From detention center teacher to Eminem collaborator, Brooklyn’s Fresher reveals the blueprint behind his remarkable rise in the music industry through strategic persistence and authentic relationship-building.
The conversation begins with Fresher reflecting on his formative years in Brooklyn, where his father—deeply entrenched in street life—steered him toward a different path. “He didn’t allow me to play the streets,” Fresher explains, crediting this guidance as the foundation for his future success. When fatherhood arrived during his high school years, Fresher’s promising sports career gave way to more immediate responsibilities, eventually leading him to work with troubled youth in detention centers.
What makes Fresher’s story particularly compelling is his unconventional approach to breaking into music. Rather than following the typical artist’s playbook, he attended an astounding 300+ showcases—winning only one—but leveraging each as a networking opportunity while other artists simply performed and left. “I wasn’t doing these showcases to win. I was there to showcase my talent and meet new people,” he reveals, describing how he’d intentionally perform early, then work the room while others took the stage.
The breakthrough came when he strategically invested $1,500 in features with hot young artists, resulting in his song “Wait A Minute” accumulating 230,000 views in a single day. This calculated move led to remixes featuring Remy Ma and Young MA, eventually catching Eminem’s attention—a full-circle moment considering Fresher discovered Eminem’s music when his mother slipped The Marshall Mathers LP under his door during punishment.
Perhaps most valuable is Fresher’s reflection on how adversity, particularly during COVID, strengthened his resolve and clarified his priorities. His emotional tribute to his management team demonstrates that beyond industry connections, authentic relationships remain the foundation of sustainable success.
Whether you’re an aspiring artist, entrepreneur, or simply seeking inspiration to persist through rejection, this conversation offers a masterclass in strategic persistence and the power of genuine human connection. As Fresher aptly puts it: “Increase your network, increase your net worth.”
