LADIES & GENTLEMEN!! Welcome back to EPIC TALKS: THE PODCAST! As we continue to speak with and honor our Queen Entrepreneurs, today we speak to R&B Sensation & Personality B-FREE!! Join the conversation as we talk about her entrepreneurial journey as a Musician/Artist/Creator!
B-FREE BIO:
There are many words that can be used to describe the Music Multihyphenate that is B~Free: Flutist. Vocalist. Pianist. Songwriter. Producer. Music Curator - all of which equate to the makings of a musical swiss army knife. Within her voice is an airiness that feels easy; yet resides within a prominent layer of warmth. Her closest musical comparisons range from the ethereal stylings of Brandy to Aaliyah, with a soulful edge & unique presence inspired by the likes of Jill Scott & Janelle Monae.
Born in Chicago, IL, and raised in Milwaukee, WI, the inheritance of a musical family led her to discover her love for the art form by the age of 2. She began singing and playing piano in her early years and has been writing and composing music since the age of 7. Majoring in music at the Milwaukee High School of The Arts, Lincoln University of PA & VanderCook College of Music, she has been trained in a multitude of genres including jazz and classical flute, voice, and piano. From this, she has been able to hone her craft and develop a multifaceted sound.
Her work isn’t limited to singing, as she has served her community as a full creative, music educator & artistic program director for nearly a decade. During the pandemic, her Instagram space became the premier platform to hear her musical interpretations of contemporary artists known as “Freemixes,” as well as other creative content. Under David Ravel, she also helped with curation and production for Alverno Presents; a music experience that explored Milwaukee artists’ interpretations of the greats including Prince and Marvin Gaye. With this, B~Free then curated her own segment MJ Uncovered; a 2-hour journey through Michael Jackson’s hits. Her full curation, production, arrangements and performances in that series solidified the eminence that follows women in leadership roles.
In the span of her career, B~Free has also shared stages with artists such as Slum Village, Dwele, BJ The Chicago Kid, Talib Kweli, and served as direct opening support for Janelle Monae. When she’s not performing solo, she’s performing & releasing originals with her husband & musical duo partner, Quinten Farr.
Her journey hasn’t come without struggle. In 2013, following the release of her debut project a year prior, a bout of pneumonia and a throat infection left her unable to speak and sing for three months. Vocal cord surgery followed, leaving the musician fearing she would never sing again. After a traumatic period when she couldn’t sing a single note, she became more determined than ever to share her musical gifts. The year-long struggle transformed B~Free as both an artist and an individual.
Her return project following her surgery was (sophomore album) “Ode 2 A Luv Affair LP'' in 2016. The O2LA was met with much acclaim; including being hailed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as the “Number One Album of 2016” and by The Shepherd Express as an "immaculately constructed R&B record."
Her latest in recent endeavors include preparation for her third solo album, & the release spring 2021 self-produced House single, “Hate 2 Luv” feat. Durand Bernarr. After years of perfecting her craft, she’s become the summation of a musical technician and the next R&B Chanteuse.
For more information please visit: www.bfree2music.com
