Byline: Matt Emma
In Miami, DJ GQ and Quino McWhinney, frontman of the reggae group Big Mountain, recently linked up for what became both a studio collaboration and a SiriusXM appearance.
Best known for the global hit “Baby, I Love Your Way,” Big Mountain emerged in the 1990s as one of the most commercially successful reggae crossover bands, bringing roots-influenced reggae into mainstream pop radio worldwide. Fronted by Quino McWhinney, the group has maintained an international touring presence for decades, with music that blends traditional reggae foundations and melodic rock elements.
The two recorded a new song titled “I’ll Be There,” credited as DJ GQ x Big Mountain, slated to appear on GQ’s upcoming album Skank Rock Reggae. The track is reggae-rooted with modern polish, built around Quino’s live vocals. GQ and Quino wrote the song together, with production by GQ.
In addition to the studio session, GQ and Quino also taped a special interview for Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio on SiriusXM, highlighting their collaboration and shared musical roots. The special is tentatively slated to air in April, with “I’ll Be There” expected to receive its world premiere during the episode. The appearance is separate from GQ’s regular show Dancehall Cyaan Done, positioning it as a featured special.
Quino said of the experience, “The interview with GQ was one of the best in recent times.”
GQ added, “Quino and I haven’t been friends for long, but we just meshed — he feels like family.”
He also noted,
“Reggae is my foundation. My job is to make sure it stays respected, heard, and leading worldwide.”
Known in South Florida as a radio, Event and club DJ, GQ has moved into music production over the past few years and began writing songs in the past year, working directly with established reggae artists. The Big Mountain collaboration reflects that progression, pairing his studio approach with a legacy reggae act.
The project marks GQ’s first official collaboration with Big Mountain and further connects his work with established reggae artists and platforms.
GQ’s upcoming album, tentatively titled Skank Rock Reggae, is built around a reggae/rock energy concept. In addition to Big Mountain, the album is set to feature Mr. Vegas, Maxi Priest, Yoli Mayor, and additional artists to be announced.
Based in Miami, GQ has been a DJ on iHeartRadio’s Y100 Miami for over 15 years and is also a host on Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio on SiriusXM. He has long been Kevin Lyttle’s Tour DJ, dating back to the global success of “Turn Me On,” and has been active across radio, live performance, and recording.
Miami has long served as a hub for Caribbean music exchange, with Jamaican, Latin, and U.S. scenes intersecting through radio, touring circuits, and diaspora communities. Collaborations between local DJs and international reggae artists have historically emerged from this environment, placing the GQ and Big Mountain session within that regional lineage.
Behind the scenes, producer JonFx serves as an advisor on the project, along with Brent Ghouralal (Graphic & Imaging Coordinator) and Jahral (Recording Engineer).
The collaboration highlights GQ’s continued transition from DJ toward songwriting and production, while contributing to the rollout of Skank Rock Reggae through studio work, SiriusXM visibility, and alignment with an established reggae group.