Campus Celebrity: Quincy Kwalae, Zooniversity Music
Age: 22
Major: 3 of ‘em, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Philosophy
Where are you from? THE BLOOM! Bloomington, Indiana
Can you give me a little background about Zooniversity Music? How did it begin?
Well, long story short Beef (Clifton Beefy) heard me making a beat and told me he rapped, so we decided to write a campus-relevant song. First song we came out with was the “Coastie Song,” which got quick national attention, so we decided to keep making tracks! He is from Madison, so we were both born and raised in college towns. The name just fit.
How long does it take you to write and produce a song?
Totally depends. Sometimes a few hours, sometimes weeks. For the most part I do my own production of the beats, then actually mixing and mastering the song takes the longest time. They say that you should never mix or master your own songs, but I enjoy it.
How do you come up with ideas for your music?
Influences are infinite and ideas are never generated. Each song is different, and at the end of the day nobody truly knows where inspiration or imagination comes from.
“Teach Me How to Bucky” is huge – I have friends in Florida that have heard about it. How did you get the word out about your music? How did you get on the radio?
Well, we’ve always been about viral marketing and writing songs that promote themselves. The phrase itself is viral, plus it came out at the peak of the Midwest embracing the original “Teach Me How To Dougie” song. Combine school pride and modernizing a school mascot, awkward Biddy dancing, badger football success, essential cameos, relevant but playful lyrics with creative social media marketing and you got yourself a viral song.
What other activities do you do at Madison? Is it hard to balance all of your commitments and your schoolwork?
As a senior I have figured out how to go through the motions of class work to get good grades. I work with various businesses doing creative marketing management and consulting. I’m also working with American Cancer Society to raise awareness with the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign. My freshman year, I started a fraternity with some friends. Oh, and sometimes I like being a kid and go out and celebrate life and happiness the Wisconsin way.
Who are your favorite artists? What or who influences your music?
I really, really like artists that, at least in some part, also produce. People like Kanye, Posner, Bei Maejor, B.o.B just to name a few. I also listen to a fair amount of electronic/glitch/dub-step songs.
Do you plan on pursuing music as a career after college?
Music will always be a part of my life in some way or another. It is such a powerful tool that can be used in almost any career.
What’s your favorite Madison:
Clothing Store? More of an online shopper, but Context near the capital is nice.
Restaurant? Recently I’ve been loving GRAZE for a nice dinner, Med Cafe for a quick but delicious lunch and Sun Room for breakfast.
Bar? The people in the bar are much more important than the bar.
Check out Zooniversity Music at http://zooniversitymusic.bandcamp.com/