Marvin William Bailey (born 6 March 1994), known professionally as Fredo, is a British rapper and singer from Mozart Estate, Kilburn, London. He had a UK number 1 single in 2018 with fellow rapper Dave called "Funky Friday".[2] He has collaborated on successful tracks with many other rappers, including Dave, Central Cee, Tory Lanez, Pop Smoke, Stormzy, Headie One and Young Adz.
Fredo | |
|---|---|
 Fredo in 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Marvin William Bailey[1] |
| Born | 6 March 1994 |
| Origin | Mozart Estate, Kilburn London, England |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels |
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Early life
editFredo grew up in West Kilburn, London, and lived on West Kilburn's Mozart Estate where he was surrounded by gang violence and crime.[3][4] During Fredo's youth, he listened to Giggs and 50 Cent, stating "I remember I used to bang Get Rich or Die Tryin' every day".[5]
Music Career
editFredo released his first track "They Ain't 100" in March 2016. Three weeks later he went to prison, on a knife crime charge which was later dropped.[4] Whilst he was in prison, the track gained popularity, with radio play and millions of views. Inspired by its success, and despite a second stint in prison, he persisted in his newfound rapping and recording career, releasing two mixtapes, Get Rich or Get Recalled in 2017, and in 2018 Tables Turn, which reached the Top 10 in the album charts.[1] He also appeared as a featured artist on tracks by Kojo Funds and Young T & Bugsey, as well as on Dave's 2018 hit single "Funky Friday".
Fredo's first full-length album, Third Avenue, was released on 1 February 2019. Produced mostly by JB,[4] it marked Fredo's debut on RCA's Since '93 imprint. It included "Love You for That", a track dedicated to his mother and apologising for not being the perfect son.[3] The album takes its title from the West London housing estate he grew up on.
In January 2021, Fredo released his second album Money Can't Buy Happiness, which contained features from Pop Smoke, Dave, Summer Walker and Young Adz.[6] It peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart.[7]
On 24 June 2021, Fredo announced his third album Independence Day which released on 5 August 2021. The album announced that his music would be released independently.[8]
On 11 August 2023, Fredo released his fourth album Unfinished Business.
Business Career
editIt was reported on April 26, 2021 on Kick Game's Website, a famous retailer of Footwear, that Fredo invested Millions of Pounds to become a Shareholder of the Kick Game company. In 2021, Kick Game’s revenue over the last 12 months had grown from £2 million to £15 million. Kick Game has a YouTube Channel of over 1,000,000 subscribers which shows famous celebrities buying footwear from Kick Game, as well as discuss what styles of footwear they like.[9]
On 9 August 2022, Fredo founded the international clothing brand Parental Guidance.[10]
Legal issues
editFredo spent time in prison on remand in 2016 and 2017, both times for stabbing-related charges that were dropped before reaching court. He has also been the victim of a stabbing attack, having been stabbed four times on one occasion on his local high street.[11]
In July 2021, the Westminister housing ASB team gained two direct injunctions with power of arrest granted against Bailey and fellow rapper Jayvon Tison, also known as Lil Dotz. They were both banned from entering or attempting to enter or remain on the Mozart Estate and the Lydford Estate. Bailey was arrested in July 2023, and the Westminister housing ASB team were successful in enforcing the breach of his injunction. Bailey was ordered to pay a fine of £5k plus court costs. The order was then extended in July 2023 until July 2025.[12]
It was heavily rumoured on the internet via many Media Outlets that on 29 January 2024, that Bailey was sentenced to five years in prison in Dubai for cannabis possession after being arrested in late 2023.[13] However, Bailey was released from the Dubai prison after five months and made a video clarifying about his time in Prison.[14]
On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, prosecutors explained to the jury at Kingston Crown Court in South-West London that Bailey used the social-messaging app Snapchat for conspiring with his seven co-defendants to purchase firearms to shoot their rivals which includes the rapper Digga D. Prosecutors claimed the eight defendants were members of the Harrow Road Boys (HRB). Prosecuting attorney Ian McLoughlin told the court “The violence is glorified in drill/rap videos which are broadcast through platforms such as YouTube”.[15]
Discography
editStudio albums
- Third Avenue (2019)
- Money Can't Buy Happiness (2021)
- Independence Day (2021)
- Unfinished Business (2023)
References
edit- ^ a b Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (7 February 2019). "London rapper Fredo on the neighbourhood that shaped his music". Financial Times. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
- ^ "Fredo | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com.
- ^ a b Sue, David (2 February 2019). "UK rapper Fredo: "My mum's a really big part of my life"". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ a b c Thapar, Ciaran (1 February 2019). "Fredo: "I've Spent More Helping My Friends in Prison Than in Harrods"". Vice. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- ^ "UK Rap Star Fredo Isn't Resting On His he Laurels". Complex. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Fredo releases new album 'Money Can't Buy Happiness'". Sony Music UK. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "money can't buy happiness | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "Stream Fredo's 'Independence Day' Album f/ Headie One, Potter Payper, Clavish & More". Complex. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "Kick Game Announces Fredo Partnership". Kick Game. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ "Khaki Combat Gilet". PG London. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (7 February 2019). "London rapper Fredo on the neighbourhood that shaped his music". Financial Times. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Appendix H Housing ASB case studies" (PDF). Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Reports: Fredo Sentenced To Five Years In Dubai Jail | News". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Jennn, London (6 March 2024). "U.K. Rapper Fredo Performs In Dubai Days After Release From Jail On Drugs Charge". AllHipHop. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ Jennn, London (23 May 2024). "Fredo Conspired To Buy Guns To Shoot UK Drill Rivals, Including Digga D, Court Hears". AllHipHop. Retrieved 28 June 2024.