Albums, Hip-Hop, Mixtapes | QuESt – Searching Sylvan
Posted by Grubeats on September 2, 2014
There are mixtapes and there are albums. Although Searching Sylvan is available as a free download, I hesitate in calling it a mixtape. It’s too complete, too cohesive, too deep, too polished, & too original to be called anything but an album. This, my friends, is a comprehensive work of art. Miami native, QuESt, has supplied the magnifying glass and opened his front door. Encouraging us not to download the project, but to listen to his story, Q’s genuine appreciation for his fans and his music is a true sign of his character.
You hear it often, but this is honestly one of those records that you have to listen to from start to finish – at least the first few times through. There are tracks for every occasion, but to fully understand QuESt’s story, as a fan, I ask you press play and don’t next until the conclusion of “May 10, 2012”. Then you should press play, again.
There are countless quotable’s throughout this project, but the second half of “Automatic” exemplifies to me what this story is all about. The below is just a bite and even that doesn’t fully grasp the message he’s putting forward.
“Aspirations, responsibilities, caught between them I’m torn
Tug of war with both of my arms
Strategize the cards that I’ve drawn”
There are life lessons, struggles, successes, high highs and low lows, and most importantly an endless hunger heard through and through. It’s still too early for me to pick favorites but the few that stuck out during my first listen through; “Biscayne Blvd”, “Make It Out Alive” (…YesQuEStCanSing), “Automatic”, “Erase Me”, “Hunger”, “Struggle Rapper”, “Jon Bellions One Way To San Diego (Outro)”, & “May 10, 2012”. Shit, well that really narrows it down doesn’t it? Rather than listening to me, head over to SearchingSylvan.com for a track-by-track breakdown by Sylvan himself! There is no weak link in this 17-song masterpiece.
Production credits belong to the entire VMG roster along with Q’s in house producers, The Marvels, the homie OB, as well as other very talented beat scientists. First and foremost, 6ix, who is said to be one of QuESt’s biggest fans, is as committed to succeeding with QuESt as anyone else out there. They continue to grow and together create beautiful music. We’ve heard what Logic and 6ix can cook up together, now is our chance to hear what 6ix can do with QuESt. Feed them hot sauce with their Chipotle and hell, you’ve got bangers like “Hunger” and “Automatic” – two of my favorite songs of the year. Next is Q’s in house producers, The Marvels, who clearly know him as an artist and can craft their work to his liking. From start to finish, these guys put it on. Another one that may have caught some of you by surprise is Visionary’s own, Logic. For the avid listener, we know Logic can produce and can produce well. He’s working hard at improving this aspect of his game and his work on “Biscayne Blvd” and “No Love In The City” attribute directly to that. And don’t let me forget OB, a resident VMG contributor.
Without further adieu, I present to you QuESt’s “Searching Sylvan”. One of the best collections of music you’ll hear this year.
Extra credit reading: “5 Things to Know About Searching Sylvan” by the good people over at The Redefined.
Free Download: QuESt – Searching Sylvan [Mixtape/Free Album]
Hip-Hop, Pop, Videos | It’s a #VMGSummer and There’s Nothing You Can Do About It.
Posted by Grubeats on August 13, 2014
Follow VMG: QuESt | Jon Bellion | 6ix | Logic | Team Visionary
The artists over at Visionary Music Group have been delivering consistent heat this summer – to the point where the Grubeats of old would even have trouble keeping up with blog posts. QuESt, Jon Bellion, & producer 6ix have been carrying the load thus far while Logic puts the finishing touches on his debut album – release date and title TBD. Fortunately for Logic, Mr. QuESt and Mr. Bellion have diverted the spotlight from the young hip-hop don by dropping highlight reel material of their own.
The video above is the latest release from the VMG squad; a cinematic performance by Jon Bellion himself titled “Simple and Sweet”. You might see the parallels between the song title and the structure of the record. It’s very, well, ‘Bellion-ny’. The lyrics say it all – “You won’t need no big production, the synth and just my voice is fine”…then all of a sudden Jon channels his inner Kanye and breaks out with a tremendous production. Like that time Kanye broke out with his live rendition of “Runaway” at the 2010 VMA’s – that kind of g.o.o.d.. Anyway, prior to this single, Jon dropped “Munny Right” in which he illustrates past vs. present emotions. I highly suggest watching the behind the scenes making of video. Bellion’s junior album, The Definition, will be available for free on 9.23.14.
On to QuESt. The honest, riveting rhyme-sayer unavailing his story one track at a time. Deep into the promotion of his new free album, Searching Sylvan, we as fans stay on our toes eager to hear the next chapter in Q’s journey. It’s real, it’s dark, it’s bright, it’s raw, it’s numbing, it’s inspiring, it’s just the beginning. Four singles in and many of you are finally taking an ear to the Miami native. He’s battled adversity but he’s visibly hungry and determined which is why he will be successful. He’s passionate and we hear something new in every single. Did I mention that snake 6ix has produced or co-produced every new song thus far? Listen through the singles below and prepare for his VMG debut project being released on 9.2.14.
Hip-Hop | QuESt – May 10, 2012 (Prod. by 6ix)
Posted by Grubeats on July 22, 2014
We told you months ago that Florida hip-hop artist, QuESt, would be next in line to receive “the VMG treatment”. Joining the established roster of Logic, Jon Bellion, & 6ix, QuESt brings another lengthy resume of musical intelligence as well as a trunk full of rhymes to Visionary Music Group’s concrete foundation.
John Q hasn’t been traveling on a paved road since day one. He’s been at this rap thing for years now but it wasn’t until he crossed paths with Visionary’s President, Chris Zarou, when his hopes and dreams of making a career out of music actually became a reality. “May 10, 2012” is an introduction into his life, his struggles, the drive to continue and the adversity he faced in his personal life that led him to this place. 6ix’s vibrant production led by brass instrumentals sets the tone for Q’s storyline, which in turn sets the stage for the full story…Searching Sylvan, the mixtape dropping 9.3.14. Catch him on social below and stay tuned as QuESt continues to unveil his compelling journey.
Hip-Hop, Videos | QuESt – NEATO Season
Posted by Grubeats on August 13, 2013
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“What up to VMG, ya bish?” – QuESt
If you’ve been following Logic, the VMG movement, and the openers on the tour, you may have become familiar with Miami, FL rhymer, QuESt. QuESt is by no means a new artist to FNT, but he’s been diagnosed with “the skill” and will be the next artist to receive the “VMG treatment”.
QuESt has been patiently waiting behind the scenes, working, learning, anticipating his first move with the independent label that recently birthed Logic, Jon Bellion, 6ix, and GRVTY. Returning with his first video single, “NEATO Season” over Childish Gambino’s “Unnecessary”, Q carries his newly acquired torch as he sets forth on his new episode, spitting flaming metaphors and bars packed with intellect. NEATO; wondering what it is? Never Ever Allow The Obscene. The movement QuESt stands behind, the movement you will soon be following (if you aren’t already). Enjoy this video and stay on your toes for much more to come from the next up.
VisionaryMusicGroup | @GRVTY (Visuals) | @MikeTheWagon (Visuals)
Hip-Hop, Videos | QuESt – I Go, You Go [Music Video]
Posted by Grubeats on July 24, 2012
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We’ve posted QuESt a couple times in the past, the first being when he dropped his most recent mixtape, Fear Not Failure. Here we have a new video from the Miami native, which can be found on that mixtape, which also includes features from Logic and Mickey Factz. As a bonus, I’ve added in a record that didn’t make the cut for Fear Not Failure, but definitely deserves a listen. In other news, QuESt just finished his stint on tour, opening up for Logic and Tayyib on the VMG tour for the first few shows, so I think it’s fair to expect more collabs from the two in the future.
Hip-Hop, Mixtapes | QuEST – Nowhere To Go ft. Logic
Posted by Grubeats on April 10, 2012
Apart from the recent baby boom of Gen-Snapbacks, there are artists who continue to draw from the roots of hip hop. Lyrics are the focal point. QuEST, a native to Miami has not fallen into the trap of imitating local mainstream guru’s like Rick Ross, nor the Mac Miller army of high school “rappers”, but rather snapped back to the early 90’s where he has taken a page from his idols books. With a feature from arguably one of the realist lyricists coming up, Logic, this is one of the standout tracks off Quest’s recent mixtape, Fear Not Failure. I haven’t had a chance to listen to the project in full yet, but judging by this track and the few we’ve heard in the past, QuEST is holstering some real potential.
DOWNLOAD: QuEST – Fear Not Failure [Mixtape]
DOWNLOAD: QuEST – Nowhere To Go ft. Logic