Describing his style as a mix between old soul and gangsta rap, R&B singer TQ claims to be a breed apart from most of the artists involved in the genre today.

TQ's first single, "Westside," offers up props to such West Coast pioneers such as Ice Cube, Too Short, Easy-E and Tupac Shakur, as well as a special dedication to the East Coast-based Notorious B.I.G.

"Even though Biggie wasn't from the West Coast," TQ explained in an interview with the MTV Radio Network, "he still gave off that storytelling vibe that was amazing. He could tell a story and paint a picture and make you see what exactly was goin' on."

"And people could relate to him," he continued, "regardless of any hate that was going on or anything that the magazines were saying. [People] related to Biggie, they loved him on the West Coast." [300k Audio]

TQ is scheduled to cut a re-mixed version of "Westside" with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, while his next single, "Bye Bye Baby," features a remix that reunites Daz Dillinger and Kurupt of Tha Dogg Pound.

TQ will release his debut album, "They Never Saw Me Coming," in the fall.