The City of Brotherly Love has played a pivotal role in shaping America’s cornerstone of R&B over the years. Patti LaBelle had once reigned supreme before passing the torch and successes to Boyz II Men, who captured the hearts of a nation across the 90’s. Pennsylvania’s talent has been evident so much throughout the decades that the turn of a new star in Fridayy seemed destined to continue the city’s victories.
Music has been embedded in Francis Leblanc’s roots since the early days at his father’s local church, taking the lead in gospel choir performances, before transitioning to record in a studio setting at 14. His raw vocal ability had been unlocked, perfecting his craft with each single and by the time DJ Khaled had heard of his unique sound, the rest was unprecedented history.
Fast forward the years, Fridayy is a multi-Grammy-nominated artist who has worked with your favourite musicians and now has fans entangled lyric for lyric wherever he performs.
The latest euphoric set was Finsbury Park’s Wireless Festival, where GRM Daily had the chance to speak to the Philadelphia native.
Wireless Festival – What was that experience like?
“Wireless was amazing bro, I’m not going to lie! A lot of energy. Asake was fire. He was on an hour after my set, that was crazy. This was my first festival, but I’ve toured here a couple times.”
You linked up with Burna Boy over the weekend, is this a sign that there’s a collab on the way?
“God willing man! We were in the same spot and that was the first time I met him in person. That was a blessing.”
Is that something artists do at festivals? Is it an opportunity to network and find artists who you could work with in the future?
“I do. Especially the artist that I want to collab with. The ones I’m fans of. I love pulling up to places and just talking to them.”
New single “Baddest In The Room” – what was the process of making this single?
“The process was me on the guitar, coming up with the idea and melodies. I made it in my basement with a couple of my friends. I just want people to feel good. This a feel-good song for the summer. I call that a song a warmup before a project.”
When in the studio, is it more spontaneous thoughts, or do you go to record with a concept in mind?
“It’s basically a freestyle. Sometimes it’s “What do I need right now?”, musically or subject wise. Mostly, it’s freestyle.”
Going back to your European tour at KOKO, Camden . Fans are singing lyric for lyric, what does that feel like and is it extra special coming from another country?
“It’s a blessing I’m not going to lie. Especially being here in London. I’ve came a long way from another country so it’s just crazy.”
How do you compare performing at a concert opposed to performing at a festival?
“My concert is word for word and energy. Everybody is there for me. With Wireless, it’s more gaining fans. It’s probably like 10-20% of them know me. It’s more me gaining new fans at festivals.”
Going on tour with Buju Banton – how did this link up happen?
“I’m a fan, he’s a legend! I heard his music through DJ Khaled’s album. He’s a Jamaican legend. His team hit me up and asked if I wanted to open up for him and I was like yes, let’s do it.”
It’s nearly been a year since the release of the debut album Fridayy, what are your feelings toward this project a year on?
“That album did a lot for me, I’m not going to lie. It gave me a lot of real fans that will stick beside me. It done a lot.”
When you create such a successful body of work, how do you go about raising the level again for another album?
“Just creating something from the heart. It’s not complicated with me, I just have to create something from my heart.”
What is your personal favourite track off Fridayy?
“I would probably say Stand By Me.”
You grew up in a choir so naturally understood music, when did you transition from being in a choir and making gospel music to your own music?
“I would probably say when I was like 14. My cousin Marco put me in the studio, and I made my first song. I see the great in both, but that just made me feel like “I can record”. I’ve been singing from earlier on in talent shows and church. Singing live was natural for me, especially as a kid.”
Being 14 and starting to record in the studio, when did you know it was something you could make a career out of?
“I would say like 2020 or around quarantine. That’s when I signed my first publishing deal. That’s when I first saw a good check from music.”
Being from Philadelphia, you’ve previously spoke about performing with Meek Mill in the city (“Don’t Give Up On Me”), what this a full-circle moment for yourself?
“For sure! I grew up in Philadelphia so it’s crazy. Meek Mill is a legend, somebody I would look up to. That was like my first show and he brought me out to perform. That was like my first time performing in an arena, 20,000 people in my hometown too.”
Musically, is there anyone else from Philly that inspires you?
“There’s a lot of people that inspire me. My brother inspires me. Musically, I like Meek, I like Core, I like Lights, Cameras. That’s my top three.”
Did you ever try to go down the rap route?
“Sometimes I feel like I should, but my voice not good with it! I don’t have the rapping voice!”
Having been up for Grammy’s, buying your mum a house, sold out shows – What would you say has been the most rewarding part of your success in music?
“Just being able to wake up and do what you love every day without worrying about bills and everything else.”
What has been the best advice given to yourself in your career?
“I would say business is business. Don’t take nothing personal, it’s just business. Nobody is like your friend or family, everybody wants something out of you for a reason until they can’t get that no more, and then they won’t call you. Just don’t take it personal, it’s just business!”
What advice do you have for those currently looking for success in music?
“Keep going. Try to do anything to be seen. There’s no point in being seen if you’re not going to put the work in. perfect your craft and try to be seen.”
How were you seen by DJ Khaled?
“I was just perfecting my craft. I’m not going to lie, it took a long time to get to that point. It’s crazy. It was a couple people that I knew personally, but by that point, I perfected my craft so well, everything people was hearing was good.”
Being in the U.K, are there any artists you currently listen to?
“Headie One! I like Headie One right now.”
Finally, who are three artists currently on your playlist?
“Tems, Lights Cameras and Bryson Tiller.
Fridayy’s latest single “Baddest In The Room” is out now on all digital streaming platforms.