Meet Neftali | Recording Artist, Co-Owner & Creative Director of FREAK THE MIIGHTY

We had the good fortune of connecting with Neftali and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Neftali, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks is one of the most important aspects of living a fulfilling life, especially as an artist. Becoming an artist was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. I went against all advice and expectations placed upon me to follow a dream that very few achieve. When I formed FREAK THE MIIGHTY with T (artist name: blametheviceroy) we were both in school. We would use his college’s studio to record music, then not too long after that we dropped out and gave recording our all. Since then we’ve never stopped taking risks. Our music is beloved in our hometown because we went against the grain and committed to a sound and style that couldn’t be replicated. Mistakes were made along the way but as time went on we continued chasing authenticity in our craft and in the way we live our lives. There’s so much incentive to creating music and art based on what’s popular at the moment. Our goal as FREAK THE MIIGHTY has never been to fit in. Every release, every performance, every verse we drop we’re taking a risk.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
FREAK THE MIIGHTY is the combined collaborative efforts of myself (Neftali) and my close friend T (blametheviceroy). Our music, visuals, and performances reflect our unique perspectives, individuality, and the brotherhood we share. It’d be best to describe our music as alternative hip-hop, but we create in any genre of music that feels right at the time, with hip-hop always being our base. Our commitment to developing our craft into a sound and presentation that can’t be replicated or dismissed sets us apart from others. We’re most proud of the relationships we’ve formed and the impact we’ve had on other artists and our community. And our growth as artists. It’s taken years but we’re finally creating at a level that we’ve always strived for. I’m most excited to share our new music, insights, and ideas with the world. So far the journey hasn’t been an easy one, but we don’t regret a second of it. Every challenge we’ve had to overcome has only made us stronger and more focused. We’ve persevered through loss of loved ones, betrayal, self-doubt, creativity droughts, financial struggles, and failure. Over time we’ve developed resilience and an understanding of the ups and downs of life. Painful experiences, heartbreak, and losses are apart of the journey, without them we wouldn’t be the artists we are today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Buffalo is one of the most unique cities in the America, the energy here is just different and I’d want them to experience that. I’d take them to all the best spots for food around the town. Places like Niagara Cafe, Wing Kings, La Nova, Mister Sizzle’s, Bailey’s Seafood, Zio’s Deli, and more. But first I’d have to take them to 716Premium or the Slime Shack to get them right for the week if they’re smokers. At night we’d go downtown, to Allentown, and the Elmwood strip. I’d also take them to a hip-hop show or any event with live music and art to introduce them to the scene here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Our close friends & family who supported us from the start. They believed in us, listened to every song, and came to every event we’ve ever been apart of. Without their love and patience we may not have made it this far. We also have to give a shout out to Buffalo producers Namic and Karma Beads for helping us craft our sound and aesthetic. Their production and creativity opened many doors for us in Buffalo and without them FTM would not be what it is today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freakthemiighty/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/freakthemiighty

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcaEmfii3Jv97tgZOrvGgCg/null

Other: https://soundcloud.com/freakthemiighty?_pxhc=1611568800347 https://open.spotify.com/artist/3CWDYyZkobXWKAb3KpvaEc https://music.apple.com/us/artist/freak-the-miighty/1473937820

Image Credits
Matt Delong Tommy Maidment Sam Tilkins