We were lucky to catch up with Frederic Weems recently and have shared our conversation below.

Frederic, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

Being yourself and making that marketable. Whether it’s music or merch, I see the same problems. Most of the time artists or business owners with their own clothing line are too focused on either following a trend or being too different. Be yourself. It works everytime. If someone is themselves, then there’s nobody like you. Similar, it’s possible. The exact same, doubt it. .

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Well…depending on what city and who I’m around at the moment determines what they call me. My family and loved ones call me Justin (that’s my middle name). My friends in Atlanta call me Fred. They used to call me “The MPC”. Nowadays for the most part, they call me “ItsCake” or “Cake” for short. So yeah they call me Cake and I’m a music producer, audio engineer, and I have clothing line called “Cake” as well.

So to give insight on how I became “Cake” it all started in middle school. Some of my friends and I created a fake music label. We all got our names from the song “Grindin” by Clipse. When it came to me getting my name, I was called “Mr. Patti Cake”. I hated it immediately. That was until they broke down why they called me that. I always knew how to make money and I sweet with the women. That sold me on it. So I stuck with it for the sake of my friends. One day while emailing some friends, because that’s when Yahoo messenger was the thing then, I abbreviated Mr. Patti Cake as The MPC. Thus, The MPC was formed. Then overtime people just started calling me “Cake” every I went. My homie Rameer even told me “If I was you MPC, I’d go by Cake fully. Its just tough name bro.” That’s how I essentially became Cake. I just go by ItsCake because I say “its” so much in front it, I just left it there. Plus it helps me standout.

When I’m dealing with clients whether it be merch or music, I ask all the personal questions in the creative process. For instance, the clothing line. Some want unique clothing, some want clothing that’s hard to find in their size, and some are just looking for something that’s different. Same thing can applied for the music. I take each approach personal even though it’s all business. I actually care because it means something to them. They can go to anyone else, but they chose me. My biggest selling point is I give them an experience every time. I love making a profit but profit means nothing if I don’t have the people behind me.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the hardest pivots I’ve ever had to make was business decisions without my friends who I started making music with. I’d always go to bat for them because at the time, they’d do the same for me. To be honest, they probably would still til this day. Business wise we all just didn’t see it the same. I knew what it took. I was always behind the scenes paying more attention to the industry rather than who just dropped a new project. Once opportunity started popping up we all kept butting heads on what to do next. Never could fully agree on anything. So i knew at some point, I’d more than likely have to do it myself. That’s not to discredit them by any means. Times just changed and I had to accept that. We weren’t in high school anymore. We weren’t just teenagers anymore. This is a business and we need to move accordingly. I haven’t been a part of a group or anything since then. I do a lot of freelance work but I work solo. Collabs and everything still happen but I’m my own man. I know no other group would be like my guys. We hooped together, ate together, and cried as much as we laughed together. Those my brothers and you don’t just replace family. You just love them unconditionally. That’s what I do. The business might be different but the love will never change.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Stop being humble. The definition of being humble is “lower (someone) in dignity or importance.” I was raised, like many of us were, on the fact that we need to be humble when that’s not entirely true. I put a glass ceiling on myself because I wanted to remain humble. That’s why I’m usually quiet. Whenever I’m good at something, I’m proud of myself. I brag to myself. Trying to find ways to hype myself up. Me being great at something made others feel less than and I used to feel guilty.The problem was I didn’t bash anyone while celebrating myself. I gave others more props than I gave myself. Now friends tell me “you’re killing it” but being humble makes nonchalant to the praises I receive. Why? Because I was taught to be humble. I’m still working on unlearning this process. I will say I am better at being proud of myself and ignoring the humble mindset. I have a lot to accomplish and prove to myself. I’ll be cheering myself on the whole way. It’s okay if I’m the only one clapping. I’m not gonna lower myself just because it may intimidate others. That’s not fair to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theycallmecake.com
• Instagram: @TheMPC
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItsCakeOfficial
• Twitter: @TheMPC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYpBNexfrPBmyVH5LyDE0Ug

Image Credits
artbyphanny Fashooo Films