1. What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Mark, better known to the QN5 folk as… well… Mark. I’m from Queens, NY.

2. What’s your favorite Color?

Would it be fanboy’ish if I chose baby blue? Yes? Because baby blue is def not my favorite color, no offense, lol. I’m more of a navy blue type.

3. How did you get into Tonedeff’s music?

My man Akolades put me on to a show that was going down in July ‘03. Didn’t think I’d actually show up, but I was bored, so I came through. I get there to find out it’s some shit called a Megashow. I enjoyed myself, picked up Asterisk2, as well as Underscore, and that was all she wrote.

4. Which Tonedeff albums do you own?

I own Underscore and two copies of Archetype, as well as the Politics/Disappointed vinyl, and QN5 RMX Vol. 1. I also have Hyphen on an “extended lease”, if you will. :)

5. Have any hobbies?

I play poker, a lot. I used to be into video games a few years ago, but stopped. Then I go to some house party, and there’s this big shit about a Nintendo Wii. Now I can’t seem to get enough of that system. Sex is classic fun as well.

6. You’ve been an Auralarian for some time now. Do you feel Tonedeff’s music has grown as you have?

I definitely think Tone’s music is much more advanced than what he used to be capable of. His flow and delivery is as perfect as it’s always been, but his writing is now far beyond what we heard on, say, Underscore. Not only has he grown as an emcee, but also as a storyteller.

7. Any interesting favorite Tonedeff/QN5-related stories?

Only thing I can remember is the show you guys did with the BCC in summer 2004 where it was raining senseless, and I was completely and utterly drenched the entire show. Within a few days, I had a full-blown cold. A cold in the middle of summer, fuck kinda bullshit is that? Also, prior to that show, in front of the venue, I bumped into a chick I used to mess with. A catfight nearly broke out between her and my ex. In retrospect, I kind of regret stopping the potential brawl, lmao.

8. What’s your favorite Tonedeff song?

I fucking hate this question. You know what, I have a tie between a good 4-5 songs, so I’m not even going to choose. However, I’m definitely going to give a fat shoutout to “Morethanthis”. It’s not particularly my favorite song by Tone, however the song hits home so well, it’s almost haunting.

9. You grew up with QN5-Knowitall, Akolades, who interned for the label for several years. Did he ever leak or share any trade-secrets about the label to you?

Hahaha, I wouldn’t really say “grew up” with him… he was more like an acquaintance throughout high school who I’ve since become very close too… to me, that nigga is my blood. As for “trade-secrets”, he’ll put me on to some exclusive top-secret news that you’ll later reveal on the website about 14 hours later. His info is useless I tell you, useless!

10. What’s bumping in your whip right now?

Sean P’s new shit is currently banging out the Beemer, even though it def ain’t fucking with the freshman album. And APOS still gets quite a good amount of rotations after stress-filled days at the job.

11. You’ve been quoted as saying that “A Piece of Strange” is your favorite album of all time. Do you have equal expectations for the Chico & The Man project, because Kno is producing it?

With Tone being one of my favorite emcees, and Kno being one of my favorite producers, it’s hard NOT to have those expectations. But it’s equally hard for me to expect ANY album to be on the same level as my favorite album of all time. I’m not even questioning that the album will be amazing, but only time will tell if it can actually slapbox with APOS.

12. Mrs. Anime has become a regular member on the forums. How did that come about?

Hahaha. I brought her to a show in April ‘06, and she became a fan since. Rather, she was already a fan of the music, but she met a number of the characters at the show, including yourselves, so she took it upon herself to sign up for the boards (I did NOT in ANY way tell her to, haha).

13. You’ve attended several Megashows now. Which was your favorite and why?

Definitely 2005. If a Times Square venue, female backup singers, live instruments, Duckdown cameos, rappers performing in the middle of the crowd on top of milkcrates, and getting run out by the cops doesn’t tantalize your senses, you are castrated and did not even know it. Hopefully ‘07 can fuck with this one.

14. What are you plans for the rest of QthousaN5even?

Find a better job/get promoted/go back to school (one of the three), take a few out of town trips, make money. What we all strive for.

15. Any final words before your pop quiz?

Fat shouts to QN5 for being some of the coolest dudes in the industry today. Hopefully 2007 bears the same sweet fruit 2006 let you taste.

Pop Quiz

A. How many all-sung songs has tonedeff released?

Uhhh… Homecoming King, Fast, Morethanthis, Gathered.

B Which CD in the “Asterisk” series featured “Heads Up” on the tracklist?

Asterisk:One

C. True or False: Tonedeff was born in December.

Indeed that is true.

D. How Many dates were on the Spring Cleaning Tour?

You know, I was really thinking about being a dick and searching this, but imma go down like a G, and just guess my lucky number. 14.

E. What is the official name of the official Tonedeff site?

Auralaria