Jay Q’s story is one that blends pain, purpose, and passion. A former football player turned melodic storyteller, Jay Q (born Jason Allen Quinn Jr.) is a reminder that when one door closes, another often opens wider. After a college injury ended his football journey, Jay Q leaned into the music that had always called to him—even as early as the fourth grade. That calling evolved into a craft, and his latest single If You showcases not just his growth as an artist but his emotional depth as a human.
Whether he’s breaking down personal heartbreaks or recalling moments of reflection in his grandfather’s house, Jay Q doesn’t hold back. With influences rooted in family, loss, and the pressure to stay true to himself, he’s creating music that doesn’t just sound good—it feels necessary. In this extended interview, Jay Q speaks openly about the moments that shaped his art, what If You means to him, and how he’s turning pain into passion, one track at a time.
Q: How has your football background influenced your work as an artist?
Jay Q: Football taught me to keep going, no matter how tough it gets. That discipline carried over into music. When I was recovering from my injury, I had to choose between staying stuck or finding something new to put my energy into. Music became that outlet. I realized that if I put in the same work ethic I did with sports, I could really build something special with music.
Q: Can you describe the first moment you created music as a kid?
Jay Q: I was living in LA with my grandparents at the time. My dad had always supported the idea, but I remember hearing a family member making music and thinking, “I want to try this.” My dad used to have me study words and turn them into lyrics. I didn’t realize it then, but he was helping me build my writing voice way before I had access to any real equipment.
Q: BandLab played a big role in your early sound. What was that experience like?
Jay Q: Honestly, BandLab changed everything. I started using it in high school and realized I had a studio in my pocket. Before that, I was using Voice Memos. But with BandLab, I could finally experiment with EQ, reverb, and mixing. It was a game-changer. When I eventually got a home studio, everything I learned from BandLab helped me jump right in.
Q: When people started reacting to your music online, what did that feel like?
Jay Q: It felt like validation. I was nervous at first because a lot of people knew me from football. I wasn’t sure how they’d react when I started posting music. But the support came in, and it made me feel like I could really do this for real. It was motivating. It reminded me that no matter what you were known for before, people will always respect passion and growth.
Q: What’s the personal meaning behind If You?
Jay Q: If You is about calling out the fake love. It’s a message to the people who said they were for me but disappeared when I needed them most. It’s also about processing loss. You hear that in the lyrics—it’s like an emotional purge. That’s why this track means so much to me. It’s a timestamp of where I am emotionally and musically.
Connect with Jay Q:
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Facebook (Link 1)
Facebook (Link 2)
