Freddie Cruger, aka Red Astaire, real name Fredrik Lager, was a Swedish hip-hop DJ/producer and artist.
Lager first got in contact with hip hop when he started out as a breakdancer in the early 80s. His electric boogie dancing brother was collecting records at that time, which introduced Freddie to the world of black dance music. Around 85-86 he worked weekends at a legendary import record store in Stockholm called Space. At this time he started buying more and more records, mostly electro and rap records but also disco/funk 12"/7"inch classics. One thing led to another and he soon bought his first drum machine and turntables in 88.
Around 91 he met up with Mad Mats (Raw Fusion / Jugglin’ Rec) and started to hang out in Mats studio in downtown Stockholm. Around 92 he bought his first sampler and released his first 12" vinyl in 94 under the name "Chimney Heads". But since then he’s worked with numerous artists like China Moses (DeDe Bridgewater’s daughter), Bob Powers (Tribe called quest, The Roots), Rappadon, Baz Baz, La Nata (France), ADL, Desmond Foster, Linn, Swing Fly, Anthony David, Bas-1 and many more. He released his debut LP on Tru Thoughts in October 2006.
The characteristic style off Freddies productions are a blend off old school hip-hop and b-boy grooves mixed up with dirty funk, soul, reggae, latin and disco rhythms. He released music on Jugglin’ Records (sub-label to Raw Fusion Recordings) and also on Swedish Brandy, GAMM (as the notorious Red Astaire) and his own label Homegrown Records.
In June of 2022, Lager passed away due to a heart attack. . User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
