Fab Five Freddy

Fred Brathwaite (born 1959), more popularly known as Fab Five Freddy, was a graffiti artist in New York City in the 1970s and early 1980s. He is credited with helping to broaden the exposure of rap beyond the Bronx.

In the fall of 1980, Freddy was cast along with fellow L.E.S. graffiti writer Lee Quinones in Glen O'Brien's film Downtown 81. That film showcased artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in his Downtown NYC environment and the music that surrounded it. Shortly after, Freddy began production along with filmaker Charlie Ahearn on his film Wild Style, which showcased artist Lee Quinones in the Uptown NYC environment of the Bronx and the music that surrounded it. In April of 1981, Freddy was booked on Michael Holman and Keith Harring's art show "Beyond Words" at the Mudd Club, which also featured Afrika Bambaataa. This was the first time the Bronx Hip-Hop scene appeared in the Downtown NYC art-scene. The following month, Freddy was booked on Henry Chalfant's "Graffiti Rock" performance with Rock Steady Crew at Common Ground gallery in SoHo (not to be confused with Holman's Graffiti Rock TV show pilot). That show was cancelled due to violence, but was rescheduled in October at another venue called "The Kitchen". After the Rock Steady Crew and Afrika Bambaataa were booked as the opening act for Bow Wow Wow at The Ritz nightclub in September 1981, Ruza Blue decided to book them at Negril and begin a night called "Wheels of Steel". That became so popular that it was closed down by the fire department for overcapicity, and Freddy helped Blue (whom he dubbed "Kool Lady Blue") find another home for the party. Together they chose The Roxy rollerrink in NYC, which gained national fame once used in the film Beat Street in 1984.

Fab Five Freddy was referenced in Blondie's 1981 hit song "Rapture". The "Rapture" video, in which Freddy has a brief cameo, was the first rap music video on MTV. In 1983, Fab Five Freddy produced a Hip Hop version of "Eisgekühlter Bommerlunder" called Hip Hop Bommi Bop"together with german punk rock band Die Toten Hosen which is said to be the very first co-production of Punk and Hip Hop. In 1988 Freddy became the first hip-hop VJ by hosting the MTV music video show entitled "Yo! MTV Raps." He later went on to be an associate producer on 1991 hit New Jack City and also appeared in the movie.[1] In 1994 he directed the music video "One Love" by rapper Nas.[2]

A graffiti art piece titled "Mr. Potato head" (1983) by Fab Five Freddy has been displayed at the Brooklyn Museum of Art as part of their 2006 "Graffiti" exhibit. [3].

Fab Five Freddy had a guest appearance on the February 13, 2007 episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent entitled "Flipped".

References

• Jeff Chang, Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation (ISBN 0-312-42579-1 2005)

Fab Five Freddy's 1982 single "Change The Beat" contains the sample "Aah this stuff is really fresh" which is arguably the most important sample in turntablism history as most aspiring DJs use it to scratch with as it is so versatile

There is also an NHL hockey goaltender with the exact same name: Fred Brathewaite.

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