The newest genre-blending talent Q.B.E. premiers moving visuals for his debut single, ‘Pray For You.’ Hailing from Brixton, London, Q.B.E. uses music as his gateway to a better future, after surviving life-altering heartbreak and loss.
‘Pray For You’ opens the gates for Q.B.E. and his emotive and liberating songwriting, backed up by a modern fusion of alternative rock, R&B, and pop music. As an up-and-coming singer/songwriter, Q.B.E. is not messing around with an introductory commercial slow-burner; he dares to be different.
Q.B.E. lets his guard down and uses ‘Pray For You’ as a reminder that he can forgive but will never forget. With the accompanying music video, he portrays the underlying hope that fuels the choreography and his journey through heartbreak.
The irresistible melody of ‘Pray For You’ will leave you wanting more. Q.B.E. is paving his own lane, and people are locked in. Turning heartbreak into a tangible redemption story, Q.B.E. is working on a project titled ‘Art-Ache,’ that will soothe more tough exteriors and mend broken hearts on a global level, guided by the Latin phrase ‘Per aspera ad astra! ‘through hardships to the stars.’
What does Q.B.E. stand for?
Q.B.E. meaning is very personal to me, It’s everything I am. It’s everything! From the name my mum and dad gave me Quincey, they tell me I’m black so the B is self-explanatory. And the E is for English which I DEFFINTLY know and i am, Ive NOTICED SOMEWHERE SOMEONES ALWAYS GOT A PROBLEM ON WHO I CLAIM I AM , SAD REALLY.
Could you tell us a bit more about your background and how you got into music?
I was born and raised In Brixton in south London,I grew up in the times of the riots so life was very tense in our community, you had to wear that mask everyday, but music was a gateway to a better feeling in my body.
I would watch over and over again, the likes of Micheal Jackson, Sanchez, Papa San, Lieutenant Stitchi, Pinchers and Tiger as a kid.
I had my own sound system at the age of 12 with my friend Titch, called Major Damage so we would really be in sync with the latest ragga culture had to offer.
The next major encounter with music was when I went to prison for being in a gang, I first started listening to R&B repeatedly as I was in love but in prison.
After being roller coaster prison relationships, I vowed never to fall in love again then my best friend died i was angry lost and still heart broken, then i picked up a taste for rock music I started writing love songs but I never told no one I guess it was my therapy from all the pain and loss.
What are some of the most valuable life lessons that are helping you in terms of getting a music career started?
A serious life lesson for me is music changed my life and kept me out of prison and sane through bad and vulnerable times.
Could you explain what makes ‘Pray For You’ a perfect debut single for your career?
Pray For You is my perfect debut single because it represents me and my life perfectly, from daring to be different being me and who I think I am ,whilst being confident about it.
And letting the world know, I loved you, you did me wrong, I forgive but I don’t forget so move on.
In your opinion, where does the inspiration for your unique fusion of rock and R&B come from?
My musical taste comes from my environment Brixton, England and English culture prison. David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Juice World, Phill Collins, Gwen Stefani, Progidy, Faithless.
Now that the single is out, what do you feel listening back to ‘Pray For You’?
“After everything you been through, you wrote that be proud”.
What emotion did you want to encapsulate with the accompanying music video?
The emotion that I would like to encapsulate is HOPE through heartbreak.
Who did you work with and where did you film it?
A-star production, Mcnasty and Band, Jay, D Martian & Vinny & Talib.
What will be the prevailing themes covered in your upcoming EP ‘Art-Ache’?
The prevailing themes in my E.P will be heartbreak .
What helps you the most when getting through a heartbreak?
What helps me the most getting through heartache ? Is ART-ACHE.
Per aspera ad astra!
Follow Q.B.E. On Instagram
Production – Grade A
Director – Reece SelvadoraiÂ
DOP – Carl MatthewsÂ
AC – Francois EarpÂ
Gaffer – Nico MandranoÂ
Art – Shan Snowling
Words: Karolina Kramplova