Draft:QG The Great
QG The Great | |
---|---|
Born | Quinn Michael Gray March 11, 2009 (age 15) Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
Other names | Quinn Gray Beats |
Education | East Millbrook Magnet Middle School |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2020-present |
Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments |
|
Labels | Dreams of Children Music Group |
Website | https://www.qgthegreat.com |
Quinn Michael Gray, known professionally as QG The Great, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer. He began his music career in 2020, releasing music independently. QG The Great is known for his collaborations with his cousin MaDrique and his mixtape, Destined 4 GREATness.
Early Life and Education
[edit]Quinn Michael Gray was born on March 11, 2009 in Raleigh, North Carolina, into a family with a strong musical background. His father is a record producer, his grandfather was a multi-instrumentalist, and his cousin Madrique is a rapper.
At an early age, Gray was often taken to his father's recording studio, where he observed his creative process as a producer. In 2018, he began making music using the GarageBand app on his iPhone. He later used this tool to work on his debut mixtape naranja.
Gray attended East Millbrook Magnet Middle School, where he took a piano class for three years. He also taught himself to play drums using household objects.
Music Career
[edit]2020–2023: YouTube Remixes
[edit]In 2020, Gray began producing beats and remixing hip-hop tracks by artists such as J. Cole, Mos Def, and Playboi Carti. He posted these compositions on his YouTube channel under the name Quinn Gray Beats. In 2023, he adopted the stage name QG The Great, following a suggestion from his mother.
2023: Happy New Year, Naranja and The Bike Ride Tapes
[edit]"Happy New Year" (Single)
On New Year’s Day of 2023, MaDrique released his single "Happy New Year" (stylized in all caps) produced by QG The Great, through the independent label Dreams of Children Music Group. The song was Gray’s first composition released on streaming platforms. The accompanying music video, directed by Linus, was released the same day on YouTube.
“Naranja” (Mixtape)
On March 4, 2023, Gray released a beat tape entitled Naranja (stylized in all lowercase). The title, meaning "orange" in Spanish, reflects Gray's personal association with the color due to his experience with chromesthesia—a form of synesthesia in which he perceives colors when hearing music. All of the beats on the mixtape were produced using his iPhone.
"The Bike Ride Tapes" (EPs)
[edit]In 2023, Gray collaborated with MaDrique to produce two mixtapes titled The Bike Ride Tapes. Gray produced "It's Hard To Say Goodbye" and "We All Lose Focus" on the first mixtape and "Wanna Love You" on the second[1].
2024–Present: Destined 4 GREATness
[edit]"Destined 4 GREATness" (Mixtape)
[edit]On July 25, 2024, he released his lyrical debut mixtape, Destined 4 GREATness, which he recorded at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Gray wrote, produced, arranged, mixed, and mastered the mixtape himself. While much of the production was done on his iPhone, the mixtape also incorporated live instruments, including drums, electric piano, and synthesizers. The mixtape includes guest appearances from MaDrique on "Heartbreak Stories" and Kueen (Erin Williams) on "Crown."
Discography
[edit]Mixtapes
- Naranja (2023)
- Destined 4 GREATness (2024)
References
[edit]- ^ Jennings, Kyesha (2023-10-04). "Her Take: Releases by MaDrique, Durham High, and Pat Junior Do North Carolina Hip-Hop Proud". INDY Week. Retrieved 2024-12-26.