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Big Daddy Kane Rips A Freestyle At His Tiny Desk Concert (Video)

This June will mark 30 years since the release of Big Daddy Kane's solo debut album, Long Live the Kane. It's an apt title for an MC whose entire solo career is based on a discography that paused with 1998's Veteranz Day but who has never faded from prominence. Despite his not... Read more

February 19, 2018 Video

Keith Murray Kills This Freestyle Over A Classic Cypress Hill Instrumental (Audio)

Keith Murray seems to be up to something. The Def Squad MC has released a few freestyles in 2018. With DJ Gumba beside him, Keith did a rendition of Eric B. & Rakim's "I Ain't No Joke." After tackling one of Hip-Hop's most beloved 1980s records, Murray and Gumba go... Read more

January 24, 2018 Audio

Keith Murray Pays Tribute To Rakim With His “I Ain’t No Joke” Freestyle (Audio)

Rappers often borrow productions popularized by other MCs, to put their own spin on the record. Sometimes they give credit. Sometimes they don't. What Keith Murray has done with Rakim's classic "I Ain't No Joke," however, is different. Rather than simply jack the classic beat, Murray makes his "I Ain't... Read more

January 9, 2018 Audio

Black Thought Clarifies Whether His 10-Minute Freestyle Was Written Or Off The Top

Nearly two weeks ago, Black Thought set the Hip-Hop world on fire, with a 10-minute freestyle that many considered the best of the year. In fact, Puff Daddy went as far as to say the verse was the greatest freestyle in Hip-Hop history. The video quickly went viral and, to... Read more

December 27, 2017 News

Eminem Details The Making Of His Raging Freestyle Storm Against Donald Trump

One of the most memorable televised Rap performances of the last 20 years came courtesy of Eminem and Elton John. Although Dido famously sang on "Stan" (it was her would-be hit "Thank You" that producer 45 King sampled), the diamond-certified John stepped in during 2001's Grammy Awards. Besides the great... Read more

December 7, 2017 Fresh

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

November 14, 2017 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Kicks The Freestyle Of His Career & One Of The Year’s Best (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. is underrated. Over the last seven years, he has given Hip-Hop some of its finest moments. His mixtapes K.R.I.T. Wuz Here and Return of 4eva were among the best in their respective years. 2012's "Mt. Olympus" was arguably the most potent response record to Kendrick Lamar's "Control" verse... Read more

November 11, 2017 Video

Talib Kweli Details How He And Mos Def Became Family Before They Were Black Star (Video)

This week, Talib Kweli appeared on Desus & Mero to promote November 17's Radio Silence album. That LP reunites Kweli with Jay Electronica and Anderson .Paak, as well as features a range of guests, from Waka Flocka Flame to Freestyle Fellowship's Myka 9 to Rick Ross. In making his return... Read more

October 27, 2017 Video

J.U.I.C.E. Once Beat Eminem In A Battle. Now He Bodies Hulk Hogan In A Freestyle (Video)

In February of this year, famed freestyle and battle MC J.U.I.C.E called out Eminem for a rematch. Before Em' would sign with Aftermath Entertainment and quickly go on to super-stardom, he lost to the Chicago, Illinois MC in a controversial 1997 Scribble Jam final round battle. Proud of his title,... Read more

August 6, 2017 Video

In 1995, Redman Reloaded Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya?” With A Machine Gun Funk Freestyle (Audio)

At least once a week, heralded British DJ Tim Westwood opens up his vaults and shares goodies from his 30 years in the Hip-Hop game. Today's (July 27), it's a time travel back to 1995. The Notorious B.I.G. had just released "Who Shot Ya?" a B-side single that even apart... Read more

July 27, 2017 Throwback

Page Kennedy’s Freestyle Replies To JAY-Z’s Story Of O.J. & Adds A Chapter (Audio)

JAY-Z made one of his most provocative songs in years with 4:44's "The Story Of OJ," while dropping jewels about ownership, accumulating wealth, and still dealing with institutional racism in 2017. Along the way, Hov apparently chided some of Rap's underclassmen. "Y'all on the 'Gram holdin' money to your ear /... Read more

July 19, 2017 Audio

2 Chainz Shows He Has Freestyle Fire In His DNA As He Rips Kendrick’s Hit (Video)

Though an immensely successful rapper with six Grammy nominations (and one win), six Platinum (or better) selling singles, and even more juggernaut appearances as a featured guest on some of Rap's hottest records, 2 Chainz isn't a rapper whose name immediately comes up when discussing the best freestylers in the... Read more

June 14, 2017 Video

Hear How Warren G Saved Def Jam Records (Audio)

Warren Griffin, III is revered as a Hip-Hop underdog. The MC/producer/DJ better known as Warren G came up as the shy half-brother of Dr. Dre. Raised in Long Beach, California Warren is the man many believe is responsible for the introduction of Snoop Dogg. Warren, keeping the music going at... Read more

May 5, 2017 Audio

Troy Ave Defends His Attacks On Capital STEEZ & Details His Shooting (Video)

Troy Ave's career has massively changed since his 2015 album, Major Without A Deal. The Brooklyn, New York MC independently rose through the ranks to reach the Top 200 charts, with an LP that included appearances by 50 Cent, Puff Daddy, Cam'ron, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Ma$e, and Fabolous. At least... Read more

April 5, 2017 Video

Page Kennedy’s Latest Freestyle Leaves Weak Rappers In The Weeds (Video)

Page Kennedy is promoting his recently-released Torn Pages album the best way that he possibly can. The veteran actor from Blue Mountain State ("Radon Randell") and Weeds ("U-Turn") isn't using his Hollywood resumé to pump the LP, he's relying on his exceptional freestyles. It is hard to find a more... Read more

April 5, 2017 Video

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

March 29, 2017 Video

Fat Joe Airs Out Terror Squad’s Dirty Laundry & Defends His Name (Video)

Fat Joe is one of Hip-Hop's most controversial figures. The Bronx, New Yorker has roots in some of the hardest Rap music of the '90s, starting with his '93 debut, Represent. However, in the days after Big Pun's sudden 2000 death, Joe stepped forward to become a mainstream giant, making... Read more

March 3, 2017 Video

J.U.I.C.E. Defeated Eminem In One Of Rap’s Greatest Battles. He Offers A Rematch (Audio)

In 1997, at Cincinnati, Ohio's annual Scribble Jam Festival, Eminem and MC J.U.I.C.E. faced off in what is often considered one of Hip-Hop's greatest battles. At the time, the two Midwestern lyricists were both independent artists looking for a title, and some shine to boot. J.U.I.C.E., the Chicago, Illinois native... Read more

February 3, 2017 Audio

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

January 31, 2017 Video

Just 2 Weeks Into January, Saba Kicks A Freestyle That Sets The Bars HIGH (Video)

Saba may not be a household name...yet, but many of his affiliates are some of the most talented artists of this generation. As they say, "birds of a feather flock together," and that is certainly the case for Saba. The Chicago MC has worked on several Chance The Rapper projects,... Read more

January 12, 2017 Video

Rain910 Brings The Thunder On The Latest Funkmaster Flex Freestyle (Video)

From the same city of Fayetteville, North Carolina as J. Cole, Rain910 has been grinding just as long. The 2015 Ambrosia For Heads Spotlight artist has worked with Cory Gunz and Paul Wall, in between some standout performances at the BET Hip Hop Awards in years past. The 20 Best... Read more

January 5, 2017 Video

The 20 Best Freestyles Of 2016. Thought You KNEW (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are few things more exciting than when an MC delivers a vicious verse that's never been heard before, on the spot. It is the equivalent 0f a monster dunk in an NBA game, a one-punch knockout in a fight or an end zone to end zone run in... Read more

December 28, 2016 Food for Thought

Camp Lo’s Geechi Suede Kicks An Amazing Freestyle & It’s Deeper Than Rap (Video)

Camp Lo’s Geechi Suede is one of the game’s more consistent lyricists. Without losing a breath, the seasoned Bronx, New York veteran delivers an incredible fast-flow verse, firing off bars like an automatic weapon with a “broken safety.” Using an intricate, multi-syllabic rhyme scheme and his signature highly-coded poetic wordplay,... Read more

December 9, 2016 Exclusive, Video

Ab-Soul Freestyles & Breaks Down His Exceptional BARS For Ras Kass (Video)

Today (December 9), Ab-Soul released Do What Thou Wilt, his first solo album in two years. He stopped by Sway in the Morning to discuss the new LP, and the interview included a very special guest in the form of Ras Kass, who called in to hear a Soulo record... Read more

December 9, 2016 Video

Ludacris Disturbed The Peace With This Never Before Released 2001 Freestyle (Audio)

In 2001, Ludacris was one of Rap's most exciting new stars. 2000's Back For The First Time kicked in the door for Def Jam South (then with Scarface at the helm) for a Top 5 charting, triple-platinum affair. However, the Atlanta, Georgia star with the carefully cut sideburns was not... Read more

December 1, 2016 Throwback, Throwback

Damian Lillard Goes Back In The Paint With Another Driving Sway Freestyle (Video)

In early 2015, Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard appeared on Sway In The Morning. The Oakland, California native proved there was more to him than a mean court-game, as he positioned himself as the best MC in the NBA. With a sick freestyle, the artist known as Dame D.O.L.L.A. began... Read more

November 22, 2016 Video

Mick Jenkins Gets In The Zone On A Freestyle That Leaves Sway Speechless (Video)

It's been less than a month since Chicago, Illinois MC Mick Jenkins dropped his debut studio LP, The Healing Component. Longtime fans of his have been rocking with him since at least 2o12, when he dropped Mickstape and, in the years since, his fanbase has been able to celebrate his... Read more

October 17, 2016 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Tells Def Jam KRITWuzHere & Then Makes One Triumphant Exit (Audio)

In what is shaping up to be more proof that, sometimes, working independently can do wonders for one's artistic expression, Big K.R.I.T. has just released a new single fittingly titled "Free Agent." It's just the latest in a string of powerful moves from the MC and producer, who this summer... Read more

October 13, 2016 Audio

25 Years Later, Freestyle Fellowship’s Myka 9 Looks Back On Their Debut (Audio)

On October 8, 1991, a group of Hip-Hop minded lovers of Jazz and improvisational artistry calling themselves Freestyle Fellowship dropped To Whom It May Concern. Together, Aceyalone, J. Sumbi, Myka 9, P.E.A.C.E., Self Jupiter, and a handful of like-minded creatives were planting the seeds for a vibrant underground underbelly in... Read more

October 6, 2016 Do Remember

Joey Purp & Chance The Rapper Make A Def Jam Like Back In The Day (Video)

Chicago, Illinois artist Joey Purp is having a banner year in 2016. His iiiDrops project is the latest in a series of Windy City freebies that balances substance, swagger, and a lot of originality. He releases one of the effort's standouts as a visual, the Chance The Rapper-assisted "Girls." While... Read more

September 21, 2016 Video

This Unreleased ’95 Red & Meth Freestyle Shows How High They Truly Fly (Audio)

In the summer of 1995, Def Jam Records dropped The Show soundtrack. The Top 5 charting work featuring music by Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., and A Tribe Called Quest introduced a duo that was still years away from fully forming. On the song "How High," Def Squad's Redman and Wu-Tang... Read more

August 4, 2016 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

This 1998 Ma$e & Guru Freestyle Brings 2 Different Sides Of Hip-Hop Together (Audio)

Six months from each other Ma$e and Gang Starr moved the Hip-Hop needle in 1997-1998. To some, that needle went in two directions. Released on October 28, 1997, Ma$e's Grammy-nominated, quadruple-platinum debut Harlem World certified the newest Bad Boy Records superstar. On March 31, 1991, Gang Starr released its first... Read more

July 28, 2016 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

Big Boi Shows How To Truly Rock Off The Top In An Unreleased 2004 Freestyle (Video)

The vast majority of freestyles are not off the top rhymes. Instead, they are typically previously unheard verses, many of which ultimately make their way to albums. This is an occurrence that has shown itself time and time again, as many revered freestyles from the 90s and beyond resurface years... Read more

July 21, 2016 Audio

Bars For Days…Murs Aims For Guinness World Record For Longest Freestyle

UPDATE: In speaking with Ambrosia For Heads, Murs has clarified that he will not be freestyling. Instead, he will be undertaking a "Rap marathon," where he raps his own songs and other classics. In 2008, Los Angeles, California MC Murs campaigned with his Warner Bros. album, Murs For President. Eight... Read more

July 14, 2016 News

Joey Bada$$ Is A Freestyle Supa Star Over Classic DJ Premier (Video)

Legendary New York City radio personality Funkmaster Flex recently launched a new series on his program that keeps the freestyle format simple. Its first episode, "Freestyle #001" featured Pro Era's Nyck Caution, the Brooklyn MC whose recent mixtape Disguise the Limit has garnered critical acclaim. On its third installment, Flex... Read more

June 23, 2016 Video

Problem Shows Why He’s Special In An Aggressive Freestyle On Dr. Dre’s Pharmacy (Audio)

After a decade of putting in work, 2016 may be pivotal for Compton's Problem. The Diamond Lane Music Group alum and longtime affiliate to the likes of Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, and 9th Wonder released a lauded EP with Q-U-I-K in April's Rosecrans. The generation-bridging salute to the C-P-T added... Read more

May 29, 2016 Audio

Diamond D & O.C.’s Freestyle Makes D.I.T.C. Say “Yo, That’s That ish” (Audio)

Diggin' In The Crates, better known as D.I.T.C., has been a unit for more than 20 years. However, since the 2000s, the New York City producer and MC collective has been building individual careers, including Fat Joe's platinum rise, a slew of O.C. cult-championed LPs, and the ongoing celebration of... Read more

April 8, 2016 Audio

Watch Nate Dogg Freestyle A Hook & See Why He Will Forever Regulate (Video)

Five years ago today (March 15, 2011), the world lost Nate Dogg. The four-time Grammy-nominated hit-maker and founding member of 213 injected a Gospel Soul sensibility into Hip-Hop through three solo albums, a group record, and hits for Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Tupac, Ludacris, Mos Def, Eminem, and... Read more

March 15, 2016 Throwback

LL Cool J Proves He’s The Original GOAT On A Blistering Freestyle Over A Dre Beat (Video)

LL Cool and Dr. Dre go back. The pair are in a select class of MCs who had professional musical careers in 1985 and in 2016, having only risen. James Todd Smith has gone from Def Jam Records breakthrough artist to a network actor star and host of the Grammy's.... Read more

March 12, 2016 Video

This 1997 Underground Hip-Hop Radio Show Includes A Rare Madlib Freestyle (Audio)

In late 1997, Madlib was a fledgling MC/producer. The Oxnard, California artist had laced a handful of joints for Tha Alkaholiks and Boot Camp Clik's O.G.C, while trying to get his Lootpack group off. In those days, as expected, not a lot of people were yet checking for the would-be... Read more

January 30, 2016 Mixes, Throwback

Eminem & Proof’s Legendary 1999 Freestyle Is Re-Released In Its Entirety (Video)

1999 was thee year for Eminem's career. Three years removed from Infinite, the Detroit, Michigan MC would team with Dr. Dre and Aftermath Entertainment to unleash The Slim Shady LP in February and things have only exploded since. That year, Em' would travel overseas, including making a stop to Tim... Read more

January 28, 2016 Throwback

In Y2K, DMX Freestyles Went Down Like Mike Tyson Victims. Here’s One. (Audio)

The barks, the growls, the yelling...DMX brought a totally different kind of anger to Rap music than peers like ONYX, M.O.P., or Tupac Shakur. The Ruff Ryders flagship MC was "rage in the cage," when he stepped in many studio booths. Tim Westwood was one DJ/Hip-Hop personality on the map... Read more

January 7, 2016 Throwback

9th Wonder Protege GQ Delivers A Powerful Sidewalk Freestyle (Video)

Previously, Jamla Records artist GQ has made poignant poetry in natural elements. Less than one year ago, the Oakland, California basketball star-turned-MC appeared rapping alongside Locksmith in a Lyft. This time, under a Grand Avenue Oaktown movie-house marquee, GQ demonstrates a deft freestyle, with some powerful lines about race, mortality,... Read more

January 3, 2016 Video

The Best Freestyles of 2015 Left Heads Spinning and Microphones Smoking (Video)

In Hip-Hop, there are few things more exciting than watching an MC get on the mic and spit a freestyle. The definition of the word "freestyle" has been fluid over the years. Originally, the term was used to denote any rhyme, written or off the top, that was not about... Read more

December 29, 2015 Video

Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch & Last Emperor Freestyle In A Found 2001 Moment (Audio)

In 2001, things were taking off for Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch. As part of the Rawkus Records movement, these 1990s alums were paving the way for solo careers following extensive group success with the likes of Organized Konfusion, Black Star, and Reflection Eternal. Presumably doing the Hip Hop For... Read more

December 10, 2015 Throwback

KRS-One Apologizes to LL Cool J For Dissing Him, With A Detailed Freestyle (Video)

On Saturday night (November 21), KRS-One performed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In a concert joined by Rakim, Ras Kass, Domingo, DJ JS-1, and others, KRS was filmed (by Akil Esoon) as he welcomed a fan to the stage to perform some rhymes. That fan, dressed in a white track-suit and matching... Read more

November 25, 2015 Video

D12 Discuss Their History With Eminem, Battle Rap, Their New Mixtape & Freestyle (Video)

D12 is an appropriate guest for a Halloween week edition of Sway In The Morning. Swifty McVay, Bizarre, and Kuniva swung through the kick it with Sway Calloway and Heather B, for what is one of the Dirty Dozen's best interviews. In celebration of their upcoming Devil's Night Mixtape (October... Read more

October 29, 2015 Video

Jay Rock Refuses To Compromise. Even His Freestyles Are Hard-Body (Audio)

Throughout the weekend, many Hip-Hop Heads are making visits to the 90059 zip code, listening to Jay Rock's sophomore solo album. The breakthrough Top Dawg Entertainment artist for nearly a decade swings through L.A. Leakers. Not often recognized as much as onetime pupil Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul in the freestyle... Read more

September 13, 2015 Audio

Big Daddy Kane Defends Macklemore, Praises Inclusion Of Rap Pioneers

In 1994, Big Daddy Kane—a major label, gold-certified artist, appeared on the Treacherous Three's first album in a decade, Old School Flava. "We Wit' It" featured Kane, alongside Chuck D, Grandmaster Caz, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Heavy D, Tito, and the Treacherous Three lineup of Kool Moe Dee, Special K, and... Read more

September 1, 2015 News

King Los Rips What May Be the Best Freestyle of the Year…Off the Top (Video)

King Los has been responsible for some of the best freestyle moments of the last several years. Just as Supernatural, J.U.I.C.E., Eminem, Crooked I, and Canibus helped certify The Wake Up Show in the 1990s, the Baltimore, Maryland MC legitimized Sway's latest platform with off-the-top bars that drove clicks, interest,... Read more

June 24, 2015 Video

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