Freek (rapper) explained

Freek
Birth Name:Mustafa Mohamed Ismail
Birth Date:23 July 1990
Birth Place:Abu Dhabi, UAE
Origin:Somalia
Years Active:2014–present

Mustafa Mohamed Ismail, professionally known by his stage name, Freek, is a UAE-based Somali rapper, singer, music director and record producer.[1] [2] He is noted as one of the contributors to the Arabic drill rap music genre[3] [4] and in particular, to the GCC's underground music scene.[5]

Personal life

Freek was born and raised in Abu Dhabi to Somali parents who migrated to the UAE in the 1970s.[6] [7]

Career

Freek's career as a musician began with Alonzo's track titled Batali released in 2014 and his first single Aslan 3adi was released in 2015. His 2019 single, Wala Kilma, was used in a 2019 Adidas marketing campaign featuring popular football player, Mohamed Salah.[8] [4] [5] Wala Kilma, which was listed on Link Up TV,[9] was later remixed with British rappers Eyez and Young Tribez. The record landed Freek his debut performance in London and Leicester in December 2019.[10] [11] [12] This later paved the way to a series of performances in the UAE, including being the opening act for Sole DXB, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Expo 2020.[13] [7] Other musicians headlining the aforementioned events included Future, Gucci Mane and the Wu-Tang Clan.[10] [12]

In 2020, Freek was written about and praised extensively by Kuwaiti writer Mona Kareem. In her article, she claims "Freek comes as one of the first Gulf rappers to have taken it to the hit-making level, expanding Arabic hip hop beyond conscious rap and YouTube niche",[14] though no data was provided to contextualize or substantiate her claims. In 2021 Freek was featured on the Charlie Sloth’s Fire in The Booth (Dubai Series)[15] [16] and on the Virgin Radio Dubai's Regional Artist Spotlight in 2022, both of which are programs covering budding underground artists in the UAE's hip hop scene.[17] [18] [19] That same year, Freek's first studio-recorded album titled "150" was released.[20] [21]

Discography

Singles

Albums

"150" (2022)

Collaborations

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Freek: The UAE Based Somali Rapper that Bathes in Laban . 23 April 2018 . Scene Noise . 25 August 2022.
  2. Web site: Jennifer. Barretto. World Music Day: 10 UAE-based musicians who are making waves. 21 June 2022 . . 25 August 2022.
  3. Web site: "بعد أيام من طرحها.. مشاهدات ضعيفة لأغنية فريك "مية مية (in Arabic). 15 June 2021 . Al Mashhad Al Arabi . 25 August 2022.
  4. Web site: Freek and Khawater Al Dhalam . . 25 August 2022.
  5. Web site: UAE-based Somali artist Freek charts the highs and lows of his career on his latest single. 24 June 2021. . 25 August 2022.
  6. Web site: Emirati-Born Rapper Freek Levels Up . 24 October 2021 . . 25 August 2022.
  7. Web site: Alternative artists Freek, Karrouhat drop surprise new singles. 29 March 2020 . . 25 August 2022.
  8. Web site: Nicolas. Keraudren. A Dubai rischi il carcere se parli male delle autorità—e allora come puoi fare rap? (In Iatalian). 15 April 2020 . . 25 August 2022.
  9. Web site: Razmig. Bedirian. 13 music videos filmed in the UAE: from Now United to Mohamed Ramadan. 21 April 2021 . . 25 August 2022.
  10. Web site: أحمد. طه. فنان الراب الاماراتي "فريك" يطلق أغنية "مية مية" (in Arabic). 15 June 2021 . . 25 August 2022.
  11. Web site: Razmig. Bedirian. 'It's my first million': How UAE rapper Freek shot his hit 'Wala Kilma' music video on an abandoned plane. 25 June 2020 . . 25 August 2022.
  12. Web site: David . Light. I believe most UAE artists are not yet ready to talk about serious issues: Freek. 21 April 2021. . 25 August 2022.
  13. Web site: ثاني نسخ سلسلة "إيقاعات اليوبيل" تنطلق في إكسبو 2020 (in Arabic). 17 November 2021 . Al Ain . 25 August 2022.
  14. Kareem . Mona . 2020 . From Rap to Trap: The Khaliji Migrant Finds his Aesthetic . Arabian Humanities. Revue internationale d'archéologie et de sciences sociales sur la péninsule Arabique/International Journal of Archaeology and Social Sciences in the Arabian Peninsula . 14 . 14. 10.4000/cy.6285 . 234447537 . 25 August 2022. free .
  15. Web site: Marwa . Hamad . British DJ Charlie Sloth brings 'Fire in the Booth' to Dubai. 5 January 2021. Gulf News. 25 August 2022.
  16. Web site: Freek Joins Charlie Sloth For Latest Dubai Special Of 'Fire In The Booth'. 11 February 2021. GRM Daily. 25 August 2022.
  17. Web site: Freek – Regional Artist Spotlight. 1 March 2022. Virgin Radio Dubai. 25 August 2022.
  18. Web site: UAE-based Somali rapper FREEK knows the drill. 3 May 2020. Musivv. 25 August 2022.
  19. Web site: Dubai Media City launches MUSIC_ON series to amplify UAE's growing music scene. 23 June 2020 . Broadcastpro . 25 August 2022.
  20. Web site: Yassine . Hariss. Dubai-Based Rapper Freek on What It's Like to Make a First Album . 25 February 2022 . Milleworld . 25 August 2022.
  21. Web site: Aravin . Sandran. Rapper Freek Breaks Down the Making of His Debut Album . 25 February 2022 . . 25 August 2022.

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