June 2011 – Most of us know Marie ‘Free’ Wright from the well-known colorful hip-hop/pop show 106 & Park. Recognized for her eclectic look and show stopping shoe game, this bombshell embodied the essence of a strong black woman and B-Girl so seamlessly. After her unwanted yet understandable departure from the hit show at the heights of its success, many of her fans and viewers alike wonder when they would be able to see the beautiful and charismatic Free in another visual media outlet. Choosing a different route she left for LA to do radio and still managed to garner extreme adoration. From television, radio, philanthropic endeavors, and as a recording artist, her exceptional talent has projected entertainment and ingenuity to our generation.
Now ready to expand her resume even further, the media darling will join Big Tigger to co-host his top rated morning show “Big Tigger Morning Show with Free” on WPGC—95.5 FM.
Now let’s see if A-GAME can get a few surprises revealed to us from the beautiful and talented Free.
A-GAME: You’re a brand new and welcomed addition the popular and acclaimed radio show “The Big Tigger Morning Show” now called the “The Big Tigger Morning Show with Free”. What new flavor will you be bringing to the morning airwaves 6am-10am?
FREE: I don’t know if it’s a new flavor or if it’s just my flavor. I think I’ll just be bringing the voice of a woman’s perspective, and Tigger definitely brings the male perspective. So, I’m speaking for the women up there and for what I see and just sharing my opinions.
A-GAME: Now in addition to the weekday programming, you’ll be broadcasting your spot “Free’s World Entertainment Report” during the internationally syndicated weekend program “Live in the Den with Big Tigger”. Tell us about that.
FREE: Well that’s going to be exciting because that’s pretty much, you know, I do a daily entertainment report and just your information. We haven’t completely named that yet, so we’ll definitely have to get back with you on that. The name is not “Free’s World Entertainment Report” it will be named something else. So well let y’all know. The exciting thing about that is that Tigger has been syndicated. He’s in 60 cities and I’ll just be kinda wrapping up everything that has happened in the week. And that’s gonna be exciting. It’s kinda part of “Tigger’s Whole World” right now. I love it.
A-GAME: Being that Tigger and you are two huge personalities, was it natural to just bring the two of you together on the radio?
FREE: Are we? [laughs]
A-GAME: Well people know of you both. You guys are icons in the media industry, I can say.
FREE: Thank you, I appreciate that and I’m humbled and honored by that word icon. Tigger….was my mentor when I first got to BET (Black Entertainment Television). You know he’s been in radio and TV for over 17 years and BET is the one—they said, you know, Tigger we want you to guide and coach Free on her interviewing and me doing a lot of shows and he really taught me a lot. So for us, we just having fun doing what we do. This is just what we do. So it’s just comfortable. As far as our interactions, it’s comfortable because we have known each other for so long. So we bounce off each other very well. Now, it’s only been a week and two days, but I love it so far. … I’ll let you know if that changes! [laughs]
A-GAME: Oh alright, everybody will be looking.
FREE: No, everything’s good it’s really going be an exciting year! It’s going to be an exciting year for the “Big Tigger Morning Show with Free”. We got a lot going on!
A-GAME: Ok. I will be tuned in every morning to hear the show.
FREE: Thank you!
A-GAME: You were named 100 Most Powerful Women on Twitter 2 years in a row. You have a huge following with men and women alike, but how do you relate to women who look up to you when hearing you on the radio?
FREE: Well, because I am one. [laughs] It’s pretty easy. We all go through the same things as women—different experiences. So I think that’s the same thing with 106&Park…Why did I relate to so many people? Because our community looks at me as and they see themselves because I am a part our community.
A-GAME: I feel you… You’re down to earth too.
FREE: Awww…thanks. I am, until somebody bothers me I’m pretty cool. [laughs]
A-GAME: Oh we know that! [Laughs]
FREE: I really am a nice person until I’m pissed off and then I’m somebody else.
A-GAME: That’s right you have to check them at the door. I know that.
FREE: AT THE DOOR!!! [laughs]
A-GAME: So, you work with youth a lot as well as being affiliated with many empowering organizations such as the YMCA and the Department of Youth Services. How do feel you’ve made an impact while working with these organizations as well as your own?
FREE: Well my own organization hasn’t been active since 2004 because at the time I was in New York and I really wanted hands on things with my foundation in Boston. And, I couldn’t really be there so we deactivated that as of right now. But, I do a lot of work speaking at colleges and detention centers. It’s like you said, I’m speaking at Sussex University this weekend as well as Spellman University. They asked me to come speak about ‘life choices’ in Sussex, Boston. So for me, it’s I allow people to ask me questions and I’m honest about whatever experiences I’ve had or can share with them stories. It’s like each one teach one. As long as one person walks out the room enlightened or heard something that’s going to help them change or something that they what to change or just inspire them….that makes me feel good.
The best feeling I ever had was doing the work that I do—it’s not really work because I love people. It’s when I walk out of a room after talking to people or young kids because that is just…that’s what I really love. I feel a sense of like, “You really did something today!” You know what I mean? It’s a natural thing. My mom worked in a community health center for battered women’s shelters while she was here so it’s a natural thing, I guess, to want to talk to and help people.
A-GAME: Well, you’re doing the right thing and that’s what they want to do…you can teach them a lot.
FREE: I’m human though I make my mistakes. Everybody’s going through the same things. It’s a recession and I have to live within my means. I have to make serious choices like everyone else, and I think that’s the connection I’m having with the people. I’m so amazed that I don’t even have a platform, well now I do—I’m on the “Big Tigger Morning Show with Free”. But, I didn’t have a platform for the last year and a half and you know the Twitter numbers keep going up. Even though I’ve been away from the scene they still didn’t write me off.
A-GAME: That’s interesting that you said that because that segues into the next question beautifully.
FREE: Aight! You know I segue for a living SON!!!! This is what I do! [laughs]
A-GAME: I segue for a living too. So you feel me then [Laughs]… How do you feel about the internet and the viral community?
FREE: I just feel that everybody should be prepared to be on camera at anytime. Anywhere you are. Twitter has become the new publicist (no diss Aliya). People have become their own publicist. It’s become the new news. Not just Twitter but Facebook—social networking it’s like the way to communicate. But, how do I feel about it? I think it’s cool that we can reach out to people a lot easier than we did a while ago. Also, I think it goes too far sometimes when people with “Twitter beefs”. A report came in today that M-Bone got killed and it was a random act of violence. They are saying it was a Twitter beef over a girl. It’s a yen and a yang to it, a good and a bad.
A-GAME: That’s crazy. Being though you’re a beautiful woman in media….
FREE: Hold up. Don’t try to set me up here. [laughs]
A-GAME: I’m not flirting I’m just telling the truth. [Laughs]
FREE: According to Hollywood standard, I’m not beautiful because I haven’t chopped my face up and all kinds of whatever yet.
A-GAME: Don’t you do it.
FREE: I bet you I won’t. I’m not gonna. I promise you that.
A-GAME: Good.
A-GAME: Being a beautiful woman in the media, yet strong and intelligent as well. Do you feel a woman’s beauty defines her, in a way, in the media and entertainment industry?
FREE: No, because your beauty fades. You’re defined by what you do…what you accomplish…who you are as a person inside. Outer beauty is one thing but inner beauty is the real ish. You can be as pretty as you want outside but you open your mouth you are ugly and in hell. So outer beauty is one thing; my mom always told me to get out the mirror and she always would say, “Get out the mirror beauty is not going to pay your bills and keep you saved for the rest of your life….” You have to be beautiful inside and a hard-worker.
A-GAME: Good words…. Do you consider yourself a boss or bossette?
FREE: Both. [laughs] I’m a bossette when I’m talking nice to someone. I’m a boss when I start hitting my hand like we getting ready to fight, then I’m in boss mode. When I’m like, “Like did you hear what I said!!!!” [laughs] Other than that I like “bossette”… I’ve never heard that word. It’s cute.
A-GAME: Yes. That’s something new that’s starting. That’s the new wave right now.
FREE: Oh well, I’ll be a “bossette” then. You tell me what I am.
A-GAME: You’re definitely a bossette.
FREE: But, you know being a boss comes with so many sacrifices and choices. I think I’m learning how to be a boss because you definitely have to learn what you’re doing. I am a brand and that’s the biggest transformation that I think I’ve made in my life over the past 5 years and just as a person but as a brand. Yeah, I’m a boss. It’s what I do. [laughs]
A-GAME: That’s what I like to hear. A lot of women see your style…see your swag, especially your shoe game. What inspires that killer shoe game? And, do you have any tips for the ladies.
FREE: 106&Park inspired that shoe game. Before I started 106 & Park, I’m from Boston and if you ever saw me I always wore overalls to cover up my body because I didn’t like the attention it got me and I always had on Timbs(Timberland boots) because I’m from Boston and you always had to be ready to fight. So, the shoe game came from 106 & Park.
Fashion being a part of Hip-Hop culture—being on the TV everyday it just became a part of the show. Looking good and making sure you do have on the flyest thing. And, I do like clothes. I love clothes. But, I just don’t love them enough to be broke or go bankrupt over them. I live within my means.
A-GAME: This is a people question right here. Are you ever coming back to TV? Can we see you on TV anytime soon?
FREE: You will see me on TV. Can I give you a definitive date and time right now? No, but I am in mode of taking baby steps to get back on TV. There were a lot of offers to be on TV; I can’t tell you how many when I left 106 & Park and went to LA to go do radio. But, when my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I went home and figured if TV was meant for me it’ll be there, but right now I got to be home with my mom. (Free’s mother eventually lost her fight to breast cancer.)
I’m taking baby steps to get doing what I’m doing…getting comfortable doing what I’m doing. I’m getting a lot of calls and there are projects in the works.
A-GAME: Well, my prayers definitely go out.
FREE: Thank you.
A-GAME: So, what surprises do Big Tigger and you have for us on this morning radio show?
FREE: Every day…. Every day we have surprises. [laughs] If you listen to the show, I love the energy because we laugh but we also get serious talking about topics the community wants to talk about. The feedback that we are getting back on Twitter and the calls we get all around the country even though we are based in the DMV (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, D.C. area) is very humbling. So, we give you guys a great morning show. We want to start your day off with a smile or something to think about. Talk to you about the issue and about the things you’re facing every day. You’re not alone. No one’s alone in what they are going through. Like right now, I can’t get this “back windshield wiper” from going in the back seat of my car. [laughs] It’s pissing me off, it’s been doing this for the past four days but I’m not the only one. [laughs] So that’ll be something I bring up on the show tomorrow…who knows how too……..[laughs]
A-GAME: You’re helping people….
FREE: No, you’re just talking to people and letting them talk. Like I call the show “The Big Tigger Morning Show with Free, co-starring the residents of the DMV” because they are so vocal and they call and have so much to say and that’s what makes it easy for us.
A-GAME: I love that. So, since this is A-GAME Magazine. How is Free on her A-GAME?
FREE: Free is on her A-GAME when she’s feeling good about herself, which means she has to stay healthy, working out and eating right, that’s first. If I’m not internally happy I can’t make anyone else happy. I’m on my A-GAME when I’m handling my business. I’m on my A-GAME when I’m loving my family back with all the love that they give me.
And, I try and kinda stay on my A-GAME. If I’m on the B-GAME I try and stay in the house. [laughs] If it’s a “B” day I’m not trying to come outside. And, I have to be on my A-GAME because that was the image put forth on 106 & Park, so it’s kinda a little bit of pressure—like I’ll drive through a toll booth and a lady will want to know what type of shoes I’m wearing. And, I’m like wearing sneakers right now; I’m headed to the gym. But, they don’t care; they want to see the shoes. [laughs]
