Free (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Antoinette Marie Wright, better known by her stage name, "Free" (born February 7, 1968), is an American media personality, television producer
and philanthropist
. She rose to fame as the first host of BET
's 106 & Park
. She was later a disc jockey
at KKBT
100.3 The Beat in Los Angeles
and is the former co-host of the Ed Lover Morning Show on Power 105.1
in New York City
.
Free left Boston to immerse herself in her true passion: music. One of Free's stepping-stones was an internship at a radio station in MA, where she began to make a name for herself. She then made career moves between LA and New York in an effort to build the structure of her calling.
“What influenced me to chase after my dreams was music itself; its power and creative medium.” Fate led her to a casting held by BET, where executives choose her to co-host their signature show based in NYC: "106 & Park Top 10 live". During her 5 years at 106 & Park
, Free interviewed notables such as Michael Jackson
, Denzel Washington
, Aaliyah
, Halle Berry
and Alicia Keys
.
On December 1, 2009, Clear Channel Radio New York's Power 105.1 (WWPR-FM), R&B, Hip Hop and Back in the Day Joints, announced that Malikha Mallette will move to co-host "The Ed Lover Show," 5:30-9:30am and DJ Envy is Power 105.1's new afternoon personality, 2-6pm weekdays. The announcement was made by Cadillac Jack, Power 105.1's Program Director. Free stated on her Twitter page "Ok that's a Tuesday Morning for ya: As of now I will no longer be heard on Power105 in the am: NY thanks for the laughs..rock on!"
In October 2010, Free returned to BET to produce and star in “106 & Park’s” two-episode anniversary show: “106 & Park: 10 Years & Counting” and “106 & Park: The Celebration, 10 Years Live!” Both shows earned the highest “106 & Park” ratings in BET history.
She can also be seen on BET again as a presenter at the inaugural “Black Girls Rock” Awards on November 7, 2010.
On May 9, 2011, Free began co-hosting "The Big Tigger Morning Show" on Washington, DC area radio station WPGC 95.5 FM, alongside Darian "Big Tigger
" Morgan, 6am-10am weekdays.
Free is also an advocate for breast cancer awareness. In October 2010, she participated in the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” charity walk in honor of her late mother Selina “Tina” Wright. Forming team “Walk 4 Tina,” Free and her family walked 5.7 miles to help raise donations and awareness.
Soundtracks
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. She rose to fame as the first host of BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
. She was later a disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
at KKBT
KKBT
KSWD is a Bonneville International-owned radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, USA. The station currently broadcasts a wide-ranging classic rock format...
100.3 The Beat in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and is the former co-host of the Ed Lover Morning Show on Power 105.1
WWPR-FM
WWPR-FM, also known as "Power 105.1", is an urban contemporary radio station that features hip hop and R&B licensed to New York City that serves the Greater New York area....
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Career
Born Marie Wright, she is of African American descent. She began her journey in the arts as a child in Boston, MA. She attended the Roxbury Center for Performing Arts for 11 years and traveled and toured as part of a young dance troupe. Inspired by hometown group New Edition, she was part of a few groups in Boston performing and winning talent shows, while honing her singing and rap skills.Free left Boston to immerse herself in her true passion: music. One of Free's stepping-stones was an internship at a radio station in MA, where she began to make a name for herself. She then made career moves between LA and New York in an effort to build the structure of her calling.
“What influenced me to chase after my dreams was music itself; its power and creative medium.” Fate led her to a casting held by BET, where executives choose her to co-host their signature show based in NYC: "106 & Park Top 10 live". During her 5 years at 106 & Park
106 & Park
106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
, Free interviewed notables such as Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and film producer. He first rose to prominence when he joined the cast of the medical drama, St. Elsewhere, playing Dr...
, Aaliyah
Aaliyah
Aaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
, Halle Berry
Halle Berry
Halle Berry is an American actress and a former fashion model. Berry received an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, and an NAACP Image Award for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and won an Academy Award for Best Actress and was nominated for a BAFTA Award in 2001 for her performance in Monster's Ball, becoming...
and Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
.
On December 1, 2009, Clear Channel Radio New York's Power 105.1 (WWPR-FM), R&B, Hip Hop and Back in the Day Joints, announced that Malikha Mallette will move to co-host "The Ed Lover Show," 5:30-9:30am and DJ Envy is Power 105.1's new afternoon personality, 2-6pm weekdays. The announcement was made by Cadillac Jack, Power 105.1's Program Director. Free stated on her Twitter page "Ok that's a Tuesday Morning for ya: As of now I will no longer be heard on Power105 in the am: NY thanks for the laughs..rock on!"
In October 2010, Free returned to BET to produce and star in “106 & Park’s” two-episode anniversary show: “106 & Park: 10 Years & Counting” and “106 & Park: The Celebration, 10 Years Live!” Both shows earned the highest “106 & Park” ratings in BET history.
She can also be seen on BET again as a presenter at the inaugural “Black Girls Rock” Awards on November 7, 2010.
On May 9, 2011, Free began co-hosting "The Big Tigger Morning Show" on Washington, DC area radio station WPGC 95.5 FM, alongside Darian "Big Tigger
Big Tigger
Darian "Big Tigger" Morgan , also known as Big Tigg; is an American television and radio personality best known as the host of BET's Rap City and 106 & Park.- :...
" Morgan, 6am-10am weekdays.
Philanthropy
In 2002, Free founded the Free4Life Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to empowering young people in disadvantaged neighborhoods through programs that encourage literacy, financial education and creative arts. The Free4Life Foundation has created opportunities that inspire, support, encourage and strengthen the healthy development of young people in Boston’s underserved communities. Initially focused on eradicating domestic violence and improving financial literacy, Free is currently in the process of expanding the depth and breadth of the foundation’s scope. Through the foundation, Free also launched the successful fundraising event, Break! Break!.Free is also an advocate for breast cancer awareness. In October 2010, she participated in the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” charity walk in honor of her late mother Selina “Tina” Wright. Forming team “Walk 4 Tina,” Free and her family walked 5.7 miles to help raise donations and awareness.
Discography
- 2004: Free's World
Soundtracks
- 1996: The AssociateThe Associate (soundtrack)The Associate is the original motion picture soundtrack of the self-titled movie from 1996, starring Whoopi Goldberg, the winner of a Grammy, seven Emmy Awards, two Golden Globes, a Tony, as well as an Oscar....
(on "Mr. Big StuffMr. Big Stuff"Mr. Big Stuff" is a song by R&B singer Jean Knight. Released from her 1971 debut album of the same title, it became a huge crossover hit. The song spent five weeks at number-one on Billboard's Best Selling Soul Singles and peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. "Mr. Big Stuff" would...
" with Queen LatifahQueen LatifahDana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
and Shades)