Issam B S Freiha (born September 22, 1985), known professionally as icekream, is a Dubai & Miami-based music producer.
Early life
editGrowing up in Paris, France to American & Lebanese/Emirati parents - from an early age, icekream was exposed to a very active - local & international - Hip-Hop & House scene. The electronic revolution led by acts such as Daft Punk & Modjo, was approaching fever-pitch levels during the peak of his youth.[1] He was greatly inspired by a vast array of acts, from Jamiroquai, Fatboy Slim, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, Michael Jackson and IAM.[2]
Music career
editIn early 2011, icekream founded the record label ‘E11 Entertainment’ and subsequently signed his first artist ‘Lyrican’. 2012 and onwards saw his rise via the Soundcloud platform at a time when Trap/EDM music had become increasingly popular. icekream began sharing his music & DJ’ing in clubs & venues around London, Paris, the US & UAE. In 2013 icekream met artist Wyclef in Abu Dhabi & proceeded to produce his song ‘Trap N Roll’ feat. Waka Flocka.
2017 saw the release of his first major single ‘Hear Dat’ alongside TroyBoi via Parlophone Records/Warner Music Group.[3][4] In mid-2018, he was noticed by a two-time Grammy Award-winning duo Cool & Dre, with who he signed a placement deal with. Shortly afterwards, icekream unveiled his brand-new EP, a 5-track delivery titled ‘Night Feel’, made in collaboration with Saudi rapper Jeed.[5]
In 2019, icekream founded Kream Kingdom, a boutique record label based in Miami, FL.[6] His first placement came in 2020 for artist Eric Leon’s ‘Lemme See’.[7] Early 2021, icekream released his singles ‘Real Rap’,[8] ‘LID’ & ‘Romantico’. He primarily featured NY-based Hip Hop artist Prayah.[9]
Early 2021, icekream released his singles 'What it Be'[10] and 'Runners Pace'; the first of his collaborations with 20-year-old Egyptian born, DC based Mo Sella.[11] In 2022, icekream released single Ablaze.[12][13] In 2022 Kream Kingdom signed a new artist: the Cuban-born & Miami-living El Larra. His EP ‘Mi Oportunidad’ was released on September 2.
References
edit- ^ "Emirati hip-hop act Icekream puts it all on the line". Gulf News.
- ^ Saeed, Saeed (16 January 2019). "Emirati hip-hop producer Icekream on winning his father's approval through music". The National.
- ^ "TroyBoi discusses his roots, r'n'b-fusion and Las Vegas pool parties at Drai's Beachclub". Mixmag.
- ^ "Emirati DJ breaks new ground". CNN. 24 February 2019.
- ^ Light, David. "Local Emirati music producer, icekream, releases first EP". Khaleej Times.
- ^ "New Signing: Kream Kingdom". MN2S. 29 January 2021.
- ^ "#PeepTheVisual: Icekream – "No Questions" (feat. Eric Leon)". RESPECT. 6 June 2018.
- ^ Dhaliwal, Rishma (17 March 2021). "NEW MUSIC | ICEKREAM DROPS NEW SINGLE "REAL RAP" FEATURING PRAYAH". I Am Hip-Hop Magazine.
- ^ "Producer Icekream Drops His New Summer Dingle "LID (Ladies In Dubai)"". Wonderland Magazine. 12 August 2021.
- ^ "Icekream Shares Video For "What It Be" Feat. Mo Sella". Hip Hop Weekly. 4 February 2021.
- ^ Flowers, Danielle (28 April 2021). "Icekream Remixes Yinka Diz's "Mr.Perfect"". Music Crowns.
- ^ Parker, Enid Grace. "Emirati music producer Issam Freiha on his new single, and representing UAE globally". Khaleej Times.
- ^ "Emirati producer Icekream on adding spice to the music world". Gulf News.