Yung Q

 

Full Name: Frankie Quesada
Born: December 19, 1989 — Greenwich, Connecticut
Current Residence: Denver, Colorado
Nationality: Colombian and Italian
Label: God Family Cash
Occupation: American rapper, actor, producer, and Grammy-nominated artist

Early Life

Frankie Quesada, known professionally as Yung Q, was born on December 19, 1989, in Greenwich, Connecticut, to a Colombian-Italian family. The richness of his cultural heritage would influence his values, work ethic, and creative expression for decades to come. His Colombian roots gave him a deep appreciation for resilience and close family bonds, while his Italian lineage instilled in him a sense of pride, loyalty, and determination.

Although Frankie was born in Connecticut, the majority of his formative years were spent in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where life was a mix of joy, hardship, and constant adaptation. He was primarily raised by his grandparents, Jack Allen and Ligia Allen, who provided him not only with a home but with a foundation of unconditional love, discipline, and old-fashioned values. His father, Nelson Quesada, was a native New Yorker, and much of Frankie’s extended family also came from New York before gradually relocating to Florida.

His relationship with his mother, Carol Joy Bull, was deeply troubled and never repaired. At just five years old, Frankie’s life took a traumatic turn — he was left alone in the house by his mother, and when he went outside looking for her, he was approached by a man and woman who told him they would take him to see her. Instead, they began driving far away. On a deserted highway, they threw a bottle out of the window, not realizing a police officer was hidden nearby. The officer pulled them over, discovering the situation before any harm could occur. It was later revealed they had intended to harm and possibly kill him. He was rescued unharmed but placed into foster care since authorities could not locate his mother. She was eventually found three months later in a hotel room. Frankie was then placed with a foster mother named Mrs. Webb, whose home was filled with strict rules, neglect, and moments of outright abuse. Frankie endured these hardships quietly, learning early how to survive in an environment where trust was scarce. The lack of a stable parental presence shaped him in ways that would influence his drive, his distrust of authority, and his determination to build the kind of life he had never been given. Carol Joy Bull passed away on July 22, 2009.

His father worked relentlessly to get him back. After years of legal and financial struggle, Nelson managed to bring Frankie home, proving his commitment to his son. This act of love began to repair their relationship and gave Frankie the second chance at family stability he had longed for.

Frankie’s grandparents became the anchors of his world. Jack Allen was a source of wisdom and creativity, often encouraging Frankie to express himself through art. Several of Frankie’s earliest tattoos — which carry deep personal symbolism — were designed and drawn by Jack himself. Each piece of ink tells a story, whether it’s a memory, a personal philosophy, or a tribute to someone he loves. For example, one design features a guardian angel symbolizing his grandmother’s protection, another a lion for strength and resilience, and one intricate piece incorporates both the Colombian and Italian flags — a visual reminder of his roots. Some tattoos were completed while Jack was still alive, making them living keepsakes of their bond. Others were added later, always with intentional meaning, ensuring his body became a personal canvas telling the story of survival, loyalty, and family legacy. Jack Allen passed away on August 16, 2007, a devastating loss that occurred just as Frankie was entering adulthood. His grandmother, Ligia Allen, lived to witness much of his success but passed away on December 19, 2024, at 11:50 PM — coincidentally on Frankie’s birthday, although her official date of death was recorded as December 20, 2024.

Growing up in Florida wasn’t without its challenges. Frankie’s brothers in New York had ties to the Latin Kings, a gang affiliation he was determined to avoid. While he briefly lived in New York during his teenage years, he made the conscious decision not to fall into the cycle of violence and street life. Instead, basketball became his sanctuary. He spent countless hours on the court, sometimes playing until the streetlights flickered on, using the game to escape from the chaos at home. One of his closest friends during these years was John Beku, with whom he shared countless pick-up games, laughter, and deep conversations about life and dreams.

At one point, Frankie moved in with his girlfriend’s family, a relationship that lasted several years and would later be the center of one of the most misunderstood chapters of his life.

Legal Issues and Defamation Lawsuit

Frankie Quesada’s life story is not just about music and business success — it’s also a testament to overcoming legal battles, public scrutiny, and reputational attacks.

Shortly after turning 18 — just weeks after his birthday — Frankie faced a misdemeanor sexual assault on a child charge. The accusation stemmed from his long-term relationship with his girlfriend, which began when he was 15 years old. He had been living in her home with the full knowledge and support of both families. One night, around 11:00 PM, they were stopped by police at a park near her house. Because Frankie was now legally an adult and she was 16, the situation was processed under sexual assault statutes despite the relationship being consensual and ongoing for years. The charge was eventually dropped, but it marked the beginning of a turbulent chapter in his life.

Later in 2008, Frankie was charged with felony identity theft and breaking and entering a motor vehicle. Facing the possibility of prison, he was offered an alternative — enlist in the U.S. Army under a deferred sentence agreement instead of serving time. Seeing an opportunity for redemption and a fresh start, Frankie accepted and joined the military in December 2008.

Years later, Frankie faced a different kind of battle — one for his reputation. After buying a home in Andalusia, Alabama for his father, Nelson Quesada, he became the target of a coordinated defamation campaign. The Andalusia Star-News published an online article displaying an outdated mugshot from when Frankie was only 14, implying it reflected recent criminal activity. The misleading story spread quickly online, damaging his standing in both his community and the music industry. When confronted with the truth — including proof of dropped charges, his military record, and the inaccuracies in their reporting — the paper issued a formal public apology and removed the mugshot from its site. However, archived files containing the image persisted online, including an old PDF copy stored on outdated servers that remained accessible for years, causing ongoing reputational harm and making complete removal nearly impossible despite repeated takedown efforts.

The Covington County Sheriff’s Office also released a statement apologizing to Frankie, acknowledging the harassment he endured, and publicly commending his professionalism despite the smear campaign. Retraction: Franklin Bismarck Quesada III mistakenly identified in Andalusia Star News as registered sex offender in 2010 - The Andalusia Star-News | The Andalusia Star-News

Frankie filed a civil defamation lawsuit against the publication and others responsible for spreading false information. The case involved sworn depositions, forensic digital evidence, and testimony from music industry peers. The court ruled in his favor, awarding a substantial financial settlement for reputational harm, lost income, and emotional distress. Frankie reinvested much of this money into expanding God Family Cash, signing new artists, improving production, and securing high-profile collaborations — turning a damaging event into a business breakthrough.

Military Service

Frankie served honorably in the U.S. Army from December 2008 to December 2014. He began as a 91P Artillery Mechanic, later qualifying for Special Forces Green Beret Airborne duty from 2011 to 2014. His time in service instilled discipline, structure, and resilience, while also securing lifelong medical and veteran benefits that would later prove essential for his family’s well-being. He was honorably discharged on his birthday, December 19, 2014.

Education

Following his military career, Frankie attended the University of Northern Colorado, balancing his studies with a growing music career and family responsibilities. He successfully graduated — a milestone he values as much as any gold record — proving to himself and others that his determination extended beyond the stage.

Music Career

Frankie’s passion for music began early. At just 16 years old, he signed with Island Def Jam, later joining Shady Records where he collaborated with Eminem on multiple projects.

In 2014, he founded God Family Cash, an independent label that became home to artists like KG, Ty Killa, Trilla Man, Ziggy, and Leno The Great. Over the years, Frankie worked with industry heavyweights including Eminem, Twista, Kirko Bangz, Sheek Louch, The LOX, Jadakiss, Styles P, Blueface, Sean Kingston, King Iso, and Bizarre.

His career highlights include touring the U.S. with Eminem and performing live with Kirko Bangz at the Moxi Theater in Greeley, Colorado, on September 7, 2019, where they performed their hit “Yo GF Too.”

Discography

  • Failure Meet Success (2012)

  • Life’s A Gamble (2013)

  • The Psychopath Vs. The Killa (2014)

  • God Forgives, I Don’t (2015)

  • Unreleased Mixtape (2016)

  • God Family Cash (2017)

  • God Family Cash, Vol. 2 (2018)

  • The Quesada LP (2018)

  • The Fallen Angel (2019)

  • Angels and Demons (2020)

  • The Quesada LP 2 (2021)

  • Unreleased Mixtape, Vol. 2 (2022)

  • God Family Cash, Vol. 3 (2023)

  • Calm Down, I Got This (2024)

  • Rhythm & Real Talk (2025)

Notable Tracks

  • Voices in My Head (prod. by Eminem)

  • I Don’t Give A F* (feat. Bizarre, prod. by Eminem)

  • We In Here (feat. Bizarre & KG, prod. by Eminem)

  • Yo GF Too — performed live with Kirko Bangz

  • Good Go Bad (feat. Sean Kingston)

  • Wake Up Dead (Remix) (feat. T-Pain & Chris Brown)

  • Gettin’ The Bag (feat. Twista)

  • The Realist (feat. Twista)

Family and Personal Life

Frankie met Leticia Anayth Quesada in 2010 while serving in the Army. They married on December 17, 2015, and divorced on February 5, 2021. They have three children — two sons and one daughter — whom Frankie raises full-time. He is devoted to ensuring they grow up with more opportunities and guidance than he had.

In July 2022, Frankie’s daughter was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease. Her condition began with rashes on her face and hands, progressing to muscle weakness so severe she could not stand. At age six, she was hospitalized for three weeks, her leg locked in place, and underwent heavy steroid treatments that caused extreme weight gain. The monthly treatment cost exceeded $120,000, but Frankie’s military benefits covered 95%. By his birthday on December 19, 2024 — the same day his grandmother passed — she entered remission. She continues to receive monthly IVIG infusions with hopes of ending treatment by late 2025.

Business Ventures

In addition to music, Frankie owns a professional recording studio and an IT company partnered with Canon, servicing government contracts, repairing IT systems, and maintaining copier machines.

Legacy & Philosophy

Frankie Quesada’s life is a testament to the power of transformation. From being kidnapped and abandoned at five, surviving foster care abuse, and enduring wrongful accusations — to building a multi-million-dollar music label, he has lived through chapters that could have broken him, yet instead, they shaped him into a man who refuses to quit.

His guiding philosophy is rooted in family values, loyalty, and faith. The name of his label, God Family Cash, is more than a brand — it’s a mission statement. God comes first, family second, and money is a tool, not a goal.

Frankie’s legacy is defined not only by his music but by his resilience. He turned legal battles into business opportunities, public shaming into a platform for truth, and personal tragedy into motivation. He has created opportunities for other artists, provided for his children with unwavering dedication, and carried forward the lessons of his grandparents — especially the creativity, strength, and moral compass passed down from Jack and Ligia Allen.

Today, his story inspires upcoming artists who feel trapped by their pasts, showing that adversity can be fuel for achievement. His discography stands as a record of his evolution — from raw beginnings to polished, high-level collaborations — while his tattoos serve as a living memoir etched on his skin. He remains a mentor, a father, and a businessman whose influence reaches far beyond the studio.

For the kid from Fort Lauderdale who once shot hoops with John Beku under the Florida sun, the journey has been long, difficult, and sometimes lonely — but it’s proof that with faith, perseverance, and the right values, you can not only survive but rise higher than anyone ever expected.