Sound Pollution

Melissa Bessey

Born Wilfred Kanu Jr., independent hip hop artist Freddy Will releases his first book entitled My Book of Chrymes with Soul Asylum Poetry & Publishing Co., which coincides with his 2009 album release While I’m Still Young – The Talking Drums 1.2v.

Freddy’s book is a non-fiction account of his early life and experiences in West Africa including time spent in Sierra Leone, the Gambia and Liberia during the 1989 genocide. Though he recalls sometimes gruesome realities of growing up in a third world country; like becoming desensitized to the site and smell of dead bodies as a youth; Freddy also explains the aw-inspiring beauty of these places and how the desolation and violence are not the only thing youth are aware of when that is the only reality they know.

As the eldest child of a prominent African diplomat, the main struggle of young Freddy Will’s existence was the duality between religion and the street. At home, his parents were devout Christians (his mother a strict born again Christian) but the culture and particularly the music of the ghettos drew him in and seemed to relate more to his feelings of anger, frustration and hope for better days.

“He fell in love with the dark side of hip hop culture and soon realized he didn’t need people to approve . . . he went wayward . . . “I’ve lived through a few defining moments in my lifetime and I think it all started in church. That’s where I learned all the basics, that’s where I was taught real values and built my foundation in music and theatre. Little did I know then that those days would define the meaning of my life someday and it taught me how to give back after I received a blessing.”

During the genocide Freddy’s parents fled to America, leaving Freddy and his siblings with family who mistreated them, forcing Freddy to embrace the way of the streets, doing what he needed to do, to get his next meal and in order to survive. After a much needed intervention, Freddy was eventually able to join his parents in New Jersey where he thought he had reached the Promised Land, only to realize that violence and racism existed everywhere and he once again turned to the streets, hustling to survive.

Although Freddy Will’s tale involves much violence, it does not serve as glorification for the gangsta rap that his album produced; rather it does offer insight into the difference between real street rappers and mainstream ‘pop’ rappers who appear to have a violent image.

“Street credibility is only attained by genuine street experience and the knowledge it produces. You are respected for walking the walk as you talk the talk, but that does not mean a gangster wannabe should go out and get a gun and shoot someone or try to sell drugs just to prove that they are authentic.”

My Book of Chrymes is a real life account of both struggle and accomplishment against all odds and although it takes you on a sometimes violent path, is an easy read that I would recommend to anybody. Now based in Canada, Freddy Will is a successful independent artist with a positive outlook and in addition to his music career; he has founded his own charity and is committed to giving back to those most at need. Stay up to date with his music, writing and foundation at http://www.freddywill.com

Sound Pollution 2010