More Than a Pastime: Why Music Will Always Be Free Phantom’s Calling
- Alexandria Anglade
- Oct 3
- 2 min read
Written by Alexandria Anglade
Free Phantom has always seen music as more than just a pastime. His journey began at the age of 13 when he and two close friends, Tru-Lee and DCMBR, started recording as part of a rap group. That early spark quickly grew into a passion. By high school, he was battling in rap circles, where his skills became part of his identity. Music gave him purpose and a sense of belonging, and those first years of writing, performing, and collaborating planted the seed that it would remain a central force in his life.
Free Phantom’s creative process has evolved over the years. Recording in rented studios once meant pressure, deadlines, and distractions. Those limitations often kept him from fully exploring his ideas. Eventually, he decided to invest in himself, upgrading his equipment and building his own home studio.
This decision changed everything. With complete freedom over time and space, he now creates music at his own pace. Some songs start with a beat that sets the mood, while others grow from raw emotions he feels in the moment. Resilience remains a recurring theme in his writing, and having his own studio allows him to capture those emotions authentically.
When asked to describe his sound, Free Phantom points to versatility. At its core, his style is rooted in hip-hop, but it often stretches into different directions. Some tracks carry a pop or alternative west coast energy, while others are lyrical and sample-driven, with clear ties to jazz and classic rap. His most recent EP leans toward pop and alternative influences, blending themes of heartbreak and confession with upbeat production.
It is the type of music that makes people move while also leaving them with something deeper to think about. Free Phantom calls his style “alternative west coast”, emotional, dynamic, and ever evolving.
For Free Phantom, the heart of music is emotion. Every track stems from a lived experience, whether it is heartbreak, celebration, or persistence in the face of struggle. His goal is for listeners to feel something real. Maybe a song triggers a memory of an ex, reminds someone of a summer night, or simply makes them want to dance. What matters most is the connection. He believes the best music is not just heard, but felt, and remembered long after.
Like many independent artists, Free Phantom has faced challenges in balancing real life with music. At one point, he put music aside entirely when he joined the U.S. Army. Serving his country became the priority, and he believed his music career was over. Yet when he returned home as a veteran, music came back into his life naturally. That experience taught him an important truth, no matter how much life changes, music is an inseparable part of who he is.
Instagram: @freephantom
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