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ANoyd Antagonizes The Mic In A Blistering 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle (Video)

Bloomfield, Connecticut lyricist ANoyd (pronounced "annoyed") has been mashing on the gas ever since he came in the game, about five years ago. That is the year he appeared on Apathy’s album that was dedicated to both MCs’ home state, Connecticut Casual. He has also recorded several songs with another... Read more

Sway Makes His 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Challenge Harder But Dee-1 Keeps The Faith (Video)

Sway & King Tech's Wake Up Show made the freestyle a mandatory calling card for any MC who wanted to promote something. That tradition goes back to the '90s. In the 2010s, Sway In The Morning's 5 Fingers Of Death challenge is what keeps some MCs up at night. The stage has... Read more

CyHi The Prynce Bodies 5 Fingers Of Death. Sway Says He “May Be The Best Rapper Out” (Video)

UPDATE: Hours after his exceptional Sway In The Morning "5 Fingers Of Death" freestyle (below), CyHi The Prynce's pre-album campaign continues. The Sony Records artist dropped second No Dope On Sundays single "I'm Fine." This one features fellow G.O.O.D. Music family member Travis Scott. The song features heavy organs, Scott handling... Read more

Wyclef Jean Freestyles While Playing Guitar In One Of The Illest 5 Fingers Of Death EVER (Video)

By all accounts, Wyclef Jean is one of the most unique voices in Hip-Hop. The Haitian-born, Brooklyn-raised MC, singer, musician, and songwriter helped elevate the influence of Caribbean music in American culture, and his multilingual heritage has always been a hallmark of his work. With all of that diversity, it's... Read more

Taylor Bennett Smashes The First EVER 10 Fingers Of Death (Video)

There's more than one talented rapper in the Bennett family. While the world has been wowed by the gifts of Chance The Rapper for the last several years, his brother, Taylor, is making quite a name for himself. Fast. Many first caught wind of Taylor in 2014, when he went... Read more

Mistah F.A.B. Slam Dunks His 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Like A Warrior (Video)

Tonight (May 26), the Golden State Warriors aim to strike back against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 at home. The 9:00pm EST match-up prompted Bay area native Sway Calloway to bring some home-team turf talk into Sway In The Morning. Mistah F.A.B., who also has an album dropping... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Makes The 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Into A Fist & Puts It On Troy Ave (Video)

It has been a big month for Brooklyn, New York Hip-Hop. After 2015 saw albums by Joey Bada$$ (B4.Da.$$) and Troy Ave (Major Without A Deal), the men began a social media back-and-forth regarding sales versus status that soon escalated. Last month (February 29), Troy brought the late Capital STEEZ... Read more

Andy Mineo Defeats the 5 Fingers of Death With a Biblical Freestyle (Video)

Andy Mineo returned to the Sway in the Morning show in promotion of his new album, Uncomfortable, which will be released on September 18. For many, Andy's profile grew exponentially, after his standout freestyle on Sway's RapFix Live in December of 2013. Mineo is a Reach Records artist and, like... Read more

R. Kelly Is Not Afraid of 5 Fingers Of Death. Catch The Kellz Freestyle (Video)

R. Kelly is often said to improvise many of his hits. Sitting at the keyboard, the 25-year veteran freestyles those very melodies and choruses that have changed the sound of R&B, and presumably created a few lives too. Somebody who is not often in the media, Kellz swung through today's... Read more

Meek Mill Pops A Wheelie & Rides Through His 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle (Video)

Meek Mill may be an acquired taste to some. However, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania veteran brings an impassioned delivery without failure, no matter what the track's vibe is. That's what makes the Maybach Music Group MC's appearance on Sway In The Morning so interesting. Meek Millie takes 5 Fingers Of Death... Read more

Tish Is the First Woman MC to Do the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle. She CRUSHES It (Video)

Tish Hyman is a rare talent who is on the verge of exploding. The Bronx, NY artist is one of the select few who is equally and supremely gifted at both rapping and singing. Her single, "Subway Art," showcases the latter more heavily, but do not be fooled. As an... Read more

Charles Hamilton Has Everything To Prove In A 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle (Video)

Five years ago, Charles Hamilton was seemingly on top of the world. The Harlem, New York MC  who happens to be MC Lyte's cousin had inked a deal with the dominant Interscope Records. Hamilton was releasing spotlight-grabbing mixtapes at a breakneck speed. Along with peers Wale, B.o.B., and Asher Roth,... Read more

Can Ne-Yo Kick It? Yes, He Can…5 Fingers of Death, R&B Style (Video)

Much like Johnny Gill did last week, Ne-Yo takes on Sway in the Morning's Five Fingers of Death Challenge, R&B style. Rather than kick verses, he turns each beat into his own personal remix, flipping familiar lyrics over a wide variety of tracks. It gives a real sense of his... Read more

How Does Johnny Gill Handle the 5 Fingers of Death? Like a G…(Video)

Johnny Gill hit the Sway in the Morning show and became the first singer to tackle the 5 Fingers of Death challenge. When faced with five random beats, rather than freestyle as is customary for the MCs who step up to the test, Johnny did what he does best...He riffed... Read more

Astro Handles the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle Like a Champion (Video)

Astro stopped by the Sway in the Morning show to discuss his new Computer Era album, Ferguson and more. After, he got on the mic and tackled Sway's 5 Fingers of Death MC challenge, off the top, and did not break a sweat. After, some said it was the best... Read more

Your Old Droog Manhandles Sway’s 5 Fingers Of Death + Gives Rare Interview (Video)

Your Old Droog is not just nice on records. The MC appeared this week on Sway In The Morning, and dazzled fans with charm, whether in a freestyle or simply telling his story. Sway Calloway, Heather B and team asked Droog about the Nas comparisons, his dues paid in the... Read more

Troy Ave & Young Lito Take on the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle While Counting Money (Video)

BSB's Troy Ave and Young Lito were the latest to take on Sway's 5 Fingers of Death MC challenge where they rhymed over 5 random beats. With no shortage of swagger, the two traded off beat for beat while Troy counted stacks of money. When asked why, he told Sway... Read more

Lecrae Smashes The Five Fingers of Death MC Challenge with Style & Grace (Video)

When's the last time you heard a rapper smash the mic, without cursing? When's the last time you heard an MC body a Kirk Franklin track?? Lecrae is the latest artist to take on Sway's Five Fingers of Death challenge (flowing over 5 random beats) and he tore it down.... Read more

Common Never Skips A Beat On Sway’s 5 Fingers of Death (Video)

Common stops by the Shade 45 Studio to kick it with Sway Calloway and his team for the third year anniversary of their top of the morning radio syndicate. In this episode, Sway gets Common's take on a few popular entertainment news stories, talks about his upcoming album, Nobody's Smiling... Read more

Sway Tests Mistah FAB With The 5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle Challenge, How’s He Stand? (Video)

Mistah FAB is one of the meanest freestyle MCs in Hip-Hop. Appearing recently on "Sway In The Morning," it's abundantly clear that fellow Bay Area alum Sway is well aware of Fabby Davis' lyrical capability. Running through some of the stellar guests as of late on the Shade 45 program,... Read more

Logic Destroys the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle. Did He Even Take a Breath?? (Video)

Logic took on Sway's 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle challenge and did what real MC's do...BODIED IT. Not only did he deliver some crushing off the top lyrics, it almost seemed like he didn't even take a breath. True lyrics of fury. Check it out. Related: Logic Shows Off His... Read more

Smoke DZA Flows Over Music from Dr. Dre, Aaliyah & 112 on The 5 Fingers of Death (Video)

Smoke DZA stopped by The Sway in the Morning show to tackle the 5 Fingers of Death freestyle challenge and passed with flying colors. The Harlem MC went off the top over 5 beats, including music from Dr. Dre, Aaliyah and 112. Riiiight...Check it out. Related: Did You Know Smoke... Read more

Schoolboy Q Discusses the TDE Cypher With Sway and Takes on the 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle (Video)

Schoolboy Q chopped it up with Sway about the TDE Cypher, TDE's newest member Isaiah Rashad, Kendrick's Control verse and more. He and Sway also prank called Kendrick on the air. After, Q took a run at the Five Fingers of Death Freestyle. Check out the video. Related: TDE BET... Read more

Mac Miller-5 Fingers Of Death Freestyle

Mac Miller stopped by Sway In The Morning and decided to drop a few bars over this classic Big L track. Check out the session and tell us how he did. Related:Mac Miller Freestyles on the Funkmaster Flex Show (Video)... Read more

Whoa. Brother Ali turned in one of the best 5 Fingers of Death performances EVER on the Sway in the Morning show. Check out the video (Video)

The reactions of Murs and Fashawn in the background are equally entertaining. Related: Brother Ali - Mourning in America (Video)... Read more

Ryan Leslise does 5 Fingers of Death on the Sway in the Morning Show (Video)

Ryan Leslie doing Sway's 5 Fingers of Death? He just might surprise you. Check out the video. Related: Schoolboy Q & Ab-Soul – 5 Fingers of Death (Video)... Read more

Childish Gambino – 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle (Video)

Childish Gambino's latest 5 Fingers of Death is one of the best so far. He went in on all 5 beats that were thrown at him (ranging from DJ Premier to Nirvana) and all were of the dome. Afterward, Sway gives him props for what he is doing for hip-hop.... Read more

Wreckonize (from ¡Mayday!) – Five Fingers of Death on the Sway in the Morning show (Video)

Tech N9ne's Strange Music family visited the Sway in the Morning show yesterday. Wreckonize from ¡Mayday! had the honors of taking on 5 Fingers of Death where Sway has folks rhyme over 5 random beats and he SMASHED IT with a true freestyle off the dome. Check out the video... Read more

Schoolboy Q & Ab-Soul – 5 Fingers of Death + Druggys With H*es Again (Video)

5 Fingers of Death. You know how it goes down. Sway plays 5 random beats and let's MCs attack 'em. Half of Black Hippy, Schoolboy Q & Ab-Soul, got their chance yesterday and the lyrical wordplay was silly. Both Q and Ab-Soul blacked out on different beats. Check out the... Read more

Big K.R.I.T. – 5 Fingers of Death

Big K.R.I.T. is the latest MC to participate in the 5 Fingers of Death series on the Sway in the Morning show on Shade 45.  Check out how he flows over 5 beats below. Click here to download.  Also, click here to check out Kendrick Lamar's 5 Fingers of Death.... Read more

Kendrick Lamar – 5 Fingers of Death Freestyle

Kendrick Lamar stopped by Sway and Devi Dev's show on Shade 45 last week and kicked freestyles (true freestyles off the dome) over 5 beats ranging from the theme song to Barney Miller to a track from Metallica.  Sway spontaneously dubbed the performance the 5 Fingers of Death.  Check out... Read more

Wayne Brady Rips 2020’s 1st 5 Fingers Freestyle & It’s Completely Off The Top (Video)

Wayne Brady may be known for hosting shows, improv comedy, and legendary Chappelle's Show cameo, but he's nice on the mic. The 47-year-old Columbus, Georgia native has rocked Sway In The Morning (and DJ Whoo Kid's Shade 45 radio show) with freestyles before. But he's back, with the first "Five Fingers Of... Read more

Maseo’s New MC Makes 5 Fingers A Hard Fist To The Face Of Hip-Hop In A New Freestyle (Video)

Born and raised in Harlem, rapper Bill Ray is signed to Maseo (of De La Soul)'s indie label, Bear Mountain. Formerly a member of group Triple Beam, he's been pursuing a solo career for over a decade, earning thousands of fans by touring with De La Soul and performing his... Read more

Will Smith Tells Rakim He Copied Him On Summertime

One of Hip-Hop's longstanding curiosities surrounds DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's 1991 hit "Summertime." The Homebase single landed the West Philadelphia duo their second Grammy Award, but it also marked a shift in tempo, style, and flow for the Hip-Hop vets. For years, some have speculated that Rakim... Read more

Treach Details How He & Tupac Were Ending The East/West Feud

Treach and his group Naughty By Nature were a linchpin of 1990s Hip-Hop. The Grammy Award-winning East Orange, New Jersey trio had ties with a cross-section of the Rap scene, including Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. These connections especially mattered by the mid-1990s, when Tupac and Biggie had entered a... Read more

Lil Yachty Shows He Can Really Rap On A Song With J. Cole

Earlier this year, Lil Yachty released one of 2023's more surprising albums from an artist often categorized in Rap. January's Let's Start Here. deviated from the sound that the Atlanta, Georgia had established over the last decade. On this go-round, the Quality Control/Motown Records artist delved into contemporary Psychedelic Rock... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Calls Out MCs Who Perpetuate Genocide In A Powerful Performance

There have been at least 59 Rap artists who have died from gun violence. That's more than one per year for a Hip-Hop genre which is less than 50 years old. Last night (October 4) at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards, during the performance of the night, Joey Bada$$... Read more

Isaiah Rashad Discusses Trying To Kill Himself

Last week, a video interview clip between Joe Budden and Isaiah Rashad marked the Tennessee MC's first public reaction to at least one videotape leaked in February. In that clip, the Top Dawg Entertainment artist spoke about his sexuality, his current relationship, and if he would be pursuing legal action... Read more

Atmosphere Has Released What May Be MF DOOM’s Final Verse

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads sift through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, it's better than it's ever been. Not only can we go back and listen... Read more

Stalley Makes His Return With A Smooth Style That Feels All So New (Video)

OCTOBER 14 UPDATE: Stalley has released the video to "All So New":  ORIGINAL SEPTEMBER 16 STORY: In 2018, Stalley continued his Tell The Truth: Shame The Devil EP series with volumes 2 and 3. It has been that series, combined with 2017 albums New Wave and Another Level, that... Read more

YBN Cordae Freestyles Over 3 Generations Of Beats To Show He’s 1 Of A Kind

YBN Cordae has one of the most talked-about albums of the summer. The Lost Boy released less than a week and features Pusha-T, Anderson .Paak, and Chance The Rapper. Cordae realizes that he is still taking his sound new places. He stopped by Funkmaster Flex's freestyle platform to drop one... Read more

Marlon Craft Says He’s Mos Def, Talib Kweli & Nas Combined In A Fiery Freestyle

Marlon Craft is out to uphold a rich tradition of New York City Hip-Hop. From Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen, this MC put in work on last year's exceptional A Breukelen Story album from Masta Ace & Marco Polo—named one of Ambrosia For Heads' best of '18. Previously, Marlon has been behind... Read more

Warren G Turns Up The Bass To Show He’s Still Regulating 25 Years Later

Twenty-five years ago this month, Warren G unleashed an album that had a hand in saving Def Jam Records through a commercial drought season. The Long Beach, California MC/producer/DJ may have been wrongfully overlooked at Death Row Records, but the "G" in G-Child may have stood for "Golden" at Russell... Read more

DJ Quik Recalls Making Tupac’s All Eyez On Me & The Advice Dr. Dre Gave Him (Video)

DJ Quik and Hi-C recently appeared on Los Angeles, California's KDAY radio station. The Compton, California natives who have a long collaborative history spoke to host Romeo about the shows they have been doing together in the Midwest. Quik also praised the upcoming Suga Free album that he worked on.... Read more

Playtime Is OVER. Oswin Benjamin Has The Best Freestyle Of 2019

Oswin Benjamin has been on the grind in Hip-Hop for years. The New York City lyricist has made his appearances count, whether they were high-profile freestyles, Team Backpack cyphers, or features on Styles P, Anoyd, and Domingo albums. The close affiliate of Chris Rivers has just released his full-length debut,... Read more

Daylyt’s Blistering New Freestyle Becomes A History Lesson

Daylyt may be known best for his work as one of Hip-Hop's premiere battle rappers since he began on YouTube back in 2010. In recent days, the Watts, California MC has spent his time prepping the release of his latest album, Awake The Kids, which dropped late this past January.... Read more

Ready Or Not? ANoyd Shows Eminem Isn’t The Only MC With Venomous Rhymes

Bloomfield, Connecticut native ANoyd may be a sort of new name to some Heads, but he has been consistently churning out quality material for at least five years now. Since kicking a standout verse on Apathy’s 2014 Connecticut Casual album on a song titled “Locals Only!,” he has dropped at least... Read more

There Were Some Incredible Freestyles In 2018. Here Are The Year’s Best (Video)

For all the chatter about Mumble Rap taking over, there have been a number of MCs who put on incredible lyrical displays in 2018. Artists like Royce 5'9, Styles P, Pusha-T, Evidence, Benny The Butcher, Jay Rock, Logic and J. Cole released projects packed with punchlines and substantive verses, and... Read more

Hear The Original Version Of California Love & It’s Nuthin’ But A Dre Thang

UPDATE: The same version through an alternate upload has been added. ORIGINAL STORY: When Tupac Shakur got out of prison in late 1995, he boarded a private jet and went straight to Death Row Records' Can-Am Studios in Tarzana, California. After pausing for dinner at Monty's Steakhouse with his new... Read more

Slug Unpacks Atmosphere’s New Album & Puts His Rumored Alchemist LP To Bed (Video)

Atmosphere dropped their seventh studio album Mi Vida Local earlier this month. It was the conclusion to a trilogy of thematic full-lengths that, according to Slug, "are based around the idea of mortality." The trio began with 2014's Southsiders and followed in the form of 2016's Fishing Blues, before this month's final... Read more