Quanstar: Momentum: as reviewed by Pedro 'DJ Complejo' Hernandez

Quanstar is the true definition of a hustler. By that I don't mean that his music brags about how much he hustles, how he always hustles, or even mentions the word "hustle." Instead, Quanstar's work ethic says everything that needs to be said about his work ethic. His name may be unfamiliar to the masses, but that has not kept the man from releasing multiple albums and EPs, music videos, and touring consistently to promote his music. His music doesn't reflect the desperate delusions of a man trying to rap for a big hit or ringtone sales, but instead conveys his love for hip-hop and his determination to make quality music. "Momentum" is the latest EP from Quanstar and delivers another small, but potent, dose of dope hip-hop. The EP's name doesn't convey much about the music contained, but reflects the fact that Quanstar wanted to release this music ASAP rather than wait to compile an album's worth of material. While the EP lacks a cohesive purpose, the individual songs overcome any thematic shortcomings. "I'm Through" is a short barrage of punch lines and positive advice that serves as an appropriate intro. "Higher Standards" is a clever proclamation of Quanstar's abilities as an emcee as he declares "higher standards, giving these niggas nosebleeds" on the hook. "On My Brain" is a reflective track where Quanstar details some of the struggles he has faced as an artist. "She Did Me Wrong" features one of the EP's dopest beats with a warm, soulful sample looped over soft piano keys. The instrumental serves as the perfect backdrop for Quanstar to reflect on young love and the problems that can come with it. "Christmas List" is the EP's strongest track as Quanstar finds a strong way to convey his sorrow: "A couple months ago Dale died in Iraq Two weeks before he was supposed to come back Married about a year, newlywed to the widow Still can't believe it so she staring out the window Never got a chance to see his daughter The only thing she'll know is a picture of her father Never learned a lesson he'd have taught her Shaking and trembling, barely even hold a glass of water Eyes swollen up, blood red, bone dry First couple of weeks only thing she did was cry Mother came down to help with the baby Only time she cool is when you rocking little Katie Thought it was right so he took another tour Pissed because she shouldn't have let him out the door Does it even ever get better than this? Wrote "bring him back" on your Christmas list And please cruel world don't look at me I'm a shell of the person that I used to be Because God don't love me, that much clear And wonder why Santa won't come around here It's "happiness" on my Christmas list And I still didn't get that wish" Presenting sorrow, sadness, and disappointment in adulthood through the concept of unfulfilled Christmas wishes is very unique and clever. The EP ends on a strong note with "I Need You," an up tempo track about perceptions with an eerie, robotic beat. Overall, "Momentum" is a dope EP from a passionate artist. That said, the last three tracks are definitely stronger than the first three. One minor gripe with the project is just the vocal quality of Quanstar's vocals on most tracks. They don't sound unprofessional at all, but do lack something in terms of mastering that make them sound at odds with the beats on some songs. Oddly enough, the distortion effect used on "I Need You" is just right to mesh his vocals with that particular song. Despite that small issue, Quanstar's passion and lyrics shine through on this EP and he gives us plenty of dopeness to hold you over for his next project. Knowing his work ethic and passion, that next project should be right around the corner. Music Vibes: 6.5 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 6.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 6.5 of 10 Originally posted: October 4th, 2011 source: www.RapReviews.com

ISU Bengal 10/2008

The Idaho State University Bengal
Do It: The Quanstar Chronicles
Stoler, Jesse
Issue date: 10/22/08 Section: Life
The documentary Do It will screen at Idaho State University on Wednesday, Oct. 29, and
Thursday, Oct. 30. The film chronicles six months in the life of Janale Harris, aka Quanstar, who is
a well-known rapper in the underground scene. Quanstar serves as a producer on the film, as
well.
"I wanted to make a movie that was real to life," Quanstar said, "not some garbage about some
superstar, I wanted to connect with people."
If Quanstar's intention was indeed for the film to be brutally honest, his goals were met. Most of
the 85 minute film are interviews with Quanstar, in which he rants about his two jobs. "People
think that because I've had some success as a rapper that I must have it made," Quanstar said.
"Truth is there are some months that can I barely pay my rent." In the film, we watch Quanstar
cope while he sees the first leg of his upcoming tour fall apart, due to a major sponsor falling out.
Even when he finally gets on tour, the film depicts his troubles getting from point A to point B.
The final scene of the film is the most telling. The camera is jammed into Quanstar's face as he
walks to work. He is laying it all out about what he feels about his most recent tour. He is
distraught and on the verge of tears, but at the end of his rant, he comes to the conclusion, "If it
wasn't for music, I'd probably kill myself." At which point, the words "Do it" appear on the screen.
Not "do it" in the ominous way. As depressing as the film can be, the film is ultimately a
celebration of hip-hop culture and hip-hop music. "It really keeps me going," Quanstar said. "It
gives me a purpose." The film observes underground rappers spitting rhymes to nearly nonexistent
audiences in some cases. But they do it because they love the music so much, that's all
that matters.
Quanstar clearly has a love for the game. "When I'm not working, I spend a lot of my day on the
internet trying to find new acts," Quanstar said. "I'm addicted to it." Quanstar was raised in a
house where music was played all day, but he was the only one that could play an instrument (the
violin). But it was at the age of seven when he knew hip-hop was his thing. "That's when I heard
Radio by LL Cool J for the first time," Quanstar said. "I said to myself 'this is rap.'" After that, it was
Public Enemy. "I grew up in Compton in the 80's," Quanstar said. "Police would seriously beat you
for no reason. But Chuck D kept me out of the streets, and he made me look at rap in a different
way." Public Enemy's influence on Quanstar is undeniable, due to some of the political content of
some of his songs.
Do It was shot on a budget of $1,500, which wouldn't even cover the catering costs for one day on
the set of Transformers. "We only used two cameras," Quanstar said. "We did all of the shooting
ourselves." The director who helped Quanstar out was Anthony Neal, a co-worker of Quanstar's at
Starbucks. "I'd been wanting to make a movie about my experiences for a while," Quanstar said.
"Anthony had been looking to make a movie too, it worked perfectly." The film is representative of
the youtube generation: low-budget, shaky photography but personal and meaningful. "I'm really
proud of how the film turned out," Quanstar said. "The response has been great." Quanstar plans
to continue working in the film arena; he plans on starting up a video blog next year, which at
some point will film his trip to Africa. "I don't mind being on camera so much," Quanstar said. "I'm
pretty comfortable with it." Although Quanstar keeps an easy-going persona on screen, that did
require some editing. "There were a couple of things we shot that made me look horrible,"
Quanstar said. "It didn't take me too long to cut those parts out."
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ar.Chronicles-3498350.shtml