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 in 1968), known by her stage name Free, is an American TV host, rapper, and someone who helps others. She became famous as the first host of Black Entertainment Television's show 106 & Park. She also worked as a radio host in cities like Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York.
Contents
Free's Journey in Entertainment
Early Life and Dance Steps
Free, whose real name is Marie Antoinette Wright, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. From a young age, she loved the arts. She spent 11 years learning at the Roxbury Center for Performing Arts. She also 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 performed in 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.
Starting in Music and Radio
Free left Boston to follow her dream of making music. An important step for her was an internship at a radio station in Massachusetts. This helped her start to become known. She then moved between Los Angeles and New York City to build her career.
She appeared on a song called "Patriots" on the album Can-I-Bus by the hip-hop artist Canibus. This was her first major music appearance, and the album became very popular. Her connection with Wyclef Jean and his group helped her get this opportunity. Free said that music itself, with its power and creativity, made her want to chase her dreams.
Hosting 106 & Park
Free's path led her to an audition for BET. Executives chose her to co-host their popular show, 106 & Park: Top 10 Live, in New York. She hosted the show with AJ Calloway.
During her five years at 106 & Park, Free interviewed many famous people. These included Michael Jackson, Denzel Washington, Aaliyah, Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, and Beyonce.
Music and Radio Adventures
In 2003, Free started working on her first full music album, which was going to be called Pressure Free. It was expected to be released in 2008. She promoted the album and released some songs on underground mixtapes. Famous artists like Faith Evans, Kanye West, and Missy Elliott worked on the album. However, the album was never officially released.
In 2009, Free announced on her Twitter page that she would no longer be on the Power 105.1 radio station in New York.
In October 2010, Free returned to BET to help produce and star in two special anniversary shows for 106 & Park. These shows, called 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) in the Washington, D.C. area. She hosted with Big Tigger until he left the show. Free continued to host the morning radio show by herself for a while.
On December 19, 2014, Free returned to BET one last time to host the final episode of 106 & Park. She hosted with Bow Wow, Terrence J, and Rocsi.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
In 2002, Free started the Free4Life Foundation. This is a non-profit group that helps young people in neighborhoods that need support. The foundation has programs that encourage reading, teach about money, and support creative arts.
The Free4Life Foundation helps young people grow in a healthy way. It first focused on stopping domestic violence and teaching about money. Free is now making the foundation's work even bigger. Through her foundation, she also created a successful fundraising event called Break! Break!.
Free also works to raise awareness about breast cancer. In October 2010, she took part in the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" charity walk. She did this to honor her late mother, Selina "Tina" Wright. She later formed a team called "Walk 4 Tina." She and her family walked 5.7 miles to help raise money and awareness.
Personal Life
Free lives a quiet life away from the public eye. She has homes in her hometown of Boston and in New York City. She has one daughter.
Music Free Has Released
Albums and Mixtapes
- 2004: Free's World (a mixtape)
- 2007: Pressure Free (planned but not released)
Songs She 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 (with NY Glaze, Jazz-Ming Mackey, and Free)
- 2003: "21 Answers" — Lil' Mo
Movie and TV Soundtracks
- 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 (with Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, and Free))
