The “A Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise is known for introducing one of the
first supernatural slasher legends, the infamous Freddy Krueger. Despite
getting off to a strong start with the 1984 “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” the
iconic Freddy became more of a deranged comedian than a terrifying killer as
the sequels unfolded. Part of this unfortunate transformation led the
character to venture into the music industry.
Controversial direction.
The franchise's unfortunate trajectory led to increasingly silly ventures
for Freddy, including a short-lived “Nightmare on Elm Street” TV series, a
few comedy cameos, and related comic books. However, what stands out most is
the fact that the Springwood slasher also had a fairly successful career in
the music industry.
The Fresh Prince and Freddy Krueger Crossover.
In 1988, when “Freddymania” was at its peak and Freddy Krueger was no longer
just a monster but a media sensation, an unknown Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff
recorded “A Nightmare On My Street” for the film's soundtrack. Unfortunately
for the duo, the producers rejected the song, seeing no potential in the idea.
Smith, convinced of the song’s potential for success, released it as a single,
and when “A Nightmare On My Street” became a hit, a lengthy legal battle
ensued. A planned music video was scrapped, and Smith and his team were forced
to include a disclaimer on the album stating that it was not associated with
the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise.
Although the character of Freddy features prominently, neither the song nor
the video features Robert Englund himself.
Freddy Krueger and the Fat Boys.
As part of an official collaboration for the release of “A Nightmare on Elm
Street 4: The Dream Master,” the soundtrack featured the single 'Are You Ready
for Freddy?' by The Fat Boys. In its music video, Englund’s Freddy chases the
popular hip-hop group during a night at their uncle's haunted house to claim
an inheritance.
The song was a modest success and upset a lot of fans for turning Freddy
Krueger into a commercial product.
Freddy´s Greatest Hits.
In 1987, under the Ricordi Records label, Freddy released a full-length
album in collaboration with the Elm Street Group, titled 'Freddy’s Greatest
Hits.' Ironically, despite being known for his corny jokes, Freddy
doesn’t feature much on the album, and his contributions are limited to a
few witty one-liners.
For a long time, this album was hard to come by, which made it a legend
among collectors of “lost media” and cinematic curiosities. However, today,
“Freddy's Greatest Hits” is considered an addition to the “Nightmare on Elm
Street” franchise that is largely despised even by the character's most
die-hard fans.
.png)
