I can’t believe it’s been ten years since I was in line for Hallowicked 2007 in Detroit to see Insane Clown Posse for the first time. I witnessed damn near thirty Juggalos surround a blonde female police officer while chanting “Let Him Go!” because the officer tried to arrest the wrong Juggalo that accidentally hit a state police car because the individual skyrocketed a Moon Mist Faygo bottle in the air. And during all the chaos that’s when a person wearing a killer clown mask handed me a Long Range Distribution compilation titled “Got That Murdercore?” It had a ton of underground artists on it, ranging from Q-Strange, The Dayton Family, Kardiac, Grewsum, Intrinzik, and even Insane Poetry. I had never heard any of these artists prior, but one artist that stuck out the most was Connecticut’s very own Freeze! The Freeze track was titled “Burn All the Bodies”, but whoever pressed the discs ended up making a mistake and the Freeze song within the compilation was actually a full version of the track “In It for a Minute”. I was hooked! I had never heard anything so raw and fierce from hip-hop before. I bumped the song like an addicted music junkie for days on end! Fast forward almost ten years later and Freeze is still grinding harder than ever! He just rocked the Gathering of the Juggalos, toured with Celph Titled and Apathy, still dropping high-quality videos, and is about to release his latest record “Moon Rocks & Spaceships this Saturday! Get familiar! The hip-hop world needs more cats like Freeze because his upcoming LP “Moon Rocks and Spaceships” is about to shake the underground world to its absolute core!
By Chad Thomas Carsten for Vandala Magazine
For the unfamiliar, are you able to dissect your onstage name “Freeze” in-depth and how it reflects your own personal life?
Freeze: I’ve always rooted for the “bad guy” in movies and comic books as a young kid. Not that I didn’t respect the so-called “Good Guys” but the villains always seemed more interesting and filled with more depth. Even though in a sense, they were the representation of pure evil, they always had a backstory, or some reason why they become what they are. Harvey Dent was burned by acid on one side of his face and manifested his personality into Two Face. The Riddler felt misunderstood by the world and became what he was portrayed as. Naturally, Mr. Freeze was my favorite. When I started rhyming I had a few different names. Around the age of fifteen, I jumped into a battle cipher that some kids my age were having outside a high school. I pretty much used the best kid rhyming as a test for my own skills, to see how good I really was {Laughing} .I remember hitting him with a punch line somewhere in the middle of one of my verses and another dude that was there screaming from the background “ That’s it! He Froze ‘Em!” A little light bulb went off! Freeze was born. It’s who I am in a sense and represent most importantly as an entertainer. Not everything can be nice and sweet.and just because it’s darker subject matter at times doesn’t make it any less appealing or worthy if ya feel what I’m saying? True Art is dangerous and not typically “Safe Play”. The message I deliver comes from a righteous place always! But, I need to show you from the darker perspective at times. That’s why I’m the villain.
What inspires you to stay motivated and following your dreams to pursue hip-hop after nearly fifteen years as an emcee?
Freeze: You make it seem so long. *Laughs* It definitely has been, but I feel I’m still a young man and speak to a wide variety of people with this Martian shit. I’ve had my ups and downs throughout my career but I have never been at a standstill. My career has always elevated little by little. I’ve had to build it brick by brick and walk it every mile along the way. No success I’ve seen was ever handed to me. I’ve had to act like a relentless predator to achieve what I’ve wanted and that’s the reality of what gaining true success takes to accomplish. It is the worst career path you can choose if you don’t know how to play it to your advantage. If done wrong, it will be a man or women’s biggest downfall.
Can you break down what life is like as an independent emcee?
Freeze: Pretty much what I was just touching on. Non-stop trial and error. But always learning from the mistakes is how you figure out what fucking works! *Laughs* I can’t speak for anybody else, but for me I have found success in the realm I am in at this time. My goal is pretty simple. As Jim Morrison said “Break on through to the other side”, that’s it man! *Laughs* I will do it. I promise that much. The journey has only begun.
If offered a record deal from a major label would you accept it?
Freeze: Depends on what the obligations truly were to them as a company and if it overall will benefit my career. So it really comes down to the right situation for me and my life in that moment. Anything is possible.
What does the underground hip-hop scene need at this moment in time to stay alive?
Freeze: A true message! A lot of people have talent but don’t have much to say. You can mystify us with multi-syllable lyrics but can you tell us a story or deliver a message that will genuinely connect with the listener? That’s what’s lacking to me. So many artists are underground and independent, in a world where they think they are slept on because they are underground. *Laughs* But in reality, they are trying to be or replicate something another artist already did. We all have certain styles and say things that may sound similar at times, so we are put in categories, but a true artist is always separated by originality, expressed by his or her artistic passion. As rappers, most don’t look at it as an art form anymore. It’s fast money, its notoriety, it proves they are hard, or just all around prove that they are somebody. I get it. I feel those same emotions. But in the end my music is always channeled from a much deeper place in my heart and soul. I can’t dumb it down. I don’t know how to at this point. I can’t mumble rap for you! *Laughs* No offense to anybody that does. I just can’t reprogram myself to deliver art of lesser value than what I’m already accustomed to.
You should be majorly proud of the fact you were able to tour with hip-hop giants Apathy and Celph-Titled in Canada! Any tour stories you’d like to share from being on the road with them?
Freeze: Man! That tour was one of the best experiences of my life! One, it was my first solo tour.and when I say solo.I mean nada, no one with me crew wise and no hype man. It was a Canadian tour and travel was really only accommodated for artists. So I literally rocked twenty straight shows all by myself and can honestly say I killed it every f*cking night! *Laughs* Canadians appreciated what I had to offer on that tour almost more than any other shows I’ve ever played. Apathy, Celph and their homie N.M.E taught me a lot of shit in that short time and I also got to see things from a different perspective that will forever help me on my path. As far as stories, let’s just say touring is like being a Viking. You invade each town to pillage, plunder and conquer! *Laughs* We did that every night most definitely! It was dope. I would do it again in a second. Those dudes already had my respect as artists, but the respect I have for them now is way more personal and I’m thankful to know them. Good dudes!
Any plans to do a track with Apathy and Celph-Titled? If so, what subject matter will the song focus on?
Freeze: I originally planned on having Apathy produce a couple jams for “Moon Rocks & Space Ships” but our schedules conflicted a little after the tour. I absolutely plan on working with both of them musically and business-wise in the close future. Both are extremely talented and I like organic relationships when I collab with other artists, so it will work itself out beautifully, I’m sure.
What life lessons did you learn from touring in general?
Freeze: For me, it was recognizing the opportunity I was handed and making the most I could out of it. In that realm, you are given the tools to branch out. Night one, I went backstage to drink a quick beer and talk with all the artists on the tour. I remember Apathy looking at us all serious for a second and he said “Make sure you guys know what the mission here is as an up-and-coming artist. Get yourself out there and sell your brand to these people if you want it to work for you.” That was the best thing anybody could say to me. From day one on that tour, I did just that. By the fifteenth date I had sold out of all my merch and made connections with fans and so many business people along the way. Arming myself with an arsenal of knowledge and exposure I couldn’t gain without that platform. I’m forever grateful. I was already an established U.S. artist on a decent scale, don’t get me wrong. But this helped me truly build this Martian movement and is partially responsible for the global expansion that is slowly but surely happening as we speak. We are out there! Every night I watched hundreds of real people sing my hooks and scream “I am a Martian! “ Come on now. *Laughs* To all my non-believers or those that think this isn’t a serious movement, you are sadly mistaken.
What’s your relationship like currently with Mercy Count Records? Is Martian Hit Entertainment another outlet to release a different creative side?
Freeze: Mercy Counts Records was something I started in 2007 as an imprint for the release of my debut album “Red SNoW “. The album was distributed by Long Range Distribution, owned and operated by a guy named Marc Kempf (Eminem’s first manager). So, at the time I needed to have something that represented myself and my brand. As years went on, I guess it became a movement in itself and a lot of artists wanted to be down with what I was doing. But it wasn’t until 2014 that I actually put out an artist project that wasn’t myself and that was Xplizit. Now, I look at it as no matter what I am doing, Freeze aka Freeze Martian, whatever you want to call me, and is the sole force behind anything Mercy Counts or Martian Hit Entertainment. But they are all one in the same. I’m entering this new phase where Martian music is what drives me and the idea behind all of this. That is the driving force. It was natural. Martian Hit Entertainment came about from this musical journey I have embarked on for sure.
It’s common knowledge among the hip-hop community you’re a strong believer in Alien life and UFO’s. Any personal moments dealing with your own individual paranormal encounters that inspired the title for your upcoming effort “Moon Rocks & Spaceships”?
Freeze: I’ve been having things happen to me since a child I can’t rationalize anymore without just chalking it up to paranormal! *Laughs* As a kid, it was weird voices and figures I knew wasn’t alive in this world. My sister, unfortunately, passed away when she was twenty and I was twelve. Something about that experience forever kept my consciousness aware of other things going on. I became awakened to the spiritual if you believe in those things. *Laughs* Some may call it crazy. But I started gaining all these personal experiences that proved to me along the way that not everything is as it seems. Now, what really inspired this martian thing and movement was a real experience. Something that I took as a true calling. I had come to a point in my career, where I had established a name and respect, was doing big shows and staying busy. But something was missing. One little piece to the puzzle that needed to be found. I was missing a true brand.something that distinguished me from all other artists on this planet. But I didn’t have a clue or idea what it was at the time. One night and not for dramatic effect. *Laughs* But it was a darker than usual spring evening. But the sky was very clear and I remember that detail specifically. My boy and I were chilling and (yes, we were smoking on some fire) but that shouldn’t affect my story credibility because I smoke every day and never see Monsters, Goblins or hallucinations I assure you! *Laughs* But my boy wanted to take a drive to this Wal-Mart in another town because he was looking for a particular item they didn’t all carry.
We drive there, I wait in the car a few minutes, he comes out and we head back home. As we’re driving I remember coming over a stretch of highway that was looking down a really large hill. In Connecticut, we have crazy hills and winding roads. Nothing is flat really or on a grid system. So we’re coming down this steep stretch of highway and I remember no cars being in front of us insight. Something caught my eye and I looked out the right passenger side of his windshield and noticed an abnormally large light in the sky. But it looked to me at first, like the light from a satellite tower or some kind of air traffic light. So to make sure I wasn’t crazy, or buggin’ out, I looked at my boy and asked him “Is that a tower.or am I seeing something else?” His response was “Yup…wait…I.don’t.know “literally before he could finish.the light turned on an axis and started rotating diagonally. It then developed a light display I can only describe as rainbow color. It then shot across the sky to our left and hovered above a cliff for what felt like forever. I just remember being in disbelief at what we were seeing and my boy was genuinely scared and almost panicking. We both had this overwhelming feeling,that it knew we were there and was showing us something we needed to see. I can’t say it was an alien craft for sure, but it was a U.F.O no doubt. Whether government or alien it was nothing civilians were NOT supposed to see. From that moment two years ago, I haven’t stopped pushing this Martian movement. It’s real to me and I genuinely see it as my destiny. To deliver this alien message to the world one song at a time
What makes “Moon Rocks & Spaceships” stand out the most amongst your previous albums?
Freeze: It’s my best work. Hands down. I musically accomplished things I always wanted to try or do and artistically expressed what I was trying to put across better than ever before. In my opinion. It’s a dope album man. I don’t like stroking my own ego but it is an album nobody can replicate. At the least, I know I did something original and fresh and that was my goal.
What kept your creative flow thriving when first writing “Moon Rocks & Spaceships”?
Freeze: This story I needed to tell. It’s basically the journey of a martian from another planet who crashes into earth. His goal is to communicate a message to help the people of earth but the only way to communicate with them is through rap music. *Laughs* From there the album is a story of an alien rapper, on earth delivering his thoughts and messages. In a nutshell.
If you had to choose a specific sc-fi book to break down “Moon Rocks and Spaceships” production, what would it be and why?
Freeze: 2001: A Space Odyssey. If I had to compare it that’s what it would be. If you want to compare musically, the closest thing I could think of would be David Bowie’s album “ Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars “. It definitely is a sci-fi journey, filled with weed smoke, spaceships but overall, real human experiences that can make one feel alienated. This is why I started this Martian shit. To help people out there that thinks a little different and may sometimes feel like they don’t belong in a sense. It truly is a movement designed to unify the outcasts of life. Even if you just want something different musically, this is for you. If you need something with a little more thought and meaning behind it.this album is for you. Freeze for President! Just kidding, f*ck all that!
Are you able to dive into G-Mo Skee (Majik Ninja Entertainment) first initial response when you invited him to appear on the space weed anthem “This Budz For You”? Why did you choose this track as “Moon Rocks & Spaceships” first single?
Freeze: I met G-Mo Skee in April, six days after I got off tour in Canada after playing a show with him and Twiztid. He was talking with Fury (Bizarre of D-12’s manager) and we were introduced. I guess a few fans of mine or Martians if you will {laughs} had seen G-Mo earlier in the day and had been telling him about me. We all started mobbing the streets of Hartford, CT smoking blunts and talking about video games. *Laughs* We kind of clicked and for whatever reason, he was down to work with me and the song was born. I had originally made the song as a solo but when I played it for G-Mo he pretty much insisted on getting on that song. I thought it was a dope idea and good addition to the song. It’s definitely one of my personal favorites on the album. I wanted to announce the arrival of this album with the perfect first single.”This Budz for You” just spoke to me as the song to launch this mission.
Lyrically, what does the track “Out to Lunch” represent as a whole?
Freeze: It may sound at first like your typical horrorcore song or dark concept but it’s definitely more than that. The song is about friends being your only true enemies. Because friends and family are the closest people to you in your life. You allow them into your bubble and open up to them because you trust them and think they will never do you wrong. When they do though, it can impact your world in a very negative way. You can’t trust people as easy when you meet them or take chances on new friends. You’ve already been betrayed by ones you actually gave a fuck about it.so how do you now regroup? That’s the question and message of the song. Friends will snake you and in the end turn on you. But it’s what you do from there to move on and learn from it that truly matters. So in a sense.it’s about finding yourself after your friends have been abducted from your world.
If you were abducted simply because other life forms in space were impressed by “Moon Rocks & Spaceships” and wanted you to perform live on another planet, how would you react and possibly prepare?
Freeze: At this point there wouldn’t be much preparation homie! *Laughs* I live for that moment to happen and have almost created that world musically at this point anyway. I would be truly honored though and would know for sure…that I am a Martian!
Why shouldn’t hip-hop fans not sleep on your latest effort?
Freeze: It’s not hype or bulls*it when I say my music offers something different.and it damn sure isn’t some publicity stunt. There’s a reason I made it this far and have gotten myself to this point. The only thing missing is people just like you to discover what I’m doing and truly find one another. After that, it will only make sense. Yes, I am a talented rapper. I know that much. But I wouldn’t be here and climbing this mountain if it wasn’t something I was meant for. I just need the world to see that and wake up to what I’m doing. We live in a world where audiences need television and famous people to tell you what’s dope and new! I’ve been on ICP’s radio show and had Violent J personally listen to my song and on-air tell everybody its dope. I’ve had Apathy and Celph Titled take me on tour and give me a platform to expand. So I’ve gotten the artist respect.I guess I should focus on TV. I heard TRL is back on MTV, who knows. *Smiles*
Would you like to share your own personal favorite childhood Halloween experience?
Freeze: Hmmmm…I would say the first time I ever went to a haunted house attraction. My mom took me. *Laughs* I had be like eight. I just remember understanding that this was all fake and for entertainment from the jump and that idea intrigued me a lot. It’s funny you asked that, because that moment may have been the start of my interest in darker content or entertainment. I don’t want people to think my music is all scary and dark cause, for the most part, it’s not. It will always walk the edge for sure, but I don’t want to scare anybody away. If you listen to two Freeze albums or even one.you will clearly see the diversity my music has to offer. That’s why I call it Martian Music.cause it’s Universally EVERYTHING!
Any advice you’d like to share with any music artist from any genre just starting out?
Freeze: It sounds cliché bro, but just be yourself at all times. If you genuinely have something to say then don’t stop until your message is heard. But don’t waste your time if this is just something you saw on TV and looks like a good time. The worst mistake you can make. The fun fades fast if you don’t know what to expect. Trust me.
Any thoughts on the future of Freeze?
Freeze: To the stars and back man! This won’t end until I’ve done what I came here to do…and I’m not quite there yet so I would expect to be hearing about Freeze and getting more music for many years to come. My next tour is still in the works but 11/11/17 is my official release party and show with Block McCloud at The Franco American Club in Waterbury, CT. Oh yeah, get my new album “Moon Rocks & Space Ships” that same day! Available at All digital outlets such as Itunes, Amazon, Spotify and more! Or hard copy via freezemartian.bandcamp.com
Vandala Magazine 