Oh Yeah!

I guess I sort of forgot to mention, my first ever interview was published online. Wake-N-Bake.net granted me an interview over a month ago and after weeks of waiting and harassing them via email (lol), the interview finally went up February 15.

Welcome to wake-n-bake Bornfree, lets start with a quick introduction for any peoples who may be unfamiliar with you and your work…


Well, I’m Bornfree, I’m an artist and my canvas is Hip-Hop. I’m from Dallas, TX, I’m 20 years old and I like to think that I have a huge difference to make in the world if people take the time out to really listen to me.


How did you get started in the game, who or what influenced you?

One night as a small child – maybe five or six years old, I was with my family around the TV – my mom, pop, older sister and little brother – all of us when this commercial for a Rap compilation disc came on. It was like ’95 or ’96 so there were songs by ‘Pac, Biggie, Nas, Snoop, Dre, the Wu etc. you know, the classics. And even at that age, I felt the music, real strong-like. This may’ve had something to do with the fact that my old man was in a rap group, the NFG, and had amassed respectable local notoriety at the time but nonetheless, my dad peeped me feeling the excerpts from the commercial and, along with one of those real fatherly type of head rubs, told me “that could be you one day, homeboy.” In response, I woke up the VERY NEXT MORNING and told my old man that I wanted to learn how to rap and that day we sat down – then and there, and he helped me write my first verse: a six-bar quick spit about safely crossing the street. I still remember it to this day. So above all else, my father is my greatest influence in getting me into rap. He surrounded me with it, taught me how and encouraged me to grow in it. So all my props and credits go to my Dad first and foremost and if I ever get put on, he’ll be the reason why. Secondly, I’m extremely influenced just by the shit I’ve been through and the knowledge I’ve been blessed with. I haven’t had the easiest life but then again, who has, you know? I just feel my personal testament to my existence is interesting enough for the world to learn something from. Lastly, my artistic influences, MC’s whose message, style and career have molded mine include firstly, Nas. Nas: The Thug Poet, yeah, he’s my absolute favorite MC, after that, Tariq Trotter better known as Black Thought from the legendary Roots crew, André 3000, Lupe Fiasco and more recently, Kid Cudi, Blu and J. Cole.

What does your city mean to both who you are as a person, and as an artist?

Dallas, TX, man – Pleasant Grove, specifically, I’ll scream it until the death of me. Again, my pop has a major part in me taking pride in my hood. I know the streets, my hood history, its trials and triumphs because my old man made sure I knew. My hometown is of big importance to me because, although I consider myself a really worldly individual, Pleasant Grove, Dallas, TX taught me that roses occasionally grow from the concrete, all diamonds are squeezed from coal and it is a man’s choice whether or not he is defined by the stigmas attached to his upbringing. Dallas isn’t the worst of cities, but it’s a tough one. And I learned a lot from the streets and the classroom, you know? The corner and the library. Dallas is especially important to me considering the music scene. I pay special respect to those who have made it from here which includes such notable artists like Erykah Badu, Dorrough, The D.O.C., Fathead Newman, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Usher (even though he hails ATL). These artists, especially Ms. Badu, The D.O.C. (who was my favorite rapper at one point) and Stevie Ray Vaughn, have inspired my artistic growth and pride for Dallas because their individual successes and dedication to their craft. For the most part, the hip-hop scene – even the musical scene as a whole in Dallas is generally pigeonholed to club music, you know? Booty talk, slabbed out cars, and DANCES – oh my damn, if we’re not the city of a million dances, I don’t know who is. And just being surrounded by that influenced me to be more than that, to cultivate my artistry like those who have made it out of my city without conforming to the standards, or lack thereof in my opinion, of the entertainment industry.

Who have you worked with before? Who would you want to work with in the future?

I really try to throw my hat in all available arenas. Currently, I’m primarily involved in two projects. First being me – my solo career, Bornfree: The Unsung One. I feel like my individual message and potential contribution to the game is a burden I have to carry alone. After that, I go back to my roots. For a little over ten years now – maybe eleven or twelve, even – I’ve been the second-in-command of my family’s hip-hop group, Southern Kingdom. We’ve released two albums since our formation and ultimately seek to elevate the standards of our people through reestablishing an understanding of our roots, the love of knowledge and demanding a better quality of life for ourselves, you know? Other than that, I willingly collaborate with local and state artists, most recently being GregGiant, a real cool cat from Dallas now living in Beaumont. He produced the track for Heart on a Record (http://bit.ly/e3WUOQ), my first solo single. It’s funny because my girlfriend, Desi, actually hooked me up with him because she’s very involved in the young music scene, artists typically considered Leaders of the New School and whatnot so her influence in the circle has greatly helped me progressed as an artist (shoutout to my Lioness, right there). Additionally, my boy Kane Jetson and I will be working together real soon, Nicholas Marz, Bobby Session, E-Piffa, Romyo and Pandora are among others I intend to work with very soon as well. My dream would be to do sort of an Jedi Council-type of all-star track with Nas, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and my dad, you know, dropping knowledge like we all do very well. That’d be heat. I’d also like to work with Lupe, Andre and do some unconventional collabos with artists like Big Gigantic, Prince and Ky-Mani Marley. And how could I forget Erykah? That would be wonderful to go back to the Kitchen Studios with Ms. Badu and just vibe to something then and there, you feel me?

So what’s next for 2011? You got any projects you working on?

Unsung will be completed real soon and available for free download on Mediafire, Soundcloud and Reverbnation. That’ll be the world’s introduction to me, my debut EP, and hopefully it reaches ears a little farther than Dallas. I’m almost done, I just have a little more writing and post-production to do so hopefully it’ll be out before the end of March. Other than that, I’m always looking for opportunities to perform so I’ll be rocking venues all over north Texas. Some features here and there and hopefully another Southern Kingdom album because people are demanding it now. Ultimately, though, Unsung is my biggest project and I plan to spam the hell out of it once it’s finally done. So keep your eyes focused and your mind wide open, I’m Bornfree: The Unsung One, Refaya – The Most High Has Healed and my success will be defined by the legacy I leave behind for generations after me. Word.




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