One of the biggest and charismatic personalities walking around the Rio Hondo campus, the young and talented Alfredo Vasquez Jr., better known by his stage name Freddy Vasquez, is a striving rap artist constantly advertising his music around campus.

Vasquez grew up in Pico Rivera then moved to South El Monte where he attended South El Monte High School and after moved back to Pico Rivera. Like many other rap artists, he started rapping at a very young age.

“I’d always try to rap, but there’s nothing really to rap about when you’re little,” Vasquez states, “Then in high school, my friend gave me a bunch of East Coast beats to listen to and they actually had stuff to talk about, so he gave me a notebook and I started writing and making songs.”

Despite growing up listening to mostly gangster rap, Vasquez’s favorite artists at the moment happen to be Partynextdoor, The Weeknd, and Drake. He mentioned three artists that have a much softer sound to their music compared to the traditional gangster rap.

Normally, a striving rap artist would release a collection of their current music in a mixtape but Vasquez has wisely decided to take a different route. This year he has released multiple singles and is currently working on a music video for each single.

Vasquez currently has several popular singles that include humorous and fun music videos to go along that are available to watch on YouTube. These music videos include “What I Bring” and “What You Workin With.”

He has a very fun sound and feel to his music. His songs make people want to get up and dance along with very catchy and smooth lyrics making it easy for people to sing along to.

“It’s different every time, each track is totally different,” said Vasquez speaking on what people can expect from his music.

Vasquez is a communications major currently in his 4th year at Rio Hondo. This year is his last year at Rio Hondo and he plans on graduating but is unsure on whether or not he wants transfer to a four- year university.

He is constantly advertising his music around campus with such passion and is loved by so many of his fellow Roadrunners. Take a walk a with Vazquez around campus and every turn he will run into a fan, friend, or supporter of his music. He has built a distinguished reputation around campus, only helping the growth of his music.

Vasquez walks around with the biggest smile, always dancing and laughing. It’s very difficult not to like the guy, he’s as approachable as they come and his fun energy is contagious. His personality is a perfect interpretation of his music, bringing fun and humor to life.

Vasquez gives much credit to Rio Hondo for the success of his music. He has met many of his producers and the people he currently works with at Rio Hondo.

“I met everybody here,” Vasquez states, “And I can’t get over that, it’s crazy you know.”

Not only a full-time student at Rio Hondo, Vasquez also works at the Cinepolis movie theater in Pico Rivera.

“When I clean the theater at work, I make sure I clean it fast enough so that I can practice performing in front of the theater imagining that the seats are filled with people,” says Vasquez with much pride.

Not the easiest dream to pursue, there are many hardships that tie in to chasing a musical career, but Vasquez does not shy away.

“The challenge of making everything perfect,” states Vasquez, “Everything can be set a certain way, and hoping it connects to people that’s the biggest thing.”

Vasquez is a near perfect example of what it’s like to chase a dream that many may not take seriously. It’s all for the love and joy he takes in his craft. His music videos are available on YouTube and his music is available for download on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and Tidal.