THE LIFE
The understanding of an artistic mind is extremely difficult when an artist is in their zone and are at work. They are not just our standard neighbor nor are they at times human in the eyes of there craft. There strive for perfection becomes a battle with there own soul and can be very difficult to handle, just ask there employees or better yet there own family members on how much of an alien they can be and out of this world they could become, but through it all, at the end of it all, the results are clear and you can see it as the audience and their fan. Try writing about your own personal pain, fantasies, hurt, loss, life, triumphs, etc.... & sharing it with the world. Then allowing the listener to critisize and judge what you poured out on paper or music. I was once told by a famous friend (singer/songwriter - Carly Simon) that any artist seeking fame & fortune for what they do should not be doing this for a living. If they are true artist and love there craft, it should not be a business but a pleasure to share there work without seeking the sins of the business. When I met the performing artist known as Boriqua Posse, I thought I would be meeting difficulty at it's finest. I would be on the wrong side of that thought as he would start by informing me that I could call him Anthony and jokingly toss out phrases like a true latino "Mira, no me grites" or "papa, que pasa"?, giving me a sense of comfort and delight to talk to. So as our interview became the Unidos Magazine focus, I would know that like Hector Lavoe, Lisa Lisa, Peter Fontaine, La Lupe, Joey Kidd etc....... He would give me that down to earth, hermano a hermano feel....
.....This is my exclusive One On One interview with Anthony the latin world will know him as:
Q- OK...........Let's go back, tell us about your childhood & where you come from?
A- Well for all you inquiring Unidos minds, I grew up in Brooklyn NY and considering my age you would know that my typical Brooklyn upbringing had it's share of moments. Yes, there was lots of drugs in my neighborhood and it would put me on survival mode as I witnessed a great deal of turbulance during them years. My mother had surcome to the streets and drugs and I had to rely on my grandmother to be there for me. Saturdays I would escape with the many dance music shows like Soul Train and I was transfixed on the many artists (iconic legends today) that performed on them shows. My family was always very musically enclined as they had a bomba y plena artistic run in the 70's called Los Quinones. I was already playing as well as I was a congero at santero events (I was made santo at 11yrs old). I eventually would take my education to a level of personal value as I was excepted to the Bronx High School Of Science and would grow up as a kid listening to many influentual artists like Ismael Rivera (Maelo) "Las Carras Lindas", La Lupe, Willie Colon (canta Hector Lavoe). Many 70's motown & R&B groups were listened to greatly in my home as well like The Delfonics, The Stylistics, Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, The Four Tops ,Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross & The Supremes, etc..... . Music was my escape from the hard times I endored and made those tough times easier to handle.
Q- What was your first experiences at touching the surface of music and the business?
A- The thoughts were there because my grandmother always said, "your going to be a singer". She knew I was a huge Bee Gees buff and disco was heard throughout my house too. It was early when I became involved with music and the atmosphere with the likes of Al Pizarro record pool, doing their feedback sheets and a part of the executive marketing team and A&R .....I was a "dancer for hire" back then and I learned trademark, rotation & all aspects of the music business. I was lucky cause I had a chance to see it from the inside before I loomed towards the stage as an actual performer, so remember that dancer/choreographer came first & that's how I took my baby steps into my dream of actually recording and sharing my work with an audience.
Q- What brought you into the music business?
A- I realized that music is universal and that sharing your stories became alot more important than the actual business end of it. Hip Hop, Salsa, Freestyle, Merengue, Reggaeton, R&B, and the art of writing what you feel was extremely important to me. Don't get me wrong, today I am on the business side of it as well with the label Digital Genesis, but the freedom to write and give music to a listener exceeds my wildest dreams.
Q- What do you think about the music business today?
A- Personally I believe it's a big fat joke!!!.....most images continue to be duplicated and bitten off artist of the past. There isn't any creativity anymore. Many music excecs need to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to be original like the Berry Gordy's, Phil Spector's, Tommy Mottola's and Clive Davis's who took creativity to new heights as well as gave us performers with quality music. Let us understand their image and they gave their artist their own identity. Johnny Pacheco did it with the Fania label and created an empire. When you start imitating and repeat an artists image or give it simularities then the audience and the fan will take notice. There are too many dipping in the money pot and not enough talent out there. I believe that you have to put in your fair share of work, time and effort into what you love to do. People get mad or go on hating on someone cause they continue to get work but if you don't put in the dedication to your craft you will get negative results. I paid my dues and continue to create, never living up to a labels standard or genre but being original and delivering to my audience what they want, quality songs and music that comes from me and not what some suit wants me to be. I'm not a sell-out and if I feel merengue on them lyrics then it'll be a merengue, if I feel salsa or hip hop then that's what it'll be. Give your fans diversity and they support you no matter what.
Q-Who were the greatest influences in your life?
A- Well let me tell you that hands down it would be my grandmother(Margarita Quinones) and my aunt(Bienvenida Quinones), my grandmother suffered from diabetes, over time it really took it's toll on her and she had to have her legs amputated. It never stopped her from getting around and living life to the fullest. My aunt was the same as diabetes never stopped her and she had to live with one leg as well. I have to give it to them they were great and strong influences in my life.
WE NOW GO RIGHT INTO OUR SPEED ROUND WHERE UNIDOS MAGAZINE ASK A SERIES OF QUESTIONS AND BORIQUA POSSE ANSWERS QUICKLY WHAT COMES TO MIND
Q-What is your favorite color? A- Red
Q-Favorite food? A- Italian
Q-Favorite dream vacation? A-Bermuda Triangle (we laugh)
Q- Favorite movie A-Exorcist
Q-Favorite T.V. program? A-Law & Order
Q- Actor *male A-Jim Carrey *female A- Sandra Bullock
Q- Favorite performer/singer *male A-Gilberto Santa Rosa
*female A- Celia Cruz
*group A- Los Adolestentes
Q-Favorite song? A-"Las Carras Lindas"-Ismael Rivera (Maelo)
Q- Favorite book? A-Conspiracy Theory/Scandal At Winter Lake
Q- Favorite Nightclub Back In The Days? A-hands down, The Palladium
Q-If you were in a foxhole(at war), who would you want there watching your back? A-my son
Q- If you had one postive message to tell your young fans out there as a conclusion to this interview, what would it be?
A- A person that cannot tell the truth and bad breath (I could not contain myself and burst out laughing as he continues but he is very serious about it), I'm not going to give you my last stick of gum.....(I cannot stop laughing)........seriously, they need to get it checked out man. I also have a problem with talking to someone with nose hairs, just want to take them out with an alicate (pliers).
Q- What is your biggest dislike/pet peeve?
Q- What do you do on your spare time?
A- I enjoy playing video games (Playstation 3), I enjoy good music, working on my own music, yes!!! and cooking!!!! I have a 14yr. old son (Anthony Jr.), I'm single and I come from an abusive childhood so I share a great deal of my time with him and the many things that are positive to me.
Q- What are your current projects?
Q- What's in the future for Boriqua Posse?
A- Well I excecutive produce and have some music that I've been working on. I've been working on my new album and it should be finished by the time this interview is published. A new single is in the works...yeah buddy!!!!, I've been working on this top secret track called "Glamour" that should shake the boots off the opposition. I have my own studio at home I work out of. "The Glamour" is being produced by Freddy"The Edit"Rivera. See, I believe that I have created a buzz and it has worked for me, cause if your talking about me whether it be positive or negative....that's free promo for me (he laughs) see I'm registered and trademarked like Pepsi brother!!!!
A- I really want to publish my book someday and acting has been calling me as well. I would like to put my hand in everone's cookie jar and see what I'm made of. I would like to touch every aspect of my label Digital Genesis Music and explode in the near future as a jack of all artistic trades. I will never let go, I love music of all genres. I see my future bright cause I stay positive although I've been through many obstacles in my life(has lived all his life with Epilepsy), I have embraced music & in return music has embraced me. My release of my single "Glamour" on June 27th should be a future eye opener to my fans and supporters and pray that it puts them on the dance floor. This would solidify all the hard work and allow me to open up my artistic creativity to an all new audience. so far my future is looking brighter and brighter Unidos.
A- Never complain and count your blessings...Feel free to branch out and dream your greastest dreams. Dedicate yourself in all you do, trust me the hard work will pay off. Do good deeds for your fellow man and treat a woman as she should be treated, with respect, love, and honor them as if they were your own mother or grandmother. I learned that you have one life to live......in that life you should leave a legacy. If I died tomorrow, I will be satisfied that I touched or reached at least one or two people's lives and that I made a difference in some way. Que Dios vendiga la juventud, que ello son el manana.
I would like to thank the many that have made a difference in my life, the fans and many that support Boriqua Posse and the music that I deliver.
To my man Benny Blanco, my Digital Genesis Music family, DJ Lexx, CNR, thank you God for blessing me with my talent thank you to my grandmother Margarita Quinones for her guiding light my aunt Bienvenida Quinones who taught me that no matter the obstacle as long as God is on my side I can conquer
Thank you to my son Anthony Quinones jr for balancing his life with me around my career I love you baby boy
Thank you to my grandfather Alberto Gonzalez for his love and spiritual guidance "Ache maeferum"
Special thank you to Freddy "The Edit" Rivera for believing in me as a artist and for being a great friend, a true gem
Thank you to Cynthia Rebaza for also believing in me as a artist and for being a great friend
Thank you to the fans without you guys im nothing thank you for the pictures at The events the comments on facebook god bless you guys
Thank you to my family for there love and support
Thank you to all the dj's and radio stations for there love and support thank you to all the Internet radio stations
Special thanks to Legends Of Freestyle for there undying support
Thank you to John Rosario for this interview and Unidos Magazine
"Im not finished yet stay tuned"
"Y no me grites"!!!!!!!!
THE BORIQUA POSSE SLIDE SHOW
