Return of the Real: Fresh Daily More Than Lives Up To His Name (Exclusive Interview)

I don’t sing. I don’t rhyme. I can’t produce tracks. I’m often the only non-rapper in a room. But I’ve always had an ear for good music and because of that, folks have respected my honest opinion. I don’t hold back. I’m also a fan of music. I actually remember when that meant something. RefinedHype has given me the opportunity to showcase a dope artist weekly, someone who is on the rise that has caught my ear and that you should definitely check out. This is "Return of The Real". Chea!

You could call Fresh Daily a new generations renaissance man. The talented Brooklyn born and bred emcee is also a graphic illustrator and dabbles in fashion design. To say he’s multitalented would be an understatement.

Fresh, who has been rhyming for over 10 years, decided to ultimately put his music out there because of the want and need to be heard and seen as someone who creates as an artist. And he definitely creates, putting out such timeless music.

I had heard a few features and solo tracks from him but it wasn’t until Mothership/L A N D was released that I had finally sat down to listen to one of his full projects. It was ultimately this album that solidified my appreciation for Fresh Daily and his sound. I’ve been a fan since.

I guess you can say I was late to the game, considering Fresh Daily had entered the scene before I stumbled upon his music, which includes his critically acclaimed debut project, "Gorgeous Killer", which he worked on for 3-4 years before it’s release. Many artists rush through concepts and deliver what are haphazard final projects but for Fresh Daily it’s more of a process and that’s showcased even more in his latest offering, The Quiet Life. Known for picking solid beats, the production on his latest project doesn’t let you down. And you couple that strong production with some dope concepts, lyrical wordplay and a few features and Fresh Daily delivers a project conceived in the winter and delivered in the spring.

Music is what Fresh Daily does. It’s about “beats, rhymes and life.” He’s fortunate to be doing what he loves and as listeners, we reap the benefits.

But at the end of the day, it’s all about maintaining what he calls The Quiet Life. In our recent interview we talked about his previous work, his new project, the NYC underground hip-hop scene and more. Check it out. This is Fresh Daily.



ThroatChop: I always thought you had a fresh name. No pun intended (laughs). But really, I just found it unique. What’s the origin of the name Fresh Daily?

Fresh Daily: I just wanted something that could relate to everyone that my motto and goal is to remain consistently innovative. Also, something that was a nod to my personal style and aesthetic without being cheesy or super specific to any one kind of style.

ThroatChop: Word. I dig that. So, for a first time listener, how would you describe your sound to someone?

Fresh Daily: Sonically, it walks the fine line between true school hip-hop and radio-friendly rap music. It has the lyricism and hip-hop vibe but the commercial viability and carefree fun that a lot of rap music has. Non-compromisingly refreshing.

ThroatChop:: Non-compromisingly refreshing? Yeah, I respect that. Recently, you released The Quiet Life. You mentioned that the project "is that of an individual striving for excellence." I guess ultimately you can say it’s about growth. How different is this project from your first?

Fresh Daily: My first took a long time to put together and was more a collage than a definitive project with a specific direction and feel. I think I was more concerned about letting people know I rap and that I rap well and I choose fantastic beats made by fantastic producers. There was a fair amount of pressure to deliver a great first entry project as an emcee. It was a very "look at how dope and well-connected I am" project. While there were honest glimpses into my personal life and views, it was more like a bento box of rap as opposed to a specific course from a specific restaurant. I was still an individual striving for excellence, just a little scattered due to the amount of time it took to put this project together.

ThroatChop: There's a line you used where you said, "a lifestyle of sureness and preparedness in which your passions pay your bills." How hard is it for your passion to pay your bills?

Fresh Daily: In NYC, a bit difficult due to over-saturation and quality control. Thankfully I've been blessed enough to be multi-faceted enough where I do more than create sonically. As a visual artist it's helped to be able to do so much more. It's still a struggle when you work for yourself though. I'm on a distinct mission to create The Quiet Life for myself however, with dedication, hard work, branding and quality control, I plan on bringing you only the very best. Creating that brand will ensure people come to expect that of me and my team.

ThroatChop: Dope. You've done work with a lot of creative folks, including some incredible producers. From your first project there was !llmind, then work with 2 Hungry Bros, Jinesis, The Stuyvesants among others. How important is the producer to helping you create?



Fresh Daily: The producer is so key. I'm notorious for being extremely picky about beats and with just cause. I've been spoiled to have the great fortune of working with producers like !llmind, 88-Keys, Oh No, Exile, Skibeatz, DJ Spinna, etc. So know that a producer can't just send me whatever. Especially when my projects have a sound that is so carefully curated to invoke a certain feeling and vibe. Oftentimes I'm asked if one producer did my whole project and to me, that's a compliment because it means there's SUCH a cohesion with the beat choices, that it could've possibly been one producer.

ThroatChop: Of all the music you've created, what's the one track that speaks to who you are as a person?

Fresh Daily: This is difficult. Asking this question is tantamount to asking which of your bodies organs is the one that you could use to live off of solely. The parts equal the sum for me. There's no ONE song that is definitive of me I feel. I think there are songs I’m definitely partial to as they feel personal, but out of all the music I've created it's almost impossible to pinpoint. That being said, songs like "Amazed" & "Crimes of Passion" are personal to me.

ThroatChop: What about the one track that speaks to who you are as an artist?

Fresh Daily: Probably "Doing it" and "Art Mirrors".

ThroatChop: You're a part of an ever-changing and ever-growing NYC underground Hip-Hop scene. How do you think things have changed since you entered? And who should folks be checking for from the scene?

Fresh Daily: Well honestly, the quality has diminished a little bit. The quality control is gone; anyone can come along and rap there's no gatekeeper to uphold a standard. Which is fine, but ultimately what that does is allow the sideline watchers to just soak up the going ons and mimic them for their own tries at success. There are a few emcees worth checking out right now. ScienZe, Top $ Raz, Cavalier, Chris Faust, Sene, Suede Jury and Action Bronson.

ThroatChop: Ok. So, when you look back on your work five years from now, what would you have wanted to accomplish?

Fresh Daily: I'd like to have made a mark in the collective conscious of hip-hop to the fans and the people who matter and have made a decent living at it.

ThroatChop: As an artist, what impact do you want to have on the people who listen to your music?

Fresh Daily: To say "word, I've always thought/felt that way and I'm glad someone voiced it." Or maybe even "I like that. It made me feel something", or "I feel dude".

ThroatChop: So, we've talked a lot about your music. What are you listening to on your iPod/MP3 player?

Fresh Daily: Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Body Language, J-88, Gil Scott-Heron, Rob Roy, Theophilus London, Rick Ross and AFTA-1.

ThroatChop: And last but not least, a question I ask everyone featured on Return of The Real, what's next for you?

Fresh Daily: More artwork, some new business ventures, some fashion work, traveling/touring, more music. Living the Quiet Life with my friends in Brooklyn and hopefully new summer love.

For more from Fresh Daily, connect with him via Twitter and check out more music via FreshDailyMC.com.

For more from ThroatChopU, follow him on Twitter and check out TheMadBloggers.com.