Unless you’ve been inadvertently detached from social media for the last month or so, chances are you’ve seen at least one of Fresh X Reckless’ viral videos on the internet.
‘D double E L O is what they call me and I spent about 50 on my pinky so retardeddddd’ has irrefutably become a viral caption to typify Fresh X Reckless’ digital impact as it relates to social media influence. Whether it’s the fact that “CrissCrossOutNowOnAllPlatformsThrowItBackOutOnAllPlatformsBeAlrightOutNowOnYouTube” or Tdaddie’s enthralling hand gestures, the group has developed a flair for niche marketing and how to appease their growing audience.
With an ever-changing industry that’s plagued with trends and clout-driven antics, it’s refreshing to see a progressive stance taken on self-expression through synchronized cavorting and rhythmic amalgamation.
Fresh X Reckless have provided a revamped twist to the sound associated with modern day New Orleans-styled music, championing a bounce-esque infusion of uptempo beats over sonic depictions of implied merriment.
Despite having nearly a handful of distinctive records available online, the group remains consistent in their efforts to expose listeners to an intrusive sound that transcends individualism in the face of adversity.
In this over-the-phone interview Fresh X Reckless discuss going viral, growing up in New Orleans and future endeavors.
REAL ENTERTAINMENT IS BACK !! #FreshXReckless #2020 pic.twitter.com/5p7VcZksIh
— FreshXReckless (@freshxreckless) January 7, 2020
Who exactly is Fresh X Reckless?
This Deelo speaking by the way. We just fresh and reckless – we come from New Orleans East.
We all came up and changed our life around.
We fresh, but we can get reckless.
With you being from New Orleans East, what was that experience like growing up?
Man… look – you just gotta hold your own. I haven’t been in nothing in a while, but growing up in New Orleans you just gotta play your part.
Thug it out, it’s hard to make it out – especially if you not invested in school.
I wasn’t really too hype on the school situation, so yeah – it’s real hard out here.
People killing, stealing and robbing – you can’t really walk nowhere, cause its dangerous for you even if you a regular person.
It’s even worse if you making something out of yourself. We been popular, since we were small, before we was getting’ a lil’ change.
Can’t even walk these streets out here, especially in the East – it’s hard out here.
Man bro, New Orleans is H A R D.
Curious minds can’t help but wonder, are any members of Fresh X Reckless related? The chemistry amongst the group appears to be unmatched
Everybody asks if we related, but we ain’t related – it’s just a brotherhood.
We all like this, real close.
How exactly would you classify Fresh X Reckless’ sound, your style of music?
You can classify it if you won’t, but we have music for everybody.
We do R&B, we do Pop, Rap, Alternative – all kind of stuff, there’s nothing you can name that we don’t do.
We just very versatile.
Walk me through one of your latest singles ‘Criss Cross’ – how did that record come together?
‘Criss Cross’ is more like a uptempo dance-type song. We like to make different sounds, we always take our voice up, down or whatever.
You can hear in the song where I sung a lil’ bit on the verse (Deelo). We was making it (Criss Cross) and it’s like (Deelo proceeds to sing the chorus over-the-phone) we just kept saying “Criss Cross” and that’s how that record came about.
It got a lil’ New Orleans flavor, ya know, a lil’ clap to it.
Kind of like a New Orleans ‘Bounce’ sound?
Yeah, kind of like that Bounce sound, but it’s not a Bounce song – just got that lil’ New Orleans element to it.
Fresh & Reckless average almost 1 million views per video (via Twitter), that definitely alludes to your strong social media presence – All things considered, whose idea was that? Like who choreographed those strikingly impressive dance moves
We just came together and put the choreo up.
We have another person named Damon, we call him the ographer, he helps us with the choreography too sometimes.
Did you know the group would receive recognition of this stature so early on? I mean you’re getting quoted from Lil Yachty one day, Chance the Rapper and Kehlani tapped in – that’s pretty impressive wouldn’t you say
When we did the first video, I ain’t even know it was going to go viral – we didn’t even dance in that video.
We had a show at the Bayou Classic Fan Fest and we was basically just stunting for the camera before the show.
We had our merch on or whatever and... here’s Mel, he about to speak.
(Deelo proceeds to pass the phone to Mel)
–
(Mel speaks) Hey, how are you?
I’m blessed man, how about yourself?
Great, great, great, great.
Who am I speaking with at the moment?
This Mel with the big blue faces.
The question remains the same Mel – Did you know the group would receive recognition of this stature so early on?
Well, it was just like let’s post a video – we wasn’t thinking about going viral or anything at the time.
Soon as it happened, it was crazy.
It’s lit though, I feel good about it.
It seems like the group has this tendency to go viral every time without even trying, which actually leads into my next question. Do you feel like your ability to go viral translates to more exposure for your music or do you feel like people are more inclined to tune in for comical relief?
I feel like it’s both.
Our numbers with our music have went up and our numbers with the videos – ya know, doing flips and all that – everything went up.
It’s almost like one hand washes the other in a sense?
Yeah, exactly.
Are there any groups or collectives (past or recent) that have influenced your sound and/or style? In the past we’ve had groups like B2K, 112, Jagged Edge, Pretty Ricky, Mindless Behavior etc.
We don’t really pay attention to anyone else – we aspire to be like ourselves.
I couldn’t agree more. Fresh X Reckless’ unique sense of style, the nonconforming antics associated with not following trends, that has definitely helped sway the court of opinion for a favorable appeal to the masses don’t you think?
Right, right, right, right.
When you’re doing something constructive or innovative, there will always be people for and opposed to an idea – With that in mind, how do you handle the backlash and ridicule projected from people on the internet?
We just have fun with it. We not worried about it really because it helps promote us more.
The more people that rip us, the more people that see us.
It’s really a blessing for us, because if you not getting no hate, you not doing something right.
Although the fun has just virtually commenced, what do you feel like has been the most rewarding aspect of your journey through music so far?
Money yo, (haha) and just lifting different people up with our music.
Outside of the two singles you have available on all streaming platforms, is there any potential for a debut EP or full-length project in the works?
Yeah, we have some stuff coming up.
I don’t wanna say too much, but we working.
Any closing remarks
#DrippinSoHard challenge about to kick-off.
Make sure you put in the article Tdaddie didn’t say nothing, but he throwing up gang signs over the phone.
(Tdaddie actually speaks) Make sure you tell em’ it’s a whole lotta Big Easy (East) going on too.
(Deelo speaks) AIN’T NOBODY DOING IT LIKE FRESH AND RECKLESS, ain’t nothing we can’t do.
Be sure to keep up with Fresh X Reckless via all socials @freshxreckless – merch available for purchase by visiting www.fxrmerch.com
