Essence Magazine
2003
Joan Morgan

Free, Outside of the Box

A few years ago, Marie Wright, aka Free, was a frustrated artist with a thwarted record deal, seconds away from getting the proveribal day job. Originally signed to Priority and then Wyclef Jean's defunct Refugee All-Star label, she made an obscure debut appearance on "Mr. Big Stuff" with Queen Latifah, featured on the soundtrack for the 1996 film The Associate. The tide turned, though, when Free attended an industry party and saw Stephen Hill, vice president of music programming at BET, who encouraged the Boston native to auditon for an upcoming show.Three weeks later, Free was an on-air cohost of 106 & Park.

Sitting in her dressing room, cutting up with fellow VJ Big Tigger, Free now sees her unexpected hiatus from recording as a blessing in disguise. "Interveiwing other artists renewed my love for the music," she reflects. "It made me feel, like, I can't stop now." Free also found her guests to be a surprisingly supportive bunch. "Televison already prepped her for the audience," says Jean. "All she needs to do is be Free."

After signing with Elektra in early 2003, Free reintroduced herself alongside Beyonce, Missy Elliot, and MC Lyte on the title cut of the soundtrack to The Fighting Temptations. And her sultry delivery on a remix of Alicia Keys's "You Don't Know My Name" was a perfect segue into music.

Despite having a roster of celebrity producers like the Neptunes and Missy, the CD is not tediously producer-driven. Free's vocals eloquently reference hip hop and soul on the definitive breakup song "Gotta Leave." On the introspective "Wonder Why," she chronicles the day-to-day blues of hood life. "The album is very representative of the things women go through," says Free. With her singing and rhyming talents equally balanced, Free is reluctant to define her music. But what fans will appreciate most is how the raw authenticity of her television persona translates into her music. And it is this quality that makes her confident she'll be able to make the transition between mediums. "My music is just an expression of who I am," she says. That's the beauty of free will.