By Molombo Thillia Thillot III

(This series “A Peak Below the Line” was made to highlight the often forgotten important parts of a music team. From producers to engineers and from instrumentalists to songwriters, La Tonique has created a platform to push these key players to the forefront. The grandiosity of some of our favorite artists could only be explained by the sheer amount of players that are effortlessly consolidated under that brand and/or persona. We stand on the shoulder of giants and music arguably is the arbiter of this metaphor.  If you don’t want to read the interview, you can also listen to it on Soundcloud.)

Is your producer name French Frey? 

Yeah, But when I do my depressing John Mayer music its Jake Frey

A different Persona

Yep

How did you get started in music? 

I was born for music bro, I’ve always known my whole life that music is the only thing for me

There wasn’t a song that made you click? Did your parents push you?

Nah, I’ve been doing music since-my dad is a music teacher

Well there it is, boom it was in your blood

I was exposed to music at an early age, we had a recording studio in my basement

Oh wow you’re blessed 

I was blessed with a great set of genes

What does your mom do? 

My mom is a fashion designer

Ok bet, so you just had drip on command as well (laughter) 

Well, she stopped that when she had kids but she had skills. When she was younger she flew in a helicopter with Donald Trump where she called her a “Fat Jew” and she told him to “shut the fuck up” and tried to make my mom get out of her seat.

This was a commercial plane?!

Nah nah my mom used to fly to Shanghai and Hong Kong in helicopters for uh Fashion distribution. So it was a private helicopter 

Oh wow... so did your Dad push you to do music

I wouldn’t say push…

Well, I guess I mean did he put into classes? Encourage them?

My dad got me started in piano but really I taught most of the instruments I know myself. 

What were your first melodies? What were you listening to? 

Before I even played music at school, I already knew what I wanted to play. I wasn’t pushed to do music. It’s just natural, it’s just what it feels. I was blessed, I was blessed to have that opportunity and to get that inner talent

In terms of your style and sound did you have any direction? 

I’ve been exposed to everything. Broadway Show Music because my dad for 33 years directed shows.

I’ve always wanted to make show tunes low-key. I want a Tony so bad (laughter) 

(laugh) it’s a really cool fucking thing, there’s rap shows, TWO rap shows Hamilton Heights and I’ve been exposed to that I went to college for classical music and music engineering. I play trumpet blues, I taught guitar to myself. Blues in my favorite music but the songs that really...an influential producer? 

Yeah

Everybody says Metro Boomin, but mines Metro Boomin but not really I think London on Da Track and I don’t know their music just sounds like real fucking music it sounds so 

Like it has a lot of care in the production? 

Yes, and Zaytoven he’s dope

Atlanta Trap has really solidified a sound

It’s insane. Literally insane. But yeah that’s the sound

How many hours have you dedicated to being at the level you are at right now? 

Easily 20,000 more honestly, I couldn’t calculate it. Even when I was 5 years old I would practice Trumpet every day while still learning 11 different instruments

What made you go HAM? What made you start taking it seriously? 

I moved past my setbacks. Trauma, Mob life, Drugs but I’ve now put my whole life into music.

You went to music school?

The University of Miami. 3rd ranked music program in the country

I went to CU Boulder, both party schools.

That’s dope! Ever hear of the Frost School of music? 

Nah

When it comes to their music engineering their 2nd or 3rd best.

What DAW do you use?

Logic. Always been in Logic

Who some of your favorite and biggest you’ve worked with?

Ski Mask the Slump God is someone I’ve always liked working with, I’ve known him for 7 years and I would say Wifisfuneral and Phi11a. 

What are you listening to now? 

Right now I’m listening to a little bit of everything. I’m mostly zoning in on the production and composition of all music to perfect my craft. I’m working with my “braham” Russ on a few artists that you’ll hear about soon. Check out Troy Tell Em and Nikko. I worked closely with Jimmy Duval on Wifisfuneral’ most recent album “Pain”. It dropped a few months ago.

What's your goal in music?

Executive production is my game but eventually, I do want to release my solo projects either performed or exceed by me.

What projects are you working on now?

My goal is to be able to groom artists and help people who have a passion for music as I do. With a bit of the right coaching and production, many people can enjoy the feeling of releasing a quality song they put their heart into.

Follow French Frey on IG @13frenchfrey

Molombo is a culture writer for La Tonique.