Freddy Printz, lyricist and rap talent, artist and free thinker, makes his way in rotation when turning back to the old school era of Hip Hop. Guided by the phrase ‘Bridging the gap between art and sound’ (written in his bio of his social media channels), the Canadian rapper uses different art forms in music to create an all-round feel: Whether in his cover art of his releases (notably his painted image in EP “The Candidate”), creative music video concepts (playing a night shop cashier dealing with burglars in “Moonlight” (feat. Quest), or sharing the Behind-the-Scenes of all kinds of projects with his fans and followers. In his raspy, gritty, and distinguishable voice the rapper from Ottawa not only brings back the core of what Hip Hop’s all about, but also his personal twist without following any popular streaks.
His conscious rap lyrics build a timeless delivery of his music from day 1, directly related to his name FREDDY, an acronym which stands for Further Reiterating Everyday Difficulties of Dilated Youth. The acronym, an expression of what he sets out to accomplish within the burgeoning Canadian Hip Hop scene, finds its core in his full demo album named “The Cold Capitvl Project”. Released in the early 2010s and inspired by Sene, an artist who after moving to LA went back to his home city New York, not able to resonate the feel of his sound somewhere else. To that effect, inspiring Freddy to ‘make something that’s close to the heart and close to home’, that could resonate everywhere and especially the area where you’re from. Since then, Freddy stayed close to heart and home with many releases that followed, including his much loved 2017 EP “Keep This in Rotation” where second track, “Iftk”, received streaming success and a lot of love overseas, especially from Holland. A corresponding love, as Freddy flew all the way to Rotterdam to perform at New Skool Rules Festival, connecting with Rotterdam city life, and shooting the music video for “My World” there, the first single taken from his upcoming EP “Still in Rotation”, in between making time to be deliver creative rap lines as a feature in Quest’s single “Moonlight” with DJ Grouch.
Now, with the newly released second single “Still in Rotation”, named after the upcoming EP, and freshly out with the music video, Freddy follows up the jazzy old school vibe heard in “My World” and even goes further in. Produced by Jeff Sanon with a classic old school beat and a saxophone that plays around as if it’s freestyling, without disturbing the Hip Hop sounds. The music video, released March 1st, compliments the record in SDTV style, removing wide-screen view, plain black and white as if you’re back in the 1960s, using different light effects to channel the shadowy dark visuals. Telling a love story in all ups and downs, from arguments to finding love again. Literally like the title says – “Still in Rotation”. What else is behind the new song? Freddy took the time of his busy schedule to answer questions about his new release, his creative concepts, the link in his ‘Rotation’ releases, and upcoming music. You can read the interview below.
Can you tell me a little bit about your background? When did you start making music and what inspired you to become a rapper?
My parents were avid music fans, especially my dad when I was younger. He had a crazy music collection of CD’s from Blues to Gospel, Rap of course but I think a favorite for my parents was R&B. I started making little freestyles here and there when I was about 15 but got into making actual songs and bodies of work around 21. I think growing up when I did, a lot of our superheroes that looked like us, were athletes and musicians. I’d say seeing artists like Jay-Z and Nas were my inspiration to pursue rap.
In some of your online platforms, like your SoundCloud and YouTube channel, you’re introducing yourself with the phrase ‘Bridging the gap between art & sound’. Can you explain what’s behind the phrase, or what you like to get across?
The idea behind this phrase is really my mantra to approaching music. I always want an aspect of the artistic expression to be captured in my music. Lately, I’ve been pairing physical art pieces with the audio I have been creating to help form a complete idea around my musical projects. Oftentimes the physical and digital art pieces inspire some of the music I write.
In your new song “Still in Rotation” you explained that it highlights the often romanticized heartache men and women face in young adult relationships and how we often project social inhibitions, also holding a mirror to your own romantic relationship. What made you open up to that subject?
I believe having a tough but honest conversation with yourself is the first step to realizing when you’re the problem. I’ve had a few relationships in my adulthood that have failed due to my own mishandling of what a romantic relationship truly is. I used to romanticize the idea of what a relationship was and found I only liked parts of a relationship. I did not want to even entertain anything that skewed my idea of that so some real self-reflection had to take place to get me here.
The music video is in grey-ish black and white, non white screen, and gives the impression as if you’re looking at an old colorless tube TV. The song is also guided by a saxophone. It feels as if it wants you to dive in in a certain era. What kind of feel did you want to create for viewers and listeners with this song?
I have to give credit to the director of the video Lebni A. of Heirmanos who had a vision for bringing the song to light. Heirmanos is a multidisciplinary creative studio based out of Toronto, Canada that specializes in not only video production and design, but also in performance art development.
You released two other videos very recently as well – “My World” and “Moonlight” (feat. Quest). “My World” was filmed in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, partly in the New Skool Rules Festival. I also love the video for “Moonlight” where you are working a night shift in a night shop and getting tired of people stealing there 😂 …All of your music videos in general offer a different vibe and idea. How do you come up with these concepts? And are you switching the styles on purpose?
I’m glad you enjoyed those other visuals. Again, I have to give credit to the directors I work with. Not only are they talented behind the camera but their minds are just as creative. Both “Moonlight” & “My World” were directed and partly shot by Ghegani Panosian. As for the ideas behind the visual, we tend to lean towards more cinematic ideas.
Speaking about Rotterdam, you gained a lot of fans there and also visited the place more often. What does Rotterdam mean to you, and does the international fan base of yours have influence on your music?
I love Rotterdam! They were super receptive in all aspects and I find it to be very welcoming. I wouldn’t mind moving there, I’ve always had a great time there and I love the Kapsalon!
“Still in Rotation” will also be the name of your upcoming EP which will include “My World” and your new single of the same name. The name relates to your 2017 released EP “Keep This in Rotation” (known for your killer-song “Iftk”). Is there a link between these two albums?
I’m glad you mentioned that! “Still in Rotation” is an EP that will follow up the 2017 release. It will be the second installment of the ‘Rotation’ series that I think people will enjoy listening to. It’s a bit longer, a bit more cohesive and kind of a timestamp of life from 2018 to now.
“Still in Rotation” is out on all digital platforms. You can stream the single on Spotify here. The appendant EP of the same name will be released later this year. For other recently released tracks, you can check out “My World” and “Moonlight” (feat. Quest).
You can follow Freddy Printz on the following platforms:
