Quelle Chris

Gavin Christopher Tennille (born October 19, 1984), known professionally as Quelle Chris, is an American record producer, rapper and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan.[1] He has released over 15 albums as a solo act and with his collaborative projects.[2]

Quelle Chris
Birth nameGavin Christopher Tennille
Also known as
  • Quelle
  • Awesome in Outer Space
Born (1984-10-19) October 19, 1984
New York, U.S.
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
Associated acts

Career

Tennille was born in Johnson City, New York to a shoe designer and has lived in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Chicago, and Oakland.[2][3][4]

Tennille's career began expanding as he joined Wasted Youth and attracted the attention of hip hop recording artists in Detroit such as J Dilla and Proof. He later formed a musical group with Denmark Vessey called Crown Nation and soon began using the pseudonyms Q-Life and Quelle, the latter of which means "source" in German.[2] With credit as a songwriter on several songs on Danny Brown's early albums, he started to adapt the name Quelle Chris and began working on a solo career.[1]

His debut studio album, Shotgun & Sleek Rifle, was released in 2011, featuring guest appearances from artists such as Brown, Roc Marciano and Big Tone. He signed with Mello Music Group after releasing two extended plays with the music group Racehorses are Resources, which also consisted of poet John Sinclair. With two studio albums Niggas Is Men and Ghost at the Finish Line released on the label in 2013, Tennille has produced for musicians such as Pharoahe Monch, Diamond District and Open Mike Eagle.[1]

His fourth studio album Innocent Country was released in 2015, followed by the 2016 instrumental album Lullabies for the Broken Brain. His fifth studio album Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often was released in 2017.[1][5] He described the album as "about being human. Being great, being flawed, being you."[6]

His debut collaborative album titled Everything's Fine with partner Jean Grae was released on March 30, 2018, via Mello.[7]

On March 29 2019, Tennille released his sixth solo album Guns which was acclaimed by critics and listeners.[8]

On March 16 2020, Tennille announced his seventh solo album Innocent Country 2. It was released on April 24. The album features guest appearances from Earl Sweatshirt, billy woods, Tune-Yards’ Merrill Garbus, Denmark Vessey, Homeboy Sandman, Pink Siifu, comedian Josh Gondelman, and more.[9]

Personal life

In December 2017, he proposed to marry his longtime partner who is also his frequent collaborator, Jean Grae.[10][11] The two married on August 5, 2018.[12]

Discography

Studio albums
Title Details
Shotgun & Sleek Rifle[1]
Ghost at the Finish Line
  • Released: October 29, 2013
  • Label: Mello, Sony
  • Format: Download, CD
Innocent Country (with Chris Keys)
  • Released: July 10, 2015
  • Label: Mello, Sony
  • Format: Download, CD
Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often
  • Released: February 10, 2017
  • Label: Mello, Sony
  • Format: Download, CD
Guns
  • Released: March 29, 2019[13]
  • Label: Mello, Sony
  • Format: Download, CD, 2xLP
Innocent Country 2 (with Chris Keys)
  • Released: April 24, 2020
  • Label: Mello, Sony
  • Format: Download, CD

Collaborative albums
Title Details
Everything's Fine (with Jean Grae)
  • Released: March 30, 2018
  • Label: Mello, Sony
  • Format: Download, CD

Instrumental albums
Title Details
Lullabies for the Broken Brain
  • Released: February 26, 2016
  • Label: Mello, Sony
  • Format: Download, CD

Mixtapes
Title Details
Niggas Is Men
  • Released: March 19, 2013
  • Label: Mello, Sony
  • Format: Download, CD

References
  1. Simpson, Paul. "Quelle Chris: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  2. Fintoni, Laurent (February 6, 2017). "How Quelle Chris Turned His Self-Doubt Into A Stellar Album". The Fader. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  3. Patrin, Nate (February 15, 2017). "Quelle Chris: Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  4. @QuelleChris (November 6, 2014). ""@TheJK: Quelle Chris was born in Johnson City. Damn" representin" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. Weingarten, Christopher (December 22, 2017). "40 Best Rap Albums of 2017". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  6. Aku, Timmhotep (February 2, 2017). "Review: Quelle Chris, 'Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often'". National Public Radio. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  7. "Stream Jean Grae and Quelle Chris' 'Everything's Fine' Album - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  8. Guns by Quelle Chris, retrieved 2020-03-17
  9. "Quelle Chris Announces New Album Innocent Country 2, Shares New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  10. India, Lindsey. "Jean Grae and Quelle Chris Prep 'Everything's Fine' Joint Album - XXL". XXL. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  11. Eustice, Kyle (December 3, 2017). "Jean Grae & Quelle Chris Say They're Engaged". HipHopDX. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  12. Burks, Tosten (August 9, 2018). "Jean Grae and Quelle Chris Get Married". XXL. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  13. Setaro, Shawn (February 12, 2019). "Premiere: Quelle Chris Examines "Guns" on First Single From Upcoming Album". Complex. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
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