QUINCY aka BIG HEFF, MUSIC, MAGIC, and CLEVELAND!!!!

BIG HEFF and DJ BALL

Let's face it... Up until recently...over the past few years CLEVELAND wasn't thought of as a  musical city. I mean of course we pump out some of the greatest artists in the music industry, but honestly...if an A&R was sitting at a desk with an artist...they probably wouldn't stick a lil push pin into CLEVELAND on a map and say "NOW CLEVELAND...that's where you need to be if your trying to push your music, build a fan base, or build a brand". I mean do you know how many times I've gone to other cities and said "BITCH I'M FROM CLEVELAND"...and heard crickets...*crickets*. Soooooo many things have changed...and I'm not just talking about the Cleveland Browns....oh wait...no...your right the Browns are still the same * yawn. Yet as far as music goes...CLEVELAND has managed to do a

complete 360 on er damn body!!! Not only is CLEVELAND recognized as an influential, key component to the music industry, the nightlife is in full force, almost as if your partying in New York, or even L.A. More and more celebrities are stumbling thru CLEVELAND, and yes I use the word "stumbling" because once they are shown the city by CLEVELAND's GODFATHER himself...they will have TURNT THA F*CK UP, and left successful, happy, and productive.

There are a lot of people that would love to take credit for CLEVELAND's new found respect in the music industry...and why wouldn't they. I mean to be able to say that you turned the city of CLEVELAND into 1 of the most respected cities to birth several phenomenal talents... is mos def a big notch to add to ya belt. If you are really from CLEVELAND, then you know...that no matter what anyone say's.....the title of CLEVELAND's MUSICAL GODFATHER mos def goes to Quincy aka BIG HEFF!!!!! 

 I mean damn....I could spend all night in this starbucks...(wifi...duhhhhhhh) listing all of BIG HEFF's accomplishments....but damn...that would take all day...*and the BET Awards are coming on....but yes...BIG HEFF himself has taken CLEVELAND and kinda picked it up, brushed it off, polished it up, and pushed it back out into the market. Any artist from CLEVELAND...will mos def have to to go thru, come to, or need BIG HEFF at least once in their musical careers. There's no "If's", "ands", or "buts" about it. BIG HEFF is the Godfather of Musical talent in CLEVELAND. Ok ok.....some people may say...*"now hold up Jenn...maybe your going a lil to far with this Godfather sh*t". That's ok...because

BIG HEFF, MGK, KRAYZIE BONE, CHASE, RAY JR, DJ ICE

I understand that for every person that loves what you do, there is another person that hates what you do...only because they themselves can't do it the way that you do. BIG HEFF is like the male version of a Fairy Godmother. He can take a pumpkin and turn it into a coach, he can take an artist that not 1 person has really heard of, and magically turn them into a headliner at any venue. BIG HEFF can take a song ...and turn it into a hit. BIG HEFF can manage to take the most burnt down club in the city, a club that is on the brinks of closing, and suddenly have A1 artists performing on a stage at the venue. BIG HEFF seems to have magical powers of a GODFATHER. No matter what anyone says about this man ....there is no denying his exquisite business savvy professionalism , or his musical ear or eye for talent. BIG HEFF has literally turned CLEVELAND all the way around!!!!

I've witnessed myself the kinda pull that this 1 man alone has when it comes to accomplishing the impossible. 

BIG HEFF and STEVE LOBEL

BIG HEFF I found out over the years is a complicated individual, almost at times difficult to read...but you have to act a certain way according to certain situations and certain individuals. You gotta think for a min...BIG HEFF has hella things going on for him, around him and this city. There has been times when I've seen QUINCY out and it'd  be a huge group of artists...all standing in his face, pushing music, some yelling, some attempting to network, some damn near begging....jus for him to work with them. QUINCY is the man ...the GODFATHER that just might be able to make it happen for them. I've witnessed BIG HEFF at dinner...and people kinda walking up to him, and he is polite ...he listens...with the most straight face Ive ever seen.I mean his face doesn't budge...so you automatically know that he is all about business. Yet I can't help but feel a lil sympathy for QUINCY...cuz I know that I like to eat my food while its still hot. QUINCY has spent the last few years attempting to rebuild CLEVELAND. He is successfully pulling off the task that most forecasted as "impossible". With the Nerve Dj's conferences, the Ohio Hip Hop Awards, and hella concerts thrown to push MGK, RAY JR., RAY CASH, KING CHIP, BELLA NAE, DRAFT P1CK and KPT...and soooooo many more artists...you would almost be lying to yourself...if you denied this man the credit that he deserves. 

I'm not being biased when I speak of QUINCY aka BIG HEFF. He has mos def gotten me locked in CLUB EARTH til 5am, or even had me get drinks spilled on me at 1 of his sold-out shows, or even had me leave with all 100 of my business cards passed out at a Nerve Dj's event, just from networking alone....and guess what...IT WAS FRIGGIN AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! QUINCY mos def has the integrity and work drive of a million men...yet you don't ever see him with a whole posse of people...unless its an artist that he's promoting, or celebrities he's rubbing elbows with in the city. A man that has done soooo much for soooo many people is bound to have people that despise his success or work ethic. Sure there are rumors of tarnished morals, or maybe even lack of integrity....but does everyone like DIDDY, does JIGGA piss some people off....some artists feel certain ways....but I like to go by the success rate...and BIG HEFF's success rate is very......successful...and let's just say...I'm almost positive, I'd bet my pink toes...that there are some artists out here that may complain or badmouth the GODFATHER BIG HEFF...yet I'm pretty sure they would walk far as hell...just to get this man...a piece of cheesecake. QUINCY is a very private person...sure he will walk 50 ppl into VIP and TURN UP all night...but I wanted to get a chance to hear from the horses mouth...exactly who he is, and exactly what he does....let me introduce you to QUINCY aka BIG HEFF!!!

Q. What exactly is your job title?

A. Urban Marketing Consultant. I work with major record labels, co-founder of the Ohio Hip Hop Awards, Starmedia Booking, have done marketing for T-mobile, Chevy, Madden E/A Sports. NBA2K, and I'm a brand ambassador.

Q. Do you seek out talent, or does talent usually come to you?

A. Both...if an artist has a good background story that get's me interested I'm in, maybe certain creative situations, or sometimes an artis may already have a fan base that get's me excited about that artists music. Referrals from other people, or even good music...good music always get's me interested.

Q. What 3 changes have you noticed in the CLEVELAND music scene in the last 5 years?

A. Knowledge of the industry,  structure, and opportunity.

Q. How did the Ohio Hip Hop Awards get started?

A. Well it was me, D. Lorand, Garbs, and Majestic...I had just came back from Miami and we thought we needed an event to show appreciation for artists....a ceremony to enhance, enlighten, and show recognition to various artists. We all cam from some kind of industry background...we have great chemistry....

Q. How old were you when you 1st got started in music?

A. HAHAHAHAH maybe 22...I was in a rap group called Second Generation...we sold like 7.000 copies of or cd lol....

Q. What is the biggest mistake managers make when pushing an artist?

A. Sometimes the manager...wants to be bigger than the artist...that doomed for disaster. Managers sometimes don't share enough knowledge with their artist, no trust, no honesty., no feedback, not enough input, and a lot of times managers take on to much responsibility or work load of their artist. It' all about teamwork.

Q. What do you look for in talent?

A. Star quality, great look, great voice, story, connection with fans, demographic....

Q. How much money do you think it's take to put together a decent budget for a good quality mixtape, promo and production?

A. Usually between $2500- $5000

Q. Is it hard not to play favoritism to certain artist?

A. Nope...not at all...it all depends on the relationship you have with certain people...everyone is different.

Q. How does an artist become a headliner for a show?

A. Fanbase, and audience connection, online promotions, grass roots...hand to hand fliers...get people to know your music so they will pack a venue.

Q. What is the name of your music lane, and who have you signed so far?

A. Beyond Stars Entertainment and Distribution, we are currently working with 20 different artists and as of yet we have not signed anyone...we are in the process of building the label...

Q. What is the difference between an underground artist,, and a signed artist?

A. Being signed means you have more outlets to promote your music or talent access to XXL, SOURCE magazines and satellite radio....you have a "big name" backing you up and a larger budget

Q. How do your Big Heff Industry tours you promote work exactly?

A. They are artist awareness tours...it gives the artist a chance to perform at lot's of different venues, concerts, mixers, and radio interviews.

Q. Why are artist expected to pay to perform at times?

A. Because you pay for exposure. If you have no fan base or even a small fan base your not able to fill a venue, your paying for an outlet to perform your music until you do build a fan base that is willing to pay for a ticket to actually see you perform. It helps build and develop you as an artist.

Q. Why is important for you to push so hard in this industry for  CLEVELAND?

A. This is my home, I believe we have some of the greatest talent in the world...

Q. Besides the obvious,,,who's got next to you?

A. BELLA NAE, CAINE, EZZY, KPT, SEVERE THE BOSS, DUSTY MCFLY, SILVER KARATS

Q. What do you meet with other record labels about?

A. New people that are hot, I develop relationships, project analysis, we swap info on any artists that may have a buzz around them, new ideas, marketing...

Q. Why do you feel some CLEVELAND artists feel they don't get the recognition they deserve at the Ohio Hip Hop Awards?

A. The OHHA awards has been going for about 7yrs, it's a breeding ground for musical talent....it's a chance to show the whole state who you are and what you have accomplished. I would feel upset too i I didn't win, or feel I was recognized...but at the end of the day...respect, handwork is what pays off and talent. It's a competition so of course people will feel some kinda way...

Q. Would you ever encourage other artists to come to CELEVLAND to do music?

A. ALL THE TIME!!!! Songwriters, artists...keep it in house!

Q. When you try and get away in CLEVELAND, where do you go...in CLEVELAND?

A. To the suburbs

Q. What is your favorite "TURN UP" venue?

A. EARTH NIGHTCLUB...it's like family in there..they treat me and my guests very well...I love all of them, best waitresses and bartenders...its got a big stage...it's a cool place

Q. What is your ultimate goal?

A. Family...i'd love to have a family...

Q. Why did you decide to do an interview with Sparkplugent?

A. Sparkplug has a nice feel to it, you don't get the same ol questions, its shines a light on the city and entertainment...it's different from other blogs...

Q. If we see you in a club..what will you probably be saying?

A. 'TURN UP"

Q. What is 1 of your most memorable moments in your CLEVELAND music career?
A. WOW!!!! I would mos def have to say...the BONE THUGS concert at the AGORA!!! That was monumental...I mean I pulled it off...every original member of Bone Thugs performed on stage together for their city!!!! It was AMAZING!!!!

BIG HEFF and SWAY

QUINCY aka BIG HEFF has accomplished a lot for the city of CLEVELAND. When you see him out he never acts "stank", more than likely he's making sure that everyone around him in VIP has champagne bubbling all the way down their wrists. You might even catch him...tucked away behind a curtain on the side of a stage....watching all the artists, making sure their music is right, checkin crowd interaction, making sure everything is working out for everyone involved. QUINCY aka BIG HEFF is mos def the GODFATHER of using magic to transform concerts, artists, and even whole cities into something memorable. I mean I myself had wondered exactly what it is that QUINCY does...but that question was answered when I attended the BONE THUGS N HARMONY concert at the AGORA. 

There I found QUINCY, quietly running back and forth, thru the aisles, cross the stage, checking the line up, making sure every artist had what they needed, he even played MC, cued the music...man...as much as I wanted to find something bad to say, or maybe find some truth to those rumors from people that felt jilted for their short comings...I couldn't. All I saw...was a man..working hard, and quietly...to unite a whole city...and I witnessed 1 of the greatest hip hop groups ever...BONE THUGS reunited after more than a decade, on 1 stage, in CLEVELAND...performing...that alone deserves the utmost RESPECT. QUINCY aka BIG HEFF...has united CLEVELAND using music as the glue to hold us together. Most would say...his accomplishments mos def take some kinda magic...and BIG HEFF has it, he is the  musical GODFATHER, allow this man...to make your dreams come true!!!! XOXO


@BigHeff