Quinton Hatfield or better known by some as “Q the Question” is an entertainment journalist and CEO with big plans to make it big in the music industry. With a reputation and a contact book which are growing by the minute this guys is a music mogul in the making. He has already interviewed some of the biggest names in the music scene and is now working on helping make some new stars for the future.
When and how did you first get interested in your chosen talent?
Well back in high school during my senior year I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life career wise. But all through my life I have ALWAYS been a big fan of hip-hop. I read and subscribed to every magazine faithfully. From The Source, Vibe XXL, Scratch, the whole nine yards. I also liked to write as well, so it just came to my mind that I could purse a career as a hip-hop journalist.
So one day I wrote a comment about an article in XXL magazine and it actually was posted in the magazine. So one day Adam Aziz the editor in chief of HHNLIVE.com asked if I would like to write for his site as he liked what I wrote in XXL as he got my email from the article.
So from that point on I was working hard doing stories with some of the biggest names for hip-hop for HHNLIVE.com and wasn't satisfied so I wanted more. So then I found out about other hip-hop sites such as HIPHOPDX.COM, SIXSHOT.COM, YORAPS.COM, RUBYHORNET.COM & was freelancing for those sites all at once. I was so motivated that I didn't mind talking to my favourite artist, models, DJ's, Execs, each and everyday.
Some stories I didn't even get paid for, but I didn't mind, because when you want to get to a certain level of success in any business, one thing you have to understand is SACRFIFICE. You ALWAYS have to look at the BIGGER picture and where you'll end up long term.
Was it something you had to work hard at or did it come naturally?
Well it was kind of both. Because being a fan of hip-hop music that where I had an advantage of doing things naturally. I loved what I did and still do, so I didn't even consider it a job. From the initial stages of being a journalist it was hard work. I started out not interviewing the big names at first.
After a while though as time went on my editor Adam Aziz who was still editor of HHNLIVE.COM at the time & Andreas Hale who was then editor of HIPHOPDX.COM saw my hunger so they would give me bigger stories more often.
They also admired the fact that unlike the other writers for the site, I was very bold and wouldn't be scared to ask anything in the interview and break exclusive stories. It was times where I would be up till 2 or 3 in the morning writing stories, but I didn't care because once again I LOVED what I did. [Laugh].
What level have you got yourself and your talent to so far?
After grinding real hard the first year and a half my name was getting very recognized amongst the industry. Having a good reputation is very important and will indeed payoff.
By being a writer with such a reputation a lot of big time publicist, A&R's, managers, and even artist themselves would gladly reach out to me to get them stories and a lot of other business done.
As time went on this strengthened my relationships with them and just made me realize "Since I'm learning so much about the music business, I might as well take my career further."
That's the reason why I started Street Knowledge Entertainment, so keep your eyes out for Trel Mack upcoming artist out of Philly, we are definitely gonna have the game on smash.
Shout out to my team Redhands, who is a hot producer on the rise, Callas Lane, & Brandon Bauder as well.
QtheQuestion.com is popping too, Q The Question is my other name I go by in case ya'll didn't know. A lot of people still don't know Quinton Hatfield and Q The Question is the same person [laughs].
Shout out to Ant Butta at 90.1 WNAA for giving me the name Q The Question it was his idea.
Much love to WNAA 90.1 my college radio station at North Carolina A&T as well. Cherie Lofton, Tony Welbourne, Gail Wiggins too.
How would you best describe yourself?
I would describe myself as passionate, driven, and very motivated.
In life you have to do whatever makes you happy. A lot of times people, especially in college make the wrong career choices that leads them into not being happy. So in the long run, as an individual they will lack those factors I just mentioned, because their not happy doing what they do.
Always do whatever makes you happy, if you’re simply in a career strictly for the money, 9/10 times you won't go far or just be miserable, because you lack the drive and passion to stay in it. You’re in it for the wrong reasons.
Q The Question LOVES the music business & that why I will continue to grow as a individual & businessman as this is in my heart.
Who are your role models or who inspires you?
There are many role models I can mention. One is Bob Proctor (If you don't know his name look him up). Also on the icon side of things I would say Jay-Z, Damon Dash, Russell Simmons, & Kevin Liles.
All these dudes set an example of what hard work means and the success that comes with it. All these dudes have drive & I feel at one point in the start of their careers they were me at one point.
Bob Proctor on the other hand teaches the power of positive thinking. I read a lot of his stuff and he puts heavy emphasis on how you can accomplish anything you want in life if you believe it mentally.
Rene Descartes did say "I Think Therefore I Am"
What have been some of your highlights so far?
Laughs, it's so many.
But I will say just doing what I day everyday as I move on. I get to talk to & meet some of my favourite artists and athletes everyday.
One of my best times was actually having a chance to meet one of my favourite hip-hop artist ever this summer which was Styles P. Styles P is just a cool & real dude. It was a good time as well [laughs], kicking it on the roof with him and everything. Shout out to David Bosch at E1 Entertainment for hooking it up.
One of my boys always said it to me like this "Q, you’re getting a chance to talk to people everyday that some people will NEVER meet in their entire lives." [laughs].
How hard has it been to get where you are today?
It is very hard and though I've had plenty of success, its still can be crazy.
In this business you deal with a lot of people that are money-hungry, cut-throats. They simply have no morals and lack respect. You deal with a lot of people that are very arrogant, because they feel like they are at the top of the world and despise their humble beginnings.
I can give you a number of stories of situations where I've had dealings with people that are BAD BUSINESS. In this game you will see some crazy things, even people that went from top to bottom and are doing real bad, I'm serious!!!
With that being said though, I just brush the bad negativity off and keep it moving. I stay away from negative people, because being around them will attract negativity to you as well.
It was hard when I first started off, but I always think positive saying "I can & I will" everyday.
There was times where I did favours for people and when I needed something in return they would straight up duck me.
Not answering my calls, emails, everything. It just taught me to be aware of the leeches in this game. You learn from it all, so I'm much sharper now than I was when I first started.
What do you want to accomplish with your talent?
I'm going to accomplish a lot. I'm going to continue to be your favourite rapper, favourite journalist and athlete too [laughs]. They all love Q The Question [laughs].
But I'm saying it now, I'm a music mogul in the making and with Street Knowledge Entertainment we are doing big things. Trel Mack is a star and those hit records of his are coming soon. Especially with an A&R for great music like Brandon Bauder. Shout out to Redhands and my man Eddie Kain too, their beats are fire!!!!
Don't be surprised when me and Trel Mack are on that cover of XXL one day. Along with looking fresh at the BET Awards, VMA's, everything.
What are your plans for this year?
This year I'm going to continue to brand the name Q The Question. The website QtheQuestion.com will continue to grow being a MAJOR media publication as well.
On QtheQuestion.com we cover ALL aspects of entertainment. From the biggest names in music and sports. So check it out always for the latest interviews.
I thank this site for the support for even interviewing me.
Shout out to the whole staff at QtheQuestion.com, because without ya'll the site would be nothing.
How can we find out more about you and keep up to date with your latest news?
You can always check me out on
www.twitter.com/qthequestion make sure ya'll follow me.
keep checking QtheQuestion.com for latest celebrity interviews.
A few shout outs as well.
Adam Aziz of HHNLIVE.com it began with you,
Jake Paine, Joel Zela, Brian Sims, Omar Burgess, Andreas Hale, my whole family at HIPHOPDX.COM, thanks for ya'll support.
Kai at Yoraps.com, Alex at Rubyhornet.com, much love.
Randy Roper at Ozone Magazine, Gilat Weinman at Universal Records,
Sports publicist Latonya Story & Eddie Rhodman, thank you so much for hooking me up with your clients in the NFL for my site, I really appreciate it. Along with all the publicist, managers, A&R's in the music biz that show me love as well.
North Carolina A&T State University!!! Also professor Bryon Turman, the illest professor there.
Shouts to everybody in the city of Philadelphia, I rep my city well. Philly Stand up!!!
Also cats in the rap game that show me love, Talib Kweli, Willie the Kid, Tone Trump, Carlito Rossi, Cashis, MarVo, Billy Danze of M.OP., Fred Knuxx, all of ya'll.
Street Knowledge Entertainment is coming,
SKE Holla!!
