Q Da Kid Optimistic About Future, But Knows For Sure He'll Smell Great

(andPOP) - Before Island Def Jam's Executive Vice-President Shakir Stewart died early this month, there was one star pupil who looked up to him as more than a suit, but a mentor.

To Q Da Kid, the first hip-hop artist signed with Tag records - the record label created last spring when Island Def Jam and Tag body spray decided to team up - Stewart was someone he could turn to for advice on his young career.

"It was always 'Don't let up, just go hard'," Q recalled. "I knew Shakir for like 7 years. We had a meeting a month ago, and he basically said to take advantage of the things that were happening."

So for the Brooklyn-born MC, born Kareem Savage, receiving the Def Jam/Tag offer was a long-awaited opportunity, after having spent much time hopping along the east coast trying to get a foot in success's door.

After dropping out of Kingsborough College to pursue a career in the music industry, the 27-year-old's first step on the musical road in NYC was signing a deal with Violator Records along with two other fellow hometown rappers in the late '90s. Dubbing themselves "Da Franchise," the group was featured on many mix-tapes, but never released a proper album.

As a result, Q decided to branch out, in an attempt to trail-blaze his own luck.

A move to Miami in 1997, followed by a demo with mega producers Cool and Dre, brought the young artist glimpses of the industry's major leagues. After beginning to develop a name for himself in Miami, Q then heard about the rising hip-hop scene in Atlanta, and struck while the iron was hot as he moved to A-town in 2001.

In ATL, Q came across DJ Shakim, who was not only Bow Wow's DJ, but an associate of music producer Jermaine Dupri. Q impressed Shakim with his powerful lyrics and tight freestyles, which then resulted in a life-altering opportunity for the young artist.

"One day, I was just doing my thing in the club, and Shakim called me to the DJ booth," said Q. "JD was there, and he wanted to know what I was up to, and I told him I was trying to get things going here, and then I gave him my number. The next morning, he gave me a call, and we began doing stuff in the studio."

Q's life changed immediately after meeting Dupri. He signed with So So Def/Virgin, while appearing on many songs and remixes with elite artists including "No One" by Alicia Keys, Fabolous's "Make Me Better," and "Fine" by Mary J. Blige.

Tag hired Dupri as president of their new record label, which presented Q with a new opportunity.

Q's first album, "It Was All a Dream," is in the midst of production, hoping to hit shelves in the New Year.

"I'm just trying to make big music," Q told andPOP. "I like when I go to a concert and you hear the sound and the place is about to explode like a Kanye concert or a Jay-Z concert, basically you begin to hear the song and it rocks the house. So everything I do plays into my goal to have songs like that, and everyone who knows me, knows that I've always been grinding it out, working hard to get the finished product. That's my mission, just to make things happen."

Looking to the future, Q hopes to be able to follow in the footsteps of his idols, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim and Nas.

"They were artists who told their own stories, and I have a lot of stories to tell myself, things that I've been through in my life," said Q. "It's gonna be music about my situation and experiences growing up, whether it be happy or sad, and I think that other people are gonna be able to relate. When people can say 'yeah I'm going through the same deal,' it's a great feeling for me."

So as a member of a unique label, what's the best part of the deal so far?

"I get to stay fresh!" jokes Q. "I'm doing a couple of commercials, so obviously I get cans of Tag body spray anytime I want, but it's not like I have a closet full of Tag cans. I get cases, and most of the time, I'll just be giving them out. I'll go back to Brooklyn, and give it out to the people where I'm from. Always try to give back."