Fudakochi, Keyboard/Lead Male Vocal “Make it look easy” is what you can say about Fudakochi, an up and coming singer/songwriter. Fuda, as he is called, hails from Miami, Florida. He was raised in a family of musicians, where he began singing and playing the piano at the age of 7. With musical influences ranging from Ray Charles to D’Angelo, he always knew that one day he would take part in the family trade. Fudakochi, a Japanese name that was given to him at birth means strength, love, and honor. He will convey to you through his music these characteristics. While attending the University of North Texas during a practice session, Fudakochi was approached by a band manager who inquired about Fuda’s availability to play keyboard for a band that was set to go on tour. Also during this same session, Fuda was overheard singing and from this encounter, he was hired on as the band’s keyboard player and lead vocalist. The band, which played alternative rock and soul music, toured Germany, Amsterdam, and London from July 1, 2002, until May 26, 2003. Upon his return to the U.S., Fudakochi had a chance meeting with Erika Badu while at a guitar center in Dallas, Texas. She heard him playing the keys and asked if he could also sing, so he sang a few bars for her. To date, Fuda has written/co-written over 200 songs. His songs are about his personal life experiences in addition to the experiences of others. It is through his songs that he is able to express those thoughts, feelings, and emotions that we are afraid to talk about to others. At age 25, he embarked upon the journey of his life – he took the first steps to begin his first album entitled, “The Stay Free Movement.” After a year of hard work, the album is on schedule to release November 2007. Fudakochi has been working feverishly on this album and he is now ready to bring to you music that will incite your soul. He wants to show everyone what being free to be yourself means and also how to love the person you are, starting from the inside. This album is a very emotional tribute to what Fudakochi has had to endure to get to this pinnacle point in his career. It is through his musical styling and the lyrical content that you will hear his love for music and a love of self. While “taking a break” as he calls it, Fuda had his first performance on February 17, 2007, at NAMA (New Amsterdam Music Association) in historical Harlem, New York. All but three of the songs performed were original. Since then, he has performed at several venues in the NYC with his band, Love2soul at Cabin Fever, with several encore performances at Galapagos Art Space. He moved back to Miami, Florida to finish what he began. While just a few short weeks from completion, he performed at Café Legends in lovely Fort Lauderdale . Not only is he a singer/songwriter, but he is also a producer. Fudakochi is a NeoSoul artist from Miami (Overtown) looking to generate a resurgence in a genre that is said to be dead. www.fudakochi.com www.myspace.com/fudakochi