By definition it means: fidelity to moral principles; honesty, soundness and completeness.

To me it means whatever you can do in the dark make sure you are also able to do in the light and always be able to do it with class. This plays a big part in the entertainment field and not just in music, but in any form of entertainment. You can’t front on people in the business these days. To be a real entertainer, you gotta come as a real person.

I’m not obligated to be a role model. Although, I think it’s naturally within me to want to be an admirable person, I realize that there are plenty of other entertainers who take pride in being the exact opposite.

I say this to you all because I find myself slipping sometimes and forget that I am in the spotlight and what I’m doing can potentially help build my career or destroy my reputation at any given second. I don’t just use this thought process because I’m an entertainer. I use this in everyday life.

Don’t get me wrong I do get tempted to act stupid. A lot of times I wanna hit the clubs, drink, flirt, etc, but I have to remember that I am a professional and right now I’m too close to take chances. Understand, I’m not downing what anyone is doing, and don’t think I’m saying you gotta cut out all fun from your life to be successful, but you need to always have that word integrity in the back of your mind.

Whatever your goals are and wherever you’re at right now, if you decide to follow your dreams and you are dedicated to them- there are codes you must know and rules you must follow.

I hope you all can understand what I’m saying and if not than remember these words I say to myself:

IF I TELL A 4-YEAR-OLD NOT TO DO IT, THEN I NEED NOT BE DOING IT MYSELF!

It’s that simple.

Peace yall and remember to SCREAM QP!

I’ve got news for anybody that thinks being a musician is all fun and games. Becoming a successful musician involves the same sort of competition a businessman, athlete or any other professional faces in their career. There’s one thing that stays the same no matter what job you’re working. In order to advance, get promoted or stand out from the rest, you have to put in WORK.

There is NO easy way in, but sometimes it seems like people have made it in without learning how much work is actually required and then find out even quicker, as easy as it was to get in it’s even easier to be put out.

I have been making music since the year 1996. That’s twelve years or more than half my life. I guess I can’t say I’ve been 100% focused the whole time. I strayed away for a while due to other things that were going on in my life. I lost focus and turned to the streets, which had me out there gambling with everything that I love in my life and could’ve easily blown the opportunity that I’ve got now.

This business is not just about making music, because today anyone can download a program, make a beat, get a computer mic and record a song. There’s so many hurdles that you have to clear AFTER you prove your ability to make hit records and usually each one of these hurdles involves a struggle to get the $$$ to market yourself properly.

It’s just like anything else in life. If you want the best, you have to PAY for the best. A lot of people cut corners and wonder why they don’t last. This game takes a lot of sacrifice. This includes friends, family time or even much of a social life at all.

True dedication makes you break a lot of old habits and also keeps you constantly on top of your business. I’ve got a record deal, but still try to hold down a 9 to 5 whenever I can. Crazy right? I don’t think so. I’m still in Cleveland a lot right now and most of my studio sessions run late night. It would be nice to sleep the day away after that, but I can’t lie around when there’s work to be done. The hardest adjustment for me has been working LEGAL paying jobs, where the money comes a little slower than you get used to in street, but it doesn’t really matter to me right now because I’m not competing to be the one holding the most money. I’m competing to be the best rapper in the industry. I’m competing to build a future for myself and my family through this music thing. It’s definitely a lot of work, but if I wasn’t up for the challenge I wouldn’t be talking about it.

The legendary Pimp C (R.I.P.) probably put it best “Ain’t nobody trippin’ ’cause the money already made.”

Remember that.

That’s all for today ya’ll, but if you have and questions hit me up, but until then please remember tooooooo….SCREAM QP. peace

What up world? QP is in the building and he’s officially blogging!

I want to start off by answering some of the questions I’ve been getting from fans all over the world (thanks to everyone that’s reached out!). Within the answers, I’ll also be letting you know about my journey through this great business of music and entertainment.

I’ll be interviewing myself today, but don’t worry I’m not going to start a QP vs. Q.I.P thing, but somebody’s gotta ask the questions and I gave my publicist the day off.

Born 2 Win Blog: QP, what motivated you to start making music?

QP: Honestly, I started with poetry. When I was in elementary school, I had an English teacher that gave us a poem journal. In order to pass the class we had to write a poem every day. It wasn’t my favorite thing to do at the time, but that taught me to be creative with words and rhyming. As I got into it more, people started to recognize that what I was doing was really unique, so that motivated me to keep going with it.

The older I got I started listening to more music and that started influencing my writing and made me want to flip some of those poetry skills into songs.

By 1996 I was flat out free-styling on a daily basis and pretty soon it was all about the music. I spent plenty of years perfecting my skills and I guess you can say the rest is history.

B2W: So you were free-styling everyday and became focused on your music. What steps did you take from there to get where you’re at now?

QP: One thing I’ve always made sure to do is research and learn the game. As my music started taking me places, I never made hasty decisions and I never signed anything without checking it out with a lawyer.

You’ve got to remember money ain’t everything and all money ain’t good money.

Also, I had to keep in mind this game is about more than just making a hot song. You have to prove you can be versatile and can have staying power in this industry. You can’t just want longevity and expect it to happen. You have to come in knowing you’re in for the long haul no matter what.

I knew this wasn’t going to be easy and I knew that nothing is promised to me, but I believe in God more than I believe in myself, so as long as I can keep that mentality then I can’t do anything but stay motivated and keep believing. But that’s just for me. You have to find out what motivates you and keep that in your mind at all times. You’ve got to be able to keep a level head at all times as well, because I swear sometimes this industry is trying to make you crazy.

B2W: We’re just about out of time for today and have a lot more interviews to take care of. Any final thoughts before we go?

QP: You serious? 2 questions? I thought this was my blog!

Well homies, I gotta roll too. You know this music isn’t going to make itself, but I’ll be back soon to answer more of your questions and let you know what else I’ve got going on.

Until then don’t forget to scream QP….PEACE

Come take my new poll on Imeem and help me pick what you want to hear next.

A Hot new single?

Mixtape?

The Born 2 Win Album?

I got a bunch of crazy tracks already done, you just gotta let me know how you want them delivered.

Click here to give me some input.