Quincy Luwokollie Borrowes (April 24, 1993 – March 3, 2017), known professionally as Quincy B, was a Liberian singer, songwriter and record producer.[1][note 1] He gained recognition in 2013 after releasing his debut single "My Dream", which features rapper Scientific. In 2014, Quincy B released the Tan Tan B-assisted track "State of Emergency", which promotes awareness of the Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia. His music explored hipco, R&B, and afropop. He primarily sung in Kolokwa English and took pride in being Liberian.
Quincy B | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Quincy Luwokollie Borrowes |
| Also known as | Wonda Boy |
| Born | April 24, 1993 |
| Died | March 3, 2017 (aged 23) |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2013–2017 |
| Labels |
|
On March 3, 2017, Quincy B died in a car accident. His posthumous album, Mr. All the Time, was issued by ALM Records and released on March 11, 2017. It comprises thirteen tracks and consists entirely of previously released singles.
Life and career
editQuincy Luwokollie Borrowes was born on April 24, 1993, in Liberia. He started singing in his church choir at an early age, and fled to Ghana with his family during the First Liberian Civil War.[3][4] Quincy B attended Budumburam High School and studied music education at an unnamed university while residing in Ghana. He returned to Liberia in 2012 and made his music debut in 2013.[4] Producer Infectious Michael is credited with helping him jump-start his music career.[3] Prior to joining Lewiz McCarthy's ALM Records, Quincy B was signed to Michael's record label, Heart Beat Records.[5]
In August 2014, Quincy B released "State of Emergency", a collaborative single he recorded with Tan Tan B.[6] The song features soulful piano chords and raises awareness about Liberia's Ebola virus epidemic.[6] "State of Emergency" addresses a public health crisis as exemplified by lyrics like "Pull the alarm, turn on the sirens. I see my people dying, but nobody's firing".[7] In November 2014, Quincy B and rapper Scientific released their collaborative single "Shawty", which is composed of lyrics that uplift African women.[8] He previously worked with Scientific on the single "My Dream", which was his first solo release.[1] Quincy B released the single "Crazy" in 2015.[3] Sky Bar, a rooftop lounge in Sinkor, hosted a release party to commemorate the song's release.[3] Quincy B performed "Crazy" along with the songs "Tumba Baba" and "Shawty Bad" at the release party.[3] The event featured additional performances from Eric Geso, Cassi Money, Young Classic, Chilla Conani, and Kzee.[3]
The Daily Observer newspaper revealed in June 2016 that Quincy B had agreed to serve as an ambassador for Lonestar Cell, an MTN Group company.[9] On June 1, 2017, Lonestar Cell announced that they were looking for a new brand ambassador to replace Quincy B.[10] In 2017, singer Kobazzie released the single "Sleep for What", which was produced by Quincy B and appeared on Press Play, a 2017 compilation album released by Bilikon Entertainment.[11][12] In "Olukupay", "Mr. All the Time", and the Gbema-inspired "Hitch" (featuring Kzee), Quincy B extolled the virtues of Liberian girls.[1] He released the song "Liberian Girl" and dedicated it to women in Liberia.[1] Moreover, he acknowledged the Mandingo custom and highlighted the traditional name "Fatumata" on the record.[1]
Quincy B and Soul Fresh collaborated on the songs "Friend" and "Praise". In "Friend", Quincy B counsels young Liberians to choose their friends wisely.[1] He released the Sweetz-assisted track "I Pledge", which was the last song he recorded before his death.[1] Quincy B's posthumous album, Mr. All the Time, was issued by ALM Records, the label to which he was signed.[13] The thirteen-track album, which was released on March 11, 2017, consists entirely of previously released singles.[13][14]
Artistry and influences
editQuincy B's music explored hipco, R&B, and afropop.[1][3] He sung in Kolokwa English and took pride in being Liberian.[1] Front Page Africa's James Giahyue commended him for being a "true patriot" and said he had a "melodious voice and harmonious notes".[1] Moreover, Giahyue said the singer's career "summed up voice quality, cultured lyrics and the power of the Liberian colloquial".[1] Gerald Koinyeneh acknowledged Quincy B for providing "a therapeutic feeling bigger than entertainment" and said his "sonorous voice and deep lyrics healed people and rehabilitated others".[15] Quincy B cited John Legend, Ne-Yo, and Ryan Leslie as his key musical influences.[3]
Personal life and death
editQuincy B had a child with Agnes Kollie, who was nine months pregnant at the time of his death.[16] In an interview with Front Page Africa, Kollie said the singer did not inform his parents about the pregnancy.[16] On March 3, 2017, Quincy B died in a car crash while driving home from a gig at Anglers Bar and Restaurant.[17][15] There were multiple accounts of the crash. According to the Daily Observer newspaper, Quincy B's 2007 Toyota Camry crashed against the wall of UNMIL headquarters and flipped over.[2] The Bush Chicken's editorial board reported that the singer collided with barriers around the Pan African Plaza building.[18] The other occupants of the car, his friends Margas Gayflor, Cralorboi CIC, and Feouls Kaba, all survived the collision. CIC sustained a shattered leg, while the others remained unaffected.[15]
On March 24, a burial ceremony and vigil were held at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium.[4] The funeral drew thousands of fans and featured a number of performers who paid tribute to him.[4] Quincy B's remains were transported to Mount Barclay Cemetery and buried there.[4]
Discography
editPosthumous albums
- Mr. All the Time (2017)
See also
editFootnotes
edit- ^ The Daily Observer reporter Robin Dopoe noted that Quincy B was 23 years old, despite earlier reports claiming he was 20.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k James Harding Giahyue (March 24, 2017). "Tribute: 'I Am Quincy B, I'm Meant To Be'". Front Page Africa. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b Omari Jackson (March 6, 2017). "Liberia: Artist Quincy B. Killed in Crash". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Marjean Sherman (June 25, 2015). "Liberia's "Wonda Boy" Releases "Crazy" Single". The Bush Chicken. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Quincy 'B' Finally Laid To Rest – Escorted By Thousands of Fans". Front Page Africa. March 25, 2017. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ Kerkula Blama (March 3, 2021). "The Industry Mourns The Loss of Quincy B After Four Years". Geez Liberia. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ a b Linda Poon (August 24, 2014). "If Salt-N-Pepa Told You To Brush Your Teeth, You'd Surely Listen". NPR. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ Marc Silver (August 15, 2014). "Radio In Liberia Seems Like It's All Ebola, All The Time". NPR. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ Mawuli, David (November 27, 2014). "Scientific & Quincy B Release New Single "Shawty"". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Robin Dopoe Jr (June 16, 2016). "Liberia: Quincy B - Music Business Is Dirty As Politics". Daily Observer. Archived from the original on June 20, 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Lewis Teh; Jonathan Browne (June 1, 2017). "Lone Star Cell MTN seeks Quincy B replacement". The New Dawn. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Adrienne Tingba (February 13, 2018). "A Chat With Musician Kobazzie: The Boy Who Can't Listen". Front Page Africa. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
- ^ "Press Play by Bilikon Ent". Apple Music. April 16, 2017. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Quincy B: Mr All The Time #RIPQB". Liberia Music Insider. March 27, 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "Mr. All the Time by Quincy B". Spotify. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ a b c Gerald Koinyeneh (March 12, 2020). "Fans Disappointed Over Liberian Artists' Continued Snubbing of Quincy B's Grave On Decoration Day". Front Page Africa. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Deceased Liberian Musician Quincy B Was Expecting A Child". Front Page Africa. March 7, 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ "How Did Liberia's Young Artist Quincy Burrowes – Quincy B Die". Front Page Africa. March 5, 2017. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Editorial: Quincy B Deserves More Than Your Condolences". The Bush Chicken. March 6, 2017. Archived from the original on March 6, 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2024.