Free Marie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Free Marie
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Free in April 2005
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Marie Antoinette Wright |
| Also known as | Free (2000–present) Marie Antoinette (1996–2000) |
| Born | February 7, 1968 |
| Origin | Dorchester, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, rapper, music producer, television personality, choreographer, radio personality |
| Years active | 1991–present |
Marie Antoinette Wright (born February 7, 1968), known as Free, is an American TV host, rapper, and producer. She became famous as the first host of BET's 106 & Park alongside A. J. Calloway. This popular show featured music videos and interviews. After 106 & Park, Free also worked as a radio host in cities like Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York.
Contents
Free's Amazing Career
Early Life and Dance Steps
Free, whose real name is Marie Antoinette Wright, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She loved the arts from a young age. For 11 years, she attended the Roxbury Center for Performing Arts. She even traveled and performed with a young dance group.
Inspired by the famous group New Edition from her hometown, Free joined several groups in Boston. She won talent shows and improved her singing and rapping skills. A big moment in her dance career was performing in the 1991 music video for "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.
Breaking into Music and Radio
Free moved from Boston to follow her dream of making music. She started with an internship at a radio station in Massachusetts. This helped her begin to make a name for herself. She then moved between Los Angeles and New York City to build her career.
Free appeared on the song "Patriots" from the album Can-I-Bus by hip-hop artist Canibus. This was her first major music appearance. The album became very successful, selling over 500,000 copies. Free said that music itself, with its power and creativity, inspired her to chase her dreams.
Hosting 106 & Park
Free's path led her to an audition for BET. Executives chose her to co-host their new show, 106 & Park: Top 10 Live, with AJ Calloway. The show was based in New York City.
During her five years on 106 & Park, Free interviewed many famous people. These included Michael Jackson, Denzel Washington, Aaliyah, Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, and Beyonce. She left the show in 2005.
Music Projects and Radio Returns
In 2003, Free started working on her first album, called Pressure Free. She released some songs from the album on mixtapes. Many famous artists like Faith Evans, Kanye West, and Missy Elliott were involved in the album. However, the album was never officially released.
Free continued her radio career. In 2009, she was a co-host on The Ed Lover Morning Show on Power 105.1 in New York. She later announced on Twitter that she would no longer be on the show.
In October 2010, Free returned to BET for two special anniversary shows of 106 & Park. These shows, 106 & Park: 10 Years & Counting and 106 & Park: The Celebration, 10 Years Live!, had the highest ratings in the show's history. She also presented at the first Black Girls Rock! event in November 2010.
In May 2011, Free began co-hosting The Big Tigger Morning Show on WPGC (95.5 FM). This station serves Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia. She hosted with Darian "Big Tigger" Morgan. After Big Tigger left, Free continued the morning show by herself.
On December 19, 2014, Free returned to BET one last time. She hosted the final episode of 106 & Park, called "The Final Act." She hosted alongside Bow Wow, Terrence J, and Rocsi.
Giving Back: Free's Philanthropy
In 2002, Free started the Free4Life Foundation. This non-profit group helps young people in neighborhoods that need support. The foundation offers programs that encourage reading, teach about money, and support creative arts. The Free4Life Foundation helps inspire and strengthen young people in Boston.
Free also supports breast cancer awareness. In October 2010, she joined the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" charity walk. She walked to honor her mother, Selina "Tina" Wright, who had passed away. Free and her family formed a team called "Walk 4 Tina." They walked 5.7 miles to raise money and awareness for the cause.
Free's Personal Life
As of 2023, Free lives a quiet life away from the public eye. She has homes in her hometown of Boston and in New York City.
Free's Music: Discography
- 2004: Free's World (a mixtape)
- 2007: Pressure Free (an album that was planned but not released)
- Songs Free Appeared On
- 1998: Canibus – "Can-I-Bus" (on "Patriots")
- 1998: Pras – "Ghetto Supastar" (on "What'cha Wanna Do" and "Can't Stop The Shining")
- 2000: Wyclef Jean – The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book (on "Da Cypha")
- 2001: Erick Sermon – React (on "We Don't Care")
- 2001: Ed O.G. – The Truth Hurts (on "Just Because")
- 2009: Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes — Eye Legacy (on "Spread Your Wings")
- Remixed Songs
- 1999: "Bring It All to Me (Triple Threat Mix)" — Blaque (featuring NY Glaze, Jazz-Ming Mackey, and Free)
- 2003: "21 Answers" — Lil' Mo
- Soundtrack Songs
- 1996: The Associate (on "Mr. Big Stuff" with Queen Latifah and Shades)
- 1999: Music Inspired by the Motion Picture Life – (on "What Goes Around" with Khadejia)
- 2000: The PJs: Music from & Inspired by the Hit Television Series – "Holiday" (with Earth, Wind & Fire)
- 2003: The Fighting Temptations: Music from the Motion Picture (on "Fighting Temptation" — Beyoncé (featuring Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, and Free))
