Taking the do-it-yourself aesthetic to a new level, singer/songwriter/porn star Fredrick Ford runs his own label, makes the videos, and markets himself to the world. With two Billboard Club Chart hits, "Too Funky" and "Turn My World Around," the man with the sexy voice to match the sexy body is doing everything he can to get his music out there in this new digital world.
DJ Ron Slomowicz: Let's get started with the burning question. Which came
first, the music or the porn?
Fredrick Ford: The music came first, along with the chicken over the
egg. I've been working as a singer/songwriter for years and really
honing my sound, style, and voice. It finally all clicked and I was
at a point where I had to make a name for myself and do something to
step outside the box so that I can help propel my career forward. I'd
been pursued for years by ChiChi LaRue and I finally said 'OK, let's
do it.' Within two hours of sending out my pictures I was booked for
my first video. So I did the porn and made a name for myself, and
I've gotten a lot of great press internationally from it. The porn
has actually propelled sales overseas really well for me - believe it
or not.
RS: Did you start off making dance music?
Fredrick Ford: Actually, I was writing pop stuff for a while. I had
a development deal with Sony at one point briefly and they wanted me
to do that whole Ricky Martin love ballad thing. It just wasn't in my
soul - it wasn't something that I really wanted to be doing. I want
to make people get up and dance. I want to bring joy to peoples' lives
with my performances, with my music, and that's why I'm up here doing
this live.
RS: Your first single was a cover of George Michael's Too Funky,
why did you choose that song?
Fredrick Ford: It's always been a favorite of mine. I looked at it
and I thought it'll bridge that odd dividing gap between music and
porn since it has that attitude-y and sexy vibe to it but it's still
joyful. I was really pleased how the mixes came out and everything so
that's why I went in that direction. I wanted to do something that
would be a good introduction for me and also bridge that gap.
RS: The video for "Too Funky" was really cool, how did it come about?
Fredrick Ford: Thank you. I wish I could say that I had a team of
people do it but I did everything myself. In fact I'm just finishing
editing my second music video for my new song "Turn My World Around."
There were times that literally I was walking down the street in New
York and there was something that somebody had put out for the trash
that was brand new and I was like oh my God, that would be great for
my video. I directed, produced and helped shoot everything myself.
I did costumes, makeup, everything - I even did the catering, believe
it or not. But you know, it's worth it in the end. The video did
really well for me promotion-wise in branding me as an artist, so I'm
happy to do that and all the work.
