Higher Frequencies (2023)

FREEQUENCY3 is a rapper from Manchester who has rapped for Snoop Dogg and supported Dizraeli and Oneda. She released her powerful, debut EP,517 DAYS, in May. Since then she has garnered radio play on BBC Introducing and 1Xtra and is frequently headlining shows. A Factory Sounds artist, Herchester artist and an avid performer, FREEQUENCY3 never fails to deliver whether spitting writtens, freestyling, or performing live. Her work is consistently top notch, her energy is uplifting, and all this inspite of a significant health condition. Gravy Mag caught up with her to talk all things music.

How did you first get into rapping?

 In September 2021,my life changed overnight. I’d just DJed at Parklife, was living my best life, then I woke up the next morning with really bad nerve pain down both legs. This progressed to me not being able to walk and having poor mobility. I wasn't able to use my body in the same way as I used to in terms of dancing, going out, DJing and hosting, but I still really needed to create and so I started using my voice as a way to create and express.

  What do you love about rapping?

 I love the feeling of freedom that it creates. I really love freestyling because it's connecting with the frequencies and the vibrations of the beat that you're listening to, and then just kind of rambling and saying whatever comes to your mind. I also enjoy the process of writing and the freedom of expression that it brings. I adore performing. It's my favourite thing to be performing, connecting with people, telling my story. It’s a big, big blessing.

 What inspires you?

 I think I often feel inspired when I see people performing, listening to certain songs and artists inspires me. My family, who are very encouraging, artists like Beyoncé, Teyana Taylor and Kehlani. My mum inspires me too.

How has your health condition affected your music?

My health condition informs a lot of my music that I've released so far. It’s all been informed and inspired by my current health condition. Without this happening in my life and this change, 517 Days would have never been created. It’s given me a direction and a purpose and made me feel a new desire to want to make music to increase people's awareness of invisible disabilities, to tell people to mind their own business.

How did the EP come about?  

I’d done a Black women's exhibition at The Horsefall, 42nd Street. After that, Rod said I could do whatever I wanted and they would try their best to make it work. I knew that I wanted a vocalist, so I got in touch with Karis Jade and I brought Feaz (producer) on too. 

Has the EP helped you to process what's happened to you?

 Yeah, 100 million percent.  It helped me process what I was going through and allowed me to have a voice in a way that I didn't have yet and gave me freedom away from always being asked questions. To me, it's a statement of saying ‘this is what's going on, don't ask me no questions!’

Were all the songs on the EP in line with the frequencies of the chakras?

Yeah, ‘What Have You Done’ is in line with the Root chakra, ‘Who Am I’ is in line with the Throat chakra, and ‘Stronger Than I Ever Knew’ is in line with the Crown chakra.

Could you tell me about the short film that you made alongside the EP?

So the short film initially was gonna be a documentary, but then we decided to make it a short film. For ‘Stronger Than I Ever Knew’, I really wanted to have my friends and family there and honour them. It was a beautiful, beautiful moment. A couple of us cried.

 What has been your experience of being an artist with a health condition?

 So it's been difficult at times. Like I remember one festival in 2022 was awful. Just awful because of how I was treated and the lack of help and support backstage, but they were much better in 2023.One of the challenges I can face sometimes when taking part in participatory projects is people just not being mindful about access requirements. 

What can the music industry and the arts world do to be more inclusive?

Speak with people with disabilities. Widen your perspective and become aware of what you need to do to make a space or an opportunity accessible to all. Just because someone has a disability doesn't mean you forget about them. 

What's next in the pipeline for you? I know you've got new music up your sleeve.

Yeah, I’m going to release my next single called ‘Why You Always Calling?’ I hope to make an EP all about the different dimensions of love. So, thinking about love from different perspectives, the different forms of love. Love for yourself, platonic love, romantic love, love for family, loving creation and all of that stuff.

Who do you rate musically?

 On the Manchester scene? I rate Karis Jade, Kinkai, LayFullstop, Abnormal Sleepz, Pip Millet, aya dia, 2b.Frank. You know what? I rate Aitch as well. Lady Ice and also Fieves. And then in general, I like Westside Boogie, J.I.D, Ivy Sole, D’Angelo, NO NAME, Raye, Coco Jones.

 In your wildest dreams, who would you perform/ collaborate with?

 Beyoncé, that's for sure, that would just be insane!  I'd love to make a song with someone like Faith Evans, J.I.D, J Cole, Kehlani, NO NAME, Little Simz or Teyana Taylor. 

 What would be your dream gig?

 I'd actually love to do Coachella one time. Yeah, that'd be cool, or Rolling Loud or Dreamville Festival. That would be good.

What advice would you give to other people who are going through something similar to yourself?

The advice that I would give is hold faith for brighter days or better days, don't give up on yourself. 

 How do you have a “proper, chuffin, reyt good time?”

 Music being involved somehow, a show, jamming with friends, creating, catching joke, laughing, sharing stories and making memories, eating good food and feeling free.