Around 1999-2000 i met Freddy Lap$. Someone had mentioned him to me while i was talking to a few students from Chelmsford High School (was trying to get local MC's to come on our college radio show). Two weeks later, i got Freddy's info and invited him on the show. So one blustery winter Sunday night, Lap$ and a few of his fellow MC's came down to showcase their skills. I recall two of his friends were from Brooklyn,NY.
Here was one of the last interviews an freestyles by Freddy Lap$ we did on the college show..
http://www.4shared.com/mp3/iWH-mLCq/freedyjan3.html?
(feel free to Download the show)
Over the years Freddy made frequent appearances on Ego Trippin Pt.2 91.5 FM WUML with myself and Jim Tess. Lap$ also had a crew called The Faqulty with Alkatraz and TN Jay Sparks...
Plus an album and a mixtape.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/FREDDYLAPS
http://www.datpiff.com/Freddy-Lap-The-Memory-Lap-mixtape.276741.html
The new venture he has is with a cartoon called Fuzzy Beard Show, along with fellow DJ Peter Parker http://mrpeterparker.ning.com/
I caught up with one of the Fuzzy Beards for an interview
1. Where are you based out of?
We’re based out of 3 locations- New York, Maryland, and Minnesota.
2. How did the Fuzzy Beard concept come about?
The creator of Fuzzy Beard was playing basketball in Australia when he ruptured his Achilles. While trying to decide between continuing to play basketball of giving back to the community he revisited his very first passion of becoming a cartoonist. Coming from a very music family he too had dreams of becoming a rapper and a singer, writing songs as early as 10 years old so he decided to incorporate all of his passions into what he calls Edutainment- education through entertainment.
3. Name all of the Characters and tell me a little about all of them.
For starters all of the characters are adopted and all of the kids are 11 years old with the exception of Fuzzy and Dee-Dee Bird. They are all straight A students who take pride in learning and call themselves The Cool Nerds.
Fuzzy Beard is the main character. He is the average 10 year old kid dealing with the obstacles of life but he has a beard which is a symbol of acceptance. It teaches the lesson of not judging someone based on their physical appearance. What’s odd and different about someone is what makes them beautiful.
Tank is Fuzzy Bear’s best friend. He is a kid from Brooklyn, NY and loves all sports. He is that hefty athletic kid that we all know from growing up. The one who may be considered a little chubby but can outdo most when it comes to athletics. He also plays the drums.
Aisha is Australian. She is Fuzzy’s adopted older sister and has an Islamic background. She is the nurturer of the kids and is very mature for her age. Her love is cooking and reading and she wears a Hijab.
Lisa is a young fashionista with a quick temper. She’s very intelligent and technology savvy and loves her I-Pad and cell phone. You can often catch her powdering her nose. Lisa is Aisha’s best friend. She is a violinist.
Dee-Dee Bird is 10 years old from New Orleans. His father is in the system and his mother gave him up after Hurricane Katrina so that he could have a better life. He is a young hustle-man. He is known for always trying to sell things to little kids. Animal crackers, oranges… Anything..
Peter Parker plays himself. He is the one who notices Fuzzy Beard’s talents and forms the band Fuzzy Beard and The Clean Shaves.
Old Man- Fuzzy Beard and Aisha’s adopted father. He’s Middle Eastern and is the most patient, kindest man in the whole world. He always chases the kids away from his store after they take fruit from his stand and laughs at them while they hurry away.
Beardimus Maximus is a self made millionaire that takes on the identity of a homeless man to help fund raise for the needy. He’s also known for his slogan, “Save the Beard” defending against bullies and discrimination. He is a millionaire by inheritance but is ashamed because he didn't earn the money.
Z is Fuzzy Beard’s friend and classmate. He is the younger brother of Q and also a hoop star. He loves video games, sports, dancing and hip hop.
Q is Fuzzy Beard’s friend from the neighborhood & the schools hoop star. He loves video games and is extremely tall for his age 6 feet at 11 years. He is Z’s older brother. Q & Z never leave one another, where you find one you sill surely see the other.
Rabbito is the neighborhood rabbit. He learned how to talk Spanish while his owner watched Telemundo. He loves martial arts, reggae-ton and has perfected Rabbit Fu though no one has ever seen him do it. His idols are Rock Steady the hip hop crew.
Ms. Math is the most popular teacher in the school. She always tries to help Fuzzy Beard when he gets into mischief. Ms. Math was quite the tom boy when she was young and she still beats all the children in every sport. A genius with numbers she speaks in symbols of numbers. She is really plays basketball in heels and because she is so good with math she knows just the right angles to shoot the ball.
Mr Hill called Sour face by Fuzzy beard is Lisa and Tank’s adopted Father and Fuzzy Beard’s victim for all his pranks. Mr Hill always chases Fuzzy out of his recording studio. He loves listening to classical music and relaxing time away from Fuzzy Beard. Mr. Hill always reflects and gives Fuzzy Beard words of wisdom for inspiration.
Disco Biscuit is Fuzzy Beard’s dog. One day as he was looking for scraps outside of the house Fuzzy talked “Old Man” into letting him take Disco Biscuit in. Everywhere Disco Biscuit walks his feet make a beat which is how Fuzzy Beard met him- Disco Biscuit was walking and Fuzzy started rapping.
Diva La’Belle is Lisa’s dog. She has a very uppity attitude and is very particular about the dogs she socializes with, what she eats, and the toys she chooses to play with. She only drinks bottled water, is always groomed and Lisa keeps her nails polished. She loves the color pink and lots of bling.
4. How did you meet Freddy Lap$?
Freddy plays the voice of Tank and our CEO has known him for about 10 or 11 years. They met through the music industry.
5. Is Peter Parker involved?
Yes, Peter Parker is one of the characters in the puppet show/animation.
6. Are you trying to become a series on a network? and any prospects?
Our goal is to reach the level of Walt Disney and Sesame Street (and that goal will be obtained by God’s will) and we are in the process of having a channel on Viacom (cable).
7. What message are you trying to send to the viewers who will watch the show?
The Fuzzy Beard Show is a therapeutic healing and learning tool for toddlers all the way up to adults. We utilize life experience and music to convey our messages.
8. How has hip hop influenced the show?
Children family and community have influenced the show- hip hop is just one of the seasonings of our ingredients.
9. Who is the executive producer and writer of the show and what schools did they attend? (art or filming school)?
We have an animation and puppet show and we also have music CD’s that involve learning. The Executive Producer who is also the CEO of the Fuzzy Beard Show chooses to remain anonymous because he isn’t doing this for the fame and realizes his name is not bigger than the message. He has a degree in sociology and in child psychology with a background in animation and is former recording artist from a branch of Columbia Records. Our entire team is made up of multi-talented individuals whose talents were cultivated through some of the best art schools to topnotch experience and together come together to make The Fuzzy Beard Show.
10. Final Question: Pull your pants up or keep them sagging?
Sagging pants on a person is a metaphor for their life- they’re always ass out and Fuzzy Beard says that when you sag your pants you’re always going to get the butt end.
Here is a few Youtube links for the Fuzzy Beard Show
Get Fuzzy (Justin Timberlake parody)
Cartoon in Paris (Jay Z & Kanye West Parody)
Lastly check out MC Coota Brown
Born and raised in Montopolis, which is a small town in Austin, TX. Raised by his Great grandparents. Coota Brown, fell in love with music, with church music, playing piano, and drums during his early years. In the mid 90's, Coota began, freestyling and battling in local events in Austin, Tx. In 2013, Coota released three mix-tape projects. Old English, Ugly Music IV Ugly N*ggas, and Green Coughee. To begin 2014 Coota has released DARE mix-tape for SXSW14 festival. Be on the look out for this song writer, fashion designer, party promoter.
Coota Brown Old English
Coota Brown Green Coughee
