Free Sol
Encyclopedia
FreeSol is a progressive hip-hop, rock, and soul band from Memphis, Tennessee
.
Justin Timberlake
described their sound as "a fusion of rock, hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and soul."
The band was formed in 2003 when the lead singer/MC, Free first met Premo D'Anger ( keys/bass), Kickman Teddy (drums) and a month after Elliott Ives (guitar/vocals) in a studio.
Growing up surrounded by the musical landscape embedded in Memphis’ history, all four of them were influenced by a variety of sounds, from blues to rock to hip-hop and back again. Their influences range from Three 6 Mafia
to Isaac Hayes
but they also like Outkast
, Coldplay
, Foo Fighters
among others.
In 2004, the band released its first album 11:11 which was produced by Carlos "6 July" Broady through Memphis Records.
In 2006, Justin Timberlake
, also a Memphis native, saw FreeSol perform at a little jazz cafe in their hometown. Shortly thereafter, he signed them to his upstart label, Tennman Records
. Justin Timberlake was soon able to secure them a major deal with Interscope Records
. In 2009, DJ Charlie White joined the group.
Most recently, FreeSol has been working with a variety of producers such as Cool & Dre
(Lil’ Wayne, The Game), Jim Jonsin
(Beyonce, Pitbull), Mike Elizondo
(Dr. Dre, Eminem), Dave Tozer
(Jay-Z, Kanye West), and Timbaland
in order to record their debut album No Rules. The album is scheduled for release in October 2011.
In August 2011, the music video for the single "Hoodies On, Hats Low" was released. It was directed by Justin Timberlake who also makes a cameo, Aaron Platt and Joe Toman.
The song "Don't Give It Away" was used in the end credits of the Entourage
episode "Bottoms Up". Manager Nick Shuly told a video for the song is in the works.
In October 2011, a music video for the song "Role Model" featuring Justin Timberlake was released. In addition, the track "Fascinated" which features Timberlake and Timbaland also dropped the same day.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
.
History
The name, “FreeSol”, refers to a state of mind - a freedom of expression - with a main objective of never conforming to the usual way of doing things. Armed with this philosophy, FreeSol toured the country playing gigs of all sizes, and competing (i.e., the Mid-South Grammy Showcase, Turner South's My South Rocks competition, The Rock Boat's Grand Championship show, and the BMI Urban Music Showcase).Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
described their sound as "a fusion of rock, hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and soul."
The band was formed in 2003 when the lead singer/MC, Free first met Premo D'Anger ( keys/bass), Kickman Teddy (drums) and a month after Elliott Ives (guitar/vocals) in a studio.
Growing up surrounded by the musical landscape embedded in Memphis’ history, all four of them were influenced by a variety of sounds, from blues to rock to hip-hop and back again. Their influences range from Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia are an Academy Award-winning, American rap group originating from Memphis, Tennessee. Formed in 1991 as Triple 6 Mafia, by DJ Paul, Juicy J, & Lord Infamous, the group at its most featured six members including; Crunchy Black, Gangsta Boo and Koopsta Knicca...
to Isaac Hayes
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
but they also like Outkast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
, Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
among others.
In 2004, the band released its first album 11:11 which was produced by Carlos "6 July" Broady through Memphis Records.
In 2006, Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, also a Memphis native, saw FreeSol perform at a little jazz cafe in their hometown. Shortly thereafter, he signed them to his upstart label, Tennman Records
Tennman Records
Tennman Records is an American record label created as a joint venture between Justin Timberlake and Interscope Records.-History:The label was announced in a press release dated May 28, 2007....
. Justin Timberlake was soon able to secure them a major deal with Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
. In 2009, DJ Charlie White joined the group.
Most recently, FreeSol has been working with a variety of producers such as Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
(Lil’ Wayne, The Game), Jim Jonsin
Jim Jonsin
James Scheffer, better known by his professional name, Jim Jonsin, is an American Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, record executive, and entrepreneur...
(Beyonce, Pitbull), Mike Elizondo
Mike Elizondo
Michael "Mike" Elizondo is a well-known songwriter, bassist, keyboardist, and hip hop music producer.-Musical career:Mike Elizondo is especially known for his collaborations with internationally successful producer Dr. Dre and rapper Eminem. He has played the bass for many of Dr...
(Dr. Dre, Eminem), Dave Tozer
Dave Tozer
Dave Tozer is a producer, songwriter and musician. He has worked with several R&B, Hip-Hop, Rock and Pop artists including John Legend, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer, Natasha Bedingfield, Musiq Soulchild, Estelle, Jazmine Sullivan and Elliott Yamin.-Biography:Hailing from...
(Jay-Z, Kanye West), and Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
in order to record their debut album No Rules. The album is scheduled for release in October 2011.
In August 2011, the music video for the single "Hoodies On, Hats Low" was released. It was directed by Justin Timberlake who also makes a cameo, Aaron Platt and Joe Toman.
The song "Don't Give It Away" was used in the end credits of the Entourage
Entourage (TV series)
Entourage is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons...
episode "Bottoms Up". Manager Nick Shuly told a video for the song is in the works.
In October 2011, a music video for the song "Role Model" featuring Justin Timberlake was released. In addition, the track "Fascinated" which features Timberlake and Timbaland also dropped the same day.
Band members
- Free – lead singer, lyricist
- Elliott Ives – guitar, vocals
- Premo D'Anger – keyboards, bass guitar
- Kickman Teddy – drums
- Charlie White - DJ
Discography
- 11:11 (Album) (2004)
- MasterPiece: A Rize 2 Da Top (Mixtape) (2009)
- RocknRolla' (Mixtape) (2010)
- No Rules (2011)