Frederick John Philip Gibson (born 19 July 1993),[1] known professionally as Fred Again (stylised as Fred again..) or simply Fred (stylised as FRED), is an English record producer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and DJ. At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, he was nominated for Best New Artist, won Best Dance/Electronic Album for his third album Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022) (2022), and won Best Dance/Electronic Recording for his 2023 single "Rumble" (with Skrillex and Flowdan).

Fred Again
Fred Again in 2019
Fred Again in 2019
Background information
Birth nameFrederick John Philip Gibson
Also known as
  • FRED
  • Fred again..
Born19 July 1993 (1993-07-19) (age 31)
Balham, South London, England
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • multi-instrumentalist
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • remixer
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • synthesiser
  • guitar
  • sampler
  • drums
  • vocals
Years active2010–present
Labels
Websitefredagain.com

Early life and education

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Gibson was born in 1993 in Balham and attended the private boarding school Marlborough College in Wiltshire, England, between 2006 and 2011.[2][3]

Gibson is the second son of barrister Charles Anthony Warneford Gibson KC (born 1960),[4] and Mary Ann Frances née Morgan. His mother is the eldest daughter of Sir John Morgan KCMG and the Hon. Fionn O'Neill, who was the only daughter of British socialite Ann née Charteris's[5] first marriage to the Anglo-Irish aristocrat and financier Shane, 3rd Baron O'Neill (Charteris's second marriage was to Viscount Rothermere and her third and final was to James Bond creator Ian Fleming).[5]

Gibson's father is descended from Huntingdonshire gentry, and his mother's ancestry includes the Earls of Dundonald, the Earls of Wemyss and March, the Marquess of Crewe, the Dukes of Somerset, and other peerage and baronetage families.[6]: 3012 [5]: 4124 

Career

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Aged 16, Gibson joined an acappella group at the London studio of Brian Eno, who was his family's neighbour at the time.[2][7][8] In 2014, he collaborated as co-producer and songwriter with Eno and Karl Hyde on their two project albums Someday World and High Life (songwriter only). Also in 2014, Gibson participated in that year's Red Bull Music Academy, held in Tokyo, Japan.[9]

In June 2018, George Ezra's song "Shotgun", co-written by Gibson, reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart,[10] remaining in the top 3 for 12 consecutive weeks from 22 June[11] to 7 September.[12] Later, in the same year, Gibson was also credited with co-writing "Solo" by Clean Bandit featuring Demi Lovato, and gained further success with Rita Ora's song "Let You Love Me".[13] Gibson is credited with writing and/or producing 12 of 15 of Ed Sheeran's 2019 No.6 Collaborations Project, with credited songs featuring for a total of 14 weeks at No. 1 in the charts.[13]

Gibson won Producer of the Year at the Brit Awards 2020.[14] He is the youngest producer to ever win the title. The win was voted for by a group of industry-wide A&R executives and was then selected by the Music Producers' Guild.[15][16]

Actual Life and other various projects

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In 2019, Gibson began a project titled Actual Life, in which he collects samples from various sources – such as voice memos, clips from social media, and music by other artists – and incorporates them into original tracks.[17] Gibson released the first of these albums, titled Actual Life (April 14 – December 17 2020), in April 2021, which he described as a "collaborative diary" reflecting his life experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] He released a follow-up, Actual Life 2 (February 2 – October 15 2021), later that year in November.[19][20]

In July 2022, Gibson performed a set for Boiler Room in London, the third most-watched set on Boiler Room's YouTube Channel.[21] The same week, he released the single "Turn On the Lights again.." with Swedish House Mafia, which samples Future's 2012 single "Turn On the Lights".[22][23][24]

In 2022, Gibson's song "Marea (We've Lost Dancing)" was featured in Ruben Östlund's Palme d'Or-winning film Triangle of Sadness.[25]

Gibson's third solo studio album, Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022), was released on 28 October 2022.[26] It was preceded by five singles: "Danielle (Smile on My Face)", "Bleu (Better with Time)", "Kammy (Like I Do)", "Delilah (Pull Me Out of This)" and "Clara (The Night Is Dark)".

Gibson's debut tour, which ran between October 2022 and February 2023 stopped in Europe, America,[27] New Zealand and Australia.[28] Prior to this tour, he had done sporadic pop-up shows and festivals starting in late 2021,[29] such as the above-mentioned Boiler Room and going B2B with Swedish House Mafia.[30]

In a TikTok stitch on 31 January 2023 with user "@maddysb99", Gibson confirmed that the moniker Fred again.. stemmed from a line in the 2002 film Scooby-Doo where the character of Fred Jones, in the voice of Daphne Blake, says "I'm Fred again!" following a supernatural body swap scene.[31]

On 4 January 2023, Gibson and Skrillex released their collaboration "Rumble" featuring Flowdan.[32] Following this, Fred, Skrillex, and Four Tet played three more shows from 5–7 January across different London venues.[33]

On 18 February 2023, Gibson played at a sold-out Skrillex show alongside Four Tet at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Having announced the performance in the same week as the show, the trio played a warmup set in Times Square the day before.[34]

On 10 April 2023, Gibson appeared on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts.[35]

On 24 April 2023, he, alongside Skrillex and Four Tet, played the final set of Coachella after being listed on the lineup as "TBA", a last-minute addition following the departure of Frank Ocean.[36]

On 23 June 2023, Gibson made his first appearance at Glastonbury Festival.[37][38]

On 8 December 2023, Gibson released "Leavemealone" featuring Baby Keem.[citation needed]

On 28 February 2024, Gibson released "Stayinit" featuring Lil Yachty and Overmono.[citation needed]

On 31 May 2024, Gibson and Anderson .Paak released "Places to Be" featuring Chika.[citation needed]

On 17 August 2024, he played at Lowlands Festival in the Netherlands, and on 24 August 2024, he headlined Reading Festival.[citation needed]

Discography

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Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
A&R Awards 2018 Songwriter of the Year Fred again.. Nominated [39]
2023 Producer of the Year Nominated
Songwriter of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year "Adore U" (with Obongjayar) Nominated
Brit Awards 2020 Producer of the Year Fred again.. Won [40]
2022 Best Dance Act Nominated [41]
2023 Album of the Year Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022) Nominated [42]
Artist of the Year Fred again.. Nominated
Best Dance Act Nominated
2024 Artist of the Year Nominated [43]
Best Dance Act Nominated
DJ Mag 2022 Best Live Act Fred again.. Won [44]
Grammy Awards 2021 Best Dance/Electronic Recording "Both of Us" (as producer and mixer) Nominated [45]
2022 Song of the Year "Bad Habits" (with songwriter) Nominated
2024 Best New Artist Fred again.. Nominated
Best Dance/Electronic Recording "Strong" (with Romy) Nominated
"Rumble" (with Skrillex featuring Flowdan) Won
Best Dance/Electronic Album Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022) Won
Libera Awards 2022 Best Dance Record "Stay High again.." (Fred again.. & Joy Anonymous Remix) Nominated [46]
2023 "Strong" (with Romy) Nominated [47]
Mercury Prize 2023 Best Album Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022) Nominated [48]
Ivor Novello Awards 2016 Best Contemporary Song "Cargo" (with Roots Manuva) Nominated [49][50]
2019 PRS for Music Most Performed Work "Shotgun" (as songwriter) Nominated [51][52]
2021 Best Song Musically and Lyrically "Gang" (with Headie One) Nominated [53]
2022 Best Contemporary Song "Don't Judge Me" (with FKA twigs and Headie One) Nominated [54]
PRS for Music Most Performed Work "Bad Habits" (as songwriter) Won
2023 Nominated [55]
2024 Best Contemporary Song "Enough" (with Brian Eno) Nominated [56]
UK Music Video Awards 2020 Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Video – UK "Gang" (with Headie One) Nominated [57]
2021 Best Dance/Electronic Video – Newcomer "Dermot (See Yourself in My Eyes)" Nominated [58]
Best Choreography in a Video "Don't Judge Me" (with FKA twigs & Headie One) Nominated
2024 Best Dance/Electronic Video – UK "stayinit" (with Lil Yachty & Overmono) Pending [59]
Best Live Video "Places to Be" (with Anderson .Paak & Chika) Pending

References

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  1. ^ Cardew, Ben. "Fred again..: Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022)". Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b Cragg, Michael (17 October 2022). "In-demand producer Fred again.. : 'I was fortunate not to be good at anything else'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Fred Gibson (B1 2006–11)". Malburian Club. 25 February 2020. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Barrister Details – Mr Charles Anthony Warneford Gibson KC". Bar Standards Board. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Mosley, Charles, ed. (2003). Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th Edition. Wilmington, Delaware: Burke's Peerage(Genealogical Books) Ltd. ISBN 0971196621. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  6. ^ "How Fred Again... Hit the Big Time by Turning his Life into a Symphony". Mixmag. 15 November 2021. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Fred Again | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  8. ^ "How Fred again.. hit the big time by turning his life into a symphony". Mixmag. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  9. ^ "Tokyo 2014". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Official Singles Chart 29 June 2018 – 5 July 2018". The Official Charts. The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart 22 June 2018 – 28 June 2018". The Official Charts. The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Official Singles Chart 7 September 2018 – 13 September 2018". The Official Charts. The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Who is Fred again? The BRIT-winning producer behind huge hits". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Fred again.. Wins Producer of the Year | 🎉 Winner Announcement 🎉 We're super excited to reveal that the winner of The #BRITs 2020 Producer of the Year is... Fred again..! 🙌 Don't forget to... | By BRIT Awards | Facebook". Facebook.com. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Fred Again awarded Producer of The Year at the BRITs 2020". Musicweek.com. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  16. ^ "We speak to Fred Again, BRITs 2020 Producer of the Year". The Face. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  17. ^ "Sam Wills". Wiredmasters.co.uk.
  18. ^ "Power KEXP's Fall Drive". Kexp.org.
  19. ^ Jolley, Ben (18 November 2021). "Fred again.. – 'Actual Life 2 (February 2 – October 15 2021)' review: acclaimed producer turns despair into hope". Nme.com. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  20. ^ "Fred Again review – pop's top producer steps out of the shadows". The Guardian. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Boiler Room – YouTube". Retrieved 25 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "Fred Again.. Gains Worldwide Acclaim for Historic Boiler Room Debut". Gray Area. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  23. ^ Sunkel, Cameron (2 August 2022). "Watch Fred again..'s Blockbuster Boiler Room Debut". EDM.com. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  24. ^ Vuoncino, Chris (4 August 2022). "Fred again.. blows the roof off during Boiler Room set: Watch". We Rave You. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  25. ^ McGovern, Joe (11 November 2022). "Why a Catchy Dance Song About Pandemic Lockdowns Appears in 'Triangle of Sadness'". TheWrap. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  26. ^ Minsker, Evan (14 September 2022). "Fred Again.. Announces New Album Actual Life 3, Shares New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  27. ^ Richards, Will (23 September 2022). "Fred again.. shares 'Bleu (better with time)' and announces two more Brixton Academy gigs". NME. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  28. ^ Singh, Chris (15 November 2022). "Prince Of Bangers Fred Again Announces Shows In Sydney & Melbourne". Boss Hunting. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  29. ^ Fred again..: New Album, Boiler Room, and Creative Process | Apple Music, 26 October 2022, retrieved 11 December 2022
  30. ^ Spilsbury, Jack (9 August 2022). "Swedish House Mafia perform sensational B2B with Fred Again.. at NYC Pop-up: Watch". We Rave You. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  31. ^ "Fredagainagain on TikTok". tiktok. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  32. ^ "Skrillex, Fred again.., & Flowdan Release New Song "Rumble": Listen". Stereogum. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Fred again.., Skrillex, and Four Tet pack out secret London shows | Skiddle". Skiddle.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  34. ^ "A Big-Tent Party at Madison Square Garden". The New Yorker. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  35. ^ Fred again..: Tiny Desk Concert, 10 April 2023, retrieved 7 August 2023
  36. ^ Times, The Nocturnal (21 April 2023). "Blink-182 to Headline Coachella 2023 Weekend 2, 'TBA' Act to Close". The Nocturnal Times. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  37. ^ "How Fred again.. stole the hearts of Glastonbury 2023". MusicTech. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  38. ^ Fidler, Matt; Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (24 June 2023). "Foo Fighters, Fred Again and fabulous sunshine: Friday at Glastonbury – photo essay". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  39. ^ "The A&R Awards 2018: All the winners". Music Business Worldwide. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  40. ^ "Producer of The Year 2020 Announced!". brits.co.uk. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  41. ^ "Fred Again.. Has Been Nominate for a Brit Award". mixmag. 18 December 2021.
  42. ^ "Brit Awards: Harry Styles and Wet Leg lead male-dominated nominations". BBC News. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  43. ^ Smith, Car. "BRITs nominations 2024: RAYE, J Hus, Dave, Central Cee and Olivia Dean lead nominees list". OfficialCharts.com. British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  44. ^ "DJ Mag Best of British awards 2022: the winners". DJMag.com. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  45. ^ "Fred Again." grammy.com. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  46. ^ Aswad, Jem (23 March 2022). "Japanese Breakfast, Jason Isbell, Arlo Parks Lead Indie-Music Collective A2IM's 2022 Libera Awards Nominees". Variety. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  47. ^ Aswad, Jem (22 March 2023). "Wet Leg Leads Nominations for A2IM's Indie Libera Awards". Variety. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  48. ^ Singh, Surej (26 July 2022). "Mercury Prize 2022 shortlist revealed". Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  49. ^ "The Ivors 2016". The Ivors. Archived from the original on 13 January 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  50. ^ "Nominations announced for the Ivor Novello Awards 2016". prsformusic.com. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  51. ^ "Ivor Novello Awards 2019: The 1975, Jorja Smith Among First-Time Nominees". billboard.com. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
  52. ^ "PRS For Music Most Performed Work". nme.com. 24 April 2019.
  53. ^ Kaufman, Gil (10 August 2021). "Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Dave, Celeste Top 2021 Ivor Novello Award Nominees". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  54. ^ Flynn, Tilly (7 April 2022). "Nominations announced for The Ivors 2022". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  55. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (19 April 2023). "Arctic Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, Harry Styles lead 2023 Ivor Novello nominations". NME. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  56. ^ Taylor, Mark (23 April 2024). "Nominations announced for The Ivors with Amazon Music 2024". The Ivors Academy. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  57. ^ "UK Music Video Awards: Dua Lipa, The Weeknd and Beyonce lead nominations". Official Charts. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  58. ^ "UK Music Video Awards 2021: all the nominations for this year's UKMVAs". Promonews. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  59. ^ "Charli XCX tops UK Music Video Awards 2024 nominations". Geo News. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.