Discover the dynamic excursion of Freddy Will, the Sierra Leonean-American artist who seamlessly blends music, literature, and philanthropy.
In a cultural panorama saturated by trends, algorithms, and short-lived fame, the story of Freddy Will, real name Wilfred Kanu Jr., defies the norm. The Grammy-nominated artist and author has quietly established himself as one of the most distinctive literary voices to emerge from the intersection of Hip-Hop, African heritage, and global diaspora. His work, spanning twenty books and a sizable discography, blurs the boundaries between prose, poetry, and rhythm—an Afropolitan odyssey chronicling independence and creative self-definition.
The Genesis: “My Book of Chrymes,” Birth of a Literary Voice
Freddy Will’s debut, My Book of Chrymes (2009), inaugurated a new kind of autobiographical Hip-Hop literature. Combining memoir, philosophy, and lyric annotation, the book presented the artist not merely as an emcee but as a chronicler of Hip Hop history. The 2024 definitive edition deepens that introspection, tracing his artistic evolution from the turmoil of West Africa to the sanctuaries of North America. Accompanied by the album While I’m Still Young – The Talking Drums 1.2v, it reflects his belief that music and literature can coexist as twin vessels.
It wasn’t just civil wars that shaped Freddy’s worldview. As a child, he witnessed his father’s work in educational psychology, helping shape institutions with the support of UNESCO and the World Bank. His mother’s nurturing influence in the home reinforced the importance of raising a traditional family in line with his faith. Through these formative years, the Afropolitan developed a passion for storytelling, one that would eventually manifest in both music and literature.
History Reimagined: “The Dark Road from Romarong”
In The Dark Road from Romarong (Definitive Edition) (2024), Freddy Will pivots from memoir to history. Here, he narrates the transformation of Romarong, an ancient West African region, into what is now Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital city. It marries anthropology and artistry, offering another perspective on the ancient West African empires, the slave trade, colonization, and cultural synthesis that shaped Sierra Leone. Freddy Will’s command of African historical consciousness aligns him with writers like Chinua Achebe and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. Yet, his medium—infused with Hip-Hop lyricism—renders the work distinctly modern.
The Philosophy of Rhythm: “Hip Hop Kru Zade”
The Hip Hop Kru Zade series serves as Wilfred “Freddy Will” Kanu Jr.’s manifesto on the definition, art form, and cultural ethics of Hip-Hop. The 2024 edition, Path Beyond Clichés, commemorates the genre’s 50-year legacy with a blend of new insight and personal testimony. Rather than simply glorifying rebellion, debauchery, and destruction, Freddy Will interrogates it—questioning how art can depict social realities without succumbing to nihilism.
Memory and Catharsis: “Crime Rhymez”
If My Book of Chrymes charted a beginning, Crime Rhymez (2019) represents its continuation. A tenth-anniversary reflection on his debut book, it traces the arc of his early life from hardship to healing. Wilfred “Freddy Will” Kanu Jr. confronts his career challenges—post-refugee rehabilitation, and artistic rebirth—through the prism of independence. Readers get answers to the question of what happened after his successful release of his debut album.
The Poetics of Globalism: “Theatre, Dance & Poetry”
With Theatre, Dance & Poetry (2024), Freddy Will experiments with genre itself. The book reads as a collage of spoken word, cultural essay, poetry, and lyrical monologue—a rhythmic exploration of modern romantic relationships, culture, identity, and artistic expression.
Cultural Critique and Self-Reflection: The “Brazenitout” Series
The Brazenitout series (Volumes 1–4, 2024–2025) captures Freddy Will at his most candid. Drawn from his earlier eBook series The Sandmann’s Journal, these volumes read like philosophical diaries chronicling the Grammy-nominated artist’s reflections on religion, gender politics, romance, sexual orientations, the influence of technology, and global modernity.
A Return to Love
Finally, Theatre, Dance & Poetry: A Return to Love (2025) completes the circle. Blending even more poetry and prose with illustrated narratives about seductive encounters and accompanying songs, it reclaims heterosexuality as a call of gender unity and romantic exploration.
A Literary Architect of Diasporic Reformation
A Literary Architect of Diasporic ReformationThe “Natural Light” emcee’s literary corpus challenges the conventional separation between art and academia. His unique oeuvre fuses an Afropolitan’s oral tradition with the gravitas of Western historiography, situating him among a new generation of diasporic polymaths who refuse to be confined by one identity, culture, belief, genre, or geography.
Bibliography
- My Book of Chrymes (2009; Definitive Edition 2024)
- The Dark Road from Romarong (2010; Definitive Edition 2024)
- Hip Hop Kru Zade – Path Beyond Clichés (2024)
- Crime Rhymez (2024)
- Theatre, Dance & Poetry (2024)
- Brazenitout (2024)
- Brazenitout 2 (2025)
- Brazenitout 3 (2025)
- Brazenitout 4 (2025)
- Theatre, Dance & Poetry: A Return to Love (2025
- The Sandmann’s Journal Volumes 1 to 7 (2016 to 2022)
A Vision for Change and Community
Freddy Will is more than just an artist; he is a visionary. As the CEO and Founder of Badson Publishing, he leads an enterprise that champions creativity across various disciplines. Badson Publishing, spanning multiple countries, serves as a platform for both emerging and established writers. Through imprints like The Theatre of Literary & Performing Arts, it gives a voice to underrepresented groups, including feminist and LGBTQIA+ authors.
Freddy’s philanthropic spirit is embodied in his Freddy Will Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to drive positive change through giving back. The foundation focuses on providing opportunities for young creatives and making a tangible difference in the communities it serves. His commitment to supporting the arts is not just limited to his own creations but extends to his unwavering dedication to uplifting others.
Moreover, Freddy’s impact reaches far beyond the music and literary scenes. He is a passionate advocate for cultural preservation and a fierce critic of societal ills such as mass shootings, police brutality, and the distortion of African imagery. He has used his platform to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes unfairly applied to artists and to push for authentic representation of African culture in global media.
What’s Next for Freddy Will?
Freddy Will’s journey is far from over. With a continuous flow of creative inspiration on his horizon, including Theatre, Dance & Poetry: A Return to Love (2025) and more music on the way, Freddy remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an artist in the 21st century. As an impresario, he aims to add theatre and film production to his unique blend of music, literature, and philanthropy, and to continue inspiring future generations of creatives who, like Freddy Will, seek to use their art to make a difference in the world.
Freddy Will has announced his upcoming 2026 book, The Afropolitan. His approach to blending art forms is more than just a personal endeavor; it’s a movement. His work demonstrates that music, literature, and someday theatre and film are not just entertainment; they are powerful tools for social outreach and cultural preservation. Through his craft, the “Celebration” emcee will continue to lead, inspire, and bring together more people from all walks of life.
Discover More and Join the Movement
Freddy Will’s legacy is one of innovation, creativity, and cultural pride. If you want to experience his unique blend of music and literature that transcends boundaries, explore Freddy Will’s work today. Visit www.freddywill.com to learn more, and check out his books and music on platforms like The African Books Collective, Amazon, and streaming services worldwide.
For more, follow him on Instagram @11th_freddywill_ofthesun, and X @freddywill.
References and Sources
African Books Collective — https://www.africanbookscollective.com