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Freddy Will
Practor22: ←Created page with ''''Wilfred Kanu Jr.''' (born August 11, 1977), professionally known by his stage name '''Freddy Will''', is a Sierra Leonean American writer, a philant...'
'''Wilfred Kanu Jr.''' (born August 11, 1977), professionally known by his stage name '''Freddy Will''', is a [[Sierra Leonean American]] [[writer]], a [[philanthropist]] and [[hip-hop]] recording artist.<ref name=":1">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> His pictures are on four "limited edition" [[postage stamps]] of [[Sierra Leone]],<ref name=":2">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> and he is the author of three successive [[books]] with accompanying hip-hop albums.<ref name=":3">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> He has collaborated with [[Juno Award]] winners and [[Canadian jazz]] musicians, Eddie Bullen and [[Liberty Silver]], and five-time [[USA]] [[Grammy]] Award-winning [[Gospel singer]], [[Carvin Winans]].<ref name=":14">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
==Early life==
Freddy Will was born at the "Brookland Maternity Center" in Brookfields, [[Freetown]], Sierra Leone.<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> He is the eldest son of Rev. Leroy Wilfred Kabs Kanu Esq,<ref name=":5">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> former Minister [[Plenipotentiary]] of Sierra Leone to the [[United Nations]] and publisher of Sierra Leone's widely read Cocorioko newspaper.<ref name=":6">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> His mother, Mrs. Tigidankay B. Kanu is a [[Director of nursing (long-term care facility)]] in [[New Jersey]], [[USA]] and a founder of Covenant Child World Ministry, a church also in New Jersey, USA.<ref name=":7">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> His father is from the [[Loko people]], and his mother is from the [[Mandingo people]].
In his [[biography]], "My Book of Chrymes," he stated that at the age of two, his parents moved to [[Monrovia]] where his father taught the [[English Language]] as a high school teacher. The family later moved to [[Kakata]], when his father became a [[lecturer]] in [[psychology]]. In the book, he also described his experiences from the [[First Liberian Civil War]] and his struggle as a refugee in [[West Africa]] during the [[Sierra Leone Civil War]]. When the Liberian civil war broke out, he and his family returned to Sierra Leone.<ref name=":12">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> Being that his grandmother is an [[African American]] who lived in [[New Jersey]] with his grandfather, his parents [[immigrated]] to the United States. They left him to complete high school in Sierra Leone while waiting for the [[Immigration and Naturalization Service]] to process his [[Permanent residence (United States)]] application. When the civil war reached [[Freetown]], he moved in with his uncle in [[The Gambia]] and then relocated to [[Dakar]], [[Senegal]].<ref name=":12">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> <ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
==Career==
Freddy Will attended St. Mary's and St. Christopher's Catholic Schools in Monrovia and Kakata, Liberia respectively, Christ the King College in [[Bo]], Methodist Boys High School and Ansarul Muslim Secondary School in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He also attended [[Raritan Valley Community College]] where he studied [[Theater Arts]] and Edison [[Job Corps]] Academy where he studied [[Bookkeeping]] and [[Hospitality]], both of which are in New Jersey, USA. He underwent training in [[Phlebotomy]] at [[Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital]] during which time he [[naturalized]] to an [[American]].<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> <ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
He moved to [[Toronto]], [[Canada]] to pursue his music and writing career. While in Toronto, he released five independent studio albums off his record labels, Ghetto Breed Entertainment and Swift Nightz Entertainment, and wrote five books that were published by Soul Asylum Poetry & Publishing as well is his publishing company, Freddy Will Publishing in [[Ontario]], [[Canada]].<ref name=":16">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
During his interview with award-winning [[Ghanaian]] [[journalist]], [[Jefferson Sackey]], Freddy Will stated that he started [[rapping]] when he was still living in [[Liberia]].<ref name=":15">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> He credited [[Kool Moe Dee]], [[LL Cool J.]], [[Queen Latifah]], [[Ice T]], [[Naughty By Nature]], legendary Sierra Leone rapper, Jimmy B, [[Dr. Dre]], [[Tupac Shakur]], [[Scarface]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[The Notorious B. I. G.]], [[Nas]], [[The Luniz]] and the [[LOX]] as some of his primary musical influences in [[hip-hop]]. For his writing, he credits his father, [[John Grisham]], [[Shakespeare]], [[Langston Hughes]], [[Caresse Crosby]], [[Maya Angelou]] and [[Pacesetter Novels]] as his primary influences and [[Idris Elba]], [[Ice Cube]], [[John Singleton]] and [[Spike Lee]], his influences in [[theater]] and [[acting]].<ref name=":10">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
After living in Canada for ten years, he relocated to Brussels, Belgium in the winter of 2016 as a [[Diplomat]] of [[Grenada]]. His books are recorded at the [[Library of Congress]] and the [[Library and Archives of Canada]]. He is a member of the [[Rotary Club]] and a [[Master Mason]] under the [[Grand Lodge]] of [[Ontario]], in [[Canada]].
==Healthy Food For Thought: Good Enough to Eat (Grammy Nomination)==
{|class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:28em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
|style="text-align: left;"|"Freddy Will, American rapper, songwriter and author has contributed to this CD project in the most wonderful way. The title of his track is Future and it speaks to us, as adults/parents about what children need from us and the things that are harmful to our children. He tells the kids that they are the Future and asks the adults to make the way for them. It is a great song that Freddy wrote for us to share with you. Please visit his page and learn about this multi-talented artist and listen to some of his tracks!"
|-
|style="text-align: left;"| — Health Food For Thought: Good Enough to Eat<ref name=":">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
|}
In 2010, Freddy Will was featured on a children's compilation album by the "New York Coalition for Healthy School Foods" that [[The Recording Academy]] nominated for a [[Grammy Award]].<ref name=":9">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> This nomination made Freddy Will the first artist from [[Sierra Leone]] to work on a [[musical work]] that was nominated for this award. Jim Cravero, Paula Lizzi, Steve Pullara and Kevin Mackie of the "East Coast Recording Company" produced the compilation album consisting of [[music]] and [[spoken word]] performances. Freddy Will wrote and performed the song,"Future" which appears on the second disc of this double CD album. "Healthy Food for Thought: Good Enough To Eat" is a charity album with messages to parents and children with about [[healthy eating]]. Various music and spoken word artists, [[children's book]] [[authors]] and [[chefs]] collaborated on this project to promote the awareness of [[Type 2 Diabetes]]. Some of the notable artists on this CD are [[Moby]], [[Julian Lennon]], [[Jessica Harper]], [[Amy Otey]], [[Sara Hickman]], [[Tom Chapin]], and [[Russell Simmons]] (to name just a few).<ref name=":8">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> The album was nominated for "[[Best Spoken Word Album for Children]]."
==Limited Edition Postage Stamps of Sierra Leone==
{|class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:28em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
|style="text-align: left;"|"October 22, 2011 was a historic day as the[Sierra Leone postage stamps featuring the country's Grammy nominated Canada-based artist and author, Freddy Will (Real-named Wilfred Kanu Jr.) were unveiled in an impressive ceremony in Toronto. With authorization from the Sierra Leone postal administration prestigious Philatelic Agency representing more than 70 International Government Postal Authorities worldwide, including Sierra Leone; IGPC, Intergovernmental Postal Consultants, paid tribute to Sierra Leone's first Grammy nominated artist and author with his own postage stamp. The Limited Edition Postage Stamp folio features four stamps of Freddy Will."
|-
|style="text-align: left;"| — Phila Mirror<ref name=":2">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
|}
Following the successful launch of his music and [[literary]] career, and a [[Grammy]] nomination, Freddy Will became the first [[Sierra Leonean]] musician who is also a published author. With approval from the Sierra Leone postal administration the [[Philatelic]] Agency representing more than 70 International Government Postal Authorities worldwide, including Sierra Leone; IGPC, Intergovernmental Postal Consultants, paid tribute to Sierra Leone's first Grammy-nominated artist and author with four "Limited Edition" [[postage stamps]].<ref name=":2">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
==Discography==
===Albums===
* ''While I'm Still Young - The Talking Drums''
* ''While I'm Still Young -The Talking Drums 1.2v''
* ''Dark Horse From Romarong - a city of kings''
* ''City of Kings: RELOADED (EP)''
* ''Laboramus Exspectantes Vol. 1''
* ''Views From The 7''
==Mixtape==
* ''Stay True''
==Collaboration==
* ''Healthy Food for Thought: Good Enough to Eat''
==Bibliography==
===Books===
* ''My Book of Chrymes''
* ''The Dark Road From Romarong''
* ''Hip Hop Kruzade - Path of a Legend''
===eBooks===
* ''The Sandmann's Journal Vol. 1''
* ''The Sandmann's Journal Vol. 2''
==Awards==
==Grammy Awards==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Song/album
! Category
! Role
! Result
|-
| 2011
| ''Healthy Food For Thought, Good Enough to Eat''
| [[Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children]]
| Vocals, lyrics, songwriting
|
|-
|}
==References==
==Early life==
Freddy Will was born at the "Brookland Maternity Center" in Brookfields, [[Freetown]], Sierra Leone.<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> He is the eldest son of Rev. Leroy Wilfred Kabs Kanu Esq,<ref name=":5">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> former Minister [[Plenipotentiary]] of Sierra Leone to the [[United Nations]] and publisher of Sierra Leone's widely read Cocorioko newspaper.<ref name=":6">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> His mother, Mrs. Tigidankay B. Kanu is a [[Director of nursing (long-term care facility)]] in [[New Jersey]], [[USA]] and a founder of Covenant Child World Ministry, a church also in New Jersey, USA.<ref name=":7">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> His father is from the [[Loko people]], and his mother is from the [[Mandingo people]].
In his [[biography]], "My Book of Chrymes," he stated that at the age of two, his parents moved to [[Monrovia]] where his father taught the [[English Language]] as a high school teacher. The family later moved to [[Kakata]], when his father became a [[lecturer]] in [[psychology]]. In the book, he also described his experiences from the [[First Liberian Civil War]] and his struggle as a refugee in [[West Africa]] during the [[Sierra Leone Civil War]]. When the Liberian civil war broke out, he and his family returned to Sierra Leone.<ref name=":12">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> Being that his grandmother is an [[African American]] who lived in [[New Jersey]] with his grandfather, his parents [[immigrated]] to the United States. They left him to complete high school in Sierra Leone while waiting for the [[Immigration and Naturalization Service]] to process his [[Permanent residence (United States)]] application. When the civil war reached [[Freetown]], he moved in with his uncle in [[The Gambia]] and then relocated to [[Dakar]], [[Senegal]].<ref name=":12">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> <ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
==Career==
Freddy Will attended St. Mary's and St. Christopher's Catholic Schools in Monrovia and Kakata, Liberia respectively, Christ the King College in [[Bo]], Methodist Boys High School and Ansarul Muslim Secondary School in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He also attended [[Raritan Valley Community College]] where he studied [[Theater Arts]] and Edison [[Job Corps]] Academy where he studied [[Bookkeeping]] and [[Hospitality]], both of which are in New Jersey, USA. He underwent training in [[Phlebotomy]] at [[Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital]] during which time he [[naturalized]] to an [[American]].<ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> <ref>Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
He moved to [[Toronto]], [[Canada]] to pursue his music and writing career. While in Toronto, he released five independent studio albums off his record labels, Ghetto Breed Entertainment and Swift Nightz Entertainment, and wrote five books that were published by Soul Asylum Poetry & Publishing as well is his publishing company, Freddy Will Publishing in [[Ontario]], [[Canada]].<ref name=":16">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
During his interview with award-winning [[Ghanaian]] [[journalist]], [[Jefferson Sackey]], Freddy Will stated that he started [[rapping]] when he was still living in [[Liberia]].<ref name=":15">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> He credited [[Kool Moe Dee]], [[LL Cool J.]], [[Queen Latifah]], [[Ice T]], [[Naughty By Nature]], legendary Sierra Leone rapper, Jimmy B, [[Dr. Dre]], [[Tupac Shakur]], [[Scarface]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[The Notorious B. I. G.]], [[Nas]], [[The Luniz]] and the [[LOX]] as some of his primary musical influences in [[hip-hop]]. For his writing, he credits his father, [[John Grisham]], [[Shakespeare]], [[Langston Hughes]], [[Caresse Crosby]], [[Maya Angelou]] and [[Pacesetter Novels]] as his primary influences and [[Idris Elba]], [[Ice Cube]], [[John Singleton]] and [[Spike Lee]], his influences in [[theater]] and [[acting]].<ref name=":10">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
After living in Canada for ten years, he relocated to Brussels, Belgium in the winter of 2016 as a [[Diplomat]] of [[Grenada]]. His books are recorded at the [[Library of Congress]] and the [[Library and Archives of Canada]]. He is a member of the [[Rotary Club]] and a [[Master Mason]] under the [[Grand Lodge]] of [[Ontario]], in [[Canada]].
==Healthy Food For Thought: Good Enough to Eat (Grammy Nomination)==
{|class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:28em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
|style="text-align: left;"|"Freddy Will, American rapper, songwriter and author has contributed to this CD project in the most wonderful way. The title of his track is Future and it speaks to us, as adults/parents about what children need from us and the things that are harmful to our children. He tells the kids that they are the Future and asks the adults to make the way for them. It is a great song that Freddy wrote for us to share with you. Please visit his page and learn about this multi-talented artist and listen to some of his tracks!"
|-
|style="text-align: left;"| — Health Food For Thought: Good Enough to Eat<ref name=":">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
|}
In 2010, Freddy Will was featured on a children's compilation album by the "New York Coalition for Healthy School Foods" that [[The Recording Academy]] nominated for a [[Grammy Award]].<ref name=":9">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> This nomination made Freddy Will the first artist from [[Sierra Leone]] to work on a [[musical work]] that was nominated for this award. Jim Cravero, Paula Lizzi, Steve Pullara and Kevin Mackie of the "East Coast Recording Company" produced the compilation album consisting of [[music]] and [[spoken word]] performances. Freddy Will wrote and performed the song,"Future" which appears on the second disc of this double CD album. "Healthy Food for Thought: Good Enough To Eat" is a charity album with messages to parents and children with about [[healthy eating]]. Various music and spoken word artists, [[children's book]] [[authors]] and [[chefs]] collaborated on this project to promote the awareness of [[Type 2 Diabetes]]. Some of the notable artists on this CD are [[Moby]], [[Julian Lennon]], [[Jessica Harper]], [[Amy Otey]], [[Sara Hickman]], [[Tom Chapin]], and [[Russell Simmons]] (to name just a few).<ref name=":8">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref> The album was nominated for "[[Best Spoken Word Album for Children]]."
==Limited Edition Postage Stamps of Sierra Leone==
{|class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:28em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
|style="text-align: left;"|"October 22, 2011 was a historic day as the[Sierra Leone postage stamps featuring the country's Grammy nominated Canada-based artist and author, Freddy Will (Real-named Wilfred Kanu Jr.) were unveiled in an impressive ceremony in Toronto. With authorization from the Sierra Leone postal administration prestigious Philatelic Agency representing more than 70 International Government Postal Authorities worldwide, including Sierra Leone; IGPC, Intergovernmental Postal Consultants, paid tribute to Sierra Leone's first Grammy nominated artist and author with his own postage stamp. The Limited Edition Postage Stamp folio features four stamps of Freddy Will."
|-
|style="text-align: left;"| — Phila Mirror<ref name=":2">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
|}
Following the successful launch of his music and [[literary]] career, and a [[Grammy]] nomination, Freddy Will became the first [[Sierra Leonean]] musician who is also a published author. With approval from the Sierra Leone postal administration the [[Philatelic]] Agency representing more than 70 International Government Postal Authorities worldwide, including Sierra Leone; IGPC, Intergovernmental Postal Consultants, paid tribute to Sierra Leone's first Grammy-nominated artist and author with four "Limited Edition" [[postage stamps]].<ref name=":2">Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (1 for 2)</ref>
==Discography==
===Albums===
* ''While I'm Still Young - The Talking Drums''
* ''While I'm Still Young -The Talking Drums 1.2v''
* ''Dark Horse From Romarong - a city of kings''
* ''City of Kings: RELOADED (EP)''
* ''Laboramus Exspectantes Vol. 1''
* ''Views From The 7''
==Mixtape==
* ''Stay True''
==Collaboration==
* ''Healthy Food for Thought: Good Enough to Eat''
==Bibliography==
===Books===
* ''My Book of Chrymes''
* ''The Dark Road From Romarong''
* ''Hip Hop Kruzade - Path of a Legend''
===eBooks===
* ''The Sandmann's Journal Vol. 1''
* ''The Sandmann's Journal Vol. 2''
==Awards==
==Grammy Awards==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Song/album
! Category
! Role
! Result
|-
| 2011
| ''Healthy Food For Thought, Good Enough to Eat''
| [[Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children]]
| Vocals, lyrics, songwriting
|
|-
|}
==References==
April 23, 2018 at 07:30PM
