View source for Stat Quo

{{Short description|American rapper (born 1978)}}
{{for|the British rock band|Status Quo (band)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Stat Quo
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|07|24}}
| image = 
| caption =
| birth_name = Stanley Bernard Benton<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/882785966 |title=ACE Title Search |access-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-date=June 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612055619/https://www.ascap.com/Home/ace-title-search/index.aspx#/ace/search/workID/882785966 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], U.S.

| education = [[University of Florida]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])

| genre = [[Hip Hop music|Hip hop]]
| Instruments =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* record producer
* songwriter
}}
| years_active = 2002–present
| label = {{flatlist|
* ATLA
* [[Blood Money Entertainment|Blood Money]]
* [[Shady Records|Shady]]
* [[Aftermath Entertainment|Aftermath]]
* [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
* [[EMI]]
* [[DD172|BluRoc]]
* Dream Big
* The Firm
}}
| website = {{URL|www.statquo.com/}}
}}

'''Stanley Bernard Benton''' (born July 24, 1978), better known by his stage name '''Stat Quo''', is an American [[rapping|rapper]] and [[record producer]].<ref name="MTV 2004">Shaheem Reid (January 12, 2004). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20071219231511/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484303/20040112/id_0.jhtml Mixtape Mondays: Stat Quo]." ''[[MTV]]''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref> Benton worked his way to college and attended [[University of Florida]], where he majored in economics and international business in 2000.<ref name="MTV 2004" /> He was contemplating law school, until veteran Southern rapper [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]] encouraged him to rap professionally. In February 2003, Stat Quo released his first installment of the ''Underground Atlanta Mixtapes'' and caught the attention of [[Aftermath Entertainment]] associate [[Melvin "Mel-Man" Bradford|Mel-Man]]. When Stat Quo was in L.A. performing at Encore, Mel-Man invited him to [[Record One]] Studios where he met [[Dr. Dre]]. That night at Record One, Stat Quo recorded the song "The Future" with Dr. Dre and released it on the second volume of his ''Underground Atlanta'' mixtape in 2004. The tape made its way by a different route to [[Eminem]] and led to Stat Quo's record deal with [[Shady Records]] and [[Aftermath Entertainment]]. Stat Quo is currently managing Young Aspect, and formerly managed [[Lil Xan]].

After [[50 Cent]], Stat Quo was the second and only other artist, until [[Ez Mil]] in 2023, signed to both Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment; he became Dr. Dre and Eminem's newest protégé.<ref name="New Stat Quo Interview & Mixtape | Aftermath MusicAftermath Music">Admin for Aftermath Blog (October 26, 2008)."[http://www.aftermathmusic.com/blog/2008/11/26/allhiphopcom-interview-with-stat-quo/]." ''[[Aftermath Entertainment]]''. Accessed February 2011.</ref> Stat Quo was supposed to release his debut album, ''[[Statlanta]]'', with Shady/Aftermath but, despite being made three different times, the album was never released by the labels.<ref name="Stat Quo, Statlanta: Rap Hip-Hop Recording Artist – Aftermath, Shady Records, Dream Big Ventures">Admin for Modern Beats (May 6, 2010)."[http://www.modernbeats.com/hit-talk/stat-quo-the-eve-of-success/]." Accessed February 2011.</ref> ''Statlanta'' was finally released in 2010 by [[Sha Money XL]]'s label Dream Big Ventures. Stat Quo has continued his career in the entertainment industry by earning production and writing credits as well as release more studio albums and launching a record label called Blood Money Entertainment, with West Coast-based rapper [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]].

== Early life ==
Stanley Benton was born in [[Thomasville Heights]], a neighborhood of [[Atlanta]], at [[Grady Memorial Hospital]]. In his early life, he lived with his mother and grandmother. Benton started freestyle rapping at around the age of 12 with his cousin D. Later, his mother bought him a radio, and he would record himself rapping. In 1997, Benton started taking rap seriously, but continued with his education.<ref name="Baller 2003">Jay Casteel (August 5, 2003). "[http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2003/08/0020/ Stat Quo: ATL Thoroughbreed] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070808180501/http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2003/08/0020/ |date=2007-08-08 }}." ''BallerStatus.com''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref>

== Career ==

=== 2003–2007: Shady Records / Aftermath Entertainment ===
Stat Quo was discovered towards the end of 2003. Dr. Dre and Eminem individually learned of the [[Atlanta]]-based rapper via his ''Underground Atlanta'' mixtapes. After Eminem heard his music, he gained interest and passed it on to Dr. Dre, and a joint deal was reached, resulting in Stat Quo becoming signed to both [[Aftermath Entertainment]] and [[Shady Records]].<ref name="Stat interview">Matt Barone (December 2, 2004). "[http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2004/12/0359/ Stat Quo: The Shady South (Interview)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107161132/http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2004/12/0359/ |date=January 7, 2009 }}." ''BallerStatus.com''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref>

His debut album ''[[Statlanta]]'' was originally slated to be released in 2003, under [[Interscope Records]], but was repeatedly pushed back until finally being released independently in 2010, although heavily reworked and not the original Statlanta recorded under Shady/Aftermath, although [[Dr. Dre]] was involved during the production as a supervisor.<ref>Shaheem Reid, Jayson Rodriguez and Rahman Dukes (June 11, 2007). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070614050947/http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/061107/ Mixtape Monday: Lil Wayne Plans His Own Leak; Cassidy's Live-From-Jail Rhymes]." ''[[MTV]]''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref><ref>Julianne Shepherd (June 11, 2007). "[http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2007/06/stat_quo_statlanta/ FIRST SHOT: Stat Quo, "Statlanta"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113184725/http://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2007/06/stat_quo_statlanta/ |date=2008-01-13 }}." ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref> Stat Quo is also featured on [[Young Buck]]'s ''[[Straight Outta Cashville]]'', Eminem's compilation album ''[[Eminem Presents the Re-Up]]'' (on tracks "By My Side", Tryin' Ta Win", "Get Low", and on the bonus track "Billion Bucks"), and on the track "Spend Some Time" on Eminem's ''[[Encore (Eminem album)|Encore]]''. Stat has also appeared on tracks with artists such as [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[The Alchemist (producer)|The Alchemist]], [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]], [[Disturbing tha Peace]], and [[Chamillionaire]]. Stat Quo has said that his "number one goal is to bring a respect, and bring a voice to this whole southern movement around the world."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aftermathmusic.com/_interviews/statquo_september_2003.html|website=Aftermathmusic.com |title=Interview with Stat Quo September 2003|access-date=November 29, 2016}}</ref>

In 2005, Stat Quo shot a video for his single "Like Dat". The song was made to be a [[word of mouth|buzz]] single, in order to help the artist become more exposed. The video was shot in Atlanta's Zone 3 near the Thomasville Heights projects where Stat Quo was raised and explained his reason for choosing the location in an interview, stating "It's the beginning of my career, so I wanted to start where I began life, […] Plus, [the city of Atlanta] is supposed to be tearing the projects down, so I wanted to showcase the area I grew up in and capture it before it was gone forever", it featured a cameo appearance by fellow [[Atlanta]] rapper [[Ludacris]].<ref>Jay Casteel (June 12, 2005). "[https://archive.today/20070808180501/http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2005/06/0739/ Stat Quo To Shoot First Video; Prepares For Anger Management Tour]." ''BallerStatus.com''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref>

He was featured on the summer 2005 [[Anger Management Tour]], which also included Eminem, [[50 Cent]], [[G-Unit]], [[Obie Trice]], [[D12]], and others.<ref>Gil Kaufman (April 4, 2005). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20050407034108/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1499505/20050404/eminem.jhtml Eminem, 50, Lil Jon, G-Unit, D12 Team Up For Anger Management 3 Tour This Summer]." ''[[MTV]]''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref> On July 13, 2005, a tour bus carrying [[Eminem]]'s entourage for the summer's Anger Management tour swerved off the road and turned over. Stat Quo was taken to [[Independence Regional Health Center]] in [[Independence, Missouri]], where he was treated and released.<ref>Chris Harris (July 14, 2005). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20050716030320/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1505729/07142005/stat_quo.jhtml Anger Management Tour Bus Crashes; Stat Quo, Eminem's DJ Among Those Injured]." ''[[MTV]]''. Accessed February 5, 2008.</ref>

=== 2008–2010: ''Statlanta'' ===
In October 2008, he left [[Shady Records]] and [[Aftermath Entertainment]], unhappy with the release status of ''Statlanta''. On April 21, 2009, Stat Quo independently released ''Smokin Mirrors'', a street album, through [[EMI]]. Stat Quo hoped to release the album in 2009, and promoted the album by releasing multiple mixtapes for free download in 2009, including ''Quo City'', ''Checks & Balance'',<ref>(February 6, 2009). "[http://www.welivethis.com/newsfeed/2009/02/06/stat-quo-checks-and-balances-full-mixtape/ Stat Quo – Checks & Balance Mixtape] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235449/http://www.welivethis.com/newsfeed/2009/02/06/stat-quo-checks-and-balances-full-mixtape/ |date=March 3, 2016 }}." ''WeLiveThis.com''. Accessed April 11, 2009.</ref> and ''The Invisible Man''.<ref>(April 8, 2009). "[http://www.welivethis.com/newsfeed/2009/04/08/stat-quo-invisible-man-mixtape/ Stat Quo – The Invisible Man Mixtape] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412124343/http://www.welivethis.com/newsfeed/2009/04/08/stat-quo-invisible-man-mixtape/ |date=April 12, 2009 }}." ''WeLiveThis.com''. Accessed April 11, 2009.</ref> It ended up being released on July 13, 2010.<ref>(March 5, 2010). "[http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2010/03/05/22141011.aspx Stat Quo on 'Statlanta,' Eminem, Dr. Dre & 'Detox']." ''AllHipHop.com''. Accessed March 12, 2010.</ref>

In 2009, with distribution from [[The Orchard (music label)|The Orchard]], producer [[Sha Money XL]] founded a new record label, Dream Big Ventures. Quickly upon its creation, Stat Quo was signed to the label. ''Statlanta'' was released on the label.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10118/title.|title=Sha Money XL Signs Stat Quo, Whoo Kid To New Label|work=HipHopDX|date=November 11, 2009|access-date=November 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreambigventures.net/|title=at 高速道路～入門編～|website=Dreambigventures.net|access-date=November 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.datzhott.com/2009/11/17/sha-money-xl-announces-dream-big-ventures/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213180653/http://www.datzhott.com/2009/11/17/sha-money-xl-announces-dream-big-ventures/|url-status=dead|title=Sha Money launches new label|archive-date=February 13, 2010|access-date=May 28, 2023}}</ref>

In March 2010, Stat Quo appeared in a [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]] commercial alongside [[Dr. Dre]] promoting HP Beats Audio Laptops, featuring a song taken from Dr. Dre's anticipated upcoming third studio album ''Detox'', in which Stat Quo has worked and provided songwriting.

=== 2011–present: Songwriting, new label and ''ATLA'' ===
In 2011, Stat Quo was cited at [[Dr. Dre]]'s Aftermath Entertainment website as a signed songwriter to [[Aftermath Entertainment]]. On July 23, 2012 [[Wiz Khalifa]] released a song titled "Far from Coach" as a promotional single from his second studio album ''[[O.N.I.F.C.]]'', the track features former Aftermath Entertainment artists Stat Quo and [[Game (rapper)|Game]], although the song didn't make the cut in the album. The reunion formed a business partnership from both Stat Quo and Game. In late 2012, both rappers founded Rolex Records, which was later renamed to The Firm. Both artists will use the label to release new music and sign other artists.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Pajer |first=Nicole |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/game-launching-rolex-records-were-gonna-do-it-big-473921/ |title=Game Launching Rolex Records: 'We're Gonna Do It Big' – The Juice |magazine=Billboard |date=December 1, 2012 |access-date=December 10, 2012}}</ref> He also executive produced and appeared on a hidden skit in ''[[Jesus Piece (album)|Jesus Piece]]'', The Game's fifth studio album and last under [[Interscope Records]].

On September 9, 2013, Stat Quo released the first single "Michael" (a tribute to [[Michael Jordan]], [[Mike Tyson]], & [[Michael Jackson]]) from his upcoming second studio album titled ''ATLA'', an acronym for "All This Life Allows", confirmed to appear as a bonus track. It was produced by [[Tone Mason]], who is the album's lead producer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/bangers/2013/09/stat-quo-michael/|title=Stat Quo "Michael" – XXL|date=September 9, 2013 |access-date=November 29, 2016}}</ref> On October 8, 2013, rapper [[Game (rapper)|Game]] released a mixtape titled ''[[OKE: Operation Kill Everything]]'' to promote his upcoming studio album, the mixtape was released under The Firm, making it the first release of the label. The mixtape is executive produced by and features Stat Quo on the track "Compton".

On December 16, 2013, the second single from ''ATLA'' was released. The track is titled "Trillion" featuring [[Dre (producer)|Dre]] from production duo [[Cool & Dre]] and produced by Tone Mason, who also produced "Michael", the album's lead single. On December 17, 2013, Stat Quo released the long-awaited ''FUPM Is the Future'' with [[Bobby Creekwater]] under the acronym ''FUPM'' meaning "Fuck U Pay Me". The album was initially announced in December 2011 but it was shelved while both artists pursued other ventures. Bobby Creekwater finally announced the official release date on December 4, 2013. The first two singles for the album "Alright Alright" & "Blast Off" were released late 2011 and the final single was dropped on December 10, 2013, called "Old School New School".

On December 20, 2013, Stat Quo released the third single off ''ATLA'' entitled "OutKast". The single was produced by DeUno, and it is a tribute song to Atlanta rap group [[Outkast|OutKast]]. ''ATLA'' is set to be released in 2014. On January 6, 2014, Stat Quo released the fourth single off ''ATLA'' entitled "That's Life, Part 1". The single was produced by [[Bink (producer)|Bink]]. With the release of this single, Stat Quo announced the official release date of ''ATLA'' as February 15, 2014, which was his son's birthday.

== Discography ==
{{Main|Stat Quo discography}}
* 2006: ''[[Eminem Presents: The Re-Up]]'' <small>(with [[Shady Records]])</small>
* 2009: ''Smokin Mirrors''
* 2009: ''Great Depression''
* 2010: ''[[Statlanta]]''
* 2013: ''FUPM Is the Future'' <small>(with [[Bobby Creekwater]] as FUPM)</small>
* 2014: ''[[ATLA: All This Life Allows, Vol. 1]]''

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.statquo.com/ Official website]

{{Shady Records}}
{{Aftermath Entertainment}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stat Quo}}
[[Category:University of Florida alumni]]
[[Category:African-American male rappers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male rappers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Rappers from Atlanta]]
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:Southern hip-hop musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American rappers]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:Gangsta rappers]]