Born and raised in Waycross, Georgia, BOA QG discovered his love for music through the harsh realities of his upbringing. What began as just having fun bars evolved into his “Voodoo” breakout song, which has since become his most viral hit. BOA GQ is now back with another single, “Been Gone,” in anticipation of his upcoming project, 3Teen.
Tell us about “Been Gone.”
At that point in time, I was in a transition and trying to get out of the streets and take my music seriously. That’s where the concept of “Been Gone” came from. When you’re doing stuff like this, you have to choose. When you choose to fully dedicate yourself to the music, you have people you can’t deal with or people that were bad for you, but you just kept talking to them. Or people who try to play with you, or downplay you at one point in time, or don’t give you your flowers. They’re calling you on your phone, but I’ve been in the city. I’ve been gone for a minute.
What made you keep going despite all the hardships you’ve faced so far in life?
When you’re born into a certain type of lifestyle and born into hardship at a young age, you can’t give up. The name of the mixtape is 3Teen. I’ve been on my own since I was 13, and my father got killed shortly after that, and that’s when I had just moved in with him after six months. I’ve been in group homes, I’ve run away, I had to sleep outside. I didn’t have any family. I didn’t get close to my family until I got older and was able to reach out and build bonds. I was really in the streets, and I was an orphan, so when you go to h— every day, a lot of stuff you don’t have no choice but to shake off. At the end of the day, I was looking at my life like if I don’t make sure I eat or have a place to stay, I don’t have anywhere to go. I can’t go to my mama’s house or go to my grandma’s house or go to my dad’s house; they’re dead. So you can’t give up. I’m going for the gusto.
How did it feel joining Quality Control?
I always knew I was going to get signed by them; that’s been my dream label. I got my chain at the Migos video shoot for Quavo and Takeoff’s song “Big Stunna.” I met Birdman that day, as well as a lot more people. I saw people I’ve been wanting to meet my whole life. I got the chain I’ve been wanting my whole life. Pierre “P” Thomas told me I had to work for it. Shout-out to my CEO because he makes you learn a lot and he teaches you a lot. I feel him because he comes from what I come from, and he’s actually changed.
