Free Free in April 2005 Background information Birth name Marie Wright Also known as Marie Antoinette Born February 7, 1968 (1968-02-07) (age 43) Origin Dorchester, Massachusetts, United States Genres R&B, Rap, Hip hop Occupations Singer-songwriter, rapper, music producer, television personality, radio personality Years active 1990–present Website Freesworld.com This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2010)

Antoinette Marie Wright, better known by her stage name, "Free" (born February 7, 19681), is an American media personality, television producer and philanthropist. She rose to fame as the first host of BET's 106 & Park. She was later a disc jockey at KKBT 100.3 The Beat in Los Angeles and is the former co-host of the Ed Lover Morning Show on Power 105.1 in New York City. Contents 1 Career 2 Philanthropy 3 Discography 4 References 5 External links Career Born Marie Wright, she is of African American, Dominican descent. She began her journey in the arts as a child in Boston, MA. She attended the Roxbury Center for Performing Arts for 11 years and traveled and toured as part of a young dance troupe. Inspired by hometown group New Edition, she was part of a few groups in Boston performing and winning talent shows, while honing her singing and rap skills.

Free left Boston to immerse herself in her true passion: music. One of Free's stepping-stones was an internship at a radio station in MA, where she began to make a name for herself. She then made career moves between LA and New York in an effort to build the structure of her calling. “What influenced me to chase after my dreams was music itself; its power and creative medium.” Fate led her to a casting held by BET, where executives choose her to co-host their signature show based in NYC: "106 & Park Top 10 live". During her 5 years at 106 & Park, Free interviewed notables such as Michael Jackson, Denzel Washington, Aaliyah, Halle Berry and Alicia Keys.

On December 1, 2009, Clear Channel Radio New York's Power 105.1 (WWPR-FM), R&B, Hip Hop and Back in the Day Joints, announced that Malikha Mallette will move to co-host "The Ed Lover Show," 5:30-9:30am and DJ Envy is Power 105.1's new afternoon personality, 2-6pm weekdays. The announcement was made by Cadillac Jack, Power 105.1's Program Director. Free stated on her twitter page "Ok that's a Tuesday Morning for ya: As of now I will no longer be heard on Power105 in the am: NY thanks for the laughs..rock on!"

In October 2010, Free returned to BET to produce and star in “106 & Park’s” two-episode anniversary show: “106 & Park: 10 Years & Counting” and “106 & Park: The Celebration, 10 Years Live!”2 Both shows earned the highest “106 & Park” ratings in BET history. She can also be seen on BET again as a presenter at the inaugural “Black Girls Rock” Awards on November 7, 2010. Philanthropy In 2002, Free founded the Free4Life Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to empowering young people in disadvantaged neighborhoods through programs that encourage literacy, financial education and creative arts. The Free4Life Foundation has created opportunities that inspire, support, encourage and strengthen the healthy development of young people in Boston’s underserved communities. Initially focused on eradicating domestic violence and improving financial literacy, Free is currently in the process of expanding the depth and breadth of the foundation’s scope. Through the foundation, Free also launched the successful fundraising event, Break! Break!.3

Free is also an advocate for breast cancer awareness. In October 2010, she participated in the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” charity walk in honor of her late mother Selina “Tina” Wright. Forming team “Walk 4 Tina,” Free and her family walked 5.7 miles to help raise donations and awareness.4 Discography 2004: Free's World Soundtracks 1996: The Associate (on "Mr. Big Stuff" with Queen Latifah and Shades) References ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1260586/ ^ http://www.freesworld.com/2010/10/06/watch-106-park-10-years-and-counting/ ^ APBSpeakers.com: Free | Speaker Profile ^ http://www.freesworld.com/2010/10/01/walk-4-tina-american-cancer-societys-making-strides-for-breast-cancer/ External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Free (rapper) Official website Free on Myspace Free at the Internet Movie Database Persondata Name Free Alternative names Short description Date of birth February 7, 1968 Place of birth Date of death Place of death