Quincy is Far From Done
All clothings by COACH Fall 2020 Collection
Art Direction and styling by
Juliet Vo
Photographs by
Raul Romo
The reality of Quincy Brown is multi-faceted. He’s an actor, a musician and a model. At first glance it sounds like an ambitious line of titles to add to your name; but Quincy has done it with grace and style, carving up his own space in each one of these lucrative industries. Having recently turned 29, the final act of a decade he refers to as the ‘fun-zone’, Quincy spoke to me from his digs in Los Angeles, about all the big and small things in his life, painting a soft and vibrant picture of what he may be like when nobody’s around.
“This time has let me in on those little things I didn’t know about myself. I’m trying to keep pushing forward with that energy.”
Hey man
Diooo! What’s up?
I’m good man. Where are you right now? Are you in LA?
Yessir. I’m in LA right now. Where are you?
I’m in New York. I wish I was on the west coast though. I lived in LA for five years. I’ve been missing it.
Yeah?
Definitely. So, tell me something. What are you most excited about right now, in life?
Um, I feel like I’m at a place where I kinda like that I’m really in control. I can really push my message and the things that I’m passionate about.
A lot of times things can get blinded by my need to be doing things that are of service, and sometimes that may take away from what you’re really trying to put out there. Now I’m at that point where I’m in control of my narrative. I’m just putting everything into what I’m doing now. I’m not thinking twice anymore. I know I used to be like, I did this..and I think I like it. But now, I think I’m fully myself and I feel alive because of it.
That’s a great place to be at. How have you been spending these last few months with this pandemic and everything?
I’ve definitely been spending the last few months in a work harder, not smarter mode for sure, you know what I mean? That’s been my motto during this time, cause I’ve never had this much free time in my life.
Obviously as a kid, but, you know, as an adult working in media and stuff like this, that doesn’t just happen easily.
I don’t think anyone knew how to properly do this. There was no right way to live this. I felt like I learned a lot about myself. Because I liked spending time by myself already, but this time kind of just brought out different sides of me. Like, I found cleaning to be therapeutic now. You know what I mean? I like to clean now.
It is, it totally is.
Yes. And it’s little stuff like that. Like I have a little green Thumb right now, I got into planting. I just got me my first four plants in my home.
I love that.
It’s those little things that sometimes when you’re moving so fast, you don’t really even get to think about. This time has let me in on those little things I didn’t know about myself. I’m trying to keep pushing forward with that energy.
I feel that. That’s funny because I wanted to ask you. Tell me something that you’ve learned this year that you probably weren’t aware of last year?
I don’t think there’s anything too specific. It’s more so that my understanding of how the world works has changed.
I get that. Like, observing more?
Yeah. I’ve been able to observe. Which leads to me communicating better and overall being more vocal in my life.
“I think your 20s are really just the fun-zone. You realize the reality of certain things. You hit those later years and you start to see the struggle. Hopefully for anyone in their twenties, with every passing year, you’re just getting closer to building that confidence that lets you be who you really are. Because, I think by your 30s, you shouldn’t have to figure that out.”
Definitely. Who are some of your heroes?
Current heroes, one being The Rock; Dwayne Johnson. He’s up there.
He’s a hero to many, I think.
Will Smith is another. And Pharell, musically is for sure a hero of mine.
Why’s that?
Just from an all around aspect, I see myself in him. With the multi-faceted lifestyle, everything is so personal yet you don’t know what to expect next from him. I’m trying to kind of have a that’s so Quincy thing about the work I do. Influence and originality.
Yeah, I call it the modern Renaissance man.
Yeah. That’s definitely been a term that I’ve being using in trying to identify myself. But sometimes it’s hard, because you want other people to identify you as that. But, that’s what I’m going for. But you can’t just call yourself that.
Right, [laughs]. I definitely know what you mean. So, I feel like your whole thing is about being on a different frequency, doing these things that other people wouldn’t expect you to do. I think I saw a video of an interview where you talked about, you know, the people that you work with and your homies and how they’re all on a different frequency. How do you define being on a different frequency. What does that mean to you?
Well for one, I say always being woke, reading between the lines, when someone else is on the surface. It’s about perspective. Not what you do, but how you do it. It’s really hard to say in a sentence. But it’s about pushing the envelope further and unlocking whatever it is that’s outside of the norm.
Alright. So, I recently listened to your song Aye Yo. I love the song so much. It’s such a good song. On top of that, I love the video. It’s so fun and playful, being shot fully on green screen…
I was wondering did you have anything to do with the concept and the idea behind it?
Yeah. In everything I do, the creative process is the best part. I wanted to showcase my versatility, you know, musically and visually. During the times we’re living in, the way in which I executed that vision was limited. I still wanted to do something different. I thought the record was a little different from my usual music. To me, because of the limitations I had, it was the perfect time to start from scratch creatively. I had this record that was infused by a few different cultures and I wanted that to be felt in the visuals.My goal is to push the visuals as much as the music. I want it to mean as much as the song does.
“I’m just putting everything into what I’m doing now. I’m not thinking twice anymore.”
From what I gather you seem like a well-traveled person. What has been your favorite place to visit and why?
Well, I can’t wait to get back to traveling because I feel like I’ll have a new favorite place. Right now Japan holds the spot. I really get a different feeling over there than any other place I’ve visited. It feels familiar, like home, all the while being an extreme culture shock. I’ve been twice, so it’s not enough to be calling it my favorite place I think. But the fact that I’ve been twice already says something to me. I feel like I haven’t really touched, touched it forreal, you know what I mean? I think about this place all the time. I like learning about different cultures and incorporating that into who I am as a person.
I like your openness and your willingness to learn. That’s cool. So, I love your vibe on social media, too. I feel like a lot of artists don’t always know how to go about, you know, having an authentic presence on there. You’ve got a good finger on it. How would you describe your relationship with it? You seem to have a good balance and approach to it. You have a YouTube channel, you’re constantly blogging…
Absolutely. I mean, that’s sad too, when others are practicing the same. It’s such a little gesture that can literally explode into something. I think I realized that early on, I keep it organic to who I am. That’s easy to see once you notice the consistency of it. I feel like when it comes to people who are really invested in you, you can’t allow that to just be a one way street. I think it’s so whack when people don’t give back to their fans. It can make you seem out of reach and inaccessible. It’s really just about inclusion.
It shows, and I think that’s really cool that you’ve been able to find that perfect footing between giving yourself to the people and keeping that allure.
I think the more you give, the more you’re sought out. Because it’s genuine.
For sure… Who are your people? You know what I mean? Who’s around you?
It’s funny, my friends are the people I work with, I don’t really have, like friends that I just hang out with. Or friend that I kick it and do weird shit with. Literally the people that I work with, those are the people that I kick it with. The people that I ball out with, and then we’ll link up and get 10 hours of work done, or something like that. Most of these people around me have nothing to do with my lifestyle, it’s about the work that they do and the things they’re good at. Those are my everyday people. I’m literally walking around with my office, you know what I mean?
[Laughs] I do. That’s it right there. So, you’re 29, right?
Um, I think I’m gonna redo this year, So I’ll be turning 29 again. I don’t think this year really counts for anybody. I gotta see if I’m eligible or not for a redo.
That’s hilarious. I mean, I just turned 30, like a month before Quarantine. I was like wow. My 30th year, just spent at home…
Damn. Happy Happy 30th Birthday though! That’s big.
Thank you! I know people out there have it worse than me just spending my 30th year at home. But that being said, I feel like 30 is this big age that you’re on the cusp of. How do you look back on your own twenties?
It’s definitely a milestone, sure. Looking back, I think of when I was like 15, or 18, with a few years before going into your twenties. We seem to have more plans than ever before. But I think your 20s are really just the fun-zone. You realize the reality of certain things. You hit those later years and you start to see the struggle. Hopefully for anyone in their twenties, with every passing year you’re just getting closer to building that confidence that lets you be who you really are. Because, I think by your 30s, you shouldn’t have to figure that out.
I agree.
Because then your real life starts at 30. Twenties are experimental, you know? You set the tone for the rest of your life. Can you do it? What are you going to do It’s like Pokémon, you know what I mean? You’re leveling up. By 30 you should be that Charizard, and ready to take on things.
“I think I’m fully myself and I feel alive because of it.”
Grooming by
Paige Davenport/Exclusive Artists using Kypris Beauty
Videography by
Alex Romo
[Laughs]. It’s exactly like that. Yeah! Time & Life, man. Okay, so your Coach watch campaign that came out recently was very nice. This is your second time with Coach. You were also in the Coach x Bape Spring 2020 collection. Tell me about your relationship with Coach?
I wanted my entry into this fashion space to be something real and not just, let’s do this for whatever reason. For starters, Coach, they’re iconic. I think they recognize me for who I am and what they represent and what I represent goes parallel. They really just allowed me to be me. Sometimes brands have a certain vision and it doesn’t always align with who you are. But I think Coach really recognized me for who I am. Their mood-boards, just looking at them, you would’ve thought it was me already. I mean, they looked on my Instagram, and everywhere, and then they brought it together in this beautiful mood- board deck and I’m like, do y’all know me on a level that I don’t?
[Laughs] Right, right.
But that actually is what I wanted. It was so shocking to me and that’s something I think every brand should channel.
Right, that level of investment…
Yea, that extra step..
That’s so cool.
Because, like, my whole life, I thought; If you want to work with somebody, you’re essentially saying, hey, I choose you. I want to work with you. But then sometimes you step into it, but they end up just taking away from them..
Taking away what makes them them. I totally understand that. You were born in New York, yeah? But spent more of your time in LA?
I was born in New York, raised in Georgia, and now I live in LA. Georgia is so important to me.
What part of Georgia?
Columbus. Which is like an hour and a half south from Atlanta.
Why is Georgia so important to you?
My upbringing there. I was surrounded by so much family. I was really loved. Caring those experiences through the years really just made me who I am today. I love hard, cuz I definitely was. I think as a child to my teenager years, I was in a discovery mode of who I was. Because I had such a big family, I was able to be myself around everybody, because there were so many different types of people. Sorry, this is kind of random, but it just really informed me and who I am today. I’m glad I stayed there for the time that I did. Now I feel like, I want to do something for my city now that I’m able to come back on a different level. But all-in-all I got the streets and the swag from New York. I got the charm from the south and living in LA now, that influence is out of this world..
The age old question; New York or LA?
Six months ago, maybe even a year ago, I would’ve said LA mad fast. But now I’m hesitant. New York is slowly yanking me back. I will say it’s a 50/50 right now. Here’s the thing, with LA, there’s a lot of filtering you gotta do. When I say filter, I mean there’s a lot of everything else. The focus points are on what you’re working on and stuff like that. New York, I feel like it has a structure. New York keeps you on your toes. LA, you may want to kick your feet up. New York, you may want to run, you may want to walk.
That’s facts.
LA, you just want to smoke and chill. LA could be New York, if the people just went a little harder.
People really do just want to smoke and chill in LA, that’s really true.
Right? [laughs] I think that’s just what they think LA is all for. I think it’s going to take an army of heavy influence people to redefine LA’s leisure, you know what I mean?
Definitely.
I like saying I’m bicoastal. It’s a real thing when you’re in both places working, and just take it for that.
This was a great conversation. I’m excited for everything you do. Keep doing you.
Yessir, thank you. I appreciate that.
Quincy is photographed by Raul Romo for the digital cover of The Laterals in Los Angeles on August 20th 2020.
6 Comments
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Bridjaí Chaní
Always giving just a little bit more of himself with each interview, and letting us in that much more!!! Great interview as always, praying for you and screaming “QXCLUSIVE QANG QANG QANG”🥰🥰🥰
-Bridjaí C -
Nzingo
MY MAN!! Quincy I’m so happy for you.. what a great article!!
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Denise
Excellent interview. It’s great to get to know a little bit more about the Quincy structure and deep creativity. The article was awesome and all the pictures were fabulous.
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Nneka
Firstly that was a very lovely interview. As a fan I truly got to know a little bit more about Quincy as a person. As always I admire his humbleness and I love the fact that he’s always stays true to himself.
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Stephanie Drummond
i love him
Leave a Reply to Bridjaí Chaní Cancel reply
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India Thigpen
Great article, very informative. This was a joy to read. Being multifaceted but te.aining grounded and open to new experiences is a huge flex Quincy. Keep it up. I am genuinely rooting for Quincy. His frequency is magnetic.