Q.Z. Tha Leader is an American Hip-Hop recording artist, songwriter, and record producer from Biloxi, Mississippi. Q.Z. First received recognition in 2007, following the release of his debut album Know Me B4 U Judge. Moving over 1200 hard copies, pressed by hand, the buzz from the debut branded him and his crew an independent force within the city. In 2007 Q.Z. decided to test the waters with writing R&B. He produced and wrote for J-5ive’s debut album Street Gentleman, after the albums independent success. In 2011, they decided to form an R&B/HipHop collective called Tha In Crowd. In the summer of 2011, the group recorded an EP entitled The All Black Affair. They released their first single, Another Nite, along with a music video, which dominated the web that summer. The buzz Q.Z. And his partner created gained them attention from a Taiwan based clothing company, Kiismet and indie major record label TMG/ Eone Music. The duo signed on with both companies soon after. In June 2012, The Hip-Hop/ R&B collective released their first indie/major effort Balance Of Power to critical acclaim. Due to creative differences between the artists and the label, Q.Z. Tha Leader decided to part ways with the label to realize his own vision.
Later that year, Q.Z. Tha Leader recorded his first solo effort in 6 years. The LP Buckcity Bank$ie, Memoir$ ushered in a new era of creative authority in Q.Z.’s life. The opus bolstered production from Producers around the globe. In the fall of 2012, Q.Z. Released the LP’s first video Black Russian on YouTube. The video went viral immediately racking up over 38k views in one month. With the buzz from the video, Q.Z. was offered another clothing sponsorship deal with Bay Area clothing company Dope Culture. In the midst of the frenzy, he also turned down other label deals to stay a pure independent artist. With the accolades, he had received from his 2012 release; Q.Z. felt it was time to take his career to the next level.
In the summer of 2013, the southern producer and wordsmith left his hometown in search of inspiration in the Pacific Northwest. He reestablished his idiosyncratic storytelling and lyricism in the great city of Portland, Oregon, which he now calls home. Q.Z. Finally pulls back the shades and opens up his life to the world. His new artistic hub, coupled with his eccentric vision, helped shape and mold Q.Z.’s latest offerings. A new path is being paved for the Mississippi lyricist. One that takes the emcee down a darker sonic path full of brooding lyrics and unapologetic truths.
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New Music: Q.Z.Tha Leader – Chances Feat. Devans Verse
