Biography/History of
Qui
New R&B sensation Qui
and daughter of former NFL player Jerry Rice, is ready to make her
musical debut to the world. Her first single "Rev It Up"
features David Banner. Qui's album LUV 'N LIFE
is slated for release this summer!
Possessing talent is
one thing. But equal measures of determination and focus are also
required to succeed in today’s competitive music arena.
Singer/songwriter/musician Jacqui “Qui” Rice is one of
those talented few.
While maintaining a 4.0 average at Washington,
D.C.’s Georgetown University, majoring in government and
Spanish, with a focus on international relations, the college junior
found time to pursue her long-held passion. Slated for a late summer
release is Qui’s (pronounced “Kwee”) debut album,
LUV ‘N LIFE (JJR Entertainment). The mix of
mid-tempo, R&B/pop and ballads calls to mind such influences as Janet
Jackson, Michael Jackson and Ciara. But LUV ‘N LIFE
is definitely Qui’s show.
At a time when consumers are looking for more substantial melodies and
lyrics, Qui’s music definitely fits the taste of
today’s audience.
Born in
Greenville, Mississippi and raised in Atherton, CA,
Qui isn’t one of those paint-by-numbers artists who
typify most contemporary music. Under the guidance of co-writer
Francesca “Francii” Richard, and a team of talented production
newcomers, Qui’s vocal talent, combined with her
ability for writing relatable lyrics, shines against a backdrop of
hypnotic grooves with across-the-board appeal.
On LUV ‘N LIFE, Qui chronicles the fun, yet
scary rollercoaster ride, everyone experiences when it comes to
relationships and love as well as the self-awareness that rises from
this emotional journey. The siren intro and rousing beat of the opening
track, “On the Line,” is infused with the exhilarating rush that
happens when you meet “that someone” for the first time. Thrilled yet
cautious, Qui explores her newfound feelings on the
mid-tempo groove “Personal” and the poignant “Stay” (“You
flipped the scenario/Every fear that I had/had to let it go).
Qui
jumps into funky mode on the first single from her debut, the
percolating dance joint “Rev It Up”. Her sultry vocals provide
the perfect juxtaposition to the track’s featured guest, raspy-voiced,
Mississippi-bred rapper David Banner.
Qui
taps into her growing
self-awareness as a young woman on the inspirational anthem “Girl
Child.” Underscoring her subtly powerful vocal is a harmonizing
chorus of girl-child voices backing Qui on the
compelling hook (It’s hard being a lady when this world is crazy/Still I
know it’s a blessing I was born a girl child). Love’s heartbreak is
addressed on the moving ballad “It Was U,” while Qui’s
awakening “a-ha” moment is expressed via the rock-infused “Solo.”
While recording LUV ‘N LIFE, Qui
says her goal was to keep it “funky, fun and positive. You
pretty much groove to every song on here.”
Emotion was a key factor as well. “It’s important to make people feel
what you’re singing,” adds the artist whose musical influences also
encompass pop/rock (John Mayer,
Maroon 5), country (Johnny
Cash, Shania Twain, rap (Snoop
Dogg and David Banner) and gospel (Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin).
“Lyrics really inspire me,” adds Qui. “I was always
writing random lyrics and poems in school in my assignment books.
Finally getting to see these songs come to life is exciting.”
Listening to her paternal grandmother sing in church during summers
spent in Mississippi as well as to her parents’ diverse oldies
collection, which included Marvin Gaye,
Temptations, Billie Holiday and Elvis,
Qui began playing piano at the age of five. Then at the age of
10, she declared her intent to become a singer. That
desire was put to the test at age 11 when Qui performed
the national anthem before 62,000 football fans at a San Francisco 49ers game.
“Dancing, music and singing always went hand in hand for me,” she says.
“I found I love performing in front of crowds. It’s an adrenaline
thing.”
Her first formal introduction into the music industry occurred at 15
when Qui joined a teen quartet called Sorella (Italian
for sister). Performing up and down the California coast during the
summer at showcases and festivals in Florida and Texas, the multi-ethnic
pop group signed with JJR Entertainment,an independent label
established by Qui’s mother. After four years, the
group disbanded.
Qui
comes by her
competitive drive and fortitude naturally. Her father is legendary NFL
Wide Receiver and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, who put himself through a
different kind of intense pace while a contestant on “Dancing With The
Stars. Mother Jacqueline is a former pre-med student who manages the
day-to-day operations of JJRE. “My Mom taught me how to multi-task,”
says
Qui.
“She took us to school, ran the household and made sure my brother,
sister and I had plenty of extra-curricular activities. She and my Dad
taught us to dream.”
Though her career is a family affair, Qui is quick to
proclaim she wants to forge her own identity and not trade on her
parents’ notoriety. “My lifestyle doesn’t depend on my Dad or Mom’s
success,” she adds. “I want to make a first impression based on who I
am alone.”
In spring, 2008, Qui became the first
African American to be crowned Queen of the Shenandoah Apple Blossom
Festival, an achievement that Qui is quite proud of. Now in its 81st
year, the festival is an annual tradition in Winchester, Virginia, (West of Washington, D.C.) that
attracts more than 250,000 people.
A
college girl at heart, she loves old movies, cupcakes, pizza and
barbecued chicken and shares a house with five other students.
Qui admits its difficult balancing her studies and a singing
career. However, her “can-do” spirit remains just as strong as her zeal
for LUV ‘N LIFE and the promise it holds.
“It’s been difficult, but somehow you make it work and it’s worth it,’
she notes. “Music is where my heart is.”
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