Jack Freeman: The MVP of Modern Romance
- Jordyn Mayes
- Jun 11
- 7 min read
Meet the Artist Who's Bringing Pure Love Back to the Airwaves with "MVP" and 'Nina.'
Meet Jack Freeman, the Houston-bred vocalist who's about to serenade his way into your heart and onto your playlists. With a voice as smooth as aged whiskey and lyrics that hit you right in the feels, Freeman isn't just making music; he's crafting an experience. And trust us, you're going to want to be a part of it.
A Deep Dive into "MVP" and 'Nina'
Jack Freeman's latest single, "MVP," is a breath of fresh air in a world often focused on relationship drama.
"There aren't a lot of records right now that are just saying, 'I love you and that's all I wanted to tell you,'" Freeman shares. "This song is about appreciating your partner in a way we kind of forget to do sometimes. It's a reminder that in the end, love is still there, and we can always make it through whatever we're going through."
"MVP" is a pure, unadulterated celebration of love, inspired by the universal experience of being head-over-heels.
"We've all been in love at some point, and even if it didn't work out, at one point you felt like this song," he explains. "We need records with lyrics that make you feel something and speak to something positive, something great. The song is just light and pure."
This single is just a taste of what Freeman delivers on his latest album, 'Nina.' The album is a collection of love stories, some his own, some from legendary producer Bryan-Michael Cox.
"Instead of making various songs about different people, we put a name on it," Freeman says. "'Nina' is a bunch of love stories that are relatable for people and the Nina in their life."
Working with Grammy-winning producer Bryan-Michael Cox was a dream collaboration.
"It was pretty seamless and an honor," Freeman gushes. "By the time Bryan came along, most of the album was already done. He came in to help round out the sound and give me things that might be missing to help with radio play. He brought me into rooms with helpful co-writers, which I had never done in my life. Bryan gave me different perspectives, and together we came up with different ideas. I can't wait to get back with him and do another one."
Cox's influence helped solidify Freeman's unique sound. "He helped reinforce that I was on the right track and helped me with a sound that I hadn't dove into completely," Freeman notes.
"He allowed me to work with him in a team dynamic so we could both focus on our strengths. We ended up making some pretty cool magic."
When asked about a specific lyric on 'Nina' that still resonates, Freeman points to "Red Light." "Since touring, people seem to really enjoy 'Red Light,'" he says. "It's a very conversational song. In 'MVP,' I'm telling you exactly why I appreciate you. I make easy-to-digest music."
The Journey: From Football Fields to Full-Time Musician
Before the soulful sounds of "MVP" and 'Nina,' Jack Freeman was a college football player.
"I've been doing this for almost 16 years now," he reflects. "2007-2008 Jack Freeman was in college, running around on a football field. I enjoyed doing that, I did it most of my life up to that point."
Music, however, was always in his DNA. "My family always had music playing all over the place," he shares. "They encouraged being artistic and expressing yourself. I was the youngest, just soaking it all in."
The transition from athlete to artist wasn't immediate, but it was undeniable. "After football, I really didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. One day, I was like, 'I can sing, I think I can write a song,' and I did. No one can tell me I can't do things. I was crazy enough to think I could, and here I am now."
The pivotal moment when music became more than just a passion arrived after finishing his first album.
"One of my first show openers was opening for Frankie Beverly and Maze and Fantasia," he recalls. "It was something that kind of fell in my lap. That was one of the pivotal moments that let me know I could do this. Five years later, I realized I needed to jump all the way in and go full-time with this."
Growing up in Houston, a city rich with musical heritage, profoundly influenced Freeman's artistry.
"Houston is mostly hip hop; that is what has been highlighted the most," he explains. "Seeing people make it from my city inspired me to do it. My storytelling comes a lot from them, like Scarface. It's the church too. It's the women you see when you go out, it's the parties, it's the food. It really does shape who you are."
Crafting Soulful Stories
For Freeman, songwriting is a deeply personal endeavor.
"I mostly approach it through my experiences," he reveals. "A lot of the things I write have happened to me, or they come from other people's experiences. It all comes from real-world experiences. That's the only way to create music that lasts. Music is for people, about people, to share with other people. I always want to tell an accurate truth for someone."
His studio process is fluid and focused. "Most of the time I go with the flow," he says. "There aren't too many people in the studio with me. I can either go with the flow, or I already have something in my head I want to lay on a beat. I also keep the people in the studio limited so I can focus."
Being so hands-on with his music comes with its own set of challenges and rewards.
"When you're the most hands-on, you're super independent, and you have a lot more riding on it," he admits. "It's tough wearing so many hats. It is fun when you're doing it with the right team."
Knowing when a song is finished is often a gut feeling. "You just feel it," Freeman states. "It really comes down to the mix. The mix is like the brown edges on cornbread—you know it's done. I never want to overthink it; when a song is done, it's done."
His recent tour with Durand Bernarr was a highlight. "We met a few years ago; we've been friends ever since," Freeman says. "When he got ready to tour for this album, it was kind of a no-brainer. There aren't many things I wouldn't do for Durand because of the kind of person he is. You kind of need that in this industry. At a Jack Freeman show, we try to keep it sexy. We are making people ready for love. That's what I'm here for: to bring the sexy vibes to the world, and I tend to always deliver on that."
The Soul: Identity, Intention, Connection
In today's musical landscape, soul music, for Freeman, is indispensable.
"Soul music is needed and essential," he asserts. "It's the core of what R&B is. It's the instruments, it's the vocal cracks, it's the improvisation, it's the happy accidents, the imperfections. We need raw music with edge. We absolutely need that."
His recent win for Best Male Vocalist at the ACE Honors was a testament to his growing impact.
"So I won," he says with a smile. "It's a great step, and it was fan-voted, and I appreciate that. There are people out there who are in tune with what I've got going on. I'm an athlete at heart, so I don't like losing anything. When it comes to things, I want to win. I don't take this for granted. I definitely appreciate the nomination and the fans for making me a winner."
Balancing vulnerability and confidence in his music is a natural extension of who he is.
"The vulnerability creates confidence," Freeman believes. "If you're confident enough to express yourself, that makes you powerful. I think that when you can articulate yourself, it brings respect. You don't have to strike fear into people to be respected; you can just be who you are. When you write about love the way I do, I'm writing from a place of extreme passion."
Freeman is constantly exploring new facets of himself through his art. "The next concept I have musically is finding as many ways as possible to increase intimacy," he shares. "Intimacy doesn't always have to be sexual. The next album will touch on everything. The 'Nina' deluxe is coming out soon, remixes to 'MVP' coming out soon as well, with Big K.R.I.T. and Bun B."
The Next: Vision, Goals, and Legacy
Looking ahead, Freeman is eager to delve into new creative territories.
"I want to do some jazz records," he reveals. "I want to play on big stages, lots of venues, tour in Western Europe. I want to do more videos and collaborate more with artists on my records."
How does he describe himself and his unique sound? "I'm definitely a lover and a little bit of a rockstar at the same time," he muses. "My sound is like a sip of your favorite brown liquor of sorts. It's rich, flavorful, but too much of it won't be bad for you. You are listening to a deeply passionate human being. A 'thinker.' Someone who turns words into action. And I smell good."
For newcomers, he recommends starting with a few key tracks.
"I could start them with 'Undress,' 'MVP,' 'Lips,' 'Nobody,' and 'Red Light,'" he suggests. "Those are the core of who I am."
Ultimately, Jack Freeman wants his music to evoke a profound sense of hope and connection.
"I want them to feel what it's like to be loved and what it's like to go through these experiences," he says. "I want people to feel optimistic in certain ways, that love exists even if you haven't experienced it. It should make them excited."
When all is said and done, Jack Freeman wants to be remembered as "an extremely talented truth-teller that didn't compromise his values. He gave music he was proud of." And with every note he sings, every lyric he pens, he's building a legacy that will undoubtedly make him, and all of us, incredibly proud.
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