David Afriyie Obeng (born 3 December 1994), known professionally as Friyie,[1] is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and rapper.[2] His 2017 single "Money Team"[3] became the soundtrack to the Mayweather vs. McGregor press conferences.[4] His debut extended play, ANF: Ain’t Nothing Free, was released on March 22, 2019, by BONG Ent and Empire, which received positive reviews from Now[5] and Exclaim!, who gave the EP a 9/10 rating.[6] Notable collaborators include Roddy Ricch, NorthSideBenji and Tory Lanez, who featured on his project, while others include Bun B, Rick Ross, and Dexta Daps.

Friyie
Background information
Birth nameDavid Afriyie Obeng
BornToronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation(s)Singer, rapper
Websitewww.friyie.com

Early life

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Friyie was born on December 3, 1994, in Toronto, Ontario to first generation immigrants of Ghanaian [7] descent. He grew up in a rough neighbourhood of Jane and Finch,[8] notorious for gang and crime activity. Friyie's early interest in music and business kept him apart from the street life. He attended and graduated from York University.[9]

Career

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Friyie's "Come and Get It" song featured on DJ Charlie B mixtapes. In 2017 "Money Team" streamed millions of views internationally featuring on Showtime, Vice, Rap Caviar-Spotify, Apple Music and Billboard.[10] In the same year he opened for Cardi B at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In 2019, he released his debut project ANF: Ain't Nothing Free.[11]

In June 2020, Friyie released Before the Flight EP, with a deluxe version three months later. In July 2020, he featured on Dexta Daps' album Vent which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Reggae Chart.[12]

Discography

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Extended plays

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  • 2019: ANF: Ain't Nothing Free[13]
  • 2020: Before the Flight[14]
  • 2020: Before the Flight (Deluxe)[15]
  • 2022: Never 2 Late[16]

Mixtapes

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  • 2016: Giinchy 5x
  • 2012: Hottest in the City Vol.1

Filmography

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Film and television
Year Title Role Notes
2017 6ix Rising Himself Vice's Toronto Hip-Hop Documentary[17]
2017 All Access: Mayweather vs. McGregor - Episode 3 Showtime's Boxing TV Mini-Series[18]

References

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  1. ^ "ACE Repertory". www.ascap.com.
  2. ^ "Bio". Friyie.
  3. ^ "Friyie - Money Team (Prod. by TwoTone) "Floyd Mayweather Entrance Theme Song Official Audio"". 13 July 2017 – via www.youtube.com.
  4. ^ "Listen to Friyie's Impressive "Ain't Nothing Free" Now". Complex.
  5. ^ Staff, N. O. W. (December 23, 2019). "The best music of 2019: NOW's critics' picks".
  6. ^ "Friyie ANF: Ain't Nothing Free". exclaim.ca.
  7. ^ "Toronto's African-Canadian music scene". The Star. 3 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Friyie's Impressive "Ain't Nothing Free"". Complex. 26 March 2019.
  9. ^ "6IX RISING: Toronto's Rap Ascendance (Full Length Documentary)". YouTube. 20 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Floyd Mayweather Shares His Hip-Hop-Heavy Work Out Playlist on Spotify Before Mayweather Vs. McGregor". Billboard.
  11. ^ "Friyie's Debut Album Reminds Us "Ain't Nothing Free"". March 26, 2019.
  12. ^ "Reggae Albums Chart". Billboard.
  13. ^ "ANF: Ain't Nothing Free (Album)". Beatsource.
  14. ^ "Friyie's Before the Flight passes 400K streams on Spotify". July 5, 2020.
  15. ^ "Friyie drops "On Arrival" video in support of Before the Flight (Deluxe)". September 22, 2020.
  16. ^ "Friyie Says It's "Never 2 Late". 28 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Friyie Is Envisioning Greatness for Himself and For His Neighbourhood". www.vice.com. 20 November 2017.
  18. ^ "All Access - Season 22 Episode 3, Mayweather vs. McGregor - Episode 3 | SHOWTIME". SHO.com. 4 June 2022.
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