Friends, how many of us have them?

Since Christmas is all about family and friends, I thought I would bring you some of Free's "family" and friends that she has in the industry. Enjoy!

Free and Mario have both said that they share a brother and sister relationship. And IMO, whenever he came to the couch you could tell. Free had this to say about Mario: "His voice is so beautiful, it's energizing when you hear it. Imagine what he'll sound like in 10 years."





Here, Free is pictured with a bunch of her friends at Game's album release party. Traci Washington, her best friend since childhood, is the first one from the left. She was Free's hairstylist on 106 and I'm pretty sure that she still does hair for BET. This is what Traci had to say about her good friend: "Free and I are like sisters. We don't really gossip, we tend to talk about our personal lives. We don't get down and dog people. Free isn't that type of person anyway, unless you do something bad to her."

Free actually knew 50 when he was recording his first CD with Columbia Records. On 106's Christmas show in 2003, 50 told the audience about his and Free's activities before they both hit it big. Apparently, they used to play a game where 50 would lock Free in a room and she would have to get out in a certain amount of time. She said she always won because she always got out, but 50 quickly turned her comment into a sexual one. What was the joke? Well, we'll just leave that to your imagination, it was funny though.

Nelly and Free have been friends since about the beginning of 106 & Park. The picture to the left was taken at the Break! 2004 Celebrity Pool Tournament. In a Maad Sports interview Nelly stated that he and Free have a brother and sister relationship. He said that they both support each other in their ventures, whatever they may be. On a side note, Free said that Nelly helped her get over her fear of small planes when he invited her on a private jet with him to St. Louis for a Hip Hop Summit voting rally.

Both Free and AJ are tight with Cash Money, new and old. On numerous visits to 106, they have all talked about their times together including a pajama party that Free attended while in New Orleans. Lil' Wayne and Free have talked in the past about working together musically. Wayne said that he has been a fan of Free since her "Patriots" days.

This is a picture of Free on the set of Keyshia Cole's video "I Should've Cheated" (which we never got to see her in because BET is full of ****). Here is what Keyshia had to say about Free: "Free is one of my homegirls. She really wants to be involved, and I think that's really cool. She's a down-to-earth person. I met her one time and ever since then we've just been cool."

As we all probably know, Free and Luda are pretty tight and have been since 106 began. One of my favorite 106 moments was when Ludacris surprised Free for her birthday earlier this year with an enormous cake that said "FREE." He also got her a four wheeler, which was crazy to me. Luda actually turned Free on to four wheelers over NBA All Star Weekend 2003 down in Atlanta.



I think Free and Enuff have always been cool. He, along with Kast One, was the one who helped put Free's mixtape out in 2003. Enuff has always believed in her talent and supported her in everything else that she's done. I believe the reason why Enuff isn't on 106 anymore is because of his loyalty to AJ and Free.



Free and Canibus rolled together during their "Navy Seal" days with Wyclef Jean. His style is extremely gritty, but he's always harbored a soft spot for Free. He put her on "Patriots" then wrote a horribly mushy (for lack of a better word) song for Free called "Here 4 Free." Now, I can count on one hand how many times I've listened to that song and there's a reason. But judge for yourself by clicking on the song title. Bis and Free recently hooked back up for "Close To Me."

"106 & Park" was so much more than just playing an artist's videos. Friendships, long lasting ones at that, were created and maintained all off of a simple concept: playing videos. So even though AJ and Free are no longer on 106, I think we can all agree that these above artists will never feel the same when they grace the couch knowing that an incredibly important part of its chemistry is forever gone.

*And if I don't make another post before Christmas, I just wanna wish y'all a blessed and Merry Christmas!*