Quincy B
{{Short description|Liberian singer (1993–2017)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = person
| name = Quincy B
| image =
| landscape = yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Quincy Luwokollie Borrowes
| alias = Wonda Boy
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1993|4|24}}
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2017|3|3|1993|4|24}}
| genre = {{hlist|Hipco|R&B|afropop}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|record producer}}
| instrument = Vocals
| years_active = 2013–2017
| label = {{hlist|ALM Records}}
| website =
}}
Quincy Luwokollie Borrowes (April 24, 1993 – March 3, 2017), known professionally as Quincy B, was a Liberian singer, songwriter and record producer.{{refn|The Daily Observer reporter Robin Dopoe noted that Quincy B was 23 years old, despite earlier reports claiming he was 20.|group = "note"}} 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. 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
Quincy 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.{{cite web |author1=Marjean Sherman |title=Liberia’s “Wonda Boy” Releases “Crazy” Single |url=https://bushchicken.com/liberias-wonda-boy-releases-crazy-single/ |publisher=The Bush Chicken |access-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002035613/https://bushchicken.com/liberias-wonda-boy-releases-crazy-single/ |archive-date=October 2, 2015 |date=June 25, 2015}} 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. Producer Infectious Michael is credited with helping him jump-start his music career. Prior to joining Lewiz McCarthy's ALM Records, Quincy B was signed to Michael's record label, Heart Beat Records.{{cite web |author1=Kerkula Blama |title=The Industry Mourns The Loss of Quincy B After Four Years. |url=https://geezliberia.home.blog/2021/03/03/entertainment-the-industry-mourns-the-loss-of-quincy-b-after-four-years/ |publisher=Geez Liberia |access-date=19 April 2024 |date=March 3, 2021}}
In August 2014, Quincy B released "State of Emergency", a collaborative single he recorded with Tan Tan B.{{Cite web |last=Linda Poon |date=August 24, 2014 |title=If Salt-N-Pepa Told You To Brush Your Teeth, You'd Surely Listen |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2014/08/20/341869218/if-salt-n-pepa-told-you-to-brush-your-teeth-youd-surely-listen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203091617/https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2014/08/20/341869218/if-salt-n-pepa-told-you-to-brush-your-teeth-youd-surely-listen |archive-date=3 December 2021 |access-date=19 March 2023 |publisher=NPR}} The song features soulful piano chords and raises awareness about the Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia. "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".{{cite web |author1=Marc Silver |title=Radio In Liberia Seems Like It's All Ebola, All The Time |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2014/08/15/340401807/radio-in-liberia-seems-like-its-all-ebola-all-the-time |publisher=NPR |access-date=14 April 2024 |date=August 15, 2014 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418031231/https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2014/08/15/340401807/radio-in-liberia-seems-like-its-all-ebola-all-the-time |url-status=live }} In November 2014, Quincy B and rapper Scientific released their collaborative single "Shawty", which is composed of lyrics that uplift African women.{{cite web |last1=Mawuli |first1=David |title=Scientific & Quincy B Release New Single “Shawty” |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/music/liberian-brothers-scientific-and-quincy-b-release-new-single-shawty/3h31tr0 |publisher=Pulse Ghana |access-date=12 February 2024 |date=November 27, 2014}} He previously worked with Scientific on the single "My Dream", which was his first solo release. Quincy B released the single "Crazy" in 2015. Sky Bar, a rooftop lounge in Sinkor, hosted a release party to commemorate the song's release. Quincy B performed "Crazy" along with the songs "Tumba Baba" and "Shawty Bad" at the release party. The event featured additional performances from Eric Geso, Cassi Money, Young Classic, Chilla Conani, and Kzee.
In June 2016, the Daily Observer newspaper revealed that Quincy B had agreed to serve as an ambassador for Lonestar Cell, a subsidiary of MTN Group.{{cite web |author1=Robin Dopoe Jr |title=Liberia: Quincy B - Music Business Is Dirty As Politics |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201606160726.html |publisher=Daily Observer |access-date=12 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620064523/https://allafrica.com/stories/201606160726.html |archive-date=June 20, 2016 |date=June 16, 2016}}{{cite web |author1=Lewis Teh |author2=Jonathan Browne |title=Lone Star Cell MTN seeks Quincy B replacement |url=https://thenewdawnliberia.com/lone-star-cell-mtn-seeks-quincy-b-replacement/ |publisher=The New Dawn |access-date=23 February 2024 |date=June 1, 2017 |archive-date=23 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223161245/https://thenewdawnliberia.com/lone-star-cell-mtn-seeks-quincy-b-replacement/ |url-status=live }} In 2017, singer Kobazzie released the single "Sleep for What", which was produced by Quincy B and appeared on Bilikon Entertainment's compilation album Press Play (2017).{{cite web |author1=Adrienne Tingba |title=A Chat With Musician Kobazzie: The Boy Who Can’t Listen |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/amp/news/2016news/a-chat-with-musician-kobazzie-the-boy-who-can-t-listen/ |publisher=Front Page Africa |access-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310175649/https://frontpageafricaonline.com/amp/news/2016news/a-chat-with-musician-kobazzie-the-boy-who-can-t-listen/ |archive-date=March 10, 2023 |date=February 13, 2018 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Press Play by Bilikon Ent |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/sleep-for-what-feat-kobazzie/1231687382?i=1231687938 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=17 March 2023 |date=April 16, 2017 |archive-date=17 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317031231/https://music.apple.com/us/album/sleep-for-what-feat-kobazzie/1231687382?i=1231687938 |url-status=live }} Quincy B and Soul Fresh collaborated on the songs "Friend" and "Praise". In "Friend", Quincy B counsels young Liberians to choose their friends wisely. He released the song "Liberian Girl" and dedicated it to women in Liberia. Moreover, he acknowledged the Mandingo custom and highlighted the traditional name "Fatumata" on the track.
Quincy B's posthumous album, Mr. All the Time, was issued by ALM Records.{{cite web |title=Quincy B: Mr All The Time #RIPQB |url=https://liberiamusicinsider.wordpress.com/2017/03/27/quincy-b-mr-all-the-time-rip/ |publisher=Liberia Music Insider |access-date=19 April 2024 |date=March 27, 2017}} The thirteen-track album, which was released on March 11, 2017, consists entirely of previously released singles such as "Olukupay", "Mr. All the Time", and "I Pledge".{{cite web |title=Mr. All the Time by Quincy B |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1MGkPIpVX8mZBssfnIrjhi |publisher=Spotify |access-date=19 April 2024 |date=11 March 2017}} In "Olukupay" and "Mr. All the Time", Quincy B extolled the virtues of Liberian girls. The Sweetz-assisted track "I Pledge" was the last song he recorded before his death. On June 1, 2017, Lonestar Cell announced that they were looking for a new brand ambassador to replace Quincy B.
Artistry and influences
Quincy B's music explored hipco, R&B, and afropop.{{cite web |author1=James Harding Giahyue |title=Tribute: ‘I Am Quincy B, I’m Meant To Be’ |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/opinion/tribute-i-am-quincy-b-i-m-meant-to-be/ |publisher=Front Page Africa |access-date=14 April 2024 |date=March 24, 2017}} He sung in Kolokwa English and took pride in being Liberian. Front Page Africa{{'}}s James Giahyue commended him for being a "true patriot" and said he had a "melodious voice and harmonious notes". Moreover, Giahyue said the singer's career "summed up voice quality, cultured lyrics and the power of the Liberian colloquial". 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". Quincy B cited John Legend, Ne-Yo, and Ryan Leslie as his key musical influences.
Personal life and death
Quincy B had a child with Agnes Kollie, who was nine months pregnant at the time of his death.{{cite web |title=Deceased Liberian Musician Quincy B Was Expecting A Child |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/2016news/deceased-liberian-musician-quincy-b-was-expecting-a-child/ |publisher=Front Page Africa |access-date=14 April 2024 |date=March 7, 2017 |archive-date=13 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813181312/http://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/2016news/deceased-liberian-musician-quincy-b-was-expecting-a-child/ |url-status=live }} In an interview with Front Page Africa, Kollie said the singer did not inform his parents about the pregnancy. On March 3, 2017, Quincy B died in a car crash while driving home from a gig at Anglers Bar and Restaurant.{{cite web |title=How Did Liberia’s Young Artist Quincy Burrowes – Quincy B Die |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/2016news/how-did-liberia-s-young-artist-quincy-burrowes-quincy-b-die/#:~:text=Known%20by%20his%20moniker%2C%20Quincy,somersault%20of%20the%20vehicle%20sliding |publisher=Front Page Africa |access-date=18 April 2024 |date=March 5, 2017 |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418160618/https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/2016news/how-did-liberia-s-young-artist-quincy-burrowes-quincy-b-die/#:~:text=Known%20by%20his%20moniker%2C%20Quincy,somersault%20of%20the%20vehicle%20sliding |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author1=Gerald Koinyeneh |title=Fans Disappointed Over Liberian Artists’ Continued Snubbing of Quincy B’s Grave On Decoration Day |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/front-slider/fans-disappointed-over-liberian-artists-continued-snubbing-of-quincy-bs-grave-on-decoration-day/ |publisher=Front Page Africa |access-date=18 April 2024 |date=March 12, 2020 |archive-date=28 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028211530/https://frontpageafricaonline.com/front-slider/fans-disappointed-over-liberian-artists-continued-snubbing-of-quincy-bs-grave-on-decoration-day/ |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |last=Omari Jackson |date=March 6, 2017 |title=Liberia: Artist Quincy B. Killed in Crash |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201703060208.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306142709/https://allafrica.com/stories/201703060208.html |archive-date=6 March 2017 |publisher=Daily Observer}} The Bush Chicken{{'}}s editorial board reported that the singer collided with barriers around the Pan African Plaza building.{{cite web |title=Editorial: Quincy B Deserves More Than Your Condolences |url=https://bushchicken.com/editorial-quincy-b-deserves-more-than-your-condolences/ |publisher=The Bush Chicken |access-date=20 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306122701/https://bushchicken.com/editorial-quincy-b-deserves-more-than-your-condolences/ |archive-date=March 6, 2017 |date=March 6, 2017}} 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 were unharmed.
On March 24, a burial ceremony and vigil were held at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium.{{cite web |title=Quincy ‘B’ Finally Laid To Rest – Escorted By Thousands of Fans |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/2016news/quincy-b-finally-laid-to-rest-escorted-by-thousands-of-fans/ |publisher=Front Page Africa |access-date=18 April 2024 |date=March 25, 2017 |archive-date=18 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418150241/https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/2016news/quincy-b-finally-laid-to-rest-escorted-by-thousands-of-fans/ |url-status=live }} The funeral drew thousands of fans and featured a number of performers who paid tribute to him. Quincy B's remains were transported to Mount Barclay Cemetery and buried there.
Discography
Posthumous albums
- Mr. All the Time (2017)
See also
Footnotes
{{notelist|group=note}}