We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Quincy Hinojos . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Quincy below.

Quincy, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful projects that I have worked on would have to be my last few projects. I truly couldn’t just mention one. “Shine Time”, I released when I was on my way to Michigan. My Grandmother had passed away from Alzheimer’s and dementia, so the track Summer Time was the track behind the whole project because I was thinking back to summer times at my grandparents house on Lake Michigan in Charlevoix . During that time I would sit on the balcony chit chatting it up with my grandfather and watching the boats go by his house. The next one, I would have to say is ‘Space Age Pimpin ‘ because that was my first time working with a Multi platinum Billboard music producer. We ended up doing a whole project together. Sadly during that project my little cousin Andy ( Big Draco ) was murdered.The making of that project had so many emotions to it that I had to bring it for Andy, I dedicated that project to him. Lastly, “Quinzano’s Laboratory” means a lot to me also because I lost my grandfather when I started making that album and it was really a tough one too. You see, all my projects along with anything I do is meaningful to me because there’s always a reason behind what I do. Rather it be the name of this song or the inspiration behind the project, I just don’t speak about it much.

Quincy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Since I can remember I’ve always loved music all the way back to when mom used to spin vinyl records on the record player when I was younger. Boy there were some of the greatest hits like Bob Seger, Janis Joplin, Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin,and Al Green, just to name a few. I have always been around all types of music and I believe that’s where the Love of music really came from. I’ve done all kinds of things growing up. I played football, was in Boy Scouts and went all the way up to Eagle Scout. I was also in young marines where I went through Boot Camp 13 weeks long and graduated as a Pfc. I did Drill marching and Color guard while picking up rank to corporal and that’s when I fell in love with the sweet sound of snare drums and percussion instruments. It Wasn’t until 2005 when a friend of mine showed up with a thumb drive one day after school and he said, ‘I got something I want you to check out”. At the time it was called fruity loops, otherwise known as “FL studio” now. I have never made a beat, learned music theory, or even read a sheet of music. I just knew it was something that I wanted to do like love at first sight. The more I worked and the deeper I got into the beat making, the more I fell in love with it. It had become a hobby and at this time everybody was listening to or making CDs with mix playlists of songs from their favorite artist. So I started throwing some of my beats onto some of the playlists of my own and people started listening to my music and wanting to hear more from me. I didn’t think I was that good because I was self taught, I didn’t know if I was doing something right or something wrong. It was in high school when I decided that this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to make beats. I had a senior project I had to do where I did it on studio production and ended up blowing the judges away. Some even had a couple tears in their eyes and that’s when I knew that my music touched people like it touched me. I graduated and continued to work on music and life happened where I had to put music on hold because I became a father.After what felt like a lifetime of battles and curve balls, I had become a single father with three beautiful amazing daughters. It wasn’t until 2016 that I was able to pick up my music again and shake off some of the rust. It felt so great that I was back and better than ever. My brother and real good friend Sean Rouse had always been around since middle school. He would listen to my music and has always pushed me to stick with it no matter what. He knew that I really have talent , I just never took time to see it for myself.

I considered going to Berkeley school of music while working two jobs and raising three kids. I was going into it feeling unsure because they only have a 23% chance of even getting accepted, but I did my interview and got accepted .I was so excited because I did something not a lot of people could do. It was a dream come true even though it was $63,000 a semester for Online. I was picking up where I left off. I was back to living my dream until tragedy struck and I had a stroke from working too much and too hard. I had to do Rehab and weigh out my options for the well being of not only myself, but my daughters as well. So, I decided to listen to the doctors and stop working and do Music full-time. I purchased the textbooks from Berklee and read them.After all of this I had to make the hard decision to not go to Berklee. How was i to do so when my daughters needed me and money was not there for me to achieve that particular dream. I was self teaching myself and my brother Sean finally talked me into putting some music out for the public. It was a small project with only three tracks but I did it. I was eager to see the ripple effect from it just to test the waters and I got plays all the way over to Japan and overseas as well as in the US. Now I have almost 100 songs that are played all over the world in many different countries. I feel that all that sets me apart from others. I am a stay at home dad raising kids and making music. I love it and wouldn’t want to have it any other way. It was hard at first when I had to stop working because I’ve never been one to just sit down and have stuff handed to me. I worked hard my whole life, so sitting still was not what I was used to.I decided to start giving back to my community along with making music. I had so much time while the kids were in school and not being able to work that I wanted to do something positive. Every year I team up with the guys/girls at Harm The Karma tattoo to do things throughout the year. Things like Community cleanup, school supply/book bag drives, food drives and my most favorite, toys for tats. I team up with them every December to dress up as Santa Claus and hand out toys to families in need. I love giving back to my community because my community has always supported me and done a lot. I really don’t know where my music is going but I know in my heart, I feel like I’ve already won. I feel like everything I could have ever dreamed of for myself and music comes with the love and support from my community and loved ones.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Yes, YouTube!!. YouTube has always been a number one go-to for me, whenever I want to try new things or sharpen a skill. There are so many rabbit holes you can go down and learn from and that goes for anything. There are so many types of books out there as well that I have read. The first is the holy Bible, because without God nothing is possible. I believe he has always been the light to my path, even in the dark times. because in all reality he’s the only one that knows what’s gonna happen with my Music. The second book is “All you need to know about the music business” 10th edition by Donald s Passma. It’s really a great book that answers so many questions and teaches you so much about the music business. Atomic habits by James clear and The 48 laws of power by Robert Greene are two other really good books as well.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Well for me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the journey along the way. I’ve been blessed to meet so many people along the way and share the love of music with them. Some of which I definitely value their opinion. It’s nice to be able to go to them and be able to throw ideas at each other. I think another rewarding thing is the feedback, reactions, love and support from my fans for my music. Me hearing what my Music does for them and how it helps them makes me feel good.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: quinzano_nc_910@instagram
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QuinZanoBeats
• Twitter: [email protected]
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@quinzanobeats1328
• Other: https://linktr.ee/quinzano_nc_910

Image Credits
Anthony Lopez Instagram @ younglord.ant