photo credit: Eyeflair
Written by Jaz Bowens
FYF Scales (F-Y-F) aka Christopher Green Jr. is an independent rapper hailing from East Baltimore, Maryland. He recently released his third album, Cruzing, in March 2021. Observing his continuous growth and consistency, That Mag wanted to take an opportunity to have a sit down with an up-and-coming rapper pathing his own lane into the music industry.
Always a rambunctious kid, he became enamored with rap after being introduced by his uncle, Tobias Scales. It was well known that even as a young child, FYF Scales was musically inclined. At about 11 or 12, he began hanging around freestylers in his neighborhood. He would remember the lyrics and claim them as his own when he would return to school. With the success of that and writing his own rhymes to throw in the mix he realized rap was something he could peruse himself.
FYF began to explore his options as a rapper at Patapsco High School. What was once rapping and freestyling amongst friends had the opportunity to reach broader audiences and paid shows, “I was introduced by my brother (Omar Green) to a person named Stacks who was already doing shows and things like that,” Scales explained.
At no more than 15 or 16 years old, and going by the name of C4 at the time, FYF Scales decided to give a group with stacks, who they named Heavy Hitta Squad, a go. During performances the reaction from the crowd was undeniable. The reaction he received during gigs reassured him of his talents and motivated him to achieve greater heights with his music.
photo credit: Eyeflair
Unfortunately, Scale’s time with his newfound rap group was short-lived, “….finding out that he (Stacks) was getting paid (by club promotors/owners) and we weren’t, is what ended the group. He would get a cut of ticket sales and all we would get was a party,” Scales chuckled.
Sadly, it’s a common story many new artists within groups can tell. Thankfully, only a year was spent with Heavy Hitta Squad and his departure only lead to further personal growth and development.
Whether he was riding solo or working alongside other rappers, he never put his pen down.
With a fresh solo start, at the age of 17, he started True Hand Production. “Everything I write is true,” he said about the inspiration behind his production company. With the help of social media, technical savviness, and friends he was back writing and producing his own pieces. “Mookie (Kevin Saunders) was actually the first piece. He would download the software, I could record on…Right in his basement and his mother didn’t mind and she supported me.” Sadly, after Mookie’s mother passed they lost touch but FYF is sure Mookie is still a supporter.
In 2016, he dropped his first solo mixtape. Creation. Part one in a 3-part series. “3 series mixtapes include; Creation (2016), Plus Life (2018), and Scales (2020).” In between each mixtape he wrote and recorded an album.
“There are the mixtapes and then the albums, the tapes are like the warm-up plus its free music. So while I’m working on the album you still have music to listen to.” Albums Dirty politics (2017) and Split Personality (2019) are the two albums written and produced by FYF Scales prior to the release of his latest album, Cruzing. When asked what body of work best represents FYF Scales as a whole, he quickly pointed out his first mixtape Creation, which provides a good introductory to who FYF Scales is so that when you listen to Cruzing, you’ll be nothing short of a fan.
Cruzing is a trippy, nostalgic ride through FYF’s past and present internal world spilled on paper accompanied by smooth beats perfect for a ride. It reminds you of Summertime.
His motivation is his family; his wife and three children, who are his biggest fans. Also, the love of music itself is what keeps FYF Scales going.
“Music is everything to me. I don’t look at it as a job, career, or even a hobby. Music moves me. Everything I interact with is music,” FYF says.
FYF isn’t just a musical artist, he wants his experience in the music industry, especially as an independent artist, to help others in their journey as well. He’s currently in school for Audio Production with only one year left from Full Sails University. His goal is to on his own studio.
Being a rapper himself with the production and engineering skills he’s acquired hands-on and formally, he believes he has the ear and the know-how to help another artist take their craft to another level. He remembers looking for assistance when he was getting started and remembers how frustrating it was to be met with closed doors and dead ends. Now that he is in the position to guide those less experienced than him, he is always open to helping those just getting started in the industry.
All under True Hand Production, he plans on continuing to write, produce, and perform once venues are open. “If you’re a free thinker, aren’t hung up on the norm, and simply because you want to, you should check out my music.” FYF Scales welcomes constructive criticism and thought-provoking conversations about his music and music in general.
You can hear the organic passion throughout his whole discography. For more information about FYF Scales and his music please reach him on his social sites and remember to check out his latest album titled Cruzing released today on all your streaming platforms below.
Connect with FYF Scales
Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Pandora | Apple Music | YouTube | Spotify
