Frankie Fraize

So for those don’t know tell us who you are and what you would consider to be your achievements in the music industry so far?

I was involved with a competition on BBC Radio 1xtra in 2006 where I got to perform in front of Ras Kwame, DJ Semtex, Rodney P and Skitz. It was a real big experience for me and helped put me out there. That generated some radio play for me. Also I was asked to present a show on BBC radio Norfolk. That was a big look for me. Since them I have release an EP with Lyrical T which is getting a real good response at the moment. I have played some shows with what I consider big names and from the start that was my real aim so its good to have accomplished that. Particulaly supporting skinnyman at a show. That was one of my targets when I started and I done that one a few times now.

What would you has been your biggest track so far to date and does it have a music video on You Tube?

My biggest tune so far has been either ‘Thetford’s On The Map’ or ‘Don’t Leave Now’. ‘Thetfords On The Map’ did a lot for me especially round my town. People seemed to get behind that one a lot and it was one of them tunes that ended up on everyones phones. As for ‘Don’t Leave Now’ that did a lot radio wise. It was played on a few stations and a lot of people seem to relate to it. Im proud of that tune cos it’s a difficult subject matter to tackle without being too baite. Massive shout to Tbone for both of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEqeJx3dt8I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky_msk5It80&feature=related

Who produces your music and what record label are you on?

I got two main in house producers. DJ I.C and TBone. They the two running coldbeatz studio and producing some bangers. DJ I.C produced most of the EP ‘Something In The Making’. Im currently on an independent label called ‘HOODLEM’. The Hoodlem camp have got a few things coming this year so keep ya eyes open for some releases from there.

What are your thoughts on digital distribution? Is MP3 really the way forward?

I think digital distribution has been a massive push in reducing illegal downloads. I defiantly feel that over the last 6 years the amount of people downloading legally has increased and Itunes is becoming more popular than ever. I think MP3 distribution is a good idea as most people use ipods and mp3 players and even in terms of DJing nowdays it seems CDJ’s and Seratos are the way most people are going.

Have you had much radio support and mixtape features? If so, what DJ’s are supporting you?

Yeah I have had a few mixtape features. Jabba tha Kut recently included a tune on his ‘DJ Sessions’ CD. Massive shout to him. I have had a song on a Forbidden Tongues mixtape. There have been a few others about as well like small independent releases. As for radio play I get a lot of support from BBC Radio Norfolk. A show called ‘the cut and paste show’ on www.radiofrequencyfm.co.uk have recently been supporting a lot of my dubstep tunes. Ive had some play on 1xtra but not enough to feel like I have broke through there. I got to keep banging on that door.

What subject matters and concepts do you cover in your songs?

Basically I try and write everything I see around me. I write about the life outside my front door and it seems to hit a chord with a lot of people that listen. A lot of people relate to what I have to say. I try and keep it as real to me as I can which includes the honesty in tracks such as don’t leave now. I never try to represent anything that I wouldn’t do if you saw me on the street.

Tell us about your latest release.

The latest release is an EP from me and Lyrical T called ‘Something In The Making’. The EP is mainly produced by DJ IC and also includes beats from Redeye and Dillijence. Redeye is the only other rapper to feature on the CD. The EP is getting a real good response and has been supported by influential people such as Disorda at suspect packages and Certified Banger. Locally the town has really got behind it which is always a good sign. Really need to say shout out to Thetford town cos they have been supporting since day one.

Outside of music how do relax? What other things are you into doing?

Mainly supporting Queens Park Rangers. Music does play a real big part in my life and not just rap music so it’s hard to think of much else there is in my life hobby wise. Only Football really and games like Pro, Fifa, Fight Night and Call Of Duty 4 on the Xbox. I got a lot of time for my friends and family so seeing them is important.

What can people expect to hear from you in the near future?

The Hoodlem team are gonna drop a free promotional mixtape towards the end of the year. Gonna do that as a download thing. Gonna be concentrating on pushing the other Hoodlem artists few a bit. Then next year gonna bring out my first official solo release. I have made a lot of it already and im overly happy with the result so far. I think that its gonna do big things next year so hold tight for that one.

Where’s the best place to buy your music?

The EP is available on www.suspect-packages.com. We are gonna be pushing the hoodlum releases via www.hoodlem.bigcartel.com. There are a few other shops involved as well such as www.rootsnculture.co.uk

Are you on all the social networking sites? MySpace, Facebook and Twitter?

Yeah I'm on facebook under Franko Fraize. Im on myspace www.myspace.com/frankofraize. Also i got a blog now to keep everyone up to date with what is going on http://www.hhbradio.com/www.frankofraize.blogspot.com

Interview questions by Jonathan Miles