To all of the aspiring artists out there: a lot of you ask me how did I get where I am in this industry? I would like to address you all.

1st and foremost you’ve got realize this process takes time. It takes a lot of time. Patience is always key.

Loyalty is next. Find a team that you can trust. View the field. Do your research! Know what you are trying to do with your career and find the best management to accommodate your needs.

Learn about the best ways to promote your product. Your team should have a plan for you from the gate. Remember this is a business. Know that you may have to make huge sacrifices in order to get to where you would like to be.

You have to be dedicated there is nothing that should ever restrict you from pursuing your goals (ie. personal problems, your “now situation” or critics).

Last, but not least, know that in order to make it where you would like to be industry you have to let go of things you may be used to having in your life. Some of the people around you can be liabilities that seem to just be with you for what you may be able to do for them never giving always taking. People that don’t understand you and your goals and why you don’t do things you use to do!

Make a change better yourself now to better your future! Just some thoughts from the mind of someone that has been doing this for a little while now.

-QP

First off, I would like to thank all of you for supporting my latest single “Say a Prayer”. This track came about as a result of the earthquake in Haiti and all of the devastation it has caused.

We received an invitation from the folks at DJBooth.net to contribute a track for their Rhymes & Rhythm for Relief project on a Friday night and knew we had to get started immediately in order to meet the deadline early the next week.

My producer and engineer DJ Mauly T produced the track and then it was on me to put the lyrics to it. As soon as I heard the beat it hit me dead in my heart, being of Dominican descent it also hit close to home for me.

If you listen to the song you should be able to feel the emotion in my voice.

I started by writing the hook and enlisted the help of Ms. Moone to sing it for me. I also asked a good friend and great artist, Hardstone, to add a verse to it and that added a different cultural element to the song.

We worked hard and efficiently throughout the weekend, bringing in different musicians to make sure this track was top notch. Although I didn’t get much sleep that weekend, it was a thrill to be involved in the process from start to finish and I was running on pure adrenaline trying to ensure that this track came out perfect.

All of us really seemed to be on the same page and we all knew that this was for a great cause. We also knew the funds received for the track would be donated to the people of Haiti. It was a different thought process than I was used to experiencing when making a track, as my mind wasn’t really focused on what the track was going to do to benefit me as an artist, but how it could benefit these people that were suffering.

After hearing the entire Rhymes & Rhythm for Relief project, it feels really satisfying to know that many artists across the country were working with this same sort of mind state and I’m grateful to have been a part of a great project.

Please keep supporting the folks in Haiti any way you can and I will keep doing my part. Once again I want thank you all for the overwhelming love and support you have shown.

-QP

Download this album to support the Haiti Relief effort. All proceeds will go to various charities to help the relief effort in Haiti. The minimum donation is $5.

Click Here to support the Haiti relief efforts by downloading the album.

Track listing

01. K. Sparks ft. Tina Quallo – One Wish [Exclusive] (Prod. Moe Productions)

02. O’Neal McKnight ft. Yoli Cotray – Give Me A Hand [Exclusive] (Prod. Steve Sola)

03. Beyond Belief & Kwame ft. Amille Harris – 40 Seconds [Exclusive] (Prod. Kwame)

04. Skinny & Scales ft. Megan Rochell – We Gonna Make It (Prod. The Haterz)

05. Pastor Troy – All I Know Is Zoe [Exclusive] (Prod. Haitian Traxxman)

06. Substantial & Marcus D – Recovery (Hold On) [Exclusive] (Prod. Marcus D.)

07. Mike Schpitz – Daily News [Exclusive] (Prod. Slot-A)

08. Novel – Velvet Sky (Prod. Novel)

09. Stanza, Tommy Nova & Panic (RHHA) – Standing In The Rain [Exclusive] (Prod. Mo)

10. Cymarshall Law – Freedom of Speech (Prod. Mr. Joeker)

11. Mika Means – Whats Goin On (Prod. Young Sears)

12. Marion Write – Generation Prodigy (Prod. Two3)

13. Thad Reid ft. Revolution – Heaven’s Watching (Prod. Ologist)

14. SoulStice & SBe – Brand New Day (Prod. SBe)

15. Chi-Ill – March [Exclusive] (Prod. O-Zone)

16. JD Era – What We Have (Prod. Bert “Twin” Rivere)

17. QP ft. Hardstone, Ms.Moone & Ms.Dawn Diva – Say a Prayer [Exclusive] (Prod. DJ Mauly T)

18. Mic Legacy ft. KDot – Together (Prod. KDot)

19. Dallas Parker – Reform (Prod. 7 Sounds)

20. The Regiment – Freedom (Prod. Soulution)

21. Justin Garner – Wait On You (Tribute To Haiti) (Prod. G-Sharp)

22. Pugs Atomz – All Yall (Keep On) (Prod. Grant Parks)

23. Spectacula – Tribute [Exclusive] (Prod. Bad News)

24. Gist The Essence ft. Cocoa Sarai – A Dream Deferred (Prod. Sound Royale)

25. MaG – Love Peace Progression (Prod. Stephen Joseph)

**Bonus Mikkey Halsted – Hold On [Exclusive] (Prod. Khari Lemuel for Lemuelism Productions)

On the QP: Feeling as though he’s been relegated to the on-deck circle for too long, rapper Devon “QP” Hubbard is hoping 2010 will be his breakout year. “Right now I’m nominated for the best freestyle in 2009 at Djbooth.net,” said Cleveland resident Hubbard, 25. “I have a couple of deals on the table. I signed a distribution deal with Fontana/Universal, so that’s kind of big, and I’m still working in the studio really hard on the album. I’m just honestly blessed, but actually there’s a lot of pressure. I’m focused on bringing the city up and bringing more talented artists out into the spotlight. I’m just hoping to be the gateway to that. So yes, it’s been a long time coming and I’m expecting it to be a very big year for me.” Expecting to sign with a major label soon, Hubbard hopes to have his debut effort later this year, including a possible showcase at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. The project, which he describes as possessing a hip-hop-meets- R&B style with a street vibe, includes lead single “Mz. Hood,” as well as the pop-ish “Lip Stick” and club track “Surfa Boy.” For more information, go to Qpborn2win.com.

Please support me by voting for Cleveland Invasion in the DJBooth.net Best of the Booth 2009 awards. Use this link to vote: http://www.djbooth.net/index/best-of/vote/

If you need to be refreshed about the track or download it, click here to check it out on DJBooth.net.

I appreciate all the support this year and look forward to making 2010 my biggest year yet!