Emmy Award-winning rapper Harvey “Frzy” Daniels gathered 12 special people who have played a role in his success for a celebratory dinner at Cobra. At this happening Bloomfield spot known for Wagyu BBQ and karaoke, the group mingled in the lounge area before sitting down to dinner at a long table set up in the bar. Frzy invited folks from various parts of his career, many of whom had never before met each other. In fact, many call him by different monikers — from his given name to Frzy to “Free” (short for “Freestyle”).
Frzy’s Gratitude Feast
Cobra house managers Collin McNamee and Catherine McGough took care of the group with some serious TLC, while bartender Whitney Meyer served wine, bubbly and mocktails. Chef Sorcha Murnane created a scrumptious feast, ranging from fresh seafood and karaage (fried chicken) to pork belly with broccolini, ube cornbread and, for the finale, bananas foster and Tres Leches Cake.
Frzy explains the significance of the evening. “Hearing ‘thank you’ and ‘I’m proud of you’ and encouragement, to me, goes a long way,” he says. “A lot of people don’t say it; they assume you know.” These days, his list of those to acknowledge for their endless support and faith in him proves long.
Growing up, he didn’t often hear “I’m proud of you” or “you’re going to be great.” He had to pull himself up on his own, without the help of a big artist to sign him or much money to show appreciation along the way. “I paid for a lot of my opportunities with ‘thank you,’” he says. In fact, he still prefers to lead first with gratitude. “It’s worth more than anything in the world.”
A Native Son of Pittsburgh
Frzy feels great pride for having been born and raised here, and it’s crucial that people know he’s a son of Pittsburgh — “representing what we do and where we come from.” “This city is built on legacies. Every story that’s told in this city is based on a person,” he says, referencing folks from the steel workers and Steelers players to legends like Roberto Clemento and Mr. Rogers. “Growing up,” he adds, “I knew if the city was going to lift me up, I had to be one of them.” If there was anywhere he felt guaranteed to make it, Pittsburgh was the place.
The Menu
When writing the menu for this jubilant event, Cobra Executive Chef Sorcha Murnane felt inspired by the following themes. Luxury, the passage of time and celebration. The lobster dish and oysters Rockefeller proved a shoutout to old-school New York hotel culture. Other dishes leaned into the venue’s Asian-inflected point of view. “The cold soba noodle salad is sharp and acidic on top with all of the pickled veggies, but also earthy from the buckwheat noodle and the tahini vinaigrette is silky and supple,” the chef comments.
Murnane also wanted to pay homage to Cobra as a staple of celebration by serving some of the venue’s incredible, best-known dishes. “The Wagyu fried rice is something we make with a lot of love and care,” they say. “We butcher everything in-house, and we use the trim from our Wagyu cuts to flavor the fried rice. We take great care to season the dish with the perfect amount of tamari and oyster sauce not to overpower the beef.” This culinary talent recently began topping the rice with a soy-cured egg yolk to add an extra layer of umami to the dish. “I always hope that people remember our fried rice as the best version they’ve ever had,” they say.
A Unique Event Space
Cobra is a unique place that holds space for different people and communities, according to Murnane. “It’s interesting and interactive dining,” they share. “It’s a local bar where people come to have a burger and a chat and nightlife space. People make great memories with friends bonding over karaoke. It’s playful and sexy.”
Ultimately, Murnane thinks Cobra was a great choice for this photo shoot and festive feast. “Because the space has sexy lighting, luxurious food and a focus on celebrating,” they say. “It’s also a space that has such a rich DJ culture. How could any music artist resist?”
Additionally, this type of friendly neighborhood hangout seems ideal for a proud Pittsburgher who, no matter how far he may roam, remembers where he came from. Though he travels a good amount, Frzy’s happily here more often than not. Whenever he tells Siri to take him “home,” she always knows to point him toward Pittsburgh.
Guest List (in no particular order)
Angela Tuulaupua
Personal assistant and best friend who’s been there to assist in his journey as an artist and growth as a man, mentor and icon. One part of Team Frzy, who’s really been the MVP since they met and deserves to have her jersey number retired.
Gina Pferdehirt
Publicist and one of Frzy’s closest friends, mentors and allies. She’s helped guide him to make his dreams come true and to become the type of person/artist the press love to support. The other half of Team Frzy who deserves to be in the Hall of Fame and have her jersey hanging from the rafters.
Jeff Cobbs (DJ Chevy)
Frzy’s first DJ and hip hop mentor. Cobbs took Frzy by the hand from battling on the street corners in East Liberty and showed him he could be the best the city has ever seen. Has been by his side ever since, from the stage to the studio to the home.
Sherrod Evers
Owner of Studio 84 and a big reason why Frzy became the third rapper in history to win an Emmy Award. He was the mastermind behind connecting Darrin Grant, the producer of his award-winning track “It’s a Beautiful Day.” The track was recorded and mixed in his studio.
Ashley Coccia
Singer/ Songwriter/Producer/Mother and also the first producer/artist to sign Frzy’s “Freestyle” to a label she co-owned called Kolab. She helped Frzy learn how to write full songs and structure them in the beginning of his career. Further, she also taught him to turn his freestyle ability into lyrical genius. The song that Ki Ki Brown played on the radio to introduce Frzy to the world was written/recorded and mixed with Ashley.
Ki Ki Brown
Legendary DJ on Pittsburgh’s hip hop station WAMO 107.3. Also the first DJ to ever play Frzy on the radio when WAMO was 106 Jamz. She believed in his talent and introduced Frzy (“Freestyle” at that time) to the Pittsburgh hip hop scene.
Christian Kriegeskotte
Classical composer and music producer who wrote all of Frzy’s historic and groundbreaking shows with The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Christian helped not only create the show but also the soundtrack to one of the biggest moments in Frzy’s career. On top of having only a few months to write 12 classical compositions from scratch, he also found time to become a brother and mentor.
Matt Firek
Studio owner of Fire K Studios and one of Frzy’s best friends. Matt’s allowed Frzy to turn his studio into his second home. This bond is a key ingredient in Frzy’s success, and along with it Matt’s recording and mixing, staying late nights and early mornings with him, believing in him in ways no one ever has. Matt has a special gift of knowing when to hit the “record” button to capture moments that become hit songs and albums.
Melanie Taylor
One-half of the Bubba Show on 100.7 Star (representing Bubba at the dinner, too). Now close friends and among the first people to celebrate Frzy’s Emmy. The duo has also become big brother and sister to him, supporting every song, every video and every win. They are the number one source of Frzy news and love.
Akil Esoon
Rapper/writer/producer for major labels around the world, and the first rapper Frzy ever looked up to. Back when he was learning how to hone his skills at the legendary Shadow Lounge, Akil helped Frzy sharpen his tongue. He supported him and was a positive black role model and artist.
Riccardo Schulz
Professor and Studio Engineer at CMU School of Music. He’s the one who saw potential in Frzy during CMU’s Arts Greenhouse project. He selected Frzy out of 15 young artists at the age of 18. Then, he took him under his wing and taught him about recording on a professional level. Schulz became like a father figure (who shares the same birthday).
Brandin Jones
Frzy’s best friend since middle school, and also his first hype man and fan. From traveling the world together during shows to playing video games all night, Brandin (AKA Hollywood) has been not his Day 1 but his Day 0.
Story by Corinne Whiting / Styling by Keith Recker / Photography by Laura Petrilla
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