care of one another. Supported one another within the studio and on the street. Bad Boy was the candy spot. We achieved rather a lot.

AllHipHop: Earlier this 12 months you mentioned seeing Diddy the way in which he’s now was “hurtful.” It’s been a couple of months. How do you are feeling now?

Q Parker: I nonetheless really feel the identical. I don’t consider in cancel tradition. When somebody makes a mistake, you don’t simply throw them away. When I’m down with you, I’m down with you. That doesn’t imply I condone your conduct — it means I assist you. Whether it’s strolling with you thru rehab or writing letters to somebody you harmed. Nobody’s excellent, and I don’t have a heaven or hell to place anybody in. I’m not going to be tremendous judgmental about somebody who modified my life.

AllHipHop: Have you had any communication with Diddy?

Q Parker: The day earlier than he was taken away, he gave me his blessings on Evolution of Romance. I performed him 3–4 songs to get his opinion. I nonetheless maintain him in excessive regard. He has an unbelievable musical ear. That ended up being the day earlier than he was taken away.

AllHipHop: I’m positive y’all labored carefully within the early days.

Q Parker: Absolutely. I discovered a lot from him — advertising and marketing, promotion, work onerous. I nonetheless carry these classes and cross them on to individuals I mentor at the moment.

AllHipHop: I’m seeing little movies. It seems to be like he’s prepared for a comeback. It’s loopy, however it is likely to be epic.

Q Parker: Knowing him, each time he’s launched, there’ll be a celebration. He doesn’t do something small. I look ahead to seeing him celebrated — and celebrating.

AllHipHop: Pivoting slightly — two members of 112 had been on Tamron Hall just lately. And two members of Total. Two incomplete teams being introduced because the teams. Fans are calling for a reunion. We’re approaching 30 years. What are your ideas?

Q Parker: I’m all the time open and longing for a reconcile and a reunion — celebrating what we did. I ask the followers to be affected person, and likewise give me house and style as a result of I’m on a singular journey proper now. It’s not both/or — there generally is a 112 reunion and individuals can assist Q Parker.

AllHipHop: It feels such as you are getting love — reside and musically. But individuals nonetheless need that nostalgia.

Q Parker: And I’m not mad at that. Nostalgia is actual. But we are able to’t keep there — we additionally should evolve. I don’t wish to look again sooner or later wishing I’d finished extra.

AllHipHop: Respectfully, I hope you are able to do each — New Edition–model. Group factor, solo factor. Has there been any communication? A 30-year reunion has monetary alternatives too.

Q Parker: I’ve reached out a number of instances personally and thru third events. I haven’t gotten a response. I haven’t spoken to Mike and Slim shortly. But I stay hopeful. I’d love a reunion greater than the followers would. But I can’t get caught in that. I’m romance dealing proper now with a brand new undertaking. I maintain slightly house open in case a reunion occurs, however till then, I’ve to maneuver ahead.

AllHipHop: One of my associates — Nicole, who used to work for Russell Simmons — requested: What was Bad Boy like after Biggie died?

Q Parker: Very unhappy. Big and Craig Mack had been the foundations. As the “starting five” — Craig, Big, Faith, Total, and 112 — shedding our large brother modified the whole lot. The partitions had been quiet. He stuffed each room together with his voice and humor. Losing him led to us recording “I’ll Be Missing You” as an outlet. I’m proud that our connection ties us to the story of hip-hop and R&B endlessly.

AllHipHop: Another rumor…did Def Jam ever courtroom you?

Q Parker: After our Bad Boy deal, we signed to Def Jam. We did two albums there. We had been free brokers after album three and wished to check the waters. Def Jam made us a suggestion we couldn’t refuse.

AllHipHop: Business-wise, now that you simply’re impartial and know each methods, what’s the distinction?

Q Parker: Knowledge. When higher, you do higher. Understanding the trade, the indie facet — all of it results in extra success. I mirror what I noticed at file corporations. My group, Paramount Collective Ventures, meets weekly just like the labels used to: advertising and marketing updates, radio, road group, promotions. I run my impartial journey the identical method.

AllHipHop: And you’re in your content material house, which I like. What prompted you to create that?

Q Parker: Because I can’t get to each metropolis. I would like Zoom and digital calls to really feel private, such as you’re kicking it along with your homie. Good dialogue, good dialog.

AllHipHop: What’s one thing individuals don’t find out about you?

Q Parker: I’m a researcher of music. I research documentaries, success, and failures. And I like carpentry. I’ve acquired each device Home Depot sells. My home is stuffed with stuff I constructed myself.

AllHipHop: I respect that. My dad was a carpenter. He constructed our home. I didn’t get all his expertise, however some. Will you create different content material within the house?

Q Parker: Absolutely. My studio, movie house, modifying. I do TikTok Live weekly. I can shoot photographs. It’s a multipurpose room the place I can get issues finished with out outsourcing.

AllHipHop: The platforms have modified…TV, radio changed by YouTube, Spotify, algorithms. My algorithm virtually by no means sends me R&B. What’s life like for you within the digital algorithm?

Q Parker: I perceive evolution. We can’t keep the identical. It’s about data, understanding the system, discovering loopholes, and mastering what you do. The purpose is to get the music into as many homes and hearts as potential, bodily, digitally, or socially. You can’t ignore it.

AllHipHop: I respect your time. The sport wants traditional R&B, not Hip-Hop-R&B hybrids or melodic rappers. Respect to them, however we want what you do. (Jokes on a final huge yawn.)

Q Parker: (Laughs) Man, once you’re romance dealing, it’s early mornings and late nights. But each alternative to speak about my undertaking, whether or not it’s an introduction or a reintroduction. I don’t take it frivolously. Brick by brick is our motto. Everyone counts. I give everybody the mandatory time to allow them to be champions of this romance evolution. Thank you in your time.

AllHipHop: Thank you, brother. Take care. Hope to see you down the street.

Q Parker: Absolutely. Let’s make it occur.

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