Hold It Transferring
Fredo Bang is cruising by 2025 with no excuses.
Interview: Joey Echevarria
Editor’s Observe: This story seems within the Summer season 2025 problem of XXL Journal, on newsstands now and out there on the market on the XXL web site.

None of life’s setbacks are going to cease Fredo Bang from getting the place he’s going. Utilizing his turbulent upbringing and previous label points as gasoline for the long run, the Baton Rouge, La. rhymer is leaving no stone unturned. Nearing the tip of 2025, Fredo, 29, has launched three initiatives, 8 Legged Gorilla, a joint effort with Tec launched in March; his first album by way of Empire, The Large Bang, which dropped in Could, and Kreature Muzik, out this month. Whereas persistently delivering high quality bars, Fredo continues to construct momentum with a way of vulnerability relatable to anybody who’s been by the wrestle. Right here, he breaks down plans for much more music in 2025, the brutal life classes that drive his motivation, balancing a rap profession with fatherhood and extra.

XXL: You simply launched your album, Kreature Muzik. The Large Bang and Sure, I’m Unhappy got here prior. What mindset comes together with new initiatives?

Fredo Bang: I feel simply the general sound [of The Big Bang], that mellow sound, simply had me pondering extra deeply about it. I used to be naming it one thing that complemented and principally put individuals in my perspective of once I made it. I actually wished to return manner sooner, however I simply received with Empire. So, I simply wished to search out me a brand new house. I at all times simply throw the music out, however I be desirous to current it to everyone and provides a good shot to hear and stuff like that.

On the tune “Received’t Be Lonely,” you rap, “I don’t appear to be half the sh*t I’ve been by.” What life classes have you ever realized that assist you to maintain pushing ahead to the long run?

Simply dropping individuals, not with the ability to inform them how you are feeling, and even being in contact with them earlier than they died. Doing jail time, lacking out on a lot in life. Questioning the place I’d be and pondering that I’d be manner additional in life if I’d have by no means did that point. If I used to be smarter and didn’t make the errors I did.

We undergo issues in life, however generally we nonetheless make excuses for ourselves. However on the similar time, I simply really feel like we let our issues turn into our excuses to not go additional. We have now roadblocks our entire life and we solely let that cease us. So generally, we received to have any person not be right here and be like, “Man, simply do it.”

What’s subsequent so that you can accomplish in your profession in 2025?

I ain’t stopping. I’m catching my stride once more and I’ll drop one other album earlier than the 12 months is over with, if not two. Simply staying according to it. Not overthinking it. I’m simply getting again to having enjoyable with and never simply taking a look at it as a job. I’m open to excursions. Now, I’m simply searching for somebody to exit [on tour with who has] the fitting demographic, the fitting routes, the fitting every thing with it.

I’m a daddy now. In order that was type of laborious, too, having a number of children in a sure span of time. I’m making an attempt to stability being a full-time rapper and a full-time dad. Near not possible, however I’m getting there.

How do you go about discovering that stability, particularly with three kids below the age of 4 years previous?

With rapping, particularly whenever you’re lively and also you’re making an attempt to do stuff and you bought sport plans, it’s wanted. It’s tremendous, tremendous wanted. In fact, my kids come first earlier than something, however on the finish of the day, my job is what feeds them, you are feeling me? It’s like pulling enamel each methods.

With such a excessive quantity of musical output this 12 months, what message are you trying to ship to your followers?

I received a behavior of telling individuals issues that I want to listen to, too. So, I really feel like these verses is one thing that everyone want to listen to from any person that might uplift them and stuff like that. Simply make a muthaf**ka day higher. I make music and I put it out, and I simply hope individuals hear. I attempt to make each tune particular. I attempt to make each tune completely different. I put my all into every
tune.

Take heed to Fredo Bang’s Kreature Muzik Album

The summer season 2025 problem of XXL journal that includes Fredo Bang’s interview is on the market to buy right here. The problem additionally consists of interviews with all 12 members of the 2025 Freshman Class and producer Cardo Received Wings, in addition to conversations with Key Glock, Larry June, Aminé, Monaleo, Nardo Wick, Tech N9ne, X-Video games snowboarding champion Zeb Powell and extra, plus a glance again at what the 2024 XXL Freshman Class has been doing and a deep dive into who’s the largest and finest XXL Freshman ever.