Fast forward"Are you ready?"An energetic Freddy Dee asks the crowd as he and his partner DJ Tony P takes the stage at The Arena nightclub bar and grill in Simi Valley, CA. "Well", he tells the crowd "Good! cuz' we're going to party tonight!" and with that Freddy and Tony blast into a hodgepodge of songs about clubbin', partying, good times and despair.By the time Freddy and Tony launch into their last song "In California" which samples the very beginning of 2Pac's "California Love" Freddy says "Can we show ya'll some California love?" The crowd goes wild! People's hands are raised to the ceiling, two drunk girls are dancing with themselves, Tony's scratching up a storm on the turntables and Freddy keeping in step with the rhythm is rapping like a beast! From onstage he shakes some hands in the crowd while simultaneously passing out teasers of the groups CDs. The beat ends and Freddy graciously thanks the crowd and they exit.A success story? Maybe, but let's rewind a little bitFreddy and Tony's stories mirror each other although the two have traveled different roads. They both started rapping at an early age, both honed their skills performing at different talent shows and open mic nights and both rap and produce their own material. Most notably Tony, who not only did six years in radio but also co-produced the top 3 hit "Angel" for Amanda Perez as well as two other top 10 singles "I Like It" and "Never". Reflecting upon his achievements Tony smiles and says... I've traveled all over the U.S. for two years and performed at many different events from KIIS FM's Wango Tango to Houston's crunkest club T-Town. It was a learning experience that money can't buy, you have to earn it. Exactly! Freddy says.Around the same time that Tony finished touring with Amanda Perez, Freddy and Tony met, vibed and became good friends. "It was a feeling-out kind of a thing" (Freddy says) Tony had to get to know me and I had to get to know Tony. All reservations were ceased however when the two discovered each others talents. Tony came over to my house and I had just finished recording an album. Tony listened to it, liked what he heard and then he played me some of his stuff and I liked what I heard. "It's like we were on the same page". A year later, Freddy and Tony emerge with the CD "Y'all Ain't Ready!" and the rest as they say is...history!But what can we expect from the cd?Without hesitation Freddy says, "A breath of fresh air!" (Tony smiles) Freddy continues,See I made a concerted effort to be different from the rest of the rappers out today. (Freddy says), one listen to my CD and you'll understand why. To me the only way to distinguish myself from the million other rappers out there is to be truthful, honest, respectful and show there's more depth and soul in my music than what's out in the marketplace today. Freddy continues, how many rappers can you name that respect women? (He doesn't call women bitches), how many rappers can you name that talk about more than just jewelry, money, guns and drugs? How many rappers can you name that talk about REAL issues? Sadly, very few. That's why I named the album "Y'all Ain't Ready" to silence naysayers about their perception of rap music. Listen, (Freddy says) this album is making a statement that says "Don't pigeonhole me! Don't stereotype me! Don't lump me into a category of rap music with the rest of the clones out there!" I prefer to give the listener both sides of the coin. Good and bad. Life is about more than just one thing so not only do I wanna party and have a good time with you but I'm also talking about the bad sides of life. "You've got to take the bitter with the sweet!" Tony says as Freddy nods in agreement.Fast forward back to the club"Good show!" people say as they congratulate Freddy and Tony on tonight's performance. Freddy smiles and looks at Tony and says in playful fashion "Good job Tony!" Tony looks at Freddy and as if right on cue they both look at each other and start laughing. They pass out more CDs (100 for tonights performance) and they hit the road.They'll repeat this process tomorrow at another club down in L.A.It's an everyday struggle, making music, burning cds, giving 'em out, performing whenever, wherever they can to garner attention and make a name for themselves. Tony adds, we're making a little noise right now, but soon we'll be where we want to be. Just wait and see!Right! Freddy says as he offers this in parting, "It's been a long time coming and we've still got a long way to go" But, we're coming so get ready!America, you've been warned! -
