..This is probably one of the most difficult memories to write about,but it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t do it.Just a lil history on my man HeadQCourterz.I first met HeadQCourterz during the making of Group Home’s Livin’ Proof album.He was one of many crew members that rolled with Dap and Mal back then.Always a lively dude..loud and boisterous..but remarkably intelligent and well spoken when he wanted to be.Most of the time he was just a knucklehead,having fun with the crew doin dumb shit like we all did from time to time.When the Group Home album was done the crew dispersed to do their own thing i.e. go on tour or do time or whatever.As a result, I wouldn’t see Head for a few years.He popped up at the studio one day out the blue and planted himself on the couch in the main lounge..”I’m here to see Premier”..he said as if I wasn’t gonna let him…”Whatever just stay out my room son till he get here”..him..”Oh I can’t go in there son?!”..me..”Nah you good where you at..”..he laughed at me saying..”Aight G..I can respect that.”Him and I would have lots of verbal sparring matches when he came through to the studio,talking about each others clothes,shoes,if either one of us took a shower this week,stupid shit.One day I asked him,cause I had to frigging know..”Dog why they call you HeadQCourterz?”..him..”Cause I got a big ass fucking head!”..we both fell out laughing cause he was good at making fun of himself as well as others.

..Head had been M.I.A. for a few years as I said before.During his hiatus,he had decided to restructure himself .He was now hustling T-Shirts and hats outta this humongous back pack, as well as doing promo work for GangStarr.Dude would come through to the studio and sell a shit load of merchandise,racking up a couple hundred dollars at D&D alone.”I’m buying you lunch today you fat bastid..”he said to me one time counting his money..”Good,dealing with you is a full time job nukkah..and stop blocking the light with your dome piece”..him(voice raised and laughing at the same time)..”Yo word to my mother I’mma smack the shit outta you son..WORD IZ BOND!”..me..”Cool..can we eat first though?”..him..”No doubt”.His hustle eventually paid off.While selling tees and hats and doing his promo for GS,he landed a gig with Rawkus doing their street promotion,ultimately becoming the head of that division.I remember him coming through to the studio with a Dodge Durango that Rawkus purchased for the Street Team..”I told them niggas get me this shit!”..he said sitting in the drivers seat.By this time, he had made a name in the industry as one of the most aggressive street promoters for Hip Hop.Everyone knew Head,and respected the way he did his thing and handled his business.You always knew when he was in the building.His voice was loud and distinctive.One day while in the studio he told me he was going to go back to school and get his degree,as well as start his own promotions company.Almost as soon as he said he popped up with a mini van he copped and had it wrapped for his promotional push for Large Professor’s solo debut…”Look at this shit nigga,I’m doin this on my own!WORD IZ BOND!”.Yo I gotta run but I’mma catch up with you fat nigga..”..me..”Aight moon face be easy!Peace!”..him..”PEACE!”…

..On Wednesday 30th,October,2002.Jam Master Jay was tragically and violently gunned down in his recording studio in Queens,NY.Hip Hop mourned the loss of one of it’s forefathers,mentors,idols,heroes the list goes on and on.Ironically,that was the last time I saw Head alive.He told me about an up coming show he was going to, to promote for Large Pro and that is was supposed to be on Friday night.That Friday night/Saturday morning my dude was also gunned down.I was in the studio with Malachi(Group Home)waiting for Premo, to do whatever the fuck we were supposed to do that day.I got the call from Flippah of M.O.P.,who were on the road at the time.It took me about 2 minutes to really understand what he was saying to me.I guess I didn’t want to hear it,but he made sure that I did..”The same thing that happened to Jay happened to Head Dex..”.Malachi saw my reaction and was asking me what happened.When I told him,he lost it.Punching walls and screaming at the top of his lungs..”What happened to you Kenny?!..What Happened To You?!”.I calmed Mal down,locked up the studio,went home and went to bed and stayed there off and on till Monday.No one could answer any questions.The who’s,whats and whys were just that..who,what and why.Who would do this to my dude,a dude who had given himself a second chance to be great.A dude who had brought himself back up from the bottom.A dude who loved his family and friends as much as they loved him.What did they gain from it?Why now,just when he was about to excel past even his own expectations.My best friend Samantha picked me up to take me to Head’s wake.I sat in the car ..frozen,I couldn’t get out.I couldn’t look at him.It was too final.At some point though,I’m out the car,but I still can’t go inside.I’m standing outside BS’ing..talking with the fam reminiscing,laughing,drinking a lil henny someone had.Sam comes over..”You have to say good bye to him Dex.”.Reluctantly I go in,the first person I see is Guru, tears running down his cheek..”We gonna miss him Dex,but he still here wit us..Word IZ Bond!”.Walking down the pathway I see his sister.I met her briefly once at the studio,but I knew it was her because she was wearing a wooden necklace she had brought back from Africa for Head.He wore that necklace with pride..”This joint straight from Africa nigga…can you say that bout your bullshit gold chain”..he said to somebody once.I didn’t realize I had reached the coffin when I did.Looking down on my dude for what would be the last time..”Look out for us Head..watch our backs down here”.As I was leaving,Premier pulls me aside and says to me..”This is Head’s mom..”..with tears in my eyes I said to her that I was sorry for her loss,to which she responded..”We all lost that day son”..Preem interjects..”You see mom,you see how much we loved him?!”.She nods in agreement while giving me a hug.Bumpy Knuckles takes the podium to speak about Head,he was preaching rather and as he spoke I went outside.The reality of my dude passing had struck and now we have to regroup and carry on his legacy.I know he wouldn’t want us to mourn him to long,but rather use him as a source of encouragement when we need it.His murder was never solved but his name however lives on.In “03 D&D closed it’s doors,later to be reopened and renamed The HeadQCouterz,in honor of our fallen family member,and those of us who remember him will continue to carry the torch of him.We Love You Head..WORD IZ BOND!!!…

Written by Dexter Thibou

RIP HQ.