Former Nas protege and Ill Will signee, Quan (aka FerQuan), who is most notable for his verse on Escobar’s 2004 track, “Just a Moment,” from his album, Street’s Disciple, is back with a brand new single in promotion for his upcoming Barz EP. 

Quan’s new single, “The Jungle,” finds the emcee reflecting on his past, maneuvering in the streets, as he gives listeners a cautionary tale about the American ghetto. Recently, Rock the Bells got the chance to sit down with Quan to talk about his inspiration behind the new single, as he opened up about his desire to be the voice of reason for today’s emerging street emcees. 

“Because I been through so much, certain beats can trigger certain emotions. Like ‘The Jungle,’ my new single. When I heard it, it gave me ‘jungle vibes’ I’m gonna talk about the jungle, what I know a jungle to be,” Quan explained. “So when you ask me about the jungle I know, I get to talking about Bridgeport, Connecticut, them back allies of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Them backstreets in Newport News, Virginia.” 

“Being that I’m a black male, I have to give the babies, and our babies, my blueprint and my testimony,” the emcee said. “Hurt people hurt people, I know because I helped boost the crime rate, I turned so many mamas into prostitutes, and drug addicts, and murder victims, and murder witnesses. I ain't no different. I’ve been plagued by the same sickness, but God smiled on me.”

Quan, a multitalented artist, singer/songwriter, producer, shared the music video for the project's lead single, filled with powerful symbolism that ties the history of the United States to present-day struggles, the video is a nod to the resilience of the country's oppressed people.  

"I’m from 'the jungle,' as we often would refer to the ghetto streets of  America.” Quan said in a recent statement. “If you wanted anything, you had to fight ten times harder than the average American and face five times the terror-- from crime to police brutality. You couldn't be anything other than a warrior to make it. And even though I’m an endangered species, I am a King. With the blood of the ancestors and God, we unstoppable”

Quan’s upcoming Barz EP is set to release on Friday, March 25. Be sure to stay tuned for the return of FerQuan and stay tuned for other hip-hop news.