Prominent rising artist AQ is back at it again with a brand new EP entitled Hollywood Hurts. The EP itself could mean a multitude of things, but specifically for the artist, it came down to partying in Hollywood. “For years, I’ve gotten turned away at the door, promoters not knowing who I was, and it’s just a lack of respect sometimes that would hurt,” shared AQ.
“As I’ve gotten older and gained more status, things started to be much different at the clubs in Hollywood for me.” With the influence that AQ has amassed due to his career, he has been able to walk right up to the front and get inside any club, whether it’s a light or packed night. He has seen the pain and hurt of being turned down outside of a venue and how it bruises someone’s ego. Hollywood can quickly humble a person. The city is not for the faint of heart; hence the title Hollywood Hurts.
The title came from one of AQ’s best friends, Kendrick, who owns a clothing brand called Trinx. One of his trucker hats had the phrase “Hollywood Hurts,” which gave birth to the EP title. “I’ve been partying in Hollywood heavily since we’ve been back open and the title just spoke to the stage of life I’m at for the moment,” expressed AQ.
The song “Obsessed” is the artist’s favorite track out of the EP. The song features a beautiful combination of the beat, hook, flow, and lyricism that just blended magically. “As soon as I heard the beat, a flow instantly came to me. Those are the songs I feel come out the best for me. The lyrics speak to certain situations that I’m dealing with when it comes to a woman, definitely ‘Obsessed,’” said AQ.
Hollywood Hurts is AQ’s passionate metaphor that he uses to motivate himself. He looks at Hollywood as a measure of where he is in life. It’s about achieving dreams and reaching the highest level of success that one could possibly ever think of. “I’m a happy person, but we all go through certain things that shape us to the person we are today and will continue to grow into. I want people to dance, smile, cry, think about that one ex that changed things for you, that one time you partied in Hollywood and you had a blast, the time you and your best friend had an amazing night together. I want people to enjoy the project, and I hope they do,” said AQ.
Los Angeles plays a major role in the way AQ makes his music. The LA dance culture has been a great inspiration for him. “When I think of LA as a whole, I’d say I am the city. The city is me. I love Los Angeles; it made me who I am,” recalled the esteemed artist.
By the end of the year, AQ wants to be in talks with some record labels about signing a contract. He wants to be on that stage, so he wants the proper backing and support behind him. In the near future, AQ hopes to put out a debut album and go on a headliner tour, and he wants to be able to support his family and retire his mother from working.
AQ is an artist that is guaranteed to become an inspiration for years to come. It’s only a matter of time before he truly reaches the top of the music industry, and it’s going to be exciting to see him get there.
To know more about AQ, make sure to follow him on Instagram.
