Today, we are excited to speak with Freddy Will, Sierra Leone’s first Grammy-nominated artist and author, whose crossover hip-hop music and impactful books have touched many. Freddy also made history when he published up to seven books in a single year, in 2024. After relocating to Germany (from Canada and Belgium), he launched ambitious initiatives to rebrand and revitalize his brand, following a publishing and distribution deal in Oxford, UK.
London Daily Post: Freddy Will, thanks for sitting down with us.
Freddy Will: Thanks for having me. Excited to be here.
London Daily Post: Let’s dive right in. Recently, you’ve been vocal about the cyberattacks that some assailants have waged against you, from vandalizing your Wikipedia page to hacking into third-party websites to pull down your music and books. That sounds intense. How have you been handling it?
Freddy Will: (laughs) It’s been wild! You know, I’ve always believed that when you’re gifted, there’re gonna be folks who feel threatened. Some people were born but there’s a small group of creatures who were shitted out. These creatures who have been committing those international cybercrimes against me and my affiliates were shitted out. They weren’t born. They’ve committed an absurd amount of vandalism on search engines, social media, and Wikipedia, trying to erase my work and online presence. From what I’ve heard, they’re obsessed with my affiliations, so they attack them by committing cybercrimes on the internet. It’s unfortunate—and frankly, quite comical.
London Daily Post: Comical? It must be frustrating! For those uncertain about our reference, cybercrime is an illegal activity. It is conducted using digital devices. The offenses include hacking, identity theft, cyberbullying, and the spread of malware. Cybercriminals exploit technological vulnerabilities to access data unlawfully or disrupt services, resulting in financial losses, reputational harm, and privacy breaches for individuals and organizations.
As technology advances, so do the tactics and sophistication of cybercriminals, making cybercrime a significant concern for national security and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Freddy Will mentions the hacking and sabotage of his business interests, resulting in millions of dollars in damages. In his case, cybercriminals, emboldened by years of escaping punishment for their acts of vandalism, now target websites such as Amazon, Wikipedia, Google, and other search engines, as well as Walmart, Target, and the African Books Collective, to remove his books. They do that without permission.
Freddy Will: Oh, for sure! When the authorities finally catch these criminals, they’ll pay me millions of dollars in damages to my business. They’re committing cybercrimes on three continents simultaneously. They hacked my distributors in the United States, Africa, and the United Kingdom. But think about it. These people are so idle and unproductive that their big plan revolves around sabotaging someone else’s success. It says more about them than it does about me. I mean, how sad is it that they spend their time like that? The irony is, with every attempt to knock me down, they end up fueling my rise.
London Daily Post: That’s a powerful mindset. Have you taken any specific actions to counteract their vandalism, sabotage, and hacking?
Freddy Will: Absolutely. We have documented everything. I’ve got a great team, and we’re on it. We have alerted the distribution companies and the authorities internationally about this decade-long criminal activity. We’re monitoring everything on all fronts—my website, social media, and my blog.
Additionally, I’ve been reaching out to the platforms to restore any content that gets taken down. In other instances, I’ve set up new distribution outlets. We even have merch on Shopify. More importantly, I’m focused on refining and expanding my work. These cybercriminals will soon be held accountable. I would love to see who it was all this time and what they have to say.
London Daily Post: You mention that these criminals are also contributing to your success. Can you elaborate on that?
Freddy Will: Definitely! Believe it or not, this negativity has amplified my story. It lets the people know I’m true. And some of the measures I’ve had to take have put me in a better position than before. The people will see what’s going on. I share the experience with my fans—turn it into inspiration. When they see me rising through the muck, it motivates them to keep pushing through their struggles. In some twisted way, these cybercriminals’ antics have inadvertently become an unexpected part of my brand narrative. It’s like a free marketing campaign, thanks to their misguided efforts! I could have been a nameless mixtape rapper, but today I’m a Grammy-nominated artist and author.
London Daily Post: That’s a unique way to look at it! Given that you’ve faced these challenges, what advice would you give to others experiencing similar attacks online?
Freddy Will: Focus on what you can control. Don’t let the noise drown out your message. Surround yourself with supportive people, stay proactive, and, above all, keep moving forward. When they remove your products or interviews from the internet, do a better one next time. These criminals are bold, they would even hack into government websites to vandalize my work and the likes or comments there. I literally can’t even promote my shows anymore because they attack the venue. The world needs your voice, and as long as you keep pushing through, you’ll find a way to succeed, despite these types of criminals.
London Daily Post: Wise words, Freddy. Lastly, what can fans look forward to?
Freddy Will: I’ve got some exciting projects in the pipeline—new music dropping here and there, and a couple of new books that dive deeper into my experiences. Look out for “Wilfred 14 Hits” and “Theatre, Dance & Poetry: A Return to Love.” There’s one thing I’ve learned from all of this: challenges can sometimes lead to the most incredible success. So, expect some new fire! Of course, there is a lot of information on www.freddywill.com
London Daily Post: Your confidence is unshakable. We can’t wait to see what you create next! Thank you so much for your time, Freddy Will.
Freddy Will: Thank you! Always a pleasure.
As the interview wraps up, Freddy Will’s unmistakable confidence in the face of these adversities shines through. His ability to turn cyberattacks into motivation reminds us all that resilience is key in both creativity and life.
