Diva Divo - Dance Magazine

Quentin Harris believes in unity. Through his music, his attitude, and his parties, the DJ/Producer believes in breaking down barriers between gay and straight, black and white, commercial and underground. He'd like to teach the world to sing; he'd like to buy the world a Coke; hell, he'd even pony up for a six-pack.

Even on a recent trip back from a gig in South Africa, when an airport staffer made an ignorant comment about one of Harris' potential future collaborators ("George Michael?"opined the dumb broad. "I used to like him… until I knew he was gay”), Harris bit his tongue… though the words on its tip were fierce and furious:

"My first thought was, ‘Why are you such a stupid cunt?'”

Not quite "We are the World,"but then again… Quentin Harris also believes in speaking his mind.

"I understand why she's upset. She probably used to love George Michael,"Harris laughs. "She thought he was singing just to her, and it made her snatch wet.”

quentin harris We told you he was honest.

In April, Harris brings that honesty to his new album, No Politics. In the midst of the most drawn out political primary season we've seen in – oh, forever! – and with all the sidestepping and tiptoeing around the issues that naturally comes with that territory, we decided to let the candor of Quentin speak for itself.

In the name of bipartisanship, Harris' hopping House tracks on No Politics get an assist from some other dance artists. The album includes a rework of "Can't Stop,"a track from Jason Walker (DIVO OF THE YEAR 2007), and Colton Ford (DIVO of the Month, February 2008) lends his pipes to the super smooth "Gotta Do.”

We chatted with Harris about his newest release, the state of international party scene, homophobia in hip hop, and why we should all pucker up and kiss his (sexy) black ass.

DIVA DIVO: What's the deal with your new album, No Politics?

Harris: I called the album "No Politics"because I felt there shouldn't be politics involved in the creation of music. The irony is that there was so much politics around the making of it.

DIVA DIVO: What do you mean by politics? You mean, expectations of your style?

Harris: My [romantic] partner rags on me all the time. He always says, "You need to make a name for yourself. Give the people what they want."But the crowds, sometimes I don't think they really know what they want. You mean to tell me that all that gay clubs have to offer, musically, is Rihanna and Britney? I don't want to alienate people, but I don't want to turn into a circuit DJ. I'm very middle ground. Why should I play like every other DJ you hear? You might as well have a jukebox sitting there.