Lil MaQ
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Lil MaQ

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"MaQ attack"

The banner in front of the speakers proclaims him the R. Kelly of the next generation. But the crowd shuffling restlessly in front of the stage at Shakori Hills doesn't look like R&B fans, and after nearly two hours of rain delay they're getting restless. Some have started a ragged chant for the act they've come to see--"Donna, Donna." But when the drizzle stops, it's not Donna the Buffalo they get, but a small bundle of energy that explodes onstage in a flash of blue. From the moment he hits the stage, Durham's lil MaQ gets the crowd jumping with his own brand of bouncy, funky R&B. Although he's only 12, he works the crowd like a vet, dancing, singing and exhorting the audience to move along with him. And they do--these hard-core festival goers that have come for their favorite herd of Buffalo get right into it, swaying and bobbing along as MaQ sings and raps his way through a tightly choreographed show complete with back-up dancers. It's not cute--it's professionally done.

MaQ and his dancers are as good as anything you'll see in videos, and his singing is as smooth as any R&B or soul crooner. The songs he's doing are ones he wrote, and although he's using a pre-recorded backing track, it's obviously him singing background while he sings over it live, in tune and letter perfect.

After the show, his table in front of the stage is mobbed with Donna fans lined up to buy his CDs, tapes and posters and to shake his hand. Speaking with him afterward, MaQ at first misunderstands when asked if his music could be called soul revival. "Soul revival as in saving people's souls? My music can be inspirational to other people." He tips his hat to favorites from the soul era including Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. MaQ first started singing in church, but crossed over about two years ago and started writing his own music. "It comes naturally," MaQ says. "I don't really try to stretch myself to write a song. I just let the song come to me and then I'll play around with it, spend a lot of time trying to get it right after I know the concept of the song."

As focused as he is on his career, his parents and his promoter make sure he's focused on school as well. "School first, man, and positivity," says Phatnum Entertainment's Vegas Don--who MaQ calls his career manager--about his handling of his youthful performers. "I'm a father of four kids. What really got me in tune with it is that we have a production called Campaign for Change, an anti-gang, anti-drug, anti-crime production, so we go out and talk to a lot of kids. I have to really stay helpful and keep kids focused and positive."

MaQ's parents reinforce that at home. "I let him know that Christopher Denny comes first, not lil MaQ," says father Cecil Denny. "When he's at the studio, he's lil MaQ. When he's at home with family stuff, he's Christopher."

And if school is not up to par there is no studio time, per promoter Don's rules. "Every report card period, MaQ and the dancers have to take their report cards and let him see it," says dad Cecil. "You make bad grades, you can't come in the studio."

But threats don't seem necessary to keep Christopher/MaQ on track. "He's got a lot of self motivation," says Cecil. "Anything he focuses his mind to, he can do it."

That includes winning over a festival full of non-believers. But MaQ's confidence never wavered. "The color of the audience doesn't really matter," he says of his Shakori Hills experience. "The response is basically the best thing about it."

lil MaQ will play the Trumansburg, N.Y. Festival (Shakori Hills' motherfest) later this year. Look for him and his back-up dancers the Teensters--Bri-Star, ShortCake and Slim Lady--on The Busta Brown Show on 97.1 FM in October. - Independent News Weekly


"Durham Hip Hop & R&B Talent Showcase"

The Charlotte Music Awards and Flavor Fruit Entertainment presented the Durham Hip Hop and R&B Talent Showcase on Saturday, April 14, at the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, N.C. Despite a last-minute venue change to accommodate the ever-expanding audience, the event showcased 16 acts evenly split between hip hop and R&B. Taking honors in the hip hop category was M-16, whereas Lil' MaQ won the R&B category. Both of the winning artists are from Durham.

Other participating hip hop artists were Night Train, Lo-Cal featuring Saundrea (Wilmington), Stay Stackin' Paper (SSP; Chapel Hill), AMA-MAN, E-Pilz, Rivera and Section 8. The other R&B artists were Sanaa Sharieff, Dreahj, Ms. Vondaleer, Falicia, AM, Mr. Coley and T.R.U.T.H. All the artists are from Durham except as noted otherwise.

The Hayti Heritage Center, which is a remodeled church, proved to be an excellent venue for the concert.

The showcase featured an all-star cast of judges including Donna-maria Harris, marketing director for the MyRDC and CW22 TV stations; Mike Nice of the Butta Team DJ crew; DJ Chuck T; Black Jeruz, a platinum-winning hip hop artist; Christopher "Play" Martin of the rap and acting duo Kid 'n Play; Big Tru, news and public affairs director for WQOK K87.5; and Young Knuckles, a deejay on WQOK K97.5.

The Charlotte Music Awards thanks Flavor Fruit Entertainment for their superb effort in preparing for and coordinating the Durham showcase. Their core team of Harold Simmons, Antwoine McClendon, Ronald "Skaz" King, Monica Murphy and Percy Rogers deserve special thanks for their hard work in putting this event together and for their aggressive support of independent artists in the Triangle area. - Charlotte Music Awards


Discography

"Boyfriend"

Photos

Bio

Although Christopher Lawrence Denny, aka Lil’MaQ (pronounced Lil’Mack), first realized his passion to sing at the young age of 10, his parents, Cecil and Felicia Denny, recognized it much sooner. Lil’MaQ, has been primarily inspired by Steve Wonder for his unique lyrics, Michael Jackson for his influence in the music world, and Boys II Men because he loves their sound.

Lil’MaQ signed his first recording contract with Blue Silk Media, LLC out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on July 1, 2007. His Durham, N.C. dreams became a reality when he shot the music video for his debut single, “ Boyfriend,” in April 2008. Along with his musical inspiration, Lil’MaQ’s personal inspirations include his parents and grandparents. Their support serves as a motivational backbone in his pursuit of a professional singing career.

Lil’MaQ is a singer/song writer with aspirations to launch into producing, management, and acting. His early start in the music world, not only gives him an advantage in singing, but also continually perfecting his art by performing.

“Being a song writer, vocalist, performer I get to put my own thoughts and feeling into words and express them through my singing and dance performance on stage.”

At the age of 13, placing 1st in K97.5 Brian Dawson’s “WHO’S NEXT” Talent Competition in 2005, proved to be one of the founding moments that launched Lil’MaQ into a separate category beyond his youthful years and many accomplishments. After signing with Blue Silk Media, Lil’MaQ already possessed the skills needed to diligently record, rehearse performances and write to escalate his career to the level destined from his early childhood fantasy. Lil’ MaQ describes shooting his first music video as, “everything I ever thought it would be.”

Lil’MaQ’s unique way of correlating the emotional ties from a song through to his performance heightens this young artist into a league all of his own. Lil MaQ’s soulful sound and picturesque story line is one that appeals to all genres and age groups, and is quickly recognized by the first note. With the completion of his debut album, he is destined to grace the music industry with his refined lyrics, stunning performances, southern boyish charm and infinite vocal genius.
The next singles to stay tuned for is “Get Wit It” and “Thank You”.