San Quinn

San Quinn was born in Oakland, CA and later moved to San Francisco at age three to the Fillmore District. Like so many other rappers, he began rhyming to stay out of trouble. Quinn was raised in the same neighborhood as San Francisco legends- Rappin 4-Tay, JT the Bigga Figga, Messy Marv, and Andre Nickatina (AKA Dre Dog). Signed to Get Low Records at the tender age of fourteen, San Quinn released his first song "SFC" with GLP and RBL Posse. His debut album entitled Don't Cross Me under Get Low/Buck Fifty Records followed shortly thereafter. The genesis for his current stardom began, as Quinn went on to work with Master P and was featured on West Coast Bad Boyz 1 & 2, both of which have been certified Gold. He then dropped Live N' Direct, which featured the San Francisco anthem "Come On In" under Get Low Records in 1995.

By 1996, Northern California had created a deafening music buzz, nationally. Priority Records was doling out a handful of distribution deals, which included Master P’s No Limit Records, along with Get Low Records. With news of a new deal, San Quinn jumped right back in the studio and recorded The Hustle Continues under Get Low/Priority Records. By the age of eighteen, Quinn had been featured on multiple gold certified albums, released three solo albums, and became apart of the group: G.L.P. Quinn was at a turning point when he and his cousin Messy Marv joined forced and released Explosive Mode in 1998. From there Quinn began to tour extensively, performing with Jay-Z, Master P, and Monica, among others.

San Quinn's mission became clear; he decided to do whatever it took to bring San Francisco and the Bay Area to the forefront of the music industry. In 1998, he launched Done Deal Entertainment and by 2001, Quinn released The Mighty Quinn, which featured the single "Give It Up.” This track brought back the resurgence of Bay Area radio support for local music. Done Deal collaborated with former NBA superstar and longtime friend, J.R. Rider, to release San Quinn’s follow up album I Give U My Word. It was not until Quinn collaborated with SMC Recordings in 2006, that he released his biggest selling solo album to date, The Rock-Pressure Makes Diamonds, which spawned the regional smash “Hell Yeah.”

Quinn continues his partnership with SMC Recordings as he readies his second solo album, From A Boy To A Man, with the Bay Area label. Quinn’s achievements have helped shine a spotlight on his hometown’s music scene and looks forward to continued triumphs!

Posted by Anna Nathanson