FREDDY WILL's BLOG
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“Many of us started 2010 with hopes that this year will bring us more luck, good health and FORTUNE. But less than a month after the ball dropped
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RHYTHM & BLUES pt.1
Is it safe to say R&B had mountains to move? In the 90’s when Hip Hop was emerging to surpass prominent genres like Rock n Roll and Country on a worldwide scale, it was often tagged with R&B under one category. But as time went on, urban cultures caught on in a massive way. You started hearing more and more Hip Hop coming from non – English speaking countries -
R&B and Hip Hop will always share a special connection musically. One genre compliments the other but it is no longer logical to class the two under the same category like it was done in the 90’s. With the collapse of the music industry during the recession of the late 00's new found appreciation of the internet in developing countries planted Hip Hop deeper into second and third world countries than ever before. Urban lifestyles became the most dominant and wide spread trend among young people in
The following release entitled “Afrodisiac” was her fourth album which made it to number four on the billboard charts. Yes it suffered some set – backs but two years previously she was chalking away a platinum plaque. She had switched producers and featured Kanye West on the raining single “Talk About Our Love”. Then in 2008 when it looked like her career might be over the “I Wonna Be Down” superstar released her most recent album entitled “Human”. It was a dual label release as well as more internationally received. It was her lowest selling album and probable the best if you listen to it. However, the single “Right Here” was a worldwide hit and Brandy proved that she can not only ride in high tide but also low ones if need be.
But with all of its struggles and successes R&B continues to hold tight. One as a hook to many hit rap songs and two, as an independent genre which is ripping its way through the world of music listeners. During the last decade we saw a slew of new R&B artists emerge and disappear after only one album. We also saw some prominent artists disappear but some remained consistent through out the decade. Consistent in this context refers to all artists who had adversities, trials and successes but through hard work and perseverance managed to released at least three studio albums, collaborate with other artists and remained in the public eye (with an occasional new material) through out the decade.
Brandy – Its interesting how what a celebrity does in their personal life can affect their career even when they are clearly still talented. Our society has been brainwashed to sometimes recognise factors like glamour, money or gossip but talent which is the key ingredient in the mix gets to come last.
Angie Stone – For those who do not follow every artist, it is perfectly understood. There has been so many one hit wonders and music has been sort of merging lately. You observe that R&B and Hip Hop are slowly encouraging influences from Dance music lately. If you’re not a hard headed fan you might miss some of the more traditional music out there that may not be as trendy as others but are more traditional than others.
Angie Stone released six albums in the last ten years. In 1999 came her debut album entitled, “Black Diamond”. That was way before it's time when the actual black diamond itself had not become trendy in a popular fashion. It earned her a quiet gold plaque in the US but in Europe and
Album number four was a greatest hits album that many didn’t notice because it debuted at number # 50 on the billboards charts in 2005 when Eminem, 50 Cent, Akon, Young Jeezy and L’il Wayne were stumping down every sand castle on the beach. Ever the fighter, Angie Stone released yet another album in 2007 entitled “The Art Of Love & War”. It debuted at number eleven on the charts as well as making a showing on European charts. For some reason Angie Stone’s music got a lot of love in
Alicia Keys – Who can but for this R&B sweetheart? This producer, songwriter, singer, actress and philanthropist who ascended to stardom in early 2001 when the music industry was getting thirsty for something new. Keys quenched that’s thirst and won over millions of fans instantly. Perfect she was and still is, this Hell’s Kitchen bred bad boy admirer totally beams with stunning beau as she plays the piano live during her heartfelt performances. One of my favorite R&B singers, her debut album entitled “Songs in A Mirror” debuted at number one on the billboard charts in 2001 with the ultra successful single “Falling”. It went became a classic R&B album instantly, selling over six million copies worldwide and earning her five trophies at the Grammy Awards. This could have been it for her. She was accomplished, she could have easily walked away from the scene and straight into the sunset with millions of dollars.
But two years later her second album entitled “The Diary of Alicia Keys” debuted at number one on the billboard charts and saw Keys accepting another Grammy. The album sang over eight million copies worldwide. It surpassed the success of her debut album in record sales even as pressures mounted for her to match the enormous success of her debut album. It contained hits like “You Don’t Know My Name” and “If I Ain’t Got You” which were mega anthems in 2003 and the years that followed.
Alicia Keys didn’t return with another album until 2005 when she went live and unplugged with her live album entitled “Unplugged”. The MTV television released album made history as it was the first to debut at number one on the billboards and sold in platinum stratospheres. Like all her previous albums this one also gained Grammy nominations for best album and album of the year, to name a few. In 2007 she rippled through to number one on the chats again for the fourth time in a row with her third studio album, the triple platinum seller entitled “As I Am” hit the charts. The single “No One” was the most played anthem of that year and still is a radio blaster. Less than three weeks ago her 2009 album entitled “The Elements Of Freedom” was released debuting at, no you didn't guess right, number two on the charts. The album has already sold close to 500, 000 copies with singles like “
SWAY MAGAZINE FEATURES FREDDY WILL™
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA – December 14, 2009 – On a cool Friday afternoon in November, journalist, reporter and photographer Melissa Bessey arrived at FREDDY WILL’S ™ new home in Toronto. She sat down with FREDDY WILL to talk about his life, his musical journey and his thoughts on the music industry. (Article can be read online here http://swaymag.ca/music3.php.
Sway is the Premier Lifestyle Magazine for African and Caribbean Canadians that’s thought provoking, uplifting, inspirational, and motivational. Its mission is to entertain, empower and educate, with a voice that reflects the successes, accomplishments and pride of
Sway has a circulation of 50,000 with an exclusive distribution through the Gateway Newsstand locations which are located within the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) which is
FREDDY WILL’s article in the Music section of this Black History Month's Collectors Edition of Sway magazine, can be found online at http://swaymag.ca/music3.php, at your nearest Gateway Newsstands, Dreamboxes or at Chapters/Indigo locations. The magazine is published quarterly and will be onstands until March 2010.
"Sway is one of the most popular magazines in Canada. I appreciate the exposure it gave me and the opportunity to express my point of view in the business aspect of the independent music industry."
MIC BOOGIE - 'That's Me'.
Click picture to watch the music video for 'Everybody's Doing It' by Mic Boogie.
The evolution of music has not taken full course if artists like MIC BOOGIE are not assorted in the shuffle. Hip Hop emerged from the Bronx in
Click picture to watch the music video for 'Good Look'' by Mic Boogie.
But rap tapes from old school heavyweights such as Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five leaked in a new sound. The ‘Boogie Boys’ would be adored with Run DMC just alike and at a tender age, young Michael Lamourie would delve into a sweeping phenomenon and later bolster into Hip Hop recording artist “Mic Boogie”. Soon, Mic wanted to explore with how the music was made. If white men couldn’t jump, one thing was for sure, Boogie was going to prove that they can rap. From basketball courts to football fields, discovering erstwhile emcees, Mic Boogie amassed some serious production skills and became one of Toronto's finest underground lyricist. His talent ripened under the mentorship of DJ Rodney Woodman aka ‘Rod C’, and soon Mic Boogie figured out his style and began penning down original rhymes. A movement was born.
Click picture to watch the music video for 'Black T Black Fitted' by Mic Boogie.
The circular culture influenced province of Ontario
So in October of 2007 Mic Boogie released his first single entitled ‘Everybody’s Doing It’ to the airwaves. The single charted as a hit and in 2008 his debut album entitled ‘That’s Me’, was released through iTunes.ca and Amazon.com. Off of Record label Costa Music Mic Boogie is quoted as saying “The main message in my music is to live for the moment, and just enjoy life”. His number one job is to be a father to his son and concerning that he was also quoted as saying “being a parent is a give and take relationship just like music - you’ve got to expect to get back only what you give.” That’s Me features collaborations with a number of popular hip hop recording artists including Michie Mee, Snow, KRS ONE, Chip Fu, Keelo Gramz and G Knight, Renny Holladae, Ellis Hall the 3rd among others.
To date, Mic Boogie has shared the same stage with some of Hip Hop's greats, like Art Of Fresh (Budda Fat Boom Bap Tour March 4-15/09 and Campfire Music Tour July 13-28/09), Joe Budden, Naughty By Nature, Beenie Man and Lindo P to name a few. He’s also been asked to perform at several large scale parties and events, including three of Chris Bosh (of Toronto Raptors) Charity Christmas Shows, and the Billboard Hip Hop and R&B Conference in
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FREDDY WILL’s TEN MOST FAVORITE RYDES… guaranteed to leave a great impression.
You’ve probably heard the slogan that goes something like, ‘THE BEST WAY TO GAGE A MAN’S PERSONALITY (by personality I mean character, not wealth) IS BY CHECKING OUT WHAT HE DRIVES’. Yeah I know, it's not just men, women too. In order words your pick at a dealership can say a lot about who you are as a person. In my personal experience I've found that, that slogan is true for a majority of people around the world. Women use it to gage a man's prowess all the time. In Asia, it’s true, it's true in the EU, it’s true in
This notion is a few altitudes above an average Joe who buys a hoopty on the side of the road or average Mary who goes to the dealership for one car and drives away in another. By all means I do respect those who say 'I don't care what kind of car it is, as long as it works and it gets me to my destination'. Its important to note also that, that attitude in itself speaks volumes about your character. You can tell a lot about a person's character just by checking out what they ride and how they customize it to fit their preferences. And just because someone has a liking for better cars that does not necessarily mean they're materialistic.
Moreover, to be fair I must add that I think some of my female Canadian friends will probably argue this out more vehemently than others because I've heard them all use the same power stripping line everytime this subject came up – ‘I don’t care how much money a man has or how big his house is or what he drives’. My impression is my female friends from Canada probably think that by refusing to acknowledge a man for what he has they're displaying moral standards ie; they're not golddiggers and that way they can have the upper hand in whatever relationship from the get go because they have already eliminated your clout. Money equals power and power equals respect for many in other parts of the world but I’ve notice that in
And in my twisted little head I have to recognize that this is a ploy because one, they’ve got it down with solidarity and two, if you wanna be the one with power, you must first disregard whatever makes the other person more powerful than you. Stripping psychological prowess associated with expensive toys can probably create an imbalance wherein one can have what should make them more powerful but then not be as powerful or influential because they don't physically belong to the elite inner circles that are deemed exceptional. Nevertheless, I have a set of cars that I feel will drop any jaw be it a Canadian who could care less or someone from elsewhere in the world who would adore me for it.
10. 1990 Chevy Caprice – I can’t believe I still love this car. I use to love every American classic that was manufactured in the late 60's, the 70's and the early to mid 90's. But then 2004 came and now I don't want to see anything that was made before 2004. This is the only car that I would not mind getting even though it's a 90's model. I'll take a black on black 1990 Caprice with spoke rims any day. It rides real smooth, its inexpensive but still classy to a point where you can own one and fit in with your affluent friends. I love good handling on a ride, throttle, less noise, low carbon emissions, less mpg, a booming musical system, speed and power to feel in control when it comes to my ride. The handle on the Caprice is incredible. If you know me well you’ll know that I won’t buy a ride if it does not also have wood grain, leather seats and power windows at the least. I can do without GPS or Tom Tom navigation but not the leather, full power and wood grain. That's going with the assumption that you already know I won't even consider a car if the engine was malfunctioning for any reason be it minor or major.
9. Chevy Camaro – This is definitely my kind of ride as well. Its fact, spray it Caribbean yellow with light tints on the windows and I'm in. The handle is sweet on the Camaro. you can’t go wrong with this one. A convertible will be even better for me. Most hard core Chevy drivers go for the 1968 model or something from the 70's but me, I want the newest one. I use to be crazy about the mid 90’s models for a long time but right now I’m only down with 2007 to 2010 models. I can dress casual in a pair of jeans, leather boots, a crispy white t-shirt and a vintage leather jacket and hop into this car on any day and the only thing I will be missing is a hot pair of sunglasses. Again, this is assuming that there was not that much snow or rain to deal with. Shoot, I definitely think that the impression this ride leaves behind is enough to get me through any VIP entrance.
8. Jaguar S type - Candy red, late model, special edition luxury brand. Maybe even a hybrid if it's available. Want my speakers to blast though, my leather seats should be sleek with good wood grain on the doors, steering and the dash with full power. I don't believe that global warming can be reversed since dinosaurs didn't drive around in Hummers but I will do whatever it is to cut carbon emissions in our atmosphere because I'm a team player. However, I prefer my cars to come with automatic transmission as opposed to a stick shift. Back in the day I use to love stick shifts but now I think automatics won't hurt. I'll have this car in a four door sedan with tinted windows. Not my everyday ride but it ranks high on my list. Won't want it to be a family car either. I want this one to be a personal ride or maybe even my significant other's personal ride.
7. BMW 750i v12 – With all the talk about global warming and climate change I do not want to be the guy who is driving the sick ride that's making the hole in the O zone bigger. But I'm not getting on the bus until law makers are not blocking traffic in thirty car SUV motorcades. This is class right here. I don’t wanna see any car if it was made sooner than 2004. There are too many early model BMWs on the roads, I definitely don’t want one unless it was pretty new and by new I mean a fully loaded late model 7 series like this one. This can be my solo for do lo business car. Whether I have to discuss business in via bluetooth on the freeway or make an entrance at a business extraviganza where there is valet parking, I will bring this ride out for the ride. Not too extravagant but not very simple either. Burns low on gas and it rides smooth.
6. Dodge Viper – I'm an old school OG baby. As far as sports coups go, I go for muscle and speed. Throttle is what drives me wild. The viper is my all time ‘me and my bitch ryde’ that's sure to make a girl go oops like Tweet. Yeah I know, every big boy needs a Phantom or a Maybach but Freddy Will is getting it done with the Viper baby. This will be my party ride, something I drive to a club or a lounge especially if I’m meeting new people and wanted to burn rubber and show off a little throttle. I hate family sized sedans that look like the one auntie Ruby goes grocery shopping in. However, this car cannot be my only car because I wouldn't want to be flying around everyday. This is the one I bring out on that special occasion when I'm meeting someone who treasures material things or when I make a power move. This is one ride that I can honestly say I've always loved with a passion.
5. Cadillac Escalade – When it comes to luxury SUVs this one definitely makes my cut. I have to admit that my favorite Cadillac brand is the De ville but I will go ahead and pick the new Escalade because it's a solid ride. Cars have a way of depreciating in value soon after you buy them so I try not to spend more than $ 65, 000 on one. I don't like to finance cars either. Haven't financed a car in almost ten years. Trust me, if you work a certain 9-5 and you need transportation to work or you have a busy family and you need a family car, then by all means do what you got to do. I hate to have to apply for credit and then deal with the chance that I may or may not qualify for what I want. If I want it badly then everything in my way is dust. Plus I see credit as a last resort option for a desperate emergency. I think if you don't have the money to buy it outright and there is no tragic emergency pending then there is no need to apply for credit to finance a car. But that's me. The Escalade is something that I would drive because it is affordable, its comfortable and when I have my own family someday it will be roomy enough to protect us when we travel.
4.
3. Mercedes Benz Ml 320 – This was my dream car in the early 2000's then it became my everyday all day ride at one point. I will always go back to this ride. Handle, stability, speed, you name it. This five seated luxury baby is that all purpose ride you would love to have. Be it a business road trip, a gala, a night at the club or just something to rent when you're in Europe or Australia, this SUV is your ever dependable, high end capsule which will get you from point A to point B in style and swagger. It's a Benz so it would impress many people right off the bat and they won’t look low on you in anyway. I still won't touch anything manufactured sooner than 2004 though. This is something I’ll buy as a present for someone special. Yes I'll take this one any day, bulletproof it!
2. Porsche Cayenne – Another SUV that I find very appealing. This is the only SUV that might pry me out of my Lincoln Aviator. With the MKX and MKZ out there right now, that says a lot about my love for the Cayenne. I would basically take anything with a Porsche logo on it. It’s not an Ml or an Aviator, and it's not very roomy in the back but the engine on this baby is so sweet I would not need that extra room since I ain't riding around with a car full of homies in this one. The Cayenne is a five seater, dependable, luxury ride that will work any magic you need to leave a lasting impression. I like my Cayenne to be paid off and made in 2006 at least. Be it to bag that that stubborn chick from the library (not my Canadian female friends of course) or you want something sexy for the fun date or a family/personal car. This fully loaded ride will impress anyone on sight and it will get you to your destination with low gas, spilling less carbon into the O zone and in style. Put me down for the 2010 Porshe Cayenne people, in Jesus name! Amen!
1. Aston Martin – Believe it or not I’m not one who craves a super extravagant/ very, very expensive ride like a Rolls Royce or a Lambo for example. Yeah I might rent one or take it for a spin during a music video or if I’m on vacation in
From where I stand, you don’t have to care how much money I have or what cars I drive or where I live at but if you’re gonna last in my world you better respect my hustle and have some kind of reverence for my hard work. So yeah I do speak from an international stand point since the context is applicable in the majority of the continents. After traveling to all the places where I’ve lived I tend to look beyond borders and jurisdiction when I do my thang…
So, that being said, I will make this confession… I am a car guy. Sure, music is my life and I enjoy writing as much as I love to perform on stage. But when I’m not being a CEO or an artist or an author or a blogger and I’m just at home watching ESPN or I’m getting ready for a hot date, one of the first things on my mind besides sipping cold beers while packing away a big scoop of mash potatos sitting next to the chef’s cut of a juicy prime ribs, you guessed it, ding, ding, ding… Its my car. Some cars are dream cars and others are collectables while the rest completes my big boy status. I feel my cars should be right for me and not just be trend based.
Visit www.freddywill.com and click on the artworks of my new book and CD to place your order now! Thank you for reading my blog and buying my book and my album. I hope you enjoyed it.
MOST CONSISTENT EMCEE OF THE DECADE (1999 – 2009)
Being an emcee myself, compiling a list of this magnitude had to have been tough. There are so many talented emcees out there, it's almost impossible to make a top 10 list of any sort without leaving someone out or causing a debate. From writing screenplays to authoring my own line of books, I've managed to create my own ways to express how I feel about the industry and to get live feed backs from fans, critics and well wishers. My zeal is fuelled by my love for music. Everything I do is motivated by that, even when I pick my top emcees. I make sure any emcees I pick really makes a difference in that category of Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Rock, Gospel and/or Blues or even traditional African music, calypso and Reggae. When I write my Blogs I try to shed positive views using the most accurate information.
The following emcees are my top most consistent of this decade. Even as Hip Hop went through it's ups and downs these emcees represented to the fullest. By consistency I mean at least (a) +3 solid rap albums released within the last ten years (b) lyrical wit, flow and (c) originality. Swagger and album sales count as well but that does not affect my overall decision here. Awards won, number one hits, radio anthems set aside there were some good albums that came out over the last ten years that never saw the light of day. I call them ‘undiscovered classics or anthems’. Those records count in my book along with all the mega hits that came out.
KARDINAL OFFICIAL – A unique and talented Canadian emcee who crossed into
Missy Elliott – She has released six commercially successful albums since 1997 to now. 1997 she dropped ‘Supa Dupa Fly’ and it went platinum. That album was definitely a classic. 1999 she dropped ‘Da Real World’ and it went platinum with no problem. Her 2001 ‘Miss E… So Addictive’ album rang with so many anthems, for example, ‘One Minute Man’ was not only megahit, the phrase became a dating slogan for girls and boys across the world. Not to mention the hit song, ‘Get Ur Freak On’ which was another Missy anthem that year. The following year Missy returned with her biggest and best selling album ever (according to her stats on the charts and sales of course). ‘Under Construction’ debuted at #3 on the billboards 200 and sold over two million copies to earn Missy a double platinum right after gaining platinum the year before. 2003 saw Missy with yet another platinum album entitled ‘This Is Not A Test’. Two years later Missy brought another plaque home with another album entitled ‘The Cookbook’ and after killing the radios worldwide along with music video plays, taking home several prestigious music awards and basically living on the charts for eight years straight, she stepped away from the stage to work behind the scenes. Her next album is scheduled to hit shelves in 2010.
FREDDY WILL - I nominate myself in this list because this is my list LOL! No, since I started recording in 2006, I’ve managed to release one critically acclaimed mixtape entitled ‘STAY TRUE’ and two ‘undiscovered anthem’ albums through Ghetto Breed Entertainment (my independent label). My next release, ‘WHILE I’M STILL YOUNG – THE TALKING DRUMS’, was independently released in the fall of 2008 with literally seven singles. That album went on to sell over 7000 physical copies on the streets independently, gained #1 status on several College radios in Europe and
In March 2010 my fourth release (yet untitled) will be launched worldwide through GBEnt/GBDist. This will be my first full album in Creole and the first to be solely marketed, promoted and distributed via my Ghetto Breed Entertainment and Ghetto Breed Distribution imprint. The only two English songs will be my bonus tracks. The album is produced my Eddie Bullen of Thunder Dome Sounds in
STYLES P - 'Money Power and Respect' has to count. Collaborations with Biggie, DMX, Diddy, Ma$e and the Ruff Ryders all comes to play when you count the bars this LOX/D Block emcee has been putting out. Yeah, his solo album sales have been low but we all know it’s not because be can’t rap. What ever happened to the Bad Boy thing? Anyway, Styles P’s debut album had to have been a street classic. ‘Gangsta and a Gentleman’ had such an impact in the Hip Hop circuit he took a gold plaque home regardless of censorship barriers that hinders gangsta rappers from getting their fair share of media exposure. You’ll probably be asking why Styles is on this list if his second album entitled ‘Time Is Money’ came out four years later after several push label backs. Not to mention that it’s been three years since his third 2007 album entitled ‘Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman)’. However, all of his solo albums debuted on the billboard charts and earned him even more street cred. Their lyrical contents were also true to his brand. The kicker in Styles P’s discography is not his album sales but that since 2005 to now he has recorded and released over thirteen mixtapes. Each mixtape is well circulated on the streets and plays the soundtrack to many lives in the hood. His most recent mixtape is entitled 'The Green Ghost Project' and it's set for a late 2009 release.
50 CENT – For someone who got signed in 2002 one will assume that Fif is not in that ten year bracket. But Fif had been acknowledged years before he was signed. His mixtapes were golden on the streets through out 1999, 2000 and on to when he got signed. 50 Cent is the most consistent battle emcee of this decade as he has never relented in challanging the toughest of opponents. He released four mega selling, commercially successful albums among a slew of mixtapes containing original material and launched a massive internet community called ‘thisisfifty’ where he promotes Hip Hop. 50 Cents is a screenwriter, a co author and a videogame developer. But that's only if you're not counting that he's the Vitamin Water business genious or if you didn't want to equate his G Unit clothing factor into the equation. His actual studio albums have reached record successes mirroring or surpassing many emcees who have released several more albums with more time and from sparking controversies, to recording record breaking hits 50 Cent has been everywhere you turn all through the last decade. His latest album 'Before I Selfdestruct' is an obvious classic but ironacally he has been one to sell more than what it sold so far.
GHOSTFACE – One of my favourite emcees ever. When he dropped ‘Ironman’ in 1996 who would have thought that over ten years later this Wu Tang strong man would have seen a decade through a solo career in the limelight? Let’s talk Wu Tang for a sec. From a fans point of view this was the illest rap group ever. One that you knew just not to fuck with. Yeah Ghost earned his reputation fair and square off of the 36 Chambers album. But there was also Capadana, GZA, RZA, Methodman, Raekwon, ODB, Inspecta Deck and Masta Killa. Gostface was just one guy out of a bunch of talented guys who were all starting out their careers at the top of their game. But he released another album and hit. Then he dropped another one, and another one and then a hit and another one and on and on. Next thing you know Ghostface Killa has been banging in your eardrums for ten years plus. And every album has been a treasure.
NAS – Nasty Nas being on this list shows a steep level of consistency on his part. I’m talking about a legend who shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence with many of the great stars on this list. But he is consistent in his own way. When Jay Z was making his debut into mainstream circits, Nas was already a veteran in the game. This was in the late 90’s when Heavy D and the Boys were staging a come back, when Eric Sermon, Redman, Wu Tang Clan, Tupac Shakur, Suge Knight, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Junior MAFIA, Biggie, the Fugees etc… even Das FX were hanging in tight while Busta Rhymes rose to prominence. This was when Nas held his ground among all the new artists that came out and he has done that over and over and again. The only other emcee who did this was L.L.Cool J but Nas has basically dropped a classic during each era of Hip Hop thus far. He released enough classics over the years to be immortal in raps hall of fame and he's sold records out through the roof. Nas did not branch into fashion and label owning on a highly successful level but as an artist he consistently delivered that streetsmart rap album that had everyone buzzing.
JAY Z – It’s difficult to perceive why Jiggaman should even be mentioned on this list as well. Due to his status and his enormous record breaking record it would be a disaster to compare Jay Z with any emcee. When you look at the scorecards you’ll see that when Jay came along in 1996, there were dope emcees in the game who had already made a mark. Jay Z never weavered. Hip Hop was in a touchy position in 1996 but the last person to underrate, history will later prove, was Shawn Carter from Marcy. This clean cut and deeply street credible emcee is a master of the art of invention. Jay Z rose to fame quickly since 1996 and has reigned for over ten years and counting. If anyone made Hip Hop work for them, that person would have to be Jay Z. You will have to mix Russell Simmons with Suge Knight and add in a lot of Jay Z if you plan to measure up. Ten top ten albums in a row to where even Elvis Presley is listed for his runners up? Jiggaman’s formula worked so well. He continues to spank his competition in every category musically and in whatever money can buy. In my book, that counts for consistency.
TUPAC SHAKUR – Truly the most hard working emcee. During 1995 -1996, Tupac recorded over ten albums and about two movies within that short period of time. Every year or two during 2000 -2010, there’s been a new Tupac album in stores and on the charts with a spanking hot single on the radio and that's talking record releases after his passing. Not to mention that nearly half of his albums released during this decade were double CD albums. His lyrics are closely relevant to todays lifestyle to a point where one would think he recorded the song last night. But Tupac has been reported dead for over thirteen years now. For someone to produces so many hits 'from the grave', one would wonder why he is not number one on this list.
L’IL
EMINEM - The big show down right now for Hip Hop would have to be a Jay Z/Eminem battle. Will it be fair? I don’t know. Jay Z has a right to be washed up at this point in his career but he is not. Jay Z spanked the game so hard over the years that even now that he has retired and returned for a post retirement era of his career, no emcee in his or her right mind would dare step up to him lyrically. Well 50 Cent and the Game tried recently plus Jay Z has always been attacked on wax by fellow emcees dating back to when Tupac couldn't stand him to his beef with Nas and so on. But then there is Eminem, the fearless emcee with controversies, with his wit of wits in a game where his greatest strength (wordplay) is a far fetch for many accomplished emcees. Even as Em was well recieved into Hip Hop, being a 'whiteboy' and all, it is clear that there is a cap on how many stars he can earn Hip Hop wise as per what he should have earned if he was black. All of Eminem albums are classics but no one seems to want to stamp them eventhough he outsold every artist from all genres in music in the last ten years. What would be worst? Battling Eminem or battling Jay Z? Eminem brought D12 to the limelight and they left a mark in the game. When he signed 50 Cent and his GUnit imprint the rest was history. Eminem has made Aftermath Entertainment/Interscope Records the most consistent music powers house of this decade. And now he's branching out and working with more producers.
SNOOP DOGG – The originator. The inventor, Snoop Dogg is always in my top whatever emcee list. It seems like every year Snoop comes out with another dope album and if you think Snoop is small time you must be from another planet. Snoop is selling more records than Michael Jackson could sell lately. Guys like 50 Cent, Eminem, Nelly, Ludacris, Kanye West, L'il Wayne and Jay Z had crowded the news with their stats but what, Snoop is right up there with them. He's not selling a million CDS in his first week of release but his consistent platinum certified albums cannot be ignored. On every single album he sells between 150, 000 to 500, 000 copies in the first week of release. Then the albums goes on to a subtle but strong double or triple platinum certification. Snoop's style of entertainment has always been unique. Not much changed since this guy stormed the world with Doggystyle in 1993 and returned with Malice N Wonderland in 2009. When you look at it, we as a whole can never get enough Snoop Dogg.
GHETTO RADIO - FREDDY WILL IN EUROPE AND AFRICA
IN AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Amsterdam, The
For the week of October 5th, 2009 FREDDY WILL was featured on their homepage as ‘Today’s Artist’ and his track ‘City Boy‘ was also featured. A full length interview was written by Leslie ‘Lee’ Kasumba and FREDDY WILL’S article is featured on their music blog: http://bit.ly/JNOWr
Leslie ‘Lee’ Kasumba: “Your thoughts on whether the best hip-hop comes from Struggle or Celebration or both?”
Freddy: "Hip-hop is the new ‘talking drums’. I named my album ‘While I’m Still Young – The Talking Drums 1.2v’ because it’s entertainment and enlightenment. It’s a poetic piece of music that comes alive with the right mix of rhymes and adrenaline. Depending on the song, hip-hop can be a celebration or it could be about the struggle. Many times it’s about the growth from struggle to celebration. I notice that nowadays-younger artists are talking less about their struggle and more about their swagger. But either way they’re still communicating through their music, it’s still the talking drums. I try to send a message with my songs."
Ghetto Radio’s website exists, “…to broaden people's perspective of
“The streets of urban
To Ghetto Radio’s credit, their audience reach is undeniable. Ghetto Radio’s airwaves reach listeners not only in Europe, but also in
Leslie ‘Lee’ Kasumba: “African hip-hop is really making waves around the world, anyone you salute?”
Freddy: “I would have to say my favourite African act is Akon. I also tilt my hat to French and Wolof rappers or just anyone who does it in an African language. I plan on recording a Krio album because I got that influence from French and Wolof rappers when I lived in
After the Ghetto Radio article was published, FREDDY WILL’s MySpace page www.mypace.com/freddywill crashed and was down for 4 solid days! So many people accessed his page that on the 5th day, all his songs (and page) had to be re-uploaded again. A very special thank you goes out to both Omar and Lee for making the article happen.
QUOTE:
"I have a growing fan base in Europe and as my African base grows at a rampant speed, I think my MySpace page will crash a few more times (He laughs.) Special shouts out to Lee and Omar at Ghetto Radio and all my new fans in
MY WORD 2 THA STREETS!!
“In 2006 when I slid up north to
That don’t got anything to do with my war stories, hustle or spitting. Besides Filthy Rich, not too many of my cats in
You will never know what it’s like to wake up everyday for nearly ten years not knowing where your next meal's coming from, walking in the pouring West African rain with holes in your shoes and rags for clothing on your back, broke as hell with nowhere to go!
Trying to go to sleep in a hot ass room filled with mosquitoes every God damn night with no electricity - dead bodies on the side of the road where you walk to school etc etc. For me to come from that place to be here? Now that’s the shit!
Got me one of those kitchen jobs, at first, dietary aid, earning me a few dollars, taking night classes, chilling with my doggs in Franklin, hitting blunts and brews.
Scooping up honeys from around the way? That made me feel like I was finally living a normal life. Don’t get me wrong, hustling on the side while trying to maintain a steady job was a 'bitch'. The system kept taking me for everything I had, my license was on the meat wagon all of a sudden but it sure was better than running round like the way I was back in the day.
A lot of dudes try to get in the streets to prove that they're hard but me, I'm like 'fuck that', it is what it's gone be. I'm trying to prove I can do positive things with my life cause I've already been through the negative bullshit. Bullet wounds, knife wounds, a heavy conscience with nightmares, I know what’s down that road cause I’ve been there, shit, I’ve lived there. I'm trying to show myself that I can rise above the bullshit and find a way out for good. Now I’m just gonna let ya’ll see why I picked up what I picked up and why I did what I'm did.
I wanna write and publish ill ass books. I wanna put some classic movies out.
I was surprised when I came out of Africa to see some people didn’t know about
I hung out in
I’m doing my thang, my way right now, you already know.
I know there’s a war on these streets too. A war where the chaos ain’t a riot with tires burning and little 12 year old niggaz running round with AKs on their backs in broad day light
but I've seen what I've seen and regardless of what you might know there is a war going on out here. I’m a story teller and a musician so I’d make up the melodies and spit raps about the struggle. One day I might flip it. But I’m working right now, recording and promoting, writing my books and taking care of my Foundation. MIGHT just start branching out. Held down jobs before and came up there too.
Dish washing to security, to being a phlebotomist, a patient care tech, an accounting clerk and all that and I came up from that then too. Right now I’m an author. I used to work with all types of patients in hospitals to where I felt like the best way I could really help myself or anyone is if I was in a better place...
Shouts out to Filthy Rich, deadbeat productions, BiteFirst, Thunder Dome, CJ, Lite it Up, First Fridays, Planet Africa, My Jersey, New York, Maryland, Phiily, VA, South Carolina and Cali goons... my ATL mugs, my
Check out my product and let me know what the street is saying. You can find me on my blog (http://blog.freddywill.com), www.myspace.com/freddywill or on my website www.freddywill.com. link up and get a feel for what it do.. I can read and write just like Uncle Sam likes it ...but this post is for the streets. I don’t wonna hear about how you can’t read eboniks and shit like that. If it’s like that... than this ain’t for you!!!
FEEL FREE TO LEAVE YOUR COMMENT BELOW.
Peace!
NEW BOOK AND ALBUM OUT NOW!!!
The new FREDDY WILL™ album (image above) entitled 'WHILE I'M STILL YOUNG - THE TALKING DRUMS 1.2v' features four (4) new singles. Look At Me Now, While I'm Still Young II, Waitin' 4 Ur Luv - feat. JUNO AWARD WINNER Liberty Silver and
The album plays like a soundtrack to FREDDY WILL™ first self - written book entitled 'MY BOOK OF CHRYMES' which were both released off GHETTO BREED ENT. AND DOUBLE K RECORDS on August 11th, 2009.
For $24.99 plus shipping and handling 'MY BOOK OF CHRYMES' can be shipped directly from the online book boutique by clicking the link above. It is also available at AMAZON.COM. Please click on pictures or highlighted titles to visit link.
Artwork by Shane Reed.
For $14.99 plus shipping and handling the new 'WHILE I'M STILL YOUNG' CD can be shipped directly through the online CD boutique in the link above. Please click on pictures or highlighted titles to visit the link.
Artwork by Shane Reed.
Soul Asylum has compiled an attractive 'BOOK & CD' package for $29.99 plus shipping and handling and it can be shipped directly by clicking the link above. Please click on pictures or highlighted titles to visit the link.
Artwork by Shane Reed and Soul Asylum.
The original version
'WHILE I'M STILL YOUNG - THE TALKING DRUMS'
was released on September 23rd, 2008.
Artwork by GL Patterson... Limited copy of Universal Music Canada printed CD...
CDs sold in the United States do not carry the coveted Universal Music Canada stamp as seen in the picture above.
The album sold a whooping 3000 copies throughout the tri-states in the United States, England and
West Africa during the months after FREDDY WILL™ booted
Music is currently available at:
Freddy Will Jamroom, Amazon, Rhapsody, iTUNES and CD Baby for digital downloads. A limited supply of physical CDs (with Universal Music Canada logo) are now a collectors item and can be shipped out for $11. 99 plus shipping and handling if you contact our reps at Ghetto Breed Dist.
Artwork by GL Patterson...
Artwork by GL Patterson...
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