This time of independent music seems to have manufactured a slew of fly by night labels, producers, managers and most unfortunately, artists. Everyone these days seem to have a label, a single, a mixtape or manage a plethora of artist with no album, no distribution, no budget and not a clue as to how to "work" a record. It is this very scenario that helps us to appreciate the cats in the game that have paid their dues, have taken the time to perfect their craft and had enough respect for the business to do the research and learn the game.
Freck Billionaire is one of those cats. He has paid his dues and put in the work.

The deals have been consistent and he has put in work non stop and none of it has been in vain as Freck has inked deals with both Trackmasters and Arista Records. By the time the label dissolved this now young veteran to the game was ready to exercise more creative control over his career and sought a new home that would allow him to do that. After sifting through several offers, he decided on Sizzle Records, an emerging independent label that is run by CEO JiCE.

Freck Billionaire certainly has the history that has owned him bragging rights if you will. His swagger is humble, that of a seasoned artist that has a genuine love for the art of making music. Not boastful but consistent, not conceited but very aware of what he brings to the table.

Artists and producers like Clue, Fabolous, Just Blaze, Cool & Dre, Trackmasters and Baby Boy obviously agree as thy have collaborated with him on his debut, a mixtape titled A Fistful of Dollars. It features tracks like the Baby Boy-produced "Cook It," where Freck's confident, slick rhymes are the perfect compliment to his snapshot portrayal of life on the streets, and the club-ready jam "Break You Off," featuring a hook by his boy Fabolous and beats by Just Blaze.

I asked Freck Billionaire to share his views on the following…

The music "game" – "It is going through a transition. Lyrically the music is very watered down. The south is having fun with it. People need to step their game up. If you can invest the time to do a diss record, why not take the time to make a hit? People's priorities are mixed up from their lack of confidence."

The Mixtape, "A Fistful Of Dollars" – "I enjoy making hot songs and working with Fabulous, Just Blaze and Omarion. My objective is always to make good music. God has blessed me with the opportunity so I have to continue to make great music that people can appreciate."

Fabolous – "He is a good person. He's real cool. We have mutual friends and we don't live that far from each other. He knows the game and he teaches me a lot! I went with him to the VMAs this year."

The evolution of Freck as an artist and person – "I consider myself one of the most down to earth people in the world. The things around me do not define me. I am normal and humble. I've been on the other side, in the streets and on the corners and locked up, so I know how people view things. For me, now, it's about making a contribution at the end of the day. I volunteer a lot of my time with a not for profit called "Hugs For Harlem". The organization does a lot for the kids. When I am with them I let them know that the streets are a dead end!"