Q Parker knows a thing or two about romance.
As a founding member of the legendary group 112, Parker has voiced some of R&B’s finest romantic songs. From the pleading “Cupid” to the steamy “U Already Know,” Parker has become a subject-matter expert over the last three decades.
“Romance is all the things that make you feel a special way about somebody,” Parker tells me over a video call after being asked his definition of it. He continues, “It’s those things you do and say. It’s the gentleness, the thoughtfulness, the charm, the intimacy, the sensuality, the sexuality, the whispers in the ear. It’s cuddling, it’s spooning, it’s holding hands, it’s kissing, it’s making love, it’s writing love letters, it’s writing songs.” He paraphrases, “To me, it’s an elevated courting.”
Parker’s second solo album, Evolution of Romance, Volume One, marks the launch of a new movement. “I’m going to be here for a while, and there will be a Volume Twoand a Volume Three and maybe a Volume Four,” he declares. “I’m here to be specific to this particular space of romance.”
Released via his company, Paramount Collective Ventures, in partnership with ONErpm, Romance arrives 13 years after his debut effort, The MANual. Regarding the latter project, Parker told Black Enterprise in 2012, “It’s kind of a ‘How To Guide’ of love. I have very strong views of how I feel a woman should be treated and you can hear them all in The MANual. Men and women can get some great tips on relationships from listening to this album.”
Evolution of Romance is a rousing collection of passionate records that remain true to the album’s title. At its core, it’s a body of work for lovers and hopeless romantics alike. “Beg,” the lead single and a top 10 hit on Billboard, is a masterclass in keeping the flame ignited in a relationship.
On the impassioned track, Parker channels the “begging R&B” energy that traditionalists cherish but with a twist. He isn’t seeking forgiveness for any wrongdoing. Instead, he’s proud to beseech his woman at any given time. “Just wanna make sure every now and again / That you know and I know that I ain’t afraid to beg,” he croons.
It wouldn’t be a proper R&B album without an interlude. The Travis Malloy-produced “Lightwork (Interlude)” is a prelude to the whole song of the same name. Here, Parker takes pride in showing up for his lover; it’s nothing for him to be of service to her, especially after a long or stressful day. He doesn’t even need much reciprocation, other than what he lays out in the latest single, “fff”: “f–k me, feed me, be a fan of me.”
The album’s central tracks, “Put It On” and “Take It Off,” feel like the before and after of a date night. The former is a praise-filled groove that sees Parker completely spellbound by the way his lover looks good in whatever she chooses to wear. “Put It On” melts into “Take It Off,” a slow-burner where Parker is ready to see what’s under her garments: “When you come through the door / Let your clothes hit the floor.”
Below, Q Parker talks more about Evolution of Romance, Volume Onein depth, shares his reaction to achieving his first top 10 solo hit on Billboard, explains why he’s passionate about fitness and addresses whether a reunion with 112 is still possible.
It’s been 13 years since your last solo album. What prompted the Evolution of Romance, and when did you start working on it?
The process started in April, but the ideation was right after Valentine’s Day. I realized I wasn’t feeling romance in today’s music. I said, “You know what? That’s the space I feel I can occupy that’s not heavily saturated and that R&B lovers are missing.” I got with the production team, and we started putting this idea of romance on record.
Before then, did you intend to record an album?
I’ve always been open to recording, whether that was features or I’ve been doing a lot of mentoring, creative consulting for independent artists, still writing for other artists, executive producing for other artists, but it didn’t hit me to focus on a project until Valentine’s Day. I wanted to give a concerted effort for a specific project that has now turned into a movement of romance.
What does romance mean to you?
Romance is all the things that make you feel a special way about somebody. It’s those things you do and say. It’s the gentleness, the thoughtfulness, the charm, the intimacy, the sensuality. It’s the soft whispers in the ear, cuddling, spooning, holding hands, kissing, making love, writing love letters. To me, it’s an elevated courting.
What does the title Evolution of Romance, Volume One represent?
We live in a world that is constantly evolving. As a man and as a musician, I am continuing to evolve. Since there hasn’t been any proper [Q Parker] music since 2012, there’s been an evolution in those 13 years. There’s also been an evolution in the way we present romance. Times are different. Although there’s an advancement in the world, there are certain things that can still evolve when we go backwards. We can bring it back to the new space and accentuate it in a different way than it’s presented.
When I think about all those components, it’s a Q Parker thing of elevation and evolution. It’s also a musical component to Q Parker that wants to be the Romance Dealer, the deliverer of romance. I’m pushing romance so it can become a top-line again. I think a lot of music nowadays focuses on the end result. However, let’s just talk about the things that lead up to it. That is where the romance comes in. I wanted to add Volume One to the title because this is a movement. I’m going to be here for a while, and there will be a Volume Two, a Volume Three and maybe a Volume Four. I want Q Parker’s name to be synonymous with romance.
The album’s lead single, “Beg,” became your first top 10 solo hit on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. What does that success mean for you?
It did a lot for me. It boosted my confidence. Achieving the top 10 meant people wanted to hear it. It said that it was being received well. The subject matter was palatable to listeners. I got a lot of great compliments for the actual vocal performance. It’s not easy when you’re coming from a group. So to be received in a way where your isolation is approved, it was tremendous for me. It allowed me to see that I can truly occupy this space.
You dropped “fff” just ahead of the album’s release. In the song, you define the three F’s that speak to your heart: “f—k me, feed me, be a fan of me.” What was your intention behind this record?
I wanted to be raw in that way because I needed the message to really hit and penetrate the ears. This record was primarily created to be the voice of men, because so often men are in a space where we are giving, providing and protecting. I wanted to create a moment where hopefully the female listeners can listen to the heart of a man for once, but delivered in a way that’s still soft and easy on the ear so that it can be received.
In the second verse, I define what I was talking about. When I say, f—k me, send me a text like, “Come home. I can’t wait to see you.” When I say feed me, not just off the bone, feed my soul. And the next part is so hard. Everybody wants to be a star, but if you hold me down and cheer for me, I’ll support you whenever and give you anything you want.
“Rundown” has a groove that feels like a vacation. Lyrically, the song is about communicating through a conflict within a relationship. What’s the story behind this one?
When I decided to do this particular record, I got with my production team: Black Elvis, Aljamaal Jones, Tarrio, [Joshua] Bush and Felly [The Voice]. I wanted this project to be a conversation. The conversation actually starts with “Rundown” because it’s almost like I’m saying, “Hey, when you get off work today, when you get home, I want to have a conversation with you. I’m going to run down everything that’s going to happen within this conversation.
I’m going to eventually tell you I don’t mind begging for you, but I need you to ‘Beg’ for me too. No matter what goes on in our relationship, let’s ‘Keep On Lovin.’ I want you to understand it’s something about you when you put that shit on, you so sexy as hell, but because you so sexy as hell, I want you to ‘Take It Off.’ I love you so much that your love could stop a ‘World War.’ And because you are who you are, I want to experience ‘3Some’ with you —that’s making love into your mind, your body and your soul.”
On “World War,” you acknowledge the current climate of the world with the sentiment that love can heal. Can you elaborate on the importance of this song and its inclusion on the album?
I am an activist for humanity. I’m a philanthropist. I do work with my foundation, Q Parker Legacy Foundation, and I’m a lover of people. I see what’s going on in the world today, and I do believe love heals all. It takes me back to Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s in Need of Love.” Today, love and a kind gesture could prevent a lot of turmoil. I wanted to take the things that are socially going on and put a love blanket on top of it. I’m saying, “I want love to be so powerful that I ain’t got time to be focusing on adversaries because I’m so in love with you. Love is so special that if they had a love like yours back then, there’d probably never be a world war.”
With all that’s going on in this country and around the world, how do you stay creatively motivated?
I was intentional when coining myself the Romance Dealer because I want that to be what I’m always advocating for; it’s who I am. I believe if you put love at the center of all things, it will lessen a lot of the stress. When you see me, I’m going to always drive the love and romance boat because everything that flows through my veins is R&B.
How did Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, Smokey Robinson and Babyface cut through? They cut through by being romantic. They cut through by singing socially conscious things that made people think they went against the grain, while maybe some of their contemporaries were doing partying and dance tracks. Love is always something that people can relate to.
You’ve been singing for three decades now. Listening to Evolution of Romance, I can’t help but hear how fresh your vocals still sound. How do you keep your voice healthy?
I believe in vocal therapy, vocal pedagogy — pedagogy is just the understanding of all of the nuances of a said thing. I wanted to be knowledgeable of my instrument, and so I researched. I have a vocal therapist who guided me through maintaining and being able to sustain a clean vocal. It’s really about life choices. I watch what I eat. I’m particular about my sleep. I don’t yell. I’m rarely whispering. I don’t eat certain things that are mucus-producing, which could cause postnasal drip. I don’t smoke or drink. I’m super active. I think all of those things have contributed to the sustainability of my instrument.
Fitness has been central to who you are for a long time now. You’ve been running your Q Parker Fitness Calendar since 2011, and anyone who visits your Instagram can see how committed you are to working out. What does your fitness journey mean to you as you approach 50 next year?
It means everything. My commitment to my self-care is my way of saying I’m not going to be selfish. I think when people choose not to make their health a priority, you’re basically saying, “I don’t care about the ones I love.” A mentor of mine told me, “When you’re born, you look like your parents. When you die, you look like your choices.” The choices I’m making today, I want them to show as the years continue to accumulate. I don’t want to be a 70-year-old who can’t walk or doesn’t have mobility. I’m doing the things now at 50 that’ll show themselves at 60. I’m going to do the things at 60 that’ll show themselves at 70 and so forth.
I want to be around for a while. I don’t want to be taken out of here prematurely because of the choices that I made. Granted, if some catastrophic event happens and that’s my day, there’s nothing I can do about that. But the way I live my life, I’m planning to see a healthy 90 and 95 where I still have all of my cognitive skills [and] still have mobility. I have three grandchildren. I want to be able to be here active in their lives. I have to prioritize my self-care so I can ensure that I’m going to be around not only for myself but for my tribe as well.
Is there anything you want listeners to take away from Evolution of Romance, Volume One?
Yes, I do. I want listeners to see me for me. What I did with my group [112] is legendary, and that can never be taken away from me or any of us. However, I’m in a new season — a Q Parker season—and I want the people to give me the opportunity to show who Q Parker is today and who I’m going to be. I don’t plan on going anywhere no time soon. I am committed to romance. I am committed to delivering these types of vibes to those who want it. I’m so comfortable in understanding that I may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but if you want to rock with me, I promise you, we are going to have an amazing ride together.
Speaking of 112, which now consists of just Slim and Mike, the group is on tour celebrating 30 years. What do you say to the fans who want to see all four of you — including yourself and Daron Jones — on stage together?
I would say the catalog is the catalog, and we all made these songs where they are placed in the legacy of R&B. Regardless of who is on stage, there is an opportunity for you to enjoy the 30 years that we all have collectively achieved. When I say “we,” I mean the artists, the fans and the supporters because we don’t get the 30 years if y’all didn’t buy the CDs, buy the cassettes, buy tickets, and buy merch. I would [also] say, this might be a time to exercise some patience. You probably won’t get what you’re wanting right now, but only time will tell. I hope one day the four of us are able to reconcile and create a moment.
I think that’ll be enjoyable not only for the members but also for the fans. However, in the meantime, we got 30 years of classics. We have 30 years of memories that we all can celebrate, whether collectively or individually. In the meantime, if you want to be a part of that celebration, you should buy the ticket, celebrate, and be a part of that particular delivery of the 30-year celebration. But also, when you have a moment to come see Q Parker, we can also celebrate the 30 years as well. Even in my performances, I have a portion of my show where I do a medley of some of the catalog records. So I don’t know if it’s an either-or, but it can be both and continue to support them in their pursuit. But then, hopefully, there’s some space for you also to support me in my personal pursuits as well.
Stream Q Parker’s new album Evolution of Romance, Volume One, below.