Froggy Fresh
Birth nameTyler Stephen Cassidy
Also known asKrispy Kreme
BornJanuary 1990 (age 33–34)[1]
OriginMichigan
Genres
  • Tyler Cassidy
  • Krispy Kreme / Froggy Fresh
  • Comedy hip hop
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, rapper

Tyler Stephen Cassidy, also known as Froggy Fresh (and previously Krispy Kreme), is an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. Cassidy became known after the comedy rap music video for his song, "The Baddest", became popular on YouTube.[2] He continued rapping until 2018, when Cassidy stepped away from his Froggy Fresh character and began a career as a singer under his real name. As of May 2023, Cassidy's FroggyFreshRap YouTube channel has over 806 thousand subscribers and 172 million video views,[3] while his Tyler Cassidy Music channel has over 365 thousand subscribers and 42 million video views.[4]

Career

Krispy Kreme era (2012)

Michigan-based Tyler Cassidy began rapping at 19.[1] At 22, Cassidy began uploading videos as the character "Krispy Kreme".[1] The first Krispy Kreme video uploaded was the music video for "The Baddest". Uploaded on April 20, 2012, it attracted attention from websites such as The Huffington Post.[2] Writing for The Stranger, Megan Seling noted that Krispy's deadpan delivery featured in "The Baddest" made many unsure if the video was authentic or satirical in nature.[5]

On May 14, Krispy Kreme released his follow-up single, "Haters Wanna Be Me", which also quickly became popular.[6][7][8] "Haters Wanna Be Me" was ranked as the No. 20 best music video of 2012, so far, by Complex.[9] Krispy's first two videos were noted by media outlets for their slow-witted and braggadocio lyrics.[2][8] One oft-cited lyric featured Krispy boasting about supposedly having "400 cars, scars, guitars, houses (twice), and mouses."[10]

On May 31, Krispy released another song, "Best Friends",[11][12] a more serious rap than the previous two, with the lyrics focusing on his friendship with Money Maker Mike and referencing the influential rapper Tupac Shakur towards the end of the song.[13][14] On June 3, 2012, Kreme gave a motivational speech to his fans about chasing their dreams.[15] Krispy Kreme uploaded another song on July 6, 2012, titled "Stolen Bikes".[16] His seventh song, titled "The Fight", was uploaded on August 24, 2012.[17] Afterwards, on September 14, he released a song called "Denzel Washington", praising the actor.[18] Around this time, the rapper was also featured on the Comedy Central show Tosh.0.[1]

In November 2012, Krispy Kreme was featured in a Mashable article that listed fifteen people made famous by the internet.[19]

Froggy Fresh era (2012–2018)

On December 3, 2012, Froggy Fresh stated on his YouTube channel that his father received a call from the Krispy Kreme doughnut company telling him that his name was trademark infringement.[20] He also stated that he could not use any variation of the words 'Krispy' or 'Kreme' without facing legal problems. Krispy Kreme announced that he would be changing his rap name to one of the following, depending on viewer comments: Froggy Fresh, Candy Cane, Jelly Bean, Jelly Bean Jack, Lil Kuntry, or White Chocolate.[21] Though he was originally going to change his stage name to Jelly Bean Jack,[22] on December 18, the rapper announced he would go by Froggy Fresh.[23]

Money Maker (Reloaded)

Also in December 2012, Froggy Fresh released his debut album, Money Maker (Reloaded) on the iTunes Store. The album featured new songs in addition to existing ones already on his YouTube channel. On January 9, 2013, the music video for "Same Old Kid", the rapper's first song under the name Froggy Fresh, was released.[24][25] On January 26, 2013, Money Maker (Re-Loaded), debuted and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Comedy Album chart.[26]

Froggy Fresh deleted all his music videos that featured the moniker "Krispy Kreme", before re-posting the videos on February 15, switching "Krispy Kreme" to "Froggy Fresh". In February 2013, Froggy released an announcement video that also included a freestyle.[27] The music video for "Mike's Mom" was released on March 4, 2013.[28] In March 2013, John Cena spoke about Froggy Fresh, during an interview, praising the rapper.[29]

Dream Team

On May 21, 2013, Froggy Fresh released the single, "Dunked On", which Froggy previously revealed would appear on his second album.[30] The album, confirmed to be titled Dream Team, was released in October 2014, on iTunes.[31]

Froggy released a non-album single, as well as its music video, titled "Jimmy Butler Is Your Father".[32] The song's lyrics center on praising Chicago Bulls basketball player Jimmy Butler, as well as the entire Bulls franchise, and dissed the Cleveland Cavaliers and their star small forward, LeBron James.[33][34] Froggy would release the track and music video on May 9, 2015, one day after the Chicago Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the third game of their Eastern Conference Semi-finals series.[34] However, the Bulls would lose their following game and end up losing their best of seven series against the Cavaliers.

On February 21, 2017, Cassidy uploaded a video on YouTube, which has since been removed from his channel, explaining the story behind the Krispy Kreme/Froggy Fresh project.[35] In the 23-minute video, Cassidy revealed that Froggy Fresh was indeed a comedic character created after years of struggling to gain attention as a serious rap artist.[35] Despite stating that he truly enjoyed the five years of making videos, Cassidy revealed that it eventually became boring for him and that the friends who populated his videos had gone in different directions in their respective lives.[35] He also expressed his interest in becoming a comedic actor.[35]

Tyler Cassidy era (2018–present)

After releasing Escape from Hood Mountain and going on a tour, Cassidy dropped the Froggy Fresh character and persona; he additionally stopped posting to the Froggy Fresh YouTube account. Cassidy began uploading his new music onto an eponymous YouTube account that was registered in January 2018.[4][36] He would go on to upload original and cover songs on the channel.[36] Shortly thereafter, Cassidy once again became popular on the Internet, as his original "Junkie" song attracted attention on the Reddit r/videos subreddit forum.[36]

In June 2019, Creative Loafing wrote, "with soft piano melodies and honestly pretty offensive lyrics, Cassidy's internet presence today walks a drunk line between music, comedy and cringe."[37] In October, Cassidy released a non-album track titled "Amber Guyger", named after and criticizing the police officer found guilty of murdering Botham Jean.[38]

On October 30, 2019, Cassidy released Renee, his first post-Froggy Fresh album.[39]

On November 20, 2023, Cassidy made an announcement on his Instagram and Facebook stating that he was retiring from his 14+ year long career, and started selling items used in previous music videos.

On December 4, 2023, Cassidy opened up a Cameo account where he started making short songs based on stories that fans would submit in for a request.

Other ventures

He was scheduled to fight Chris Ray Gun at the then-upcoming Creator Clash 2 on April 15, 2023.[40] However, he was removed from the fight card shortly prior to the event, causing some of his fans to boycott the event.[41]

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Comedy
Money Maker (Reloaded) 3[43]
Dream Team
  • Released: October 3, 2014[44]
  • Formats: CD, digital download[45]
 —
Escape from Hood Mountain
  • Released: February 15, 2018[46]
  • Formats: Digital download
 —

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Koyer, Kayln Oyer (September 14, 2020) [October 5, 2017]. "A Q&A with YouTube parody rap sensation Froggy Fresh". The Post and Courier. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Jauregui, Andres (May 1, 2012). "Rapper Krispy Kreme's 'The Baddest' Isn't (Just) Funny (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  3. ↑ "FroggyFreshRap − YouTube about page". FroggyFreshRap. YouTube. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Tyler Cassidy Music – YouTube about page". Tyler Cassidy Music. YouTube. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  5. ↑ Seling, Megan (August 8, 2012). "Parody or Sincerity: Krispy Kreme the Rapper". The Stranger. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Toucher & Rich: Rapper Krispy Kreme Addresses The Haters". CBS Boston. May 23, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  7. ↑ Stabus, Austin (May 30, 2012). "The Viral Video Conundrum: Riff Raff, Kitty Pryde and Krispy Kreme Walk Into a Bar". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on July 3, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  8. 1 2 Martin, Andrew (May 14, 2012). "Watch Krispy Kreme's Hilarious New Viral Rap Video". Complex. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  9. ↑ "The Best 25 Music Videos of 2012 (So Far)". Complex. July 11, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
  10. ↑ O'Bryan, Ryan (June 2, 2012). "Viral Star Krispy Kreme Unleashes His Special Brand of Rap on the World [VIDEO]". KISS 106. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  11. ↑ Martin, Andrew (June 1, 2012). "Video: Krispy Kreme Saves Money Maker Mike In "Best Friends"". Complex. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  12. ↑ Johnston, Maura (June 1, 2012). "In Honor of National Donut Day, The Trollgaze Index Sizes Up Krispy Kreme (The Rapper, That Is)". Village Voice. Archived from the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  13. ↑ Kiefer, Halle (June 1, 2012). "Krispy Kreme's "Best Friends" Video Is Pretty Much Friendship 101". VH1. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  14. ↑ Stepen, Surfer (June 4, 2012). "Krispy Kreme "Best Friends:" Surfer Stephen's Viral Video Of The Day". 97.1 AMP Radio. CBS Local. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  15. ↑ James, Jason (June 6, 2012). "This Is My Rifle: Krispy Kreme, Jason James & Big K.R.I.T., The Common Thread". Refined Hype. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Rapper 'Krispy Kreme' tracks down stolen bikes in new vid". MSN. July 7, 2012. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Krispy Kreme's 'The Fight': The Internet's Best/Worst Rapper Gets in Playground Brawl (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. August 27, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Denzel Washington Gets Rap Tribute By Krispy Kreme (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. September 17, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  19. ↑ Erickson, Christine (November 15, 2012). "15 People Made Famous by the Internet in 2012". Mashable. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  20. ↑ Hoffberger, Chase (December 4, 2012). "Donut company forces rapper Krispy Kreme to find a new name". The Daily Dot. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  21. ↑ "gotta get a new rap name". FroggyFreshRap. YouTube. December 3, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  22. ↑ Luippold, Ross (December 11, 2012). "Krispy Kreme Changes Name: Rapper Says Donut Company Claimed Copyright Infringement (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  23. ↑ Jaworski, Michelle (December 19, 2012). "YouTube rapper Krispy Kreme is now Froggy Fresh". The Daily Dot. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  24. ↑ "'Froggy Fresh--Same Old Kid':YouTube Rapper's Latest Video Gets Mass Approval From Redditors [VIDEO]". International Digital Times. January 9, 2013. Archived from the original on January 14, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  25. ↑ Seling, Megan (January 15, 2013). "Krispy Kreme Is Now Froggy Fresh". The Stranger. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  26. ↑ "January 26, 2013 Comedy Albums". Billboard. January 26, 2013. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  27. ↑ Jarvis, Sam (February 15, 2013). "Looks Like It's Froggy Fresh Freestyle Friday!". Tosh.0. Comedy Central. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Froggy Fresh 'Mike's Mom': YouTube Video Sensation Offers An Awesome New Rap". International Digital Times. March 5, 2013. Archived from the original on March 15, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  29. ↑ JOHN CENA Message for FROGGY FRESH. Machinima. March 11, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2013 – via YouTube.
  30. ↑ Devine, Dan (June 5, 2013). "Froggy Fresh, Money Maker Mike, '90s Bulls-Knicks unis + lowered rims: This is 'Dunked On'". Ball Don't Lie. Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Dream Team". iTunes. Apple. October 8, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  32. ↑ Gomez, Luis (May 14, 2015). "Around town: Vince McMahon open to another Chicago Wrestlemania; LeBron James sighting". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  33. ↑ Machir, Troy (May 11, 2015). "YouTube legend Froggy Fresh to LeBron James: 'Jimmy Butler is your father'". Sporting News. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  34. 1 2 Thele, Kyle (May 11, 2015). "Froggy Fresh posts new video calling out LeBron James". Sun-Times Media Group. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  35. 1 2 3 4 Cassidy, Tyler (February 21, 2017). TOURING + THE TRUE STORY OF FROGGY FRESH. FroggyFreshRap. Archived from the original on February 22, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2017 – via YouTube.
  36. 1 2 3 Illuminati, Chris (August 21, 2018). "Froggy Fresh has a shockingly good YouTube dedicated to piano ballads". The Daily Dot. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  37. ↑ Witmer, Emma (June 11, 2019). "Tyler Cassidy, 'the baddest of them all,' is coming to Tampa this summer". Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  38. ↑ Gravley, Garrett (October 28, 2019). "Viral YouTuber Tyler Cassidy Puts His Own Touch On Dallas' Most-Watched Trial In The Form Of A Song About Convicted Murderer Amber Guyger". Central Track. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  39. ↑ @TylerSCassidy (October 30, 2019). "My new album "Renee" is available on all streaming platforms now" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ↑ Polhamus, Blaine (January 24, 2023). "Creator Clash 2 releases stacked 12-bout fight card". Dot Esports. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  41. ↑ Tolentino, Daysia (April 11, 2023). "YouTubers square off in the boxing ring for Creator Clash 2". NBC News. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Money Maker (Reloaded)". Last.fm. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  43. ↑ "Froggy Fresh Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  44. ↑ "Dream Team". Apple Music. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  45. ↑ @iAmFroggyFresh (October 9, 2014). "NOTE: Dream Team Albums (Physical - Autographed) will be available at http://FroggyFresh.com near the end of October for $11.99" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  46. ↑ "Escape from Hood Mountain". Apple Music. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
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