Who is the captivating voice behind “Freak Like Me”?
A voice recorded 28 years ago, streamed more than 75 mil times, but zero credit and compensation
“Though I never desired fame or notoriety, knowing millions worldwide have heard my voice and enjoyed it for decades and continue to even today, brings me joy.
Though few know my name or have seen my face, I know I’ve brought a lil spicy joy to countless people. That’s my life’s purpose so despite any downside, I humbly appreciate the opportunity to reach the hearts of many.”
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If you love dance music, you’ve probably lip-synced and danced to “Freak Like Me“ by DJ Deeon (Rest In Power) at least once.
Since its 1st release in 1996, both independent and major label artists have sampled, remixed and re-released lyrics written & sang by Tish Bailey. Millions of you have heard it (75 mil and counting)!
Imagine the voice in “Freak Like Me” is your own, recorded during a studio hang out with a friend and swapped between producers without your permission.
Now imagine you were never named, credited or paid a fee or royalties and simply ignored after being promised it would be ‘made right’.
For Tish Bailey, a 54 year old Black woman from Chicago this is not imagination: this is reality.
Tish is a humble singer and active volunteer, regularly providing food and clothes for communities in need. Despite the unauthorized use of her lyrics and voice, her love for music remains strong and she continues to write and create.
A Black working class independent singer & songwriter - without contract, resources or representation - Tish had given up on justice long ago.
“My roots in music got its start as did many from an early religious background. Coming from a long line of singers on both sides.
The most renowned vocal ever sang by me was DJ Deeon’s “Freak Like Me“. My love for music has kept me writing and performing. From rap to house, jazz to hip hop to r&b.”
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Fast forward, 23 years to Berlin…
DJ and producer Sarah Farina has been playing “Freak Like Me” for many years in her sets, always curious who the fun and authentic voice belonged to.
It’s 2019, after some digging and research, Sarah discovered this video of Tish coming forward as the original vocalist of the track.
It didn’t take long to connect over their shared passion for music and plans for collaborating naturally led to the beginning of this ongoing journey for justice, that we need your support with.We offered to assist Tish in navigating the appropriate channels and began lengthy communications; at time of typing no renumeration nor public credit.
Tish Bailey: a mother, grandmother, care-giver & community contributor is running out of years and resources while many others continue to earn from her beautiful voice & lyrics.
Tish remains invisible to music lovers worldwide. Sadly a common systematic problem.
This is why Tish needs you now!
We ask you to join us in uplifting Tish and donating to her fundraiser
This is step 1 towards rightful compensation for 25+ years of lost royalties & recognition:
All proceeds will be directly donated to Tish Bailey.
Here’s to all of you that have danced (and will again) to "Freak Like Me"!
Thanks for reading and sharing.
We appreciate you!
Sarah Farina & Steph C (musikmatter)
Share Tish’s story & download the press kit.
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I, Sarah Farina, have been playing this song for years and was curious to know the artist behind the iconic voice.
After searching Tish out in 2019, I was saddened to hear her story.
We became friends and I offered my support & industry experience to try and rectify the situation.
It’s been quite the challenge and many of my network gave up their time for conversations & insights so I wanted to give a special shout to my dear friend Steph aka musikmatter who has been at my side supporting Tish & me through the whole process. Without her unshakable sense of positivity, professionalism and kindness, this would not have been possible. And of course to my dear friend Tish: for trusting me and Steph and having unbelievable resilience.
And thanks to the contributions, insights, advice and feedback from:
Anna U., Balbina, Dahlia, Eli, James, Kerstin, M. Shaper, Matthias, Moira, Mikey, Nathan, Pablo, Marathon Studio (Website), Teamy, Terri, Walter (photo credit for Tish’s Pictures), Ynez, Zoe & many more folks who showed support. -
Have you heard the theory that something as small as a butterfly flapping its wings somewhere in the world can start a chain reaction of events elsewhere in the world?
We’re trying to help a friend receive justice and credit for the legacy she created but of course we also dare to hope that this tiny flap of our wings will inspire us all do better and create more awareness surrounding a much much bigger systematic issue.
We encourage everyone to listen to the music they love with more curiosity: to seek out the history behind the compositions & voices that bring us endless joy every day of our lives and inspire us.
Aways aware that exploitation is a normalized behaviour and structure in the music industry, particularly in the electronic music scene, we were still shocked to witness the scale of daily unauthorised sampling and lack of accountability.
A recent newspaper article quoted an artist re the hook on their new tune “We couldn’t clear the sample so we just got someone to re-record it.”
Pause and read that again. Imagine it’s your lyric / voice.
How & why is this still happening despite the tools at our fingertips
Many forms of oppressions reflect within the topic of sampling and sadly working class Black women and femmes are most affected.
So many battles to fight, how do we do better?How do we actually collaborate with each other at eye level? What is fairness? What are appropriate working conditions? Etc etc
Music is more than just consumption.
So much music is not original, we need to relearn (music) history and make space for people to be able to tell their own stories, to prevent the cycle repeating and excluding the artists over and over again!
We ourselves are accountable, there’s a need to do some internal, often uncomfortable but necessary work and approach music, production & listening, with a curious mind.
Challenges and discomfort often bring joy and allow us to widen our horizons musically, historically and (inter)personally.
Knowledge & empathy are powers we are in charge of.
Ask questions!
It’s the most powerful tool we have.
Fly butterflies…. FLY!
Steph C (musikmatter) & Sarah Farina
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We are so glad you opened this doc!