Freestylemania In Da Mix: Fred Nice

It all started by accident for Fred-Nice. In 1993, while on assigment for his employer, Fred was sent to Astoria, Queens. He was there to help expedite a litigation case with his expert copy skills. (We all have to pay the bills somehow,...lol).

While at lunch, Fred browsed through the local paper, "The Village Voice", and happen to notice that there was a music studio right around the corner from where he was working at. Already been given a taste of music, working with the members of Tazmania's "Kuriosity", Fred decided to explore his own possibilities of becoming an artist. Not only did he walk into a great music studio, he walked into the studio of Freestyle Producer great, Philip Andreula. He is the early writer and producer for the sensational George Lamond.

Philip became instrumental in the developement of Fred's career as he produced the local hit, "Do You Believe In Me?", signed to Viper 7 Records in May of 1995, and the less heralded, "I'm No Fool", released on Freestyle Frenzy 2, in 1998. Fred Nice is the original and founding member of the widely popular group, Vocal Image.

Hoping to attain an exclusive recording contract with a label, instead of a liscensing agreement, Fred approached Tazmania Records where Anthony Ponzio directed him to Willie Valentin. Willie, President of Artistik Records, was the man who put Vocal Image onto the nation's eyes and ears with the popular Parade series. The highly successful New York label was the cream of the crop... you had to be good to be down. Till this day, a great honor for Fred-Nice and Vocal Image.

Vocal Image split up in the later part of 1998 to pursue other avenues of success. Fred Nice went solo, while Angel and Julio Mena began recording as the "Mena Brothers." On Artistik Parade III, Fred sang the seductively, mesmorizing, "Do You Want Me?" The Mena Brothers recorded their own masterpiece, "I Owe It All To You." While the Mena Brothers stayed and worked with Artistik Records, Fred had new management that was taking him in another direction.

Through Star Artist/Silver Back Records, Fred has gone on to record demos with Victor Franco and Carlos Berrios. Fred is featured on the Silver Back compilation with a remake of the Huey Lewis and the News classic, "Do You Believe In Love?"

Fred was also involved in the production of a new Freestyle compilation based out of his hometown of Hartford, CT. He hooked up with artist, J.L. and Nathan to co-write and produce a hot new comp. that features Ct's finest freestyle artists. People like Angel Mena, Manny, Ashley, Nathan, Devor, and Fred himself are sure to make this a hot summer "must get" for 2001.

Although the partnership between Fred Nice and Nathan dissolved, their friendship and committment to freestyle remains. Fred is back in the studio working on projects with singing partner Angel Mena with the intentions of releasing an 'In Order" album with Angel Mena featuring Natalie and than the Fred Nice EP CD with all new material, as well as the long-awaited, Vocal Image Album. Fred and Angel both have solo projects out on the New Artistik CD released this past summer.

Fred is well respected in the freestyle community because of his humble nature. He understands his beginnings and the struggle to get the little success he has enjoyed. His personal quote is, "Don't burn a bridge that might be the only way back home." A writer, producer, and singer, this man of many hats will be a popular editon to Freestyle for many years to come.