John Qwest

John Qwest

Hometown: Meridian, MS
Weapons of Choice (Music): Logic, Reason, NI Maschine, Keyboard, Drums, Aux Percussion, Guitar, Bass, Saxophone, Horns
Twitter: @iAmJohnQwest

John Qwest isn't your typical breed of Hip-Hop producer. Embarking on his musical journey in 2005, he began studying the craft of music and how to make it his own. A music student at MSU, Qwest began learning the ropes to chord construction, melodic phrasing, and instrumental methods and techniques to help create good music. Never before having "true" guidance, he studied eras of music, from Baroque to today's contemporary music. One thing remains true from Qwest's humble beginnings, he did not completely know all the ins and outs of producing.

Formerly working under the production name "The Drum Captains" (which is still the name of his production team), Qwest would "pick the brains" of up-and-coming producers Big K.R.I.T. (@BIGKRIT), MikeC.Beats (@MikeCBeats), and SuperTraxx to help gain knowledge in lacking areas. It wasn't until he moved into a music-filled apartment, Apt. 9106, where himself along with BC, JE, and Mike C would begin a musical journey...one filled with lessons, learning, and growth.

With a passion to make music that is unique and overall timeless, he would worked from his small, basic home studio, never losing sight or focus on the bigger goal. 9106 served as a joint project studio, equipped with 2 studios, 2 producers, 3 engineers, and 4 songwriters. As he progressed in school, his skills improved and so did his craft. Eclectic mindset, open ears, and a passionate heart for good music would help Qwest to begin producing everything-from Pop and R&B to International House records. He was influenced by musicians and producers like: Willie Hutch, Quincy Jones, Prince, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, Ryan Leslie and more. His motto is "Never get put inside of a box...instead, make sure your're full circle." This mindset has allowed him to grow naturally and avert conformity that seems to be the norm of what all producers adhere to today.

Labeled by his friends and colleagues as being one of the dopest producers in his area, his music still wasn't being heard by the masses. That would all change when his paths would cross with DJ Breakemoff (@IAMDJBREAKEMOFF) and Melogic (@MeLogic_DaBand). Breakemoff would help his music enter the ears of many up-and-coming artists, and MeLogic would prove to add just enough flare that he needed to compete in this race. Still an up-and-coming producer himself, Qwest would produce timeless records for J.Cutta (@CuttaMusick), KD (@KD205), Moe-D (@TheRealMoeD), Scotty (@ScottyATL), Tabius Tate (@TabiusTate) and many others.

"I now find myself becoming "full circle." I'm truly thankful for all the people that have entered my life as well as this journey with me. To me, music matters; and making music that means more to the masses, massively means more to my soul. Because all in all, if it doesn't touch my soul, I can't listen to it." - Qwest