Keep it Positive, Sweetie - From Legendary R&B Group 112 to Prioritizing Quinnes 

Episode Date: January 18, 2026

Crystal sits down with Q Parker for a conversation about life, love, and evolution. From his latest project, Evolution of Romance, Volume One, to the discipline, intention, and values that guide him today, Q reflects on how his perspective has matured over time. The conversation moves beyond music into longevity, relationships, self-respect, and what it means to keep growing with purpose while staying true to who you are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calling all my sweeties to the forefront. I'm your host Chris Renee Hazett, and this is the Keep It Posit Sweeties Show. Welcome to the Keep It Posit Sweetie Show, the place where we heal, grow, and learn together. Today's guest is Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Q Parker. Q. Parker is someone many of us know through his music, but today's conversation is about where he is now.

From continuing to create and release music to prioritizing health and discipline, this is a chance to hear how Q is moving and what's guiding him today. Kids family, please give a very warm welcome to Q Parker. What's happening? Right, right, right. You gotta really know him to call him Quinnis. Quinnis, yes. How are you?

I'm well. I'm well. I can't complain. Just enjoying life, family, career, community, and just smiling. And just smiling while doing it all. Well, you look good, friend. Well, thank you. I appreciate it.

You as well. Thank you. Thank you. We finally got you on. We were talking as you were walking in. We are in our 10th season of keeping positive sweet. And you're like, wow. He's like, that's crazy.

Two things. Two things. It's bad that it took 10 seasons to get your brother on. But on the flip side of that, I'm really proud of you. Thank you. I'm really proud of it. I mean, we'll get into the story, but there's more meat. into why I'm proud of you.

Yeah. Yeah, so. Let's start with that because a lot of people don't know that I've known you for almost 20 years now. Yeah. That's crazy. Yeah. Crazy.

20 years we met when I was still living in D.C. And I up and decided that I was coming to Atlanta, Georgia. Yeah. And in one of the most difficult and transformative years of my life, you were one of the people that believed in me. Yeah. I was one of your artists. People don't know that.

Kew took me on and really, like, put your money where your mouth was. And you put your time behind it. and we created some amazing things, but let's talk about that. We did, man. We did, y'all. And some of that music, I haven't heard it in years, but I believe it will still have a place. And so for y'all that don't know, every time, every now and then, I'll hit Chasing. I'm like, yo, what's up with your artistry?

And I love to see you doing all these amazing things. But we got to get into music. You know, in television and business and all of that. But you also have an instrument that's incredible. incredible that I think the world needs to hear and the stuff that we did. I mean, we can always revisit those things, but I think that there's a folder in your sphere where music plays a huge part too. Yes, and I'm glad you said that because I recently, when was it?

Well, this, I don't know when this is going to air, but. Wait, hold on. Her artist's name. I called you Chase. Oh, let's get, yeah, we need to give a backstory on Chase. Yes, okay. So. Yeah, this is, listen, this is real history here.

Listen, we went into the full fold of artist development and artistry and all of those things. And so her name being Crystal Hazlet, we was like, Chase. So we took the C and then the H-A-Y-S of her last name, and that's how we came up with Chase. And so it's hard for me to call her Crystal. It's hard for me to call her all these other character names and all of that. because when I see you, all I see is Chase. Chase face. Chase face.

Yes. Yes. Little bad still calls me face to this day. That's what's up, man. Yes. Oh, I love that. No, we did. I remember, I was just saying on stage with Adam Blackstone, which was like a dream of

mine. Yeah. And in that moment, I was like, oh, my goodness. I was like, it's time. Like, I got to get back in the studio. I did a live show in Washington, and I was singing other people's songs. and I was like, it's time for me to get on stage and sing my songs. So I'm definitely going to call you because we need to get back and do some new music.

It's time. It's time. It's just time that unveiled that part of you as well. No, that's so true. That is. We're going to get into your music because you have a lot of things going on. But I want to know what is life looking like for you right now? Wow. So right now, I am a compartmentalizer.

my life is in folders right and my job every day is to prioritize and balance those folders you know there's the father folder there's the grandfather folder there's the artist folder there's the businessman folder there's a philanthropy folder there's the husband folder and so it's all of those things that I have to make sure stays in a healthy place every day and how do I adequately give the necessary time for all of those things. And so that's what the typical day is. And so one day, this folder may fall short so then I know the next day I got to maybe give that one a little bit more time and attention.

But the beauty of it is I am operating in full and total independence. Wow. You know, I go at my own pace. I'm an independent artist, which gives me the freedom to do the things. I'm an independent businessman. I can do the deals that I want to do now. I have the freedom to move in certain ways with my grandchildren, with my wife, with my family. And so it's just, I laugh because I get to almost 25, 30 years of being a professional

to now being able to really live in the freedom of which I feel like all artists and all creatives should have come into the game with that type of creative freedom. But to now live in it as a fully independent artist, self. funded. I'm having the time of my life. This is the most fun I've had in years. And man, it's just it's just a good season. I love that. I love it. I want to talk about, I used to all these different photos. And I love how you compartmentalize because a lot of times we can have so much going on that we forget, okay, let's focus on what we need to focus on. When you wake up in the morning, what is Q's like first thing, what is like your morning routine and day look like to even be

able to pour into all those folders. All right. So the first thing is obviously spending the time with myself, praying, meditating. I get up at 4.30 every morning because what I didn't mention in those folders is Q Parker. Right. And so I have to give myself the time and pour into myself so that I'm at a full capacity to even give to others, right? I can't run myself down so much giving to others when I have not given myself the time.

And so from 430 until about 7 o'clock, 7.30, that's all my time. And it's my time because normal people are sleep. Sleep, exactly. So my phone not ringing. Game changer. It's just, that's just my time. And so during those hours, I work out, I'm praying, I meditate, I'm sitting in the sauna, I'm going to the stretch lab, I'm going to yoga.

Like I'm doing all of those things for me. Yes. And then I'm able to go upstairs, spend some time. with Charlenda, spend time with my wife. My oldest grandbaby, he damn near lives at our home. And so then I'm spending time with him, getting him dressed, taking him to school, and then I start my day. And then there may be meetings and with my partners of Paramount Collective Ventures,

which is my independent label and managing company, we have our touch points. And then I'm starting, I'm just kind of look at what's all in my day. And then I try to just find some time with it. in that day to go sneak and get a massage or something because at the end of the day, I have to continue to prioritize Quinnis. It's so good. You talked about this is like the most freedom you felt. The world knows you or was introduced to you from the prolific R&B group 112,

which was like one of the best art groups of our generation. Say it again. Listen, one of the best R&B groups of our generation. Do you hear me? Top five. Who's your top five R&B groups? Ooh. Okay, we got 112, boys'am in.

I love TLC, SWV, thinking groups, Destiny's Child. Oh, nice, that's a great list. Oh, new edition. New edition, yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I know that's fine, but yeah, those are these some of my favorite groups. That's a good list.

That's a good list. Yes, I remember I'm from Martin, Tennessee. You've been to my hometown. Martin, yes. And you all came 112 performed in Martin, Tennessee at UT Martin when I was in college. Listen, it was like the best thing ever. Wow. Yes, a long time ago.

You know what? I love those times. And, you know, when people ask me about the current Q Parker, it's hard for me to tell the Q Parker today's story without giving love to my group members and as well as the brand 112. Yeah. Because what you see in Q Parker, now as an artist and all of these things, I learned from 112.

It helps shape, yeah. And so one of the reasons why even today, I'm constantly on the road. I'm constantly going into the radio stations. I'm doing phoners. I'm calling. I'm shaking hands, kissing babies, and all of that because back then, 112, we were in the major college to the small college, to the major city, to the small city.

If there was a demand for the group, we were going to be there. And that just kind of molded me into my philosophy of how I think about marketing and promotions and presence. No, I can see it. I've got to see you perform a year ago at an event that I was helping host. And just to see your stage presence as a group member to how you transform solo. And must I say demand the stage, command it. The audience is like at attention. You just captivate everybody in the room.

even come off the stage and like you just like you are an entertainer. Amen. This is how I was raised. Started as an 18 year old. 18. That's crazy. Next year I'll be 50. And so we're talking about 30-some years.

I'm just just constant working. And I'm so grateful that in my era, artist development was something that was a priority because it molded us in ways that, allowed us to sustain sustainability. And if we only just continue to tap into those early teachings, this is why a lot of the 90s artists are still moving around. Listen. Can still make a living.

The 90s artists are probably the highest grossing touring acts presently. Look at Monica. Yeah. And I don't know when Brandy came out there right the same time. She's in the era, yeah. Like late 90s and early 2000. But listen, like literally, that music and when And people ask, like, what kind of music do you want to do?

I was like, I want to do a modernized version of 90s R&B because I feel like you listen to it today and it has stood the test of time. Yeah. And that's a great formula. Like, even with this latest project, I just released Evolution of Romance, Volume 1, it's me tapping into who I am and what I know.

I'm a 90s artist. But I also can incorporate some of the modern sounds and ways of delivery. certain terminologies now to just create a great hybrid and I think that's one of the reasons why this latest project

has been received so well because of that nostalgia but also being able to incorporate some modern stuff as well I love that saying relevant rebranding I think people forget that it's a constant evolution you're constantly evolving

you're constantly rebranding and you have to stay up with the times you know I always say if I don't move it don't groove That's so true. That is true. I want to know because you have been in this industry for a long time. What are some lessons that you've learned, especially navigating from being in a group to now being a solo and independent artist,

running your own label, being the head of everything and making these decisions? What are some lessons that you learned along the way? Lessons with, I think the main lesson is you have to be a student of whatever sector you're going to spend time in. You've got to learn the business. You know, study those that came before you. Why did this work? Why didn't this work? What can I use to incorporate into my system of systems?

Right. And so the biggest thing, even in today's independence, is really seeing the business, you know, being a part of the companies and inside the label business buildings, a lot of the things weren't necessarily available to us. They probably were if we had asked. Right. But we didn't because in those times, the main focus for the artist was just be the artist. Create the songs, work on your stage presence so you can go out on the road and tour. But understanding like the behind the scenes and peeling the onion back to really see all of the departments and what really are they doing. Yeah.

You know, I don't become an overnight success. I don't become a success just because my record is good. That's right. Because we know many good records don't climb the charts. Many good records doesn't equate to you being, you know, a touring act with the demand. Yeah. There are these things that are happening in these buildings that contribute to your success. Like a marketing department, promotion department, video department, artist development, like all of these things.

And so just understanding those details is what I've incorporated now as an independent artist. Because even though I'm independent, I still need. promotions, marketing, now social media. Oh gosh, that's the only world. Yeah. So it's all of those things. And so just understanding the business. And then, you know, for the first time in my entire career,

being the owner of all things, Q Parker. Come on. Like, that's the game changing. You know, we were never owners back then. We were selling all the records. Come on. And making all the tour money and all the merchant. nice money, but in terms of master's ownership, that went to the labels and the companies.

And so it's a beautiful thing to put out new music and not only get paid because you are the performer, you are the writer, you are the publisher, but you are now the owner too. And that's a totally different ballgame that a lot of us artists rarely get a chance to live in. So I'm really enjoying the fact that, man, I own it all. And, you know, if somebody wants to license Q Parker music, they got to come and talk to me. Come on. Like, come holl at your boy, man.

Y'all heard him. Come holl at you boy. I get it to you, you know. Listen, for a price. It's going to cost you. And guess what? Yesterday's price is not today's price. Oh, man.

I love that. With ownership comes a lot of responsibility. And oftentimes we don't talk about the weight of it. I know for me, even in my position, with everything that I have going on, it's a lot to carry. How is that for you and how do you handle it? I have an amazing team. I mean, that can actually answer the previous question, something that I've learned. Yeah.

Man, you're only as strong as your team. Amen. And as much as you are capable of doing it yourself, it's just not wise. It's not. It's just not wise. You're going to tie yourself out. And I grew up playing sports, right? I'm huge in athletics, right?

And so early on, I learned the importance of teamwork and camaraderie. And if I do my job and you do your job, we get to the end zone and we celebrate. That's why they dance and all because, man, we worked hard to get to this touchdown. So I want to celebrate. Absolutely. But because of that mindset, it's easy for me to say, hey, you're great at this. You're great at this. I'm great at this.

Let's be great together. Yeah. And now let's go, as opposed to me trying to be great at all these things, which I can be. but in the long run for like longevity it's not sustainable you'll burn yourself out it's not sustainable so man having an amazing team is something that is just so critical and vital no for sure I love that something else that you are known for which is probably a testament to why you don't look your age like you're a granddad I can't believe that that's three that's crazy cute this is your granddaughter yo

of three, man. Of three. But you are, you've taken, since I've known you, health and fitness has been a huge part of your life. Are you still doing the calendars? I do. Okay, yes, he does the calendars. You've been doing calendars. And like, I know that that was a big part of like your focus.

And is that something that you still do yoga, you work out, you do the sauna? Why? And has that always been a part of your life or when was that switch for you? So I go back to artist development. And the way that I describe it is kind of funny, right? The day that we signed to becoming a male R&B artist, we agreed to do certain things and uphold certain things. Create great songs.

The majority of our songs we create are to the female demographic, which presents this idea, this image, this fantasy. And we marry what our presentation is. is to the songs that we're singing. And we would just talk early on that presentation is everything. And that's something that I really just grabbed hold of that because I guess playing sports, I understood that if I practice,

then it's going to become a common. It's not going to be something that I'm just having to push myself, but it's just a regular occurrence. And so early on, big shout out to Kay Wells, Courtney Sears, and even Puffy, who instilled in us like, you're going to be these R&B guys you've got to look to part at all times and I just always had this idea

that if I'm going to sing the type of music that I sing, I want when you see me to match the type of music that I'm singing. I don't want to be singing anywhere or Pige's and Cream from the 112 catalog but I don't look nothing like... Who is it? Girl, that's cute. No, it ain't.

No, it's not. No offense to nobody else. But no, that's real. But that's not going to be a cute parker. And that's why I value you know the smaller things like getting manicures and pedicures and facials and my teeth clean and keeping chapstick on and making sure you're groomed and smelling good and you know it it's it's great when I walk in the room and people like yo you smell nice what I say today I said but you always you always got a like what you're wearing about three different things I'm a grown man and so those are

the things that we're supposed to take pride in clean sneakers and making sure you you're you're dressed apart and making sure you just look good. Like, all of this stuff is what we signed up for. And so that's why I prioritize health and working out and watching what I eat and when I eat and drinking water and no stress, no drama, getting adequate sleep. All of those things contribute to the way of life. A mentor of mine told me, you say, when you're born, you look like your parents. When you die, you look like your choices.

Ooh. That's a word. our choices determine what we're looking like. They do. Yeah. Yeah. So that's why, man, I'm very particular in the choices that I'm making because I want to defy what 50 years old look like.

Right. I want to defy what 60 years old look like. Like I'm not going to be the average 60, 70, 80, 80 year old. I'm just not. Yeah. No, you're on a, listen, your trajectory. Listen, yes. I love that.

So your new music, the evolution of romance. You had been very intentional about bringing romance and how to love back into the conversation. What was really something what sparked that? So big shout out to Al Jamal, Elvis, Feli the Voice, Aunt Tario J. Bush. Those are my partners. Enrico Love. Wow. That's so crazy.

Every person you named is like, that's crazy. So they are my production team. And we sat out and had a conversation before the two-week recording. time it took to make this record. And you know, I'm going to record this in two weeks? Yeah. Two weeks. Yep. Ten songs in two weeks.

But that can happen when you are intentional. You're not just recording, just to be recording. Like we knew exactly what we wanted to record and the nine songs that are on the album are the only nine we recorded. That's our spot on and laser

beam focused we were on this. In the past, I may record 30 and choose 12. Right, exactly. That's what you. Record 20 and choose 8. But no, we only

recorded what the world here as volume 1. And so in this initial conversation, I said, man, I can sing anything, right? It just flows through my vein, but I don't like to do things

just because I can. I like to have a mission and a purpose and a reason as to why I'm doing what I'm doing. And we were able to identify that romance is missing. You know, guys aren't really like, ain't slow cooking stuff no more.

Everything is just fast and just so direct. Well, what happened to the whining and dining and dying and being chivalrous? And being gentlemen. What happened? And we just, we define that romance is missing. And so when we said romance, it was like, bam. That's it. That's it.

It is missing. That is Q Parker embodiment. Yeah. Like, anybody knows me, know that I'm all about love songs. Like I grew up watching the soap operas. And so everything about the soap opera is soft and passionate and affection and touchy and hugging and kissing and slow dancing.

Like, you know, we got a whole generation that probably don't even know what slow dancing is. Probably has never slow dance. And the slow dance is in some ways you can look at it as exploration. is research because now this is the first time you may have been this close to whisper to smell the cologne, say little nothing's in the ear, kiss on the neck, you know, waistline, you can feel his back. Like all of those things is like discovery, right?

But we're in the world where it's just, hey, what you're doing? So it's no connectivity. And so we wanted to sing and just bring romance back into the marketplace, man. And so, you know, I committed to this. evolution volume series. This is volume one. I'm committed to doing at least four to five. Okay.

So I'm on like a three year. What made you want to do volumes instead of just like one project? Because I knew that I didn't want to have a triple, a triple release with like 40-some songs. And, you know, there are different levels of romance. You know, we talk about the evolution of it is steadily being defined and it can be defined in so many ways. And so it was no way that I wanted to try to force.

the full embodiment of romance into nine songs. That's so true. Yeah, no, that's real. I love that. And I'm excited to see what the evolution of romance is. Romance is just so key. And, you know, as I've been on this campaign journey, like I've coined myself the romance dealer. Yes.

Just dealing romance, just campaigning romance and bringing it back into the homes, the hearts of these relationships. Now, to get in your business, how do you, he's like, okay. How do you show up romantically for Charlinda? Like, what are things that Q Parker does that maybe you could share and give some fellas some tips? Yeah. So romance to me is, it's deeds. It's things. It's not necessarily a particular thing.

Right. But it's the little, it's the, they always say the, what's they call it, the something that's in the details? The devil is in the details. Oh, well, we're not saying that. But the details matter. Yeah, the details matter. It's the small things, right? And so, romantic to me can be gassing her car up on Sundays.

So it's cold outside. She don't got to worry about putting gas in the car. Romance could be listening. Man, I've had a long day. So you get home, don't worry about dinner today because I just went ahead and ordered dinner. Listening is important. Yeah, man, I've been on my feet all day. Man, my back is, hey, when you get our work today, go to such and such, such.

Or when you get home, the massage person is here. Like, it's all of those things because I believe, just like my first single was a song called Begg, right? And we made it into an acronym, bringing endless gratitude to your partner. And so in this iteration of the word, it's not because you messed up. We're not begging because I'm sorry. Come on. It's just we're begging for you. you to keep the relationship in a good space.

And begging becomes deeds. It becomes the small things. And so if we're constantly begging for each other, then that too can be romance. Yes. Yeah, I love that. That's good. Listen, guys.

I know it's a lost art. You know, and I find myself when I'm dating, I'm having to, like, teach people. I'm like music. That's the word, show. Teach me how to love and tired. It's not okay. It's certain things that, come on.

It's not okay. You know, just being a gentleman. Yeah. You know, my mama raised us to be respectful. That can even be romantic. The way you talk to somebody, like, you don't got to be so direct. Put that shit on or put that, babe, what happened? You know, remember that black dress?

You wore it over over. I really like that. I would love to see you in that. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's the small things. Yes. It's the small things. And, you know, I think society has just fast-paced everything.

The microwave, they want the quick return. They want to make an investment. You want to just see it right. You want to see the blow up the mar. But sometimes you've got to play the long game. The long game will prove way more dividends than something that's just this overnight. Yeah, and we see it. Now, is it something that you always knew in your marriage or did something you had to evolve into?

Absolutely not. I had to grow into that. I had to grow into that. You got to understand. Like, I was married at 26. Wow. And so at 26, that's the height of. Yeah.

Maybe this is anywhere or peaches and cream. Oh, wow. And so it's just like, man, I know that I didn't really fully understand the totality of that type of a commitment. But again, man, you live, you learn. Kudos to Charlenda and her just having patience. to allow me to grow into that true manhood and fatherhood and being present and all of those things. So, nah, I didn't know all of that. But what's crazy, Chase, is when I start to have these revelations, I just would remember my mom and my dad.

Because my dad always handled my mom in a gentle way. My dad was the ultimate provider. He was firm and an extreme disciplinarian. but I just saw them love on each other in ways that I think defined what society and how society defined what a relationship should really look like and the nuances and the balance of work versus nurturing at home. Nurturing at home versus work. Right. And so I think those things have always been in me because of my surroundings.

I just had to mature into those spaces to connect with what I knew all alone. Right. Yeah. What are those conversations like when you are having to, you're learning and maybe Charles like, Quinnis, this is what I need, you know? And like, because a lot of times in relationships and there are so many couples that watch this show, I want to show them like, this is what it looks like, what marriage looks like over years and maybe not having it all together in the beginning, but through communicating and learning each other, this is how we got to this side of it. Absolutely. You know, marriage is, it's a partnership. It is a commitment. It is a sacrifice. It is understanding. It is effectively communicating. It's paying attention.

It's listening. It's speaking delicately to the person that you care about and you love, which means I need to choose which words I'm going to use in trying to get whatever said porn across. Right. Right? Yeah. Because if my, and it's being result-oriented.

That means let's spend as much time as we need here, but let's spend the bulk of the time on talking about the solution and the results. It's a lot of forgiveness and understanding. It's patience. And it is committing every day. It's a daily commit because if I keep bringing in yesterday and the day before and last week and last month and last year and 10 years ago, like it's almost like driving like this.

Right. You don't know where you're going. Who drives like this? That is such a good analogy. So, you know, keeping here, hey, today is today. Yeah. Today is today. Let's commit today.

And just having that mindset that I ain't going nowhere. You're not going nowhere. Come on, right. Divorce is off the table. So that means it's not an option. Right. So don't ever, that's not an option. We got to work through these other things because that's not an option.

Now, that means maybe I ain't liking you right now. You may not be liking me right now. You may can respectfully say, hey, give me a minute. Yeah, absolutely. I need some time. I need space, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And it be received like, I respect that. Yeah.

Because we, I don't think it's fair when relationships try to live or, move their relationship the way that society has defined it or what mama and grandmama them did. Because we are us. We got to define our own relationship. And we get to say what we want to do, what we don't want to do, what boundaries we want to set,

what we don't want to do. And that has nothing to do with nobody but the two individuals that are involved. Right. And I think if we keep those types of things, as the top lines, we have a better way, a better goal of

it being successful. That's at the end of the day. People just want to be happy. They want companionship. We want to have some fun. We want to laugh. We want to share some intimacy and have intimate moments.

And then be building legacy. Yes. Man, for all that fussing and fighting and yelling and cussing and I don't think I've ever seen you like upset or raise your voice. It's very rare because I just try to be controlled in all spaces. And again, I'm in control of my response. I'm accountable for what I do, not for what you do.

Right. You can look like the food. Right. But I'm not. Exactly. Because I know how to, and I'm a word or two, Chase. Like, I take a beat before I speak. Yeah.

And when I need to say something that's a razor, it's going to be collected. It's going to be well thought on. Fully loaded. I'm just not lashing out saying, because I might forget something. Like, I got to make sure I get all this. I got to get all over there. So I'm going to take my beat, gather all my thoughts, because when I let it go. But it's going to be, it's going to be delicate.

Yeah. It reminds me of, so my son is a senior at family, right? Wow. And he's a theater major. Right. You remember Q. Jr. Yes. He's a senior.

Yeah. And so he's a theater major. And so he would come home and he would have to put himself on tape. Yeah. And so I remember when he first started, there was this line that he had to, or this passage. And the person had to have be angered. Right. And so the first pass, he was.

He just went to yelling and screaming and he delivered it so big. It just so, I'm going to be, blah, ma-da-ma-ma-ma-ma. And so I set him down, and then I was like, yo, there's another approach that you can, you can show anger through frustration. Yeah. You can show anger through disappointment. And so I'm never going to be this guy right here because I can sit down and be like, Chase, that was really messed up. And that right there right there. that you've done.

Like, I can deliver the same message, calm and grounded. And those deliveries always. They always work. Yeah, like when people do that on screen, it's like, Oh, my God. Wow. Exactly.

That's so true. So that's how I approach. And then, you know, lastly about that, I have to protect my blood pressure. I got to protect my stress level. Yeah. And nothing, hear me out. nothing is worth me stressing over.

That's so true. Nothing. I don't care how big it is. There's a solution and we can work through everything. Yeah. I don't care how big, how grand, how, oh my God, the world, the world ain't ending. Right. It is not.

It's not. No. So that's why you probably would rarely ever see me like just, and if you ever see me losing my mind or something, you got to know somebody went to the ends of the earth to really just get me off my square. Right, right. That's so true. So you did what you called the manual.

Yeah. So was that a collection of all the lesson that you learned to teach me and how to approach of? Kind of pretty much that. So I just always believe, you know, as a musician and as an orator, a speaker, a deliverer of messaging, you have a responsibility. I don't want to just create songs and music just for not. reason. I like to always have a message behind it. And again, like I said previously, I like to have an objective as to why I'm recording. And that first album, which was in 2012, was the very first time of me branching out on my own. And I needed to show, you know, just how I've grown and how I've matured and how and what type of lessons I've learned in my young adulthood and in my young marriagehood and fatherhood and parenthood and all those things. And so I was very very, very much.

intentional about capitalizing M-A-N, lower case in the U-A-L, because I wanted the listeners to understand that this was a man coming into his own, but then also using what I've experienced as a manual, a how-to guide on how to love, how to forgive, how to be present, how to get a do-over, like, all of those things. I love that. Didn't you also have like a men's, like community? Yeah. Brothers United of Atlanta.

We're still going strong. I founded it in 2016. This upcoming year would be our 10-year anniversary. And it's just, Brothers United is probably one of my most proudest creations because we know all over the world men just need safe places to be vulnerable, to be our true optimal selves. You know, we possess all that's needed. but we only probably use in 50 or less percent of all the qualities and traits that we have because of the stereotypes,

because of the social climate and status and, you know, men can't do this and men should do this and you're not this if you don't and you should be, all that stuff is just tearing us down. And we didn't even get into the systemic stuff and the history of stuff and ancestors. It's a lot that men are carrying. And so to be able to create an atmosphere in an environment for guys to just come and be loved on, be motivated and courage, championed, cheered on, man, hugged. That's just something that, and I get so proud. And so every Monday we do a prayer and meditation call via Zoom. And then once a month, we do an in-person meeting where we have like a speaker that will come.

But it's also just giving guys a voice. Yes. And they need that. They need it. I love that. Yeah, and I'm proud of you. Thank you. Thank you.

Congratulations. Yeah. That is amazing. I love that. You wear so many hats. You also act. You've done plays, TV and film. What is something that you haven't done yet

or something that you really want to tap into more in this season of your life? I want to do a fitness competition. Really? Like, what's that show that we used to watch on Saturday mornings, like Gladiator kind of thing? Yeah. Really? So that type of, like, I would love to do special forces. A, Fox.

Get at your boy. Listen, let me call him. Yeah. Yeah. I would love to do stuff like special forces or like the competition type of reality shows, but also like a real live fitness competition, like a male physique or something. Like, I don't really believe in all too, too muscular, but like a male physique, like a fitness type of. competition.

I would like to do that. And so I may do it next year, my 50, 50 years. I may do it next year. You should. That's going to be crazy. I have someone who just did special forces, so I'll see if they have a connect. Connect me, y'all? Yeah, yeah.

See, it's good to know people, man, in big places. Stop. I know a few people. I love that. Is there anything that we can look out for? I know you have your album, the, well, the beginning of. Yes, this is the volume series, so we just released Volume 1. Things that are on the horizon is obviously completing the volume series.

I do have a couple of acting opportunities that have already been filmed that are slated to come out next year. Philanthropy continuing to support the children by way of our music developmental summer camps. And then also the senior citizens, we do annual programming for the senior citizens. And then building a model for peers of mind to be able to still have a voice, but also know that there's a home where they could go where they can still release new music, have ownership, and not just have to rest on what they've done in the past. Right. But now can put out current music, have a direct connection to your fans,

be directly to the consumers and just still have a voice so many of my artists from my peers from my era can still sing they still look good still have the energy to get out here yeah so just kind of

creating a blueprint for artists to be able to still put out music I love that I love that and have ownership ownership. Listen that's one thing Tyler taught me ownership ownership ownership because you don't want to look up

you've done all this work you work so hard and there's nothing to show for it. And that comes to ownership. You got to own it, man. Yeah, that's it. And especially now in the world of independence, because the reality is everybody's not going to get a record deal. Everybody's not going to be, you know, supported by Lionsgate and MGM and Columbia pictures and all of that. And so, you know, how can you gain interest from somebody else

if they don't see that you have the interest in your own self? That's so true. You know, creating that value so you can have people coming to the table, but then you're in a position of power because by the time they get to you, you may not even need them. Yeah. Oh, come on. That's true, because you've done the work. Because you've done the work. Yes, I love that.

This season's theme is unapologetic. I want to ask you, Q Parker, what are you unapologetic about in this season of your life? I am unapologetic about just being Q Parker. and all that means. And that is bottling up what was, but most importantly, what it is. And there are no limits. I wake up every day.

If I have an idea, I can really do the things that that idea can become a real thing. Wow. And when I tell you, that kind of freedom, everybody needs to experience that type of freedom where you don't have deadline. that you didn't give yourself.

Right. You don't have the pressures of somebody else telling you, I need it by tomorrow. That brings on stress. That brings on all these other stuff. Yeah. Right. But you are in control of setting the deadlines and the barometers and all of that.

And so I'm unapologetically proud that I can show up every day as Quinnis Daman Parker, Senior, Q Parker, the romance dealer, baby. I love it, cute. Thank you. Thank you. Hey, hold on, before I get out of here, let me just give you something real quick. When I met you,

you had these big dreams. And I don't remember if you remember me and my partners, we would have these conversations with you and you would say, man, I want to do this. I want to do this. I'm going to do this. I'm going to do this.

You had a list of things. We were just in position to help you kind of get into these spaces. And so when I fast forward to the present, I've watched all of your ascension. And for somebody who witnessed it in the beginning phases and to see where you are and where you're going as your brother, man, I'm really, really proud of you. I want to tell you that I love you. I'm super proud of you. And this is a true testament of having a vision putting in the work. right? I live by a motto that says regimen plus consistency equals results. You had a regimen, you were consistent in that.

Yeah. And now you're living in the results. And so I'm proud of you. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you so much. I love you. Love you too.

Thank you. Wow. And you're going to try to make the cry. So every week, a listener writes in and we give them advice. So this week for positive outcomes, Shambria Brown, rights. What advice do you have for someone who is trying to rebuild their relationship with God? Oh, trying to rebuild. That's been like the story of my last few years. My advice would be to be very intentional about your relationship with Christ and also

understand that the walk will not be perfect. I think a lot of times we see what looks like this just perfect path for everyone who is following Christ, right? But people don't show their shortcomings. And I talked about it earlier, is that when you're on this path and you're trying to do what's right, even if you fall down, get up, don't give up. That would be my advice. What about you, you should? I would say, first and foremost, God understands who we are way more than we do.

And your small effort is just, you. really tap into who he already know you are. Yeah. And so it's just like riding the bike. You gotta get on the bike every day until you become better at it. Again, regimen and consistency builds results. Yeah. And so if I start giving time today, then I come back tomorrow.

Then the next day, I'm gonna look up and a week has gone by. And now I'm getting more and more confident. The relationship is becoming more and more solid. So again, I don't know if I'm going to make the shot, if I don't shoot the shot. Come on. That's real. I love that. Thank you, Shambria, for writing again.

Oh, my goodness. That was such a great conversation and a reminder that growth doesn't stop when you stay consistent with yourself and your purpose. Thank you so much for tuning in to another episode of the Keep It Positive, Sweetie show. Don't forget to subscribe, share this episode with someone who could use a little positivity. And as always, stay blessed, stay encouraged, and remember to keep it positive. I love you guys. Until next time.