Meet Mr. Nakeeya ‘Frydae’ Hicks | CEO – Producer – Engineer – Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mr. Nakeeya ‘Frydae’ Hicks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mr. Nakeeya ‘Frydae’, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I knew that it was going to be challenging but at the same time exciting because of the passion that I’ve always had to create music. In the early 2000’s when the music industry was much more difficult to dive into I knew that breaking my own new sound using outside producers and engineers would be tough, so I decided to launch my own record label Champ Records Music Production. I knew that even though I would have to put in more work to get things done but with me being in control I would be able to bring my visions to life as I hear them and see them. That alone was my motivation to start my own business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At Champ Records Music Production also known as “C.R.M.P” I’ve created my own unique sound of music called (Hood Crunk Music).

This style of music brings a unique original sound mixture of hype, energetic, party, inspirational, crunk and intense instruments, kick drums, snares, high hats, effects etc… mixed with the street edge lyrics that we’ve lived and experienced from the ghetto streets to the suburban life in Houston, TX.

We’re excited that we are the only record label coming out of Houston, TX with this unique sound that even I myself have a difficult time recreating, I mean that’s what originality is all about in my opinion. People that hear our music always say that they can’t believe this sound is coming out of Houston, TX because Houston record labels are known to produce slower tempo music. Houston does have some hype, just not like ours. So we are very excited about the uniqueness that we create.

Staying focused on our goals, moving towards our own direction and pushing ourselves to reach higher limits in creativity led us to be where we are today. Watching the industry change so often before our eyes makes us have to upgrade our sound but we’ve never changed our goals nor lyrical thought process. Working as a team we’ve always pushed to get the (Hood Crunk) sound out to the public the best way that we can by publishing music to the web, doing live performances, working our social media platforms and just putting the music out for the public the best way that we can. With that being said that type of hustle is what got us to where we are today.

It has been a complicated challenge, I mean everyone knows that that’s the music industry, complicated. We’ve been through a lot since day one but nothing has been complicated nor threatening enough to make us change direction. We’ve made many many mistakes and we may make more but we learn from them and that just makes us stronger plus more aware of the snakes of the music industry. We’ve also learned some do’s and don’ts from watching other music industry artists and professionals as well. So getting to the point where we’re at now, I will say no it hasn’t been easy but it has gotten better. Coming into the music industry the way we have is one of the most difficult ways because with starting your own record label we had to learn the business on our own and fund everything that we did and are doing, not to mention trying to break a new sound and style of rap music. We have had success in our development but still have a ways to go and are currently searching for loyal business partners. We are striving to build a team to help us continue to climb to the top. Once you come to terms with the fact that no artists, record label nor business to be exact blows up overnight you learn to have patience. One of the main keys to making it in the industry is patience and that’s something many don’t have. You have to understand that some people that don’t know you and some that do know you may not like you for no reason at all but on the other hand an equal amount will, it’s all based on your character. Making it to the point where we are is complicated but it can be done if you pursue the knowledge.

Champ Records Music Production also known as “C.R.M.P” is an black family owned independent record label based in Houston, TX and we’ve been pushing since 2005. We have 2 groups currently under the label. The first group is UNDISPUTED with group members myself Frydae Killasmoke & Lady-A Da Lyricstarr aka (Da Business). The second group is LEVEL UP with group members Kiix & Luh-Twixx. Each group has E.P’s and Album releases available online which promotes the unique and original (Hood Crunk) sound from Champ Records Music Production. I also produce, record, engineer, mix and master, promote, register and publish all works created at the label. I also do all the videography, photography, and graphic designs and editing for the label as well. At Champ Records Music Production we do it all.

Our sound which we call (Hood Crunk) music was created to bring an energetic sound from the streets of Houston, TX that people aren’t used to hearing. (Hood Crunk) is also what we’ve built the label around as our brand making us the creators of (Hood Crunk) music. This sound will get you crunk, and the lyrics will have you thinking. (Hood Crunk) presents a sound that will turn the club up, you can party and dance to it, ride to it, it inspires you, motivates you, or gives you something to just jam to with its unique sound. That’s what (Hood Crunk) music is all about.

With me growing up in 5th ward, a ghetto neighborhood in Houston, TX I’ve seen the worst of the worst. Some days were good but the majority was chaotic. Living with my mom and 3 younger brothers with me being the oldest my mom faced many struggles raising 4 boys on her own. I can’t see how she survived it but she did, she always kept food on the table. Some things we didn’t understand about her being raised as young men but now we see and understand how difficult she had it raising 4 boys. Unlike my brothers I was able to experience a more wealthier suburban life living part of my life with my grandmother who was more fortunate. Being able to experience the worst and best of both worlds allowed me to become the man that I am today.

Due to all the drama and negative situations that I’ve experienced coming up I’ve become a very humble person who loves to laugh and have fun. I try my best to avoid confrontation/drama and own my piece. I’ve learned to remove myself from negative people. I love comedy, action, horror and some drama movies. I love all types of music from different genres with Hip-Hop and R&B being my favorite. I’m a Christian and a God fearing man. I have a beautiful wife which I’ve been with since the age of 17. She has given me 5 beautiful girl’s, yes all girls no boys. Two of my daughter’s have one kid each, one giving me a granddaughter and YES!!! one finally gave me a grandson, so I’ve finally got myself a handsome little man and a beautiful granddaughter. Me and my wife are both entrepreneurs with us both having ownership of my record label Champ Records Music Production and her hair studio Lady A’s Braids and Weaves Hair Studio LLC which by the way is very popular in Humble, TX and Houston, TX. She actually won Hair Salon of the year for two consecutive years 2019 & 2020 which was awarded to her by Humble, TX. She may have won 2021 & 2022 but due to the covid pandemic the award center hasn’t been reachable. We are very successful in our careers due to the fact that the businesses are our income. We take our businesses very seriously and we make the best of any circumstance whether good or bad. We have a lovely home which we own with wonderful assets: cars, clothes, jewelry etc… which we own as well. We are currently in a happy place in our lives and are very grateful and blessed. We’re all human so with life of course things can always get better, no one’s perfect. With GOD our savior Jesus Christ by our side we are able to accomplish much more than we may deserve. I have much more to tell of my story and much more to present in my career so stay tuned and keep your eyes open and ears listening for Champ Records Music Production also known as “C.R.M.P” and its (Hood Crunk) music.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For fun I like to check out comedy shows at the Houston Improv Comedy Club. I also like to get my 9 Iron in at Top Golf. I also love to go to Main Event Bowling, also shoot some 8 Ball at Barney’s Pool Hall. May I mention I am very competitive in activities, I love a challenge. I always go to sports bars because I prefer them over nightclubs because they’re less crowded and less noisy, unless I’m performing or making an appearance, but if my friend wanted to go to a nightclub I would take them because I always have fun and turn up when I go out. We have so many nightclubs in Houston 2 that I know I would go to for sure is Prospect Park or J. Durham nightclub the music and drinks are on point. I also love to check out a Texans game or Rockets game. I have expensive tastes in food so some of my favorite go-to restaurants in Houston are called The Capital Grille, Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille, Landry’s Seafood, Pappas Seafood, Pappasito’s Cantina etc… These restaurants never disappoint the customer in my opinion and from my experience. Plus these places have really good drinks. I love also stopping by to hang out with family. They are always good for playing Cards, Dominoes, have some good home made drinks which in my opinion are the best, and to just have some plain good conversation. All the things named above in my view are very exciting and fun ways for me and anyone hanging out with me to have a very good time while in Houston.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Of course the movement and the success of Champ Records Music Production would have been a bit more complicated without the help and support of my lovely, beautiful, strong willed wife April ‘Lady-A’ Hicks. So I give a big shoutout to her. She is CO-CEO of the company and also an artist. She motivates, encourages, and pushes me to move forward with goals that we are accomplishing. She handles the majority of the business affairs, booking of gigs, and assisting with artist management. We’re also in a group together known as ‘UNDISPUTED’. Also I would like to give a shoutout to my 2 daughters Shakeria ‘Kiix’ Hicks and Keara ‘Luh-Twixx’ Hicks who are also artists signed to the record label known as the group LEVEL UP. We are a family owned business so they have been my biggest supporters so shoutout to them with much love.

Website: champrecordsmusic.com

Instagram: instagram.com/champrecords

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/champrecordsmusic

Twitter: twitter.com/recordschamp

Facebook: facebook.com/champrecordsmusic

Youtube: youtube.com/c/ChampRecordsMusicProductionOfficial

Other: hoodcrunkbeats.com champrecordsmusic.myportfolio.com hyperfollow.com/champrecords

Image Credits
Frydae Killasmoke Lady-A Da Lyricstarr