On The Rise: Asheville’s Free Radio
During one of the many times in my life when I was considering moving to another city, I did some research about each city just to get a better idea of the culture. One of those was my father’s hometown of Asheville, NC. Asheville has a deep and rich culture of arts. I haven’t moved there yet but hope to spend a lot more time there within the creative community. I began to explore some of the artists who call this funky and majestic mountain music hub home! One of the creators that struck me most are a diverse hip hop group called Free Radio. They have been voted Western North Carolina’s best hip hop group the past two years by the readers of Mountain Xpress. Music is in their genes, and they have been creating since they were young. As soon as I discovered them, I reached out and told them how much I respect and appreciate what they are doing. These young dudes are down to earth, creative, and humble. Their music is dope! It speaks a soulful positive message to everyday people, and they help to raise awareness about social issues. They have an active YouTube channel that has been used for mini documentaries about them, a podcast, and of course music videos. You get a sense of genuine, authentic, and humorous vibes from these folks. I was fortunate to have time to ask Austin Haynes of Free Radio, who has spent some time in the Bay Area music scene as well as his home of North Carolina, a few questions. These guys are keeping true hip hop alive and loving life while doing it!
Who does Free Radio consist of? I know Johnny and you are the core, but you work with a lot of others.
Austin Haynes: Free Radio consists of my partner Johnny Reynolds (a.k.a. Johnboy) and myself, Austin Haynes (a.k.a. Dirty Frost). When we perform locally or travel abroad, we are sure to take our amazing singer Je’Heanna Sharpe with us, and, if you’re really lucky, you’ll catch us with one of our two male vocalists, Jeremy Indelicato or Datrian Johnson, as well. We consider Free Radio hip hop, but when you see us for the first time live, you are likely to hear influences spanning many musical genres. When performing live we are usually with our DJ (DJ Ra Mak) spinning our instrumentals live or one of the incredible, funky bands we work with to back us up musically. Right now we are mainly performing out with one of two live bands: The A-Band or The Uprock Citizens Brigade. We also have one of two sax players who will accompany both bands: Paulie Juhl (from Empire Strikes Brass) and/or Adam Mish (from Supatight).
I know you are a producer as well. Can you shed a little light on that realm for me?
Austin Haynes: Yeah. I produced almost the entire last album, The Powers That Be. I keep a wide range of musical inspirations that end up in the production of our music. It is hip hop at the end of the day, but no music has been left out as far as the inspiration for sound and technique are concerned. I love eclectic music! Anything with soul in it. And when I’m choosing songs to sample and make beats out of what reels me in is usually just that. Soul. Any genre works. I just love all music.
Who are some artists you have worked with/opened up with in the past?
Austin Haynes: In the studio we have worked with many local Asheville based emcees/musicians including Je’Heanna Sharpe, Jeremy Indelicato, Philo, Alpha Lee, Smidi, C-Mills, DJ Football, DJ Ra Mak, Nex Millen, CB4R, Juan Holladay, Martin Snoddy, Matt Anderson, Foulmouth Jerk, Paulie Juhl, AR Banks, Debrissa McKinney, Proffessor T, Crazyhorse and Colston. That list goes on and on! We’ve also worked in the studio with many Bay Area emcees including Eddie K, Conceit, Brandon B, TopR, Dregs One, Telli Prego, Patience and more. We’ve opened up for or performed with Ice Cube, Warren Haynes, Ghostface Killah, Nappy Roots, The North Mississippi Allstars, Souls of Mischief, Slick Rick, Gift Of Gab, Gangsta Grass, Gov’t Mule, Cappadonna, Fist Fam, Z-Man, Gronola Funk Express, Lyric, Crazyhorse and Colston, Chachillie, Big Dave, RBTs WIN and more.
Who are some artist you would like to work with in the future?
Austin Haynes: Artists I can immediately think of that I would like to work with would be Bob Dylan (hey, you can’t dream TOO BIG), Lupe Fiasco, Immortal Technique, Galactic, Chronixx, Nahko and Medecine For The People, Mick Jenkins, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Trombone Shorty, Brother Ali, Chuck D, Damian Marley (well, any of the Marleys, for that matter), Nas, Joey Bad A$$… Any dope motivated, local musicians (there are so many).Haha, that list could last forever as well.
I know you performed at Gratifly Music and Arts Festival. I was there but was unaware of Free Radio at the time and didn’t get to see your performance. What are some other festivals you have performed at? What are some festivals you hope to perform at in the future?
Austin Haynes: Yeah we played Gratifly; we also played Columbia SC’s Love, Peace and Hip Hop and Asheville’s Mountain Oasis, LAAFF, and DIG Festival. In the future we would specifically love to play Rock The Bells one day, but we honestly look forward to playing any festivals nationwide or worldwide that enjoy enthusiastic, live, conscious hip hop!
I have watched some of your podcast. Is that still going on? What are some other projects that you incorporate into the Free Radio movement?
Austin Haynes: We have been a part of all of the March Against Monsanto events held here in Asheville. We do not have the podcasts currently up and running. We do however have plans to keep engaging in meaningful conversations, questioning authority and doing anything possible to provoke cognitive thought. As far as our movement is concerned, it’s easy. Spread love, peace, happiness and understanding… And hopefully get some heads nodding in the meantime!
Photography Courtesy of Carter Mitchell Jr and Leigha Rochelle Beck
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