Free Black! is a Hip-Hop duo created in Akron Ohio. The group is Floco Torres (Recording Artist/Producer) & HR3 (Drummer/Producer). Free Black! bridges conversations between the past & future through a warm vintage sound, historical examination & songwriting that highlights contrasts/similarities in innovative ways.
Free Black! "Welterweight!"
"Welterweight!" is from a collection of songs that we recorded for a show back in December of 2024. The concept of the show was three acts playing their own versions of popular music (cover songs). The way we create is different than a traditional band, so we sampled the four selections & made original songs instead.
We went into with a less overthinking it kinda mindset, & they all came out fun like this one. The production sounds like the last few days of winter finally fading, & the lyrics embody coming out of that winter depression & feeling like yourself again. Hope yall enjoy. - FB!
UPCOMING DATES
Thursday, April 17th - CODA in Cleveland OH w/ Bethany Joy, & Family Junket. Tickets available here.
Saturday, July 5th - Lock 3 Park in Akron OH w/ The Vindys
Free Black! headlining the Highland Square PorchRokr Music and Art Festival in Akron Ohio on Saturday, August 17, 2024.
Photos by Shane Wynn Photography
“The Free Black! name was created on the mantra that ‘There isn't one way to be black.’ There are many stereotypes (with blackness specifically), that suggest that black people can’t be multi-faceted & through the music, this notion is discussed in detail. In embracing our individuality, we can learn to be more accepting of ourselves & where we come from, as well as our peers. The duo was created in 2017 through collaboration between both artists. Our self-titled album was released on October 26th, 2018 via Bandcamp & Soundcloud.” - FT
Free Black! featuring Wesley Bright - “Don’t Make Me!” (music video)
Video by Joshua Tree Productions (joshuatreevideo.com)
Performance stills by Shane Wynn Studio - shanewynne.com, Thanks to Jillys Music Room, Akron OH for the venue. jillysmusicroom.com
Alex Owns, Audio Engineer
Archive images in the public domain found at Wikimedia Commons
EarthQuaker Session Ep. 28 - Free Black! “The Elizabeth Keckley Award”/”Sean Jones”/"Ain’t Love”
“Akron Ohio’s dynamic hip-hop duo Free Black! beautifies our sunset with three tracks from their brand-new album “Freedom Summer”, inspired by the Mississippi Summer Project of 1964 which had a significant impact on The Civil Rights Movement. This album dropped July 16th and can be heard in its entirety here: https://fanlink.to/FreeBlack Note the inclusion of this session’s audio as well as the album versions when you download from Bandcamp!” - Earthquaker Devices
