When we talk about pioneers and icons, there are very few more deserving of the title than Fab 5 Freddy. There are very few things Fab hasn’t had an influence on one way or another when it comes to hip hop. Starting off as a graffiti artist, as a part of the graffiti group Fabulous 5, he gained popularity for his works on subway trains, including his now infamous homage to Andy Warhol of huge cartoon style depictions of giant Campbell’s Soup cans. However, with aspirations of not only becoming a better artist, but also looking to take the hip hop culture to a new level.

In the book Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation, Fab 5 Freddy is quoted as saying “I once read somewhere that for a culture to really be a complete culture, it should have a music, a dance and a visual art. And then I realized…You got the graffiti happening over her, you got the breakdancing, and you the DJ and MCing thing. In my head, they were all one thing.” Armed with this knowledge, Freddy became involved in numerous projects in order to put hip hop on the map. Along with Charlie Ahearn, Fab produced the hip hop classic Wild Style, demonstrating many of the inner-workings and environments of the blooming hip hop scenes/areas. Fab 5 Freddy also had a major impact on a number of art shows and galleries as well as hip hop shows that took place throughout New York, including the “Wheels of Steel” nights at the Roxy, showcasing all the elements of hip hop (regulars included Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, Grand Wizard Theodore, and many others). He was even part of the first international hip hop tour, which featured a number of other hip hop greats.

In addition to graffiti, Fab 5 Freddy also tried his hand at MCing, and is known mainly for his 1982 song “Change the Beat”. The line “Ahhh, this stuff is really, FRESH!” has been sampled countless times. Fab then went on to become the first hip hop VJ on the first hip hop music video show in 1988 on Yo! MTV Raps. He has also continued his work in hip hop, working behind the scenes (and making cameo appearances) of music videos and commercials for KRS-One, Queen Latifah, Nas, Snoop Dogg, and more. He has even written several articles for publications including XXL, Vibe, and others.

Fab 5 Freddy’s reach stretches all elements of hip hop and has even gone as far as to put it on the big screen and in art galleries around the world. He has continued to take hip hop to new heights and has never limited its potential. To Fab 5 Freddy, we say…Respect Due.

What are your thoughts on Fab 5 Freddy? Leave all your comments below and you can always send an e-mail to straightouttahiphop@gmail.com.


Peace.


Sources:
fab5freddy.com/?page_id=2
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fab_Five_Freddy
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation (author: Jeff Chang)