Last year, Spotify created Frequency, a global initiative and holistic destination to celebrate Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on- and off-platform. Then, earlier in 2022, Frequency debuted The Free Studio, a short-term creator studio in Los Angeles, as a place to celebrate Black expression. Nine Black creators across multiple disciplines spanning music, podcast, and artistry came together to use the space's recording studios, video backdrops, green screen areas, blank canvases, and more-finding a physical location to foster and grow their creativity.
Richie Reseda, Indigo Mateo, and Vic Mensa of Abolition X along with Mike Brown, Shefon Taylor, Thomeography, Doechii, Larry June, and Sango are the nine creators whose work is making an impact on mainstream culture and who came together for a set of short but impactful days at the studio.
We invited these nine to The Free Studio to create with no boundaries. We asked from them nothing in exchange except the ability to document their creative process. We used that footage to create a short documentary, shot and directed by Anthony P. Leslie of Equator Productions. The documentary features firsthand creator experiences shot in various spaces that embody creative expression-The Free Studio's recording spaces, dance studios, hallways, and beyond. It explores intimate podcast and recording sessions and the authentic content and community fostered by the Frequency initiative.
This is a creator studio for the freedom of Black Expression, Anthony P. Leslie notes. Free Black Expression for me is being UNAPOLOGETIC in all the unique ways WE are, dancing to the beat of our own drum, sharing our color without boundaries. The one thing all of these artists have in common is that their experiences show up in their work. With the theme that we (Black creators) are all a work in progress and using our art as a form of expression throughout our respective journeys, I am looking to show raw moments that illustrate why exploring one's self contributes to one's creativity.
You've created a beautiful tribute to the individuals taking part in The Free Studio. What was your approach to this documentary and highlighting the work happening at The Free Studio? So first and foremost, I think it's super important to understand that to be able to create with no boundaries is one of the main responses that we received from all of the artists when we asked them about the benefits of The Free Studio. I truly believe in that. Because it's hard, once you're in the creative field, to not feel like everything that you are creating has to come to life as perfect as can be or with already set expectations.
With this documentary, I set out to really get a better understanding of these artists and to see them working in their true life. I kind of wanted to be a fly on the wall, but I also wanted to be a part of it. So it's a nice balance of me being intercut into their world and us as a team just watching them do their thing.
But ultimately, to be able to show these Black creators express themselves in their purest form is what I really wanted to get at. A lot of times Black people are stereotyped, but we are all different. It's our unique, complex ways that really enable us to learn from each other-and I truly got to learn from all these artists.
In being a part of this project, did you also get a chance to experience a little bit of that flexibility and freedom to experiment with the way you do documentary? Yes. I always want to work on more personal stuff that truly feels like it comes from the heart, and it was just super fluid with Spotify and the Frequency team. The biggest way I experimented with the creative freedom that we had at The Free Studio was by inserting myself within the documentary. So you get to meet these artists by way of me. What's more personal than somebody actually making real relationships in real time? I was able to break the fourth wall to learn from these artists and work with them, in a way that was more my style.
You'll see I also used the fish-eye lens to focus in on the individual artists. It shows that there are these distinct worlds that each of these artists lived in and worked in. And with the fish-eye lens, you can see a glimpse of what their world looks like-their full world within The Free Studio. And then we get into more of those intimate moments, in many shots, as we break down the artist and their creative practice.
We talked to Mike Brown about The Art of Letting Go and he mentioned that the two of you had a chance to collaborate on a podcast episode. What was that experience like for you? We had a nice glass of wine and just talked. I love the atmosphere that he creates on his podcast because it's just a space to let it out. You don't feel judged, you don't feel like you need to have the answer; you can just flow and be yourself and exist. That was super comforting.
What do you hope viewers walk away with after seeing this documentary? I really hope that people feel inspired to create the way they want to, stop worrying about external acknowledgment, and focus on the approval coming from within. Because you'll create something and then the world will want to be a part of it.
Can't get enough of the work from The Free Studio? Check out Free Studio participants Indigo Mateo, Richie Reseda, and Vic Mensa's Abolition X.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
05/03/2026
Quality control (QC) has long been a gatekeeper of technical fidelity. Editors and technicians have adhered to a simple, disciplined checklist: bitrate, resolut...
05/03/2026
Leading video software provider Synamedia today announced it has partnered with Swiss sports technology specialist, Asport to deliver global live streaming for ...
05/03/2026
Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media creatives and content owners, announced the promotion of Gretchen Taipale to Vic...
05/03/2026
Clear-Com has provided Gen-IC virtual intercom, its cloud-based voice communications system for SaxaVord Spaceport, the first fully licensed vertical launch s...
05/03/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives and executi...
05/03/2026
LynTec, a leading manufacturer of electrical power control solutions for professional audio, video, and lighting systems, today announced that its new Dual DMX ...
05/03/2026
Snicket Labs is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with ES Broadcast for its award winning solutions, Match and Enrich.
Under the agreement, ES...
05/03/2026
LiveU today announced the first large-scale deployment of its AI-driven LiveU IQ (LIQ ) technology at a global, multi-venue sporting event, setting a new benchm...
05/03/2026
March is in full bloom, and that means a fresh wave of games heading to the cloud. 15 new titles are joining the GeForce NOW library this month.
Leading the Ma...
04/03/2026
Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), the governing body for Italy's premier basketball...
04/03/2026
Wrexham AFC co-chairmen Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds will host a first-of-its-kind ...
04/03/2026
The countdown is underway and with just 100 days to go until the world's greatest sporting event begins on Thurs., June 11, FOX Sports, America's Englis...
04/03/2026
No matter where they are in the world, service members and veterans can stream N...
04/03/2026
Telemundo officially releases Somos M s, the anthem for the network's cove...
04/03/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives, and execut...
04/03/2026
Smith Entertainment Group transformed how local sports are consumed by creating ...
04/03/2026
The production method, which spans a distance of 36.2 miles, was designed and im...
04/03/2026
Haivision, a global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and...
04/03/2026
When Hugues Meyrath came out of retirement to take the helm as CEO of Quantum, i...
04/03/2026
Last week's launch of Banana Ball Championship League has spurred a significant upgrade of production facilities
The Savannah Bananas, arguably the hottest...
04/03/2026
sldkfjsdlfkjsldkfjsldkjfslkdjfslkdjfsl
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus...
04/03/2026
For many fans, a song's backstory can be just as compelling as the final pro...
04/03/2026
In 2006, Spotify was founded on the belief that technology could bring artists a...
04/03/2026
Spotify is back on the ground for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and we&#...
04/03/2026
Spotify had an energizing week in Sydney, Australia, filled with powerful conver...
04/03/2026
Earlier this year, we launched Directed By, a documentary-style series that pull...
04/03/2026
100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The...
04/03/2026
KT and Rohde & Schwarz to showcase AI-enhanced radio transmission performance In a joint 6G AI proof-of-concept demonstration, the CMX500 one-box tester from ...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Luxembourg, 3 March 2026 - SES S.A. has today published its 2025 Annual Report, following the announcement of the company's full year financial results for ...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Luxembourg, March 3, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, along with I...
04/03/2026
04 Mar 2026
VEON Partners with GSMA Innovation Fund to Accelerate Digital Innov...
04/03/2026
04 Mar 2026
VEON's Beeline Uzbekistan and Rakuten Symphony Partner for Open...
04/03/2026
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Sky Sports unveils plans for 2026 Formula 1 coverage
Sky Sports is preparing for one of the most highly anticipated F1 seasons in recen...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Bloodhounds' Season 2 Gears Up for April 3 Premiere with ...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Ads Suite Expands Capabilities
Business
04 March 2026
GlobalUnited States
Link copied to clipboard
After launching the Netflix Ad...
04/03/2026
Scripps Research welcomes healthcare innovator Joe Kiani to the Board of Directors Kiani brings decades of experience in patient safety and public service.
Mar...
04/03/2026
Nanoparticle vaccine approach takes on a new target: Hepatitis C virus Scripps Research scientists reengineer critical proteins on the surface of HCV, paving th...
03/03/2026
Beyond Sports, a Sony group company, and LIV Golf, the world's golf league, ...
03/03/2026
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announces the launch of Detroit SportsNet (DSN), a year-round broadcast home for two of Detroit's franchises. With flexible op...
03/03/2026
Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media ...
03/03/2026
The PGA of America, NBC Sports and USA Sports extend their media rights agreemen...
Last year, Spotify created Frequency, a global initiative and holistic destination to celebrate Black art, entertainment, creativity, culture, and community both on- and off-platform. Then, earlier in 2022, Frequency debuted The Free Studio, a short-term creator studio in Los Angeles, as a place to celebrate Black expression. Nine Black creators across multiple disciplines spanning music, podcast, and artistry came together to use the space's recording studios, video backdrops, green screen areas, blank canvases, and more-finding a physical location to foster and grow their creativity. 
