There’s something to be said about the beauty of an artist who pulls from an expertly curated pool of influences. When a high taste level is combined with ingenuity and a deep passion for what is being created, the outcome is art that has the power to change the world. So, when our own team member Quincy Davis (one of the most tasteful people I know) set out on his mission to create his album Quintaro, I knew he was already destined for greatness.
Born and raised in Chicago, Quincy came up in a city bursting with soul, surrounded by a range of sounds- from the urgent thumps of Chicago house to the warm jazzy feel of artists like Noname and Saba. As he came of age, he made the move out to New York City to attend NYU. Soon enough, he found himself DJing for the rising superstar redveil and hosting his own parties where he’d DJ in a barbershop near NYU campus.
This was right around the time when I met Quincy, and we immediately connected over our shared love of music. We obsessed over artists like MIKE, Westside Gunn, and Knxwledge, trading songs and playlists. Soon enough, he became an integral part of the TGS team. He also branched out with his live events, founding a series called “Crate Sessions”: a live showcase to highlight his favorite producers (performers have included Tony Seltzer, 454, MIKE and many more).
I became familiar with Quincy’s producing prowess through his flips. He’d flip anything from a viral 4batz hit to a Robin Thicke “From The Block” performance into a soulfully rhythmic masterpiece. Then, he’d casually drop it on Instagram with a visualizer, overlaid with his signature “Q” logo (the same Q you might see as you fight your way through the crowds at 14 St-Union Square station). But he takes everything a step further with his original music, and has now given us his best work yet with his album Quintaro .
Quintaro is a 16-track masterpiece with sample chops from the gods. A perfect album for rolling up after a long day, exploring a new city with your headphones on, or locking in on your final paper that’s due in 45 minutes. The album is based on the Japanese folktale of the shared pronunciation - Kintaro (translating to “Golden Boy”), which follows a heroic young boy as he overcomes the obstacles in his path; through this journey he grows stronger.
The breathtaking cover art was done by the great Virgil Warren, who has also worked closely with Quincy on event flyers for his various live events.
The music of Quintaro explores themes of determination and overcoming our battles, whatever they may be. It invites us to look within ourselves and to the world around us to seek the wisdom we need to face what lies in our path. With Quintaro , Quincy Davis steps out into the world with a bold confidence, ready to show us exactly who he is and what mark he wants to leave on this world. It’s a step into the very bright future that lies ahead of him, and we could not be more proud.
Listen to Quintaro here.
