Independence Day

Independence Day serves as the titular manifesto for Fredo's 2021 album, articulating a dual theme of financial autonomy and freedom from the constraints of the music industry. The song's central message is explicitly about Fredo ending his relationship with a major record label to pursue his career independently. The title acts as a double entendre: it references the actual day of the album's release (which coincided with Jamaican Independence Day) and his newfound status as an independent artist.

On a deeper level, the song explores the tension between institutional power and personal sovereignty. By sampling Frederick Douglass, Fredo draws a bold comparison between historical struggles for freedom and his modern fight for ownership of his art and labor. The lyrics reject the traditional "employee" role artists often find themselves in, with Fredo boasting that his street background gave him the business acumen to survive without a label's machinery.

The track also delves into the reality of the street economy. Fredo validates his past choices, noting that while teachers steered him toward traditional trades, the "trap" provided the capital for his current lifestyle. However, this success is portrayed with a gritty realism; he acknowledges the violence ("grave diggers"), incarceration, and loss that accompany this path. Ultimately, the song is a celebration of self-reliance, loyalty to his "cult" (fanbase and crew), and the refusal to compromise his identity for commercial acceptance.

The song opens with a powerful, spoken-word sample from Frederick Douglass's historic speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?", setting a tone of liberation and disparity. The voice declares that the prosperity and independence celebrated by the fathers of the nation are not shared by the speaker, creating a sharp parallel to the artist's own feelings of alienation and desire for freedom.

Fredo enters with a hook that directly addresses his professional situation, stating that record labels are unhappy with his departure, but he has declared it "Independence Day." He asserts his self-sufficiency, boasting that his product—metaphorically referred to as "coke"—sells itself without industry help. He vividly describes his lifestyle, contrasting the multiple ways he earns money with the limited paths of others. He mentions domestic scenes with his crew, emphasizing loyalty and the street code.

In the verses, Fredo reflects on his past and his rise to wealth. He juxtaposes his teacher's advice about becoming a doctor or plumber with his choice of the "trap house," which ultimately led to his success and expensive jewelry. He references specific luxury items, like Cartier watches and Michael Jordan sneakers, as symbols of his triumph. He also touches on the grim realities of his environment, mentioning friends in prison, violence, and the disconnect between his life and the expectations of polite society. The lyrics weave a narrative of a man who has transcended his circumstances on his own terms, refusing to be controlled by contracts or authority figures.

Independence Day was released on August 6, 2021, as the title track of Fredo's third studio album. The release date was strategically chosen to coincide with Jamaican Independence Day, honoring Fredo's heritage while underscoring the album's central theme of freedom. The track was produced by SK The Plug, with engineering by Mennie and mixing by Dukus.

The creation of the song was driven by Fredo's real-life contract disputes and his decision to leave his major label situation (Since '93/RCA). Unlike his previous album, Money Can't Buy Happiness, which was executive produced by fellow rapper Dave and featured a more polished sound, this track and the album represented a return to Fredo's grittier, street-oriented roots. The song was previewed and anticipated by fans who had seen Fredo teasing his "independence" on social media. The inclusion of the Frederick Douglass sample was a deliberate artistic choice to elevate the concept of "independence" beyond just a business transaction, framing it as a necessary act of reclaiming dignity and power.

Fredo utilizes a conversational yet rhythmic flow. His delivery is laid-back and authoritative, sitting slightly behind the beat, which gives the impression of effortless confidence. The rhyme scheme is often AABB or ABAB, but he frequently uses multisyllabic rhymes to maintain momentum (e.g., matching "end this way" with "Independence Day" and "endless pay").

The rhythm of the lyrics contrasts with the steady, marching tempo of the trap beat. While the hi-hats provide a frantic, skittering pace, Fredo's voice remains calm and steady, creating a dynamic tension that suggests he is the eye of the storm—composed amidst the chaos of the lifestyle he describes.

Musical Techniques: The production features a haunting, cinematic atmosphere typical of UK Trap. It utilizes a somber, minor-key melody, likely played on a synthesized organ or strings, which creates a serious and almost funereal tone. The bass is heavy and distorted, characteristic of the drill influence, providing a dark undercurrent to the track.

Literary Techniques:

• Juxtaposition: The song starkly contrasts the "doctor and plumber" (legitimate, modest paths) with the "trap house" (illegitimate, high-risk, high-reward path) to justify his life choices.
• Allusion: The historical allusion to Frederick Douglass provides a heavy, intellectual anchor to the track.
• Irony: Fredo uses irony when discussing the labels; they "don't want it to end this way," yet he forces the ending, flipping the power dynamic usually held by executives.
• Wordplay: He employs wordplay in lines like "Fourth of July is yours not mine," recontextualizing a national holiday to fit his personal narrative of exclusion and separation.

Independence Day (the song and album) marked a significant moment in the UK rap scene as a high-profile example of an artist publicly embracing independence after a major label stint. It resonated with a growing sentiment in the music industry regarding artist ownership and fair contracts. The album debuted at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart, solidifying Fredo's position as a top-tier artist who could succeed without the traditional major label machine.

Culturally, the track is respected for its maturity and its bridge between street rap and social commentary. The use of the Frederick Douglass sample was noted by critics as a bold, intellectual move that elevated the standard "label dispute" track into a broader conversation about race and ownership in the music business.

The song employs several powerful symbols to reinforce its themes:

• Frederick Douglass Quote: The most significant symbol is the opening sample from 1852. It serves as a historical allegory, equating the music industry's exploitation of artists to a form of systemic oppression where the "prosperity" of the owners is not shared by the laborers.
• "Coke": Fredo frequently uses the metaphor of his music "selling itself like coke." This equates his musical output with an addictive, high-demand illicit commodity, implying that his product is so potent it doesn't need marketing departments to succeed.
• Watches/Time: There is a recurring motif of luxury watches (Cartier, Rolex). Beyond wealth, these represent time—specifically, the time he has reclaimed for himself and the "frozen" nature of his success.
• Michael Jordan: References to "Michael Jordan" and "ripping up Michael's organs" (likely a grim metaphor for violence or drug packaging) contrast with a room full of "Michael Jordans" (sneakers). This illustrates his transformation from a criminal destroying value to a collector accumulating status symbols.

"Independence Day": The phrase is repeated in the chorus as a declaration. It acts as the anchor for the entire song, transforming from a date on the calendar to a state of being.

"Labels": The recurring mention of labels and the industry reinforces the "us vs. them" narrative.

"Watch" / "Time": References to watches and checking the time appear throughout, symbolizing the urgency of his hustle and the tangible results of his patience.