When most people think of Quddus, they remember MTV’s Total Request Live, where he was a popular VJ and interviewer. It may come as a surprise that Quddus envisioned other plans for his life while growing up in Canada. “When I was a kid, I wanted to play basketball in the NBA or be a teacher. Then I started deejaying,” explains Quddus. “My first mixtape was just for fun but when it got around and I heard the feedback I realized it wasn’t just a hobby.” As a University of Ottawa student, Quddus’ passion and ear for music earned him a spot as co-host and programmer of a radio show, Breakdown. “It’s ironic that I went on to host TRL ‘cause Breakdown was so anti-pop. All we played was hip hop by artists like Nas.”

Quddus’ path definitely hasn’t been conventional. “Just as I was settling into campus life, I got a call recruiting me for modeling gigs.” A few months later, Elite model management signed him and Quddus appeared in national campaigns with Levi’s, Coca-Cola, and Honda. “Being objectified had its advantages,” says Quddus, smiling.

A big break for Quddus came with Canada’s MuchMusic VJ Search in 2000. “I wasn’t even sure about entering but my friends were pretty convincing.” After beating out thousands of competitors, Quddus landed a spot as a semi-finalist. He won over viewers and was singled out by a producer at TVOntario in the process of developing ‘Vox’ a new youth culture show. Quddus joined the Vox team as a co-host and writer. “It was a great first gig in television, doing everything from skits to covering teen drug abuse.” After Quddus helped launch it, Vox went on to win a Gemini Award.

Talent executives at MTV loved his work on Vox, and after just one meeting they hired him. “Saying that hosting TRL was fun would be an understatement of epic proportions,” Quddus says, laughing. “Every other day I was interviewing people like Will Smith, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z.” It turned out to be a perfect fit and Quddus’ popularity led to a nomination at the Teen Choice Awards. TV Guide featured him on the cover of the magazine, naming him one of TV’s “Hottest New Stars”. Teen People dubbed him one of the 50 Sexiest Men Ever. “When Usher and Britney Spears each made a point of requesting me to host their Showtime concert specials it really started to sink in that I was a part of pop culture.”

After 6 years on MTV, Quddus decided to leave the network in 2006 to explore other interests. He continued working in television: corresponding on NBC’s Access Hollywood, acting on CW’s Girlfriends and hosting Nickelodeon’s Dance On Sunset, while he also worked in Artist and Repertoire Development for Myspace Records. Quddus discovered R&B artist Mateo and got him in the studio working on his debut LP with Krucial, Alicia Keys’ producer.

About starting The Q Side, Quddus says, “Working so closely with artists over the years as a DJ, VJ, and A&R consultant definitely set the table for me to create something that specializes in taste making and artist development through new media.” A music video he recently produced and directed for rising star Erin Christine inspired R&B superstar Keri Hilson to describe it as, “a perfect marriage between song and visual.”

Considering his family history, it should come as no surprise that this multi-talented artist is also a passionate philanthropist. “My grandmother became a hero working for the Resistance during World War II, and my mother met my father while she was in Haiti initiating a rural school project.” Quddus works with Free the Slaves, speaks at summits to promote literacy, reads with children in underprivileged schools, hosts CBS’ Arthur Ashe Kids Day, builds houses with Habitat for Humanity and serves on the Night of Generosity advisory board. “It’s only right to use any influence from being in showbiz for something good.”