freestyle Archives

Can You Hear Me Now? Lil Yachty Freestyles With Clear Intent (Video)

Lil Yachty has become one of the most recognized rappers under the legal drinking age. He has endorsement deals, a video approaching 120 million plays, a Top 5 charting album, a Grammy nomination, and platinum singles alongside D.R.A.M. and Kyle. The Quality Control/Capitol Records artist is not without his critics.... Read more

March 13, 2018 Video

Tory Lanez Delivers The Best Freestyle Of The Year, So Far (Video)

Tory Lanez capped off 2017 with one of the most notable live, on-air freestyles of the year when he went off for eight minutes on Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 series. Now in early 2018, Lanez appears on Sway In The Morning and topped that showing—not only by spitting for one... Read more

February 28, 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

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

Black Thought Can’t Let The Year End Without Spitting Its Best Freestyle (Video)

Black Thought did not release an album in 2017, nor did The Roots. However, Tariq Trotter spent the year at the top of the MC class. He sizzled the mic on albums by Logic, Rapsody, and David Banner. There was a surprise MF DOOM collaboration released, and a deeply meaningful... Read more

December 14, 2017 Video

Big K.R.I.T. Flips Nas’ 1996 Message Into A Freestyle For The Ages (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. appeared on Sway In The Morning this week to promote his new double-album 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time. After discussing the Multi Alumni release with Sway, Heather B, and Tracy G, the acclaimed Mississippi artist could not leave without dropping some freestyle flavor. And boy, did he... Read more

December 8, 2017 Video

The Game Releases A Grown Man Freestyle On His 38th Birthday (Audio)

Eleven years ago, The Game scored one of the most circulated hits of his career with "It's Okay (One Blood)." Featuring Junior Reid, the song cleared the table on a number of issues surrounding Jayceon Taylor's mid-2000s standing. He addressed his newfound distance with mentor Dr. Dre after just one... Read more

November 29, 2017 Audio

Tory Lanez Shows Why Drake Might NEVER Want To Battle Him With Bars (Video)

Tory Lanez is one of Canada's biggest global Hip-Hop stars. His full-length debut, 2016's I Told You was a confident wake-up call from the Toronto representative. The album was Top 5 debut in the United States proving that "the 6" is dominating the mainstream consciousness at a new high. Since... Read more

November 29, 2017 Video

Stalley Has Left MMG & His Sway Freestyle Shows He’s Self-Made (Video)

Ohio MC Stalley has spent much of his career attached to movements. Most notably, in his days with Rick Ross' MMG squad, he was part of three Top 5 Maybach Music Group Self-Made compilations in the early 2010s. The MC followed with his own Top 40 debut Ohio in 2014.... Read more

November 20, 2017 Video

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

Iman Shumpert’s Freestyle Can’t Be Faded. Dame Lillard Has Company (Video)

Almost 25 years after B-Ball's Best Kept Secret, there's a whole host of new hoopers with Hip-Hop hops. For several years now, Portland Trailblazers' all-star Damian "Dame Dolla" Lillard has become the NBA's apparent rapper laureate with albums, and a fair share of standout freestyles. Now, Iman Shumpert wants in.... Read more

November 13, 2017 Video

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

November 9, 2017 Video

This 11-Year Old Raps Harder Than Most Grown Men (Video)

For decades, Hip-Hop has often overlooked the relationship between age and subject matters. A genre that often reflects poverty, crime, and innocence lost is a product of those experiences. The same rules used in other art forms may not apply. Nas recorded his verse for Main Source's "Live At The... Read more

November 6, 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

IDK’s Freestyle Delivers Knowledge With Some Humor & Ignorance Too (Video)

IDK (formerly Jay IDK) is one of 2017's more exciting voices. This month, the artist whose acronym means "Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge" released IWASVERYBAD, a 12-track-album that features luminaries such as DOOM, Del The Funky Homosapien, and Swizz Beatz. Following in Logic's path, the MC born Jason Mills intends to re-brand... Read more

October 26, 2017 Video

Eminem Was A Political Rapper Years Before The BET Cypher. Here’s The Proof (Video)

Tuesday night (October 10), Eminem spit what already appears to be the most talked about freestyle verse of all-time. At Detroit's First Street Parking with Shady Records artists and friends looking on (some would later get their turn to rap), Marshall Mathers went off the rails on an a capella... Read more

October 14, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video

Large Professor Speaks On The Targets Of “Fakin’ The Funk” & Why He Attacked The Wack

It goes without saying that 1992 was a turning point year for Hip-Hop. The hardcore and underground Rap scenes from the East, West, Midwest, and South each boasted a myriad of artists with memorable singles and albums to define their respective region's sound. Simultaneously, this period was when Pop music... Read more

October 12, 2017 Do Remember, Exclusive

Papoose Takes A Ratchet Freestyle Challenge & Makes It Regal (Video)

Papoose kept it both real and regal as he freestyled for nearly seven minutes, during an appearance on Hot 97, this week. The Brooklyn wordsmith didn't skip a beat as he lyrically juggled his way through a medley of current events, including the government's possible involvement with Hurricane Harvey and... Read more

October 5, 2017 Video

When Loaded Lux Freestyles, You Gon’ Get That Work! (Video)

While in the last few years he has begun to lay his rhymes to wax, Loaded Lux was forged in the art of freestyling and battle rap. After an unforgettable stint in the 2000s where he won 7 consecutive weeks on 106 & Park's "Freestyle Friday," Lux went on to... Read more

September 30, 2017 Video

An Argument For Why Snoop Is The Greatest MC Of All-Time (Video)

Despite the fact that he is one of Rap music's most widely recognized faces, voices, and outright brands, somehow many overlook the lyrical merits of Snoop Dogg. For 25 years, Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. has given Hip-Hop Heads different looks within one of the genre's most sprawling and versatile catalogs.... Read more

September 24, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video

Fred The Godson Delivers One Of The Year’s Best Freestyles & Makes It Look Easy (Video)

Late last month, The Bronx, New York Rap veteran Fred The Godson released his Gordo album. Fat with features, the nickname-eponymous LP includes Joell Ortiz, Dave East, and Vado, among others. Part of what put Fred on the map is his voracious freestyle skills. Appearing alongside Funkmaster Flex (a longtime purveyor... Read more

September 18, 2017 Video

Vic Mensa’s Explosive Freestyle May Be Banned From TV Like Kaepernick (Video)

Vic Mensa is a gifted rarity. The Save Money star makes compelling, highly personal albums. That's evident in July's The Autobiography, Mensa's Roc Nation full-length debut. However, so many MCs who are conceptual and vulnerable on wax can be a bit restrained in the freestyle. That's never been the case... Read more

September 6, 2017 Video

See The Full Historic Conversation & Cypher Between Mos Def, Big Pun, Canibus & DMX (Video)

Twenty years ago, Hip-Hop was in crosswinds. Microphones were grabbed by emerging voices from across the landscape, geographically, stylistically, and regarding content. As the genre collected itself following the sudden and tragic killings of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, it wanted new sounds, messages, and conversations. Mos Def & Dave... Read more

August 28, 2017 Throwback, Video

This Run-D.M.C. Beatboxing & Rapping Session Is Tougher Than Leather (Video)

It was 1988, and Run-D.M.C. were already four albums into a genre-defining discography. In May of that year, the Kings of Rock (who were previously raising hell on airwaves across the world) dropped what would become the platinum-selling Tougher Than Leather, home to fan favorites like "Mary, Mary" and "Run's House."... Read more

August 24, 2017 Do Remember

Sadat X Drops A Freestyle Filled With The Grown Man Rap He’s Made For Years (Video)

Debates about a so-called "generation gap" in Rap music will likely be a perennial characteristic of the genre. As recently as the June release of JAY-Z's 4:44, vociferous fans and critics engaged in discussions about "grown-man Rap" and how a 47-year-old MC was able to drop one of the best albums... Read more

August 14, 2017 Video

Redman, Erick Sermon & Keith Murray Freestyle To The Def Over “Who Shot Ya” (Audio)

1998 was arguably the strongest year of the East Coast's resurgence during the West Coast Gangsta Rap-dominated decade. Radio stations across the map, and music video channels BET and MTV, were putting a diverse mix of music from New York City representatives DMX, N.O.R.E., Nas, Big Pun, Cam'ron, Ma$e, Biggie... Read more

August 10, 2017 Throwback

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

Vic Mensa Once Again Shows He’s 1 Of Today’s Best MCs With A Punishing Freestyle (Video)

Yesterday (July 28), Vic Mensa released his debut album, The Autobiography, but Mensa is far from new on the scene. The Chicago MC first made waves in 2009, as part of the group Kids These Days. In 2013, Vic began his solo career and once again turned heads with his... Read more

July 29, 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

Cam’ron Kicks A Freestyle About The Importance Of Ownership & Not Getting Played (Video)

Cam'ron has been relatively quiet in 2017, musically. However, he has stayed active in other ways. In February, Cam and fellow Dipset member, Jim Jones, traded words via separate interviews (and Cam's live stream) about the deterioration of Dipset and what went wrong between the two estranged friends and business partners.... Read more

July 18, 2017 Video

Rob Markman Says He’s Better Than MCs He’s Interviewed & Freestyles To Prove It (Video)

Rob Markman and "freestyle" typically only appear in the same sentence when the veteran journalist is writing about a hot verse dropped by an established rapper. A longtime presence in Hip-Hop journalism, Markman is currently Head of Artist Relations at Genius, but he has many years of work putting pen... Read more

July 13, 2017 Video

This MC Actually Impressed Kendrick Lamar With His Freestyle Skills (Video)

Nine years ago, Kendrick Lamar was handed the mic from Charles Hamilton at an industry event. Before the world knew just how "overly dedicated" he was, the Compton, California MC went off, using the moment to his advantage. As a relatively unknown rapper looking to make a way and a... Read more

July 1, 2017 Video

A Harvard Student Made A Rap Album Thesis. Sway Puts Him To The Test (Video)

Last month, Obasi Shaw graduated from Harvard University. For his thesis, the English major submitted a 10-track Hip-Hop album, Liminal Minds. He wrote and recorded the album for more than a year. Shaw's resulting work tackled the issue of what it means for a young man to be Black in... Read more

June 19, 2017 Video

GZA Once Sliced Apart A Dre Beat Using His Verbal Liquid Swords (Video)

In 2002, GZA was fast at work on his fourth solo album (the third since the '93 sonic-boom of the Wu-Tang Clan). At the time, 1995's Liquid Swords was well on its way to eventual platinum status, while 1999's Beneath The Surface was his second consecutive Top 10 release, grabbing... Read more

June 15, 2017 Do Remember

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

Vic Mensa Says He Will Slap MCs Who Say They Are Better Than Tupac (Video)

Vic Mensa freestyles are as dynamic as the Roc Nation MC's song-making. Following his new EP, The Manuscript the Save Money MC hits Los Angeles, California's Power 106 FM. There, before the L.A. Leakers, Vic finesses a freestyle flow over Prodigy's "Keep It Thoro." Vic Mensa’s Freestyle Causes Sway To... Read more

June 13, 2017 Video

Elzhi-Era Slum Village Rip The Mic In A Never Before Released 2002 Freestyle (Audio)

Few Hip-Hop groups have experienced the setbacks of Slum Village. Two founding members, J Dilla and Baatin, died from health complications in the 2000s. Elzhi left the group, with reports of a less than amicable split between himself and anchor T3. Dilla's brother Illa J also had a stint in... Read more

May 26, 2017 Audio

Nick Grant’s Freestyle Is More Than Funky Enough On This D.O.C. Classic (Video)

Over the last couple of years, Nick Grant has established himself as one of Hip-Hop's most most promising new voices. In 2016, the South Carolina-born MC released his mixtape 88, which, as its title suggests, was a throwback to the era that played host to names like Rakim, Big Daddy... Read more

May 10, 2017 Video

LL Cool J Recites The 1st Rhyme He Wrote. He Was Already A GOAT At 11 (Video)

2017 makes 33 years since LL Cool J released debut single "I Need A Beat." James Todd Smith was not old enough to drive a car when he signed his contract with Def Jam Records, where he would remain a superstar into the 2000s. The Queens, New York MC elevated... Read more

April 30, 2017 Video

J.I.D’s Monster Freestyle Shows There’s A New Contender For King Of The South (Video)

One of the best releases in the Dreamville Records chest is J.I.D's The Never Story. Released last month, the Interscope-backed project did not rely on heavy marketing, big features, or grabbing artwork. Instead, the newest artist on J. Cole's label simply spit raps with a nimble delivery, clever wordplay, and... Read more

April 27, 2017 Video

Ludacris Takes Llama Llama Red Pajama To The Red Light District (Video)

Since the days of Slick Rick, Hip-Hop has had a curious relationship with children's stories. Recently, Los Angeles' Power 106 decided to take that connection and run with it. Over the last few months, the radio station has had several rappers put their stamp on spirited readings of the 2005... Read more

April 22, 2017 Video

Murs Freestyles About America’s 1st Illegal Immigrants & They Weren’t Mexican (Video)

Los Angeles, California's Murs is one of the most respected voices in Hip-Hop, partly because of his penchant for truthseeking and social commentary. In March, he released his tenth solo LP, Captain California, which addresses topics like mental health in the Black community (on "God Bless Kanye West") and gentrification... Read more

April 18, 2017 Video

Devin The Dude Recites The First Rhyme He Ever Wrote. He Hasn’t Changed A Bit (Video)

Last month, Devin The Dude and his Coughee Brothaz clique self-released Acoustic Levitation. The Texas-based MC/producer is up to his famous three W's: wine, weed, and women on an independent release that involves some lush harmonies from the MC who is a highly capable singer. Devin The Dude's career spans... Read more

April 13, 2017 Video

Kxng Crooked Freestyles On Jeru The Damaja’s “Come Clean” And Does It Dirty (Video)

Kxng Crooked is a monster. There's no other way to say it. For more than 20 years, the MC formerly known as Crooked I has done things that are absolutely grisly to microphones. Whether as a Death Row records artist who never had the opportunity to release a project or... Read more

April 11, 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

If This Freestyle Is Any Indicator, Joey Bada$$’ New LP Will Be Incredible (Video)

Come April 7, Joey Bada$$ will have released All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ (A.B.B.A.), the Brooklyn rapper's follow-up to his 2015 debut album, B4.Da.$$. At just 22, Joey is touted as not only one of the most promising of his generation, but he's gotten co-signs (and collabs) with some of Hip-Hop's most seasoned,... Read more

March 21, 2017 Video

Kxng Crooked Cuts Loose With Another Razor Sharp Freestyle (Audio)

Kxng Crooked is on a relentless streak of music. The Long Beach, California veteran fires up freestyles like he enjoys his stogies. This Friday (March 3), he revisits an early Slaughterhouse instrumental (the Mr. Porter-produced "Cut You Loose") for some detaching bars. He uses addresses alcoholism, hunger pains and poverty,... Read more

March 3, 2017 Audio

Sha Stimuli Raps About The Mighty Movers Of Change In This Brilliant Freestyle (Video)

Sha Stimuli is the latest MC to create a topical freestyle verse on video for Ambrosia For Heads. The Brooklyn, New Yorker was asked to cover something from the news in the previous week that meant something to him. Instead, the former Virgin Records MC and Just Blaze affiliate focused... Read more

March 1, 2017 Exclusive, Video

Nick Grant Spits A Blazing Hot Freestyle That Melts Raekwon’s Ice Cream (Video)

At the top of 2017, Nick Grant released his major label debut album, Return Of The Cool. The Epic Records artist chose a bold title, but he's backed it up. South Carolina's own has made a name for himself through sheer skills above feature-driven guest-work. Through dope freestyle appearances, well-executed... Read more

February 26, 2017 Video