Darrel “Friidom” Dunn can’t be put into a box. An L.A.-based movement innovator, dancer, teacher, actor, director, composer, and critical thinker, Friidom’s name exemplifies his limitlessness.
His numerous choreographic works and installations have premiered at the Waco Theater, The
Odyssey Theatre, Highways Performance Space and Gallery, The Bendix Building, Leimert Park’s Sankofa Square, and The Shocktank throughout Los Angeles.
He has collaborated commercially and creatively with Samsung, Universal Music Enterprises, Freeform TV, Will Smith, and Tyler the Creator. Recently, he completed his video pitch, “Ölympic Works,” as the creative opener for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
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“I think in general, everyone’s an artist,” he said to the Sentinel.
“I’m the first in my family to pursue art [as a career], but it was always there. I think it’s just fear [that stopped them]. They influenced me…my dad used to tell people about the internet before it was a thing. My mother’s side was very artistic.”
Now melding the arts with mixed media and technology, it’s evident that Friidom is deeply inspired by both sides of his genetics. Deep within Friidom’s many inspirations and mediums, movement and the innovation of movement lay at the core of his passions.
“Everything is a dance. Movement is very important in the sense of the words that we’re speaking, the mere act of saying doesn’t get something done; it’s action that does,” he said.
“Even so, I realized that when you speak your vocal cords move, there’s a dance happening. Even breathing is a dance of air.”
Nearly 10 years ago, Freedom created “The Epiic,” a new style of dance that fuses krumping, street styles, and philharmonic conducting to express emotions and stories through music and motion.
“As an artist, you wonder if what [new thing] you’re making actually makes sense. But now, figuring out my movement style and teaching has been better than I could’ve ever imagined,” he said.
Friidom reiterated that everyone is an artist and “everyone has a movement style.” He urges younger and budding artists to have faith in themselves on their unique paths toward mastery and creation.
“Artists have big work to do. Be okay with the responsibility of being an artist, which includes showing the fullness of you,” advised Friidom..
Stay aligned with Friidom on IG @thefriidom.
