Free (rapper)
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| Free | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Marie Wright |
| Also known as | Marie Antoinette |
| Origin | Dorchester, Massachusetts, United States |
| Genre(s) | R&B, Rap, Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, rapper, music producer, television personality, radio personality |
| Years active | 1990-present |
| Website | Freesworld.com |
Free (born Marie Wright) also known as Marie Antoinette is an American rapper and television personality. She rose to fame as the first host of BET's 106 & Park. She was later a disc jockey at KKBT 100.3 The Beat in Los Angeles. Currently, she is the co-host on the Ed Lover Morning Show on Power 105.1 in New York City.
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[edit] Career
In the early 1990s, Free was a member of Wyclef Jean's Refugee Camp group. In 1998 she appeared on Canibus's debut album, Can-I-Bus with a verse on the song "Patriots". She appeared with Canibus again, on Pras's "Can't Stop the Shining", from his debut album, Ghetto Supastar. Free also had a verse in the cover version of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" from the Small Soldiers soundtrack.
Free started recording as Marie Antoinette in 1999, and appeared on Wyclef's remix of "New Day," from the Life soundtrack, and on "Da Cypha" from The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book.
In 2000, Free's chance meeting with her former boss of Boston's WILD radio station Stephen Hill, at a New York City party led to her audition for BET's newly created music video countdown show, "106 & Park" She was unanimously chosen by the audition judges, and within two weeks she, along with co-host A.J. Calloway, were on the air [1]. Free and AJ's legendary stint as hosts for the highly popular show lasted for five years. In 2002, both Free and A.J. appeared in the film Drumline in a 106 & Park segment. In 2003, she appeared in the song Fighting Temptation along with Beyoncé, Missy Elliott and MC Lyte.
In 2004, Free released her first mixtape, Free's World, which was sponsored by DJ Enuff and DJ Kast One. Later that year, a song called "Gotta Leave" was featured on a mixtape along with other solo debuts like LeToya & Omarion. While she was still hosting 106 & Park, Free signed to Elektra Records. She wrote tracks for an album but nothing was released. She followed Elektra CEO Sylvia Rhone to Motown Records. Free then signed with "Underground Universe Records".
In 2005, she appeared a the remix to the Ying Yang Twins' "Wait and Whisper". After her departure from 106 & Park in June 2005, Free went on the following year to produce and host her own LA-based afternoon show, “Free’s World.” In addition, the multi-faceted entertainer founded a production company, WorldBeFree[2]. On July 28, 2005, the pair left the show [3].
On November 26, 2007, Free hosted the 3rd Dirty Awards, created by Radio One to celebrate southern artists in Atlanta [4] During 2007, Free served as a co-moderator, along with Dr. Ben Chavis, on the Hip Hop Summit Network's "Get Your Money Right" national tour, which encouraged young people to become financially literate.[5]. In 2008, she was featured on Lisa Lopes's posthomus solo album Eye Legacy,on the track "Spread Your Wings". On October 14, 2008, Free officially joined the Ed Lover Morning Show on New York City radio station Power 105.1.[6]
On March 12, 2009, Free appeared on an episode of 106 & Park as a coresspondant on an episode that was based on domestic abuse. It was the Rihanna and Chris brown incident that prompted the actress to do the segment.
[edit] Philanthropy
Free also established the Free4Life Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering young people in disadvantaged neighborhoods through programs that encourage literacy, financial education and creative arts. The Free4Life Foundation has created opportunities that inspire, support, encourage and strengthen the healthy development of young people in Boston’s underserved communities. Initially focused on eradicating domestic violence and improving financial literacy, Free is currently in the process of expanding the depth and breadth of the foundation’s scope. Through the foundation, Free also launched the successful fundraising event, Break! Break!.[7].
[edit] Discography
- 2004: Free's World
[edit] References
- ^ DotNews.com: Free, At Last Dorchester's Marie Wright Now an Icon of Hip Hop Culture
- ^ LiveSteez.com: Former 106 & Park Host Joins Ed Lover Morning Show
- ^ Vibe.com: Free and AJ Leave "106 & Park" After Five Years
- ^ HHNLive.com: 3rd Annual Dirty Awards Go Down Nov. 26; Free To Host
- ^ HipHopPress.com: Hip-Hop Summit Action Network Welcomes Free as Co-moderator for the 2007 'Get Your Money Right' Financial Empowerment Tour
- ^ AllHipHop.com: Free Joins Power 105.1 Morning Show
- ^ APBSpeakers.com: Free | Speaker Profile
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Free at MySpace
- Free at the Internet Movie Database
