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Interview: Q&A

Freeze of ScrapGang talks new “Speedin” video, P.Y.O.L. 2 album, racism, & more

Freeze of ScrapGang talks new Speedin video, P.Y.O.L. 2, racism, and more

Back in April, we were fortunate enough to catch up with Freeze of ScrapGang for an in-depth interview about the group’s project, Thankful.

We were just a few weeks into the pandemic taking over our daily lives, and there was still a lot of uncertainty in the air relating to how artists were supposed to push forward.

“This definitely has a big impact on everything I do, especially making music cause the studio is shutdown, everyone on quarantine,” Freeze explained at the time. “But I also feel like with everybody being home nothing do to, it is good for promotion if things are done the right way.”  

Freeze of ScrapGang talks new Speedin video, P.Y.O.L. 2, racism, and more

Freeze (Photo: Supplied)

And while promotions for that project were certainly impacted by COVID-19, Freeze has found ways to create and release new music to keep the campaign going. Last week, he pulled the trigger on his new solo endeavour, P.Y.O.L. Vol. 2 (Pave Your Own Lane).

“The mixtape starts off with a lot of slow tempo laid back type of music, and after the interlude it starts to turn up a bit and then gets into some more conscious music.” – Freeze

Along with a ton of new material from Freeze himself, the project also features appearances by his blood brother and fellow ScrapGang member, KG, as well as up-and-comers Great Grinzo and Violettee.

“Every artist featured on the tape is super talented,” Freeze said in our latest interview with the Scarborough native.

P.Y.O.L. Vol. 2 is a follow-up to Freeze’s solo debut, Pave Your Own Lane Vol. 1, which was released in July 2018.

Along with Vol. 2, Freeze has released new visuals for the song “Speedin (Intro)” powered by Authentic Visuals.

In our latest interview with Freeze, we discuss the new video, the creation of the project, his thoughts on racism and gun violence in Toronto, the latest from ScrapGang, and more.

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P.Y.O.L. Vol. 2 is available for streaming on various digital streaming plaforms including Apple Music and Spotify via PYOL Records.

Check it all out below.


Q&A: Freeze (of ScrapGang)

HipHopCanada: Freeze, welcome back to HipHopCanada! Thanks for taking the time to talk to us about your new solo release. How would you describe the project to someone just getting into your music?

Freeze: I would definitely describe it as creative, diverse, different styles of music, different flows, different beats. It’s like every song you don’t know what to expect, one could be singing one, can be rapping… one could be a song for ladies, one could be a song for people living that street life. Most of the songs is just day to day things people go through and can relate to.

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HipHopCanada: Can you speak on the artists featured on P.Y.O.L. 2?

F: I worked with a few artists on this project. Of course my brother and group member, KG. I got Great Grinzo, another artist that goes in and Violettee, she is an up-and-coming artist in the city. Look out for her EP about to drop. Definitely look forward to making more music with her. Every artist featured on the tape is super talented.

HipHopCanada: How did you go about selecting the producers for the mixtape?

F: Usually I prefer to just surf YouTube and whatever beat I catch a vibe to I work with, hit the studio. If its a banger I usually reach out to the producer for leasing rights.

HipHopCanada: We’re really looking forward to checking out your “Speedin (Intro)” music video. What’s the concept for the video? Who directed the video?

F: “Speedin” will be the first video I drop off the tape. Basically the visuals are just clean and simple shots of me cruising around in a farm type area and landscape. Some drone shots, super clean. I plan on releasing it a few days after the tape drops, just doing some touch ups and editing on it. The video was shot by Authentic Visuals and directed by me.

HipHopCanada: How many videos are being released in total in support of the video?

F: I’m planning on releasing at least three or four visuals with this tape. Definitely will be pushing it very hard on promo.  

Freeze of ScrapGang talks new Speedin video, P.Y.O.L. 2, racism, and more

Freeze (Photo: Supplied)

HipHopCanada: Several years from now, when you look back at creating this mixtape, what memory do you think will stick out the most?

F: when I look back on this tape, I think I will be very proud of this body of work. I feel like all around the whole project shows my elevation and kind of finding my self as an artist figuring out what type of lane of music I want to take. But most of all, the excitement and the grind behind everything is definitly what will have me proud.

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HipHopCanada: What’s your personal favourite song on the project?

F: I would say my personal favourite right now, maybe because it’s the most recently recorded song, is “Need It.” Definitely will be shooting a video for that.

HipHopCanada: What kind of response did you get from your Thankful project?

F: Got some very good feedback, all though we did kind of lack on promo for Thankful. It could have been more sucessfull when it comes to views and downloads, but you always learn from your mistakes.

HipHopCanada: What’s up next for ScrapGang?

F: We’ve got a couple singles we’re about to drop, and some new visuals so look out for that.

HipHopCanada: The last time we spoke it was several weeks before George Floyd was murdered by police in Minneapolis. What is your view on racism and police brutality in Canada/Toronto? Can you speak on your personal experiences?

F: Honestly, I feel like the system will make it seem like they are catering to the people and giving them what they want, but in the end the system is still set up for failure for us young black men. Even though we beat the odds, daily change does need to happen and police need to abide by the same laws they’re arresting people for breaking. Especially killing people for no reason or because of their skin colour. They should be dealt with like a regular citizen. The badge don’t mean nothing. I personally had a experince with a cop who pulled me over with my kids in the car and just cause he seen a legal pocket knife he pulled his gun out and threaten to shoot me in front of my kids. So it’s no joke, they will kill you in front of your kids. There are plenty of racist cops in the city, not only that, in the court system as well.

HipHopCanada: Do you have any career aspirations aside from music? Or something you’d like to focus on after you’ve accomplished everything on your music bucket list?

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F: If you remember back we dropped a album called only option I feel like this music is my only option in life to become something successful, and do what I love.

HipHopCanada: So many young North American rappers have been killed as a result of gun violence, with this year seeming especially deadly. As an artist, does that weigh on you as you try to focus on getting your projects out?

F: I don’t pay attention to the politics. If you know what’s going on in the city, you know what’s behind all the BS. I just stick to myself, keep my circle small, and stay focused on this music. Politics don’t pay your bills, so I stay far from it. And it’s definitly a sad situation seeing all these talented artist lose their lives. Makes me want to go harder and get out of the city.

HipHopCanada: What’s next for Freeze?

F: For now, Ima be goin’ in on promo and focusing on getting the music in people’s ears. You’ve got the working artist aspect of things, then you got the business side, and that’s where marketing and promo comes in. I don’t have to be a mainstream artist and make millions, I just want to build a career out of this music and gain loyal fans that love my music. With that being said, go purchase my new album on iTunes or stream it for free on Spotify.

Freeze of ScrapGang talks new Speedin video, P.Y.O.L. 2, racism, and more

Freeze of ScrapGang talks new Speedin video, P.Y.O.L. 2, racism, and more

You can follow @Freeze.PYOL and @ScrapGangTV on Instagram.

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