Pittsburgh rapper Fedd The God (James William Fedd Jr.) released “42,” the third song off his forthcoming EP Speed Racer coming out in early April, along with a music video. The track embodies a sample from Black Rob’s “Woah” and was inspired by events in the studio.
“It was my first time out in LA and I was in the studio with Wiz. There were some girls there and Wiz has this beat. I love the beat it samples Black Rob’s “Whoa!”. So I’m just free-styling over it and talking about how these girls were drinking all the 42 in the room and it ended up really coming to life that night. It was the next day I think Will at Taylor Gang called me and said he loved it and wanted to try to clear the sample.”
Since signing with Taylor Gang, Fedd has been in the studio non-stop. He connects with his fans online, touting over 18,000 followers on Instagram. His first single “King James” has racked up over 300,000 plays across platforms.
Hailing from the Steel City, the 26-year-old rapper wants to use his gift of music to connect with people and spread positivity.
“The more I started making music the more I realized how much I genuinely love to move people. It’s like a high when I can hear and visualize people of all ages, races, ethnicities, sexes moving to my music, my art. That’s what drives me. That’s where my passion comes from. My mom told me that this passion and drive is a gift. It’s a gift to be able to connect with other humans with vibrations and emotions.”
Fedd’s musical journey began back in 2005, though, when he and a friend were jokingly making music on a computer. As he found himself returning to making music more and more, he began to use it as a form of therapy and talk about what he saw in Northview Heights.
“Growing up in Northview Heights, on Penfort and Manchester’s 1200 block, man, I’ve seen it all. The environment was rough and sadly what is now typical for so many young black males to see; murder, drugs, guns. We didn’t know anything else. I tried to keep to myself, for the most part.”
It wasn’t until Fedd lost his friend Trillzee that he started to create music on a more serious level.
“He was making music and was about to crack off, so I felt the responsibility to pick up where he left off & keep this shit going.”
What started as a mission to honor his late friend, quickly became a blessing in disguise and turned into something much bigger. After first randomly meeting Pittsburgh legend, Taylor Gang’s Will Dzombak, they linked up years later in 2018. Will shared his music business knowledge with Fedd and coached him on the industry. Will also introduced Fedd to Taylor Gang’s founder Wiz Khalifa at a show in NYC, which was followed by time spent in Pittsburgh and LA and later led to him becoming part of the label’s family in 2020.
With “42” out now and his first single coming this Summer, followed by his Taylor Gang debut project, Fedd The God says his plans for the future are world domination and nothing less! With his talent, message, and the support of his growing fanbase and the Taylor Gang family, we are prepared for that goal to be well within his reach. He is an artist to pay attention to!
Stream “42” on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Follow Fedd the God Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
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