Quincy Thomas: turning pain into power, one verse at a time

Quincy Thomas creates smooth raps with haunting melodies that cultivate a trance of reflection. Ready to break open a genre all his own, Quincy brings a new age of rap to the table. Pulling from his own life experiences, his purposeful lyrics encourage change and progression in the lives of those who struggle, especially with addiction.

In early 2015, he began his music career under the alias Pack D. His first live performance was in a showcase sponsored by Warren G and Spice-1, where he finished in a respectable second place. He immediately went on to perform more than 35 live shows between 2015 and 2018 for major artists including E-40, Too Short, Mike Sherm, Ab-Soul, Dizzy Wright, Prof, Snow Tha Product, Layzie Bone, Mo Thugs, and many more. Currently, he performs under the alias Quincy Thomas and has music available on all major streaming platforms. His single “Ben is Back” received special recognition from Tidal’s editorial team when they added it to their Rap Bars & Melodies playlist.

Born December 12, 1995, in Winter Haven, Florida, Quincy Johnathan Thomas entered the world to biracial teenage parents who struggled with addiction. At four years old, he was removed from his biological parents’ custody and placed in the foster care system. After living with multiple families, he was adopted at the age of seven and his name was changed to Quincy Packer Dolezal. From then on, he was known as Packer. This new identity shaped both the good and the bad in his life. Going by the nickname Pack, he fell heavily into life on the streets. Young and inexperienced, his aggressive lyrics painted a picture of who he was internally—angry, addicted, and desperate to be understood.

In 2019, an unfortunate stay in jail ended the momentum of his music career and drove him deeper into crime and addiction. Multiple cellblocks and a few stays in rehab gave him ample time to reflect. Realizing he didn’t want to live in turmoil any longer, he knew he needed a fresh start. While in jail, he decided his first step would be a total rebrand. Quincy Dolezal would retire Pack D. He would restart his music career with a fresh artistic style and a purposeful message under the name Quincy Thomas. His desire was to give his birth name another shot at life and hopefully change the legacy of his biological family. Through great effort and the support of loved ones, he overcame his addictions and has been clean for more than three years.

Quincy Thomas continues to write emotional music, but now his lyrics are tailored to overcoming addiction and enduring hard times. His sound is softer and more reflective of a mind that wants to bring change and awareness to issues commonly faced today—not just drug use, but also the struggle to make a living, being a parent, and living with ADHD. He enjoys making music that feeds the soul and cultivates hope, yet he isn’t afraid to give voice to the reality of addiction that too few acknowledge.

Of all the people in his life, he recognizes his girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Reilly, as a major reason he was able to change. He knew she was “his person” from the moment they met. He also knew she wouldn’t stay with him if he was on the run from the law or strung out on drugs. When he looked at Reilly, he saw a future that could be everything he ever wanted. Her support, along with that of her family, left a lasting impression on him.

Quincy realizes how important genuine support is when struggling with addiction—a type of support many people don’t have. Sometimes it’s lacking because of family dynamics, and sometimes it’s because bridges have been burned and there’s no one left to turn to. Reilly and her family opened his eyes to a level of support that was mostly unfamiliar to him, one he hopes to create for others on as large a scale as possible. He is committed to building a community of awareness and positivity, providing a network where people can find support to get sober and stay sober together.

Music has been a creative outlet for Quincy since he could walk. He has record of playing guitar at age two and drums at age five—using laundry baskets and trash cans until his parents were annoyed enough to buy him a drum set. In middle school, he paid special attention to instruments such as the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and of course, drums. He participated in multiple school events and competitions, and was part of jazz band and drumline, where he learned valuable skills including rhythm and timing.

He began writing about his emotions in the fourth grade, but it took time to realize his lyrical talent. In high school, his words transitioned from journal entries to lyrics, quickly evolving into rap bars. Quincy would rap throughout the day about whatever task he was doing or issues he had at school. This created tension with his adopted family, who believed he would follow in the footsteps of his biological father—a rapper—and encouraged him to pursue a “real” career. Quincy’s song “Focus” perfectly exemplifies his smooth, haunting sound and the power of creating from raw emotion and experience. He understands that if he focuses on his goals, he can achieve them, regardless of what others expect.

Quincy recognizes the privilege of being known for his musical talents, but he has no desire to be a superstar celebrity. His goal is to provide a comfortable life for his family and help others reach their potential. Most people in his situation succumb to ego, but despite his song “Ego”, Quincy doesn’t have one. He is confident in his ability to create music, yet he values constructive criticism and every opportunity to learn and grow. Because of this, he spends his time not only making music but also researching how to improve in all areas of life. He devotes countless hours to fine-tuning his skills as a music artist, content creator, and businessman. “If you’re not moving forward, you’re standing still,” he says—and he refuses to stand still. He has built Quincy Thomas from the ground up and is determined to keep building.

Raised in a strict religious household, Quincy’s adoptive parents tried to control what music was played under their roof. He found creative ways to listen to what he wanted, sometimes breaking rules. In his early years, he was drawn to artists like Blink-182, Chelsea Grin, Ashley Alexandria, and Mac Miller. Nowadays, he continues to find inspiration in Mac Miller and MGK, while also looking to independent powerhouses like LaRussell, NicD, and Russ. He admires rising indie artist Chesle (IamChesle), who is steadily making waves.

Quincy has also found a deep connection to Cameron Whitcomb due to their shared desire to promote addiction awareness. To celebrate his three-year sobriety date, he attended a show during Whitcomb’s “I Got Options Tour.” Even while celebrating, Quincy treated it as a learning experience. He recognized how far he had come, how hard he had worked, and how easily it could all slip away. He left the concert committed to putting in hard work wherever needed to keep progressing—including his music. He no longer treats music as a passive hobby but as a creative resource that adds value to his life.

It is no secret that Quincy has struggled with ADHD. Being called a “rambunctious and imaginative kid” once felt insulting, but it has proven to be the fire that drives his creativity. His high energy makes captivating an audience easy, while his imagination helps him think outside the box. Quincy shapes his music to be relatable both to those in despair and to those praying for them, as showcased in his hit “Ben is Back.”

Quincy is very aware of the things he once allowed to hold him back. He has taken accountability and committed to avoiding them. He goes on record saying: “It doesn’t matter what cards you’re dealt; you’re the one playing the game. If you’re losing, you can get up whenever you want and sit at a different table. Blaming life for what it does is stupid.” Quincy was dealt a losing hand, but he recognized it before he lost everything. He got up, changed tables, and now he’s winning at life.