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Conway The Machine Gives Funkmaster Flex The Year’s Best Freestyle

Conway The Machine Gives Funkmaster Flex The Year’s Best Freestyle

Earlier this month, Conway The Machine released his first solo album of 2023. WON'T HE DO IT arrived on Conway's Drumwork Music Group label, and features Fabolous, Juicy J, Ransom, and Sauce Walka, as well as his longtime Griselda crew cohorts Westside Gunn and Benny The Butcher. To promote the... Read more
May 12, 2023 Video
Westside Boogie’s Freestyle Makes Other MCs Look this Big

Westside Boogie’s Freestyle Makes Other MCs Look this Big

Nearly four years ago, Westside Boogie made a major impression with his first album on Shady Records. 2019's Everythings For Sale joined the Griselda crew in expanding Eminem's roster with new depth and range. That move had been happening since both parties smashed a 2017 BET Cypher. While the Buffalo,... Read more
November 9, 2022 Video
Symba Calls Funkmaster Flex Out While Freestyling For Him

Symba Calls Funkmaster Flex Out While Freestyling For Him

This week marks the 26th anniversary of the death of Tupac Shakur. On September 13, 1996, the MC, actor, poet, and pop culture superstar died in a Las Vegas, Nevada hospital following a drive-by shooting one week earlier. While many Tupac affiliates, insiders, and law enforcement officials have opined who... Read more
September 15, 2022 Video
Joyner Lucas Raps Forwards & Backwards On A Crazy Freestyle

Joyner Lucas Raps Forwards & Backwards On A Crazy Freestyle

Over the last five years, Joyner Lucas has gone from a standout independent lyricist to a Grammy-nominated artist. The Worcester, Massachusetts native MC released ADHD to a Top 10 charting response, following "Best Rap Song" and "Best Music Video" Grammy nods for Eminem collaboration "Lucky You" and "I'm Not A... Read more
September 7, 2022 Video
Lloyd Banks Freestyles Over A Classic Dr. Dre Beat & Crushes It

Lloyd Banks Freestyles Over A Classic Dr. Dre Beat & Crushes It

After years of crushing the streets with mixtapes, G-Unit released its major label debut in late 2003. Beg For Mercy was a commanding display from 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck. At the time, Tony Yayo was still locked up, though his image appeared projected on the artwork of... Read more
August 11, 2022 Video
Conway The Machine & Funkmaster Flex Release A Freestyle But Have They Made Peace?

Conway The Machine & Funkmaster Flex Release A Freestyle But Have They Made Peace?

Earlier this month, Conway The Machine called out Funkmaster Flex on Instagram Live. The Buffalo, New York MC demanded new Hip-Hop gatekeepers. This came after the artist reportedly saw Flex publicly say he was not a fan of Griselda while speaking to Wallo, the high-profile podcast host who recently appeared... Read more
July 22, 2022 Audio, Fresh, News
Pete Rock & Funkmaster Flex Are Battling Over The Future Of NY Hip-Hop

Pete Rock & Funkmaster Flex Are Battling Over The Future Of NY Hip-Hop

In the last week, a battle has been going on surrounding Hip-Hop radio in New York. The series of events began with an Instagram Live monologue from Conway The Machine, one of Rap's most promising and acclaimed MCs as of late. The Machine vented frustrations with media gatekeepers, especially on the radio.... Read more
July 19, 2022 Video
Funkmaster Flex Accuses Pete Rock Of Snitching On C.L. Smooth

Funkmaster Flex Accuses Pete Rock Of Snitching On C.L. Smooth

Earlier this week, Conway The Machine criticized New York City DJs in an Instagram Live video. In particular, the Griselda lyricist and Drumwork Records founder knocked DJ Suss One and Funkmaster Flex by name for their failure to support Hip-Hop music like his—despite being reported fans. As Funk Flex responded... Read more
July 15, 2022 Fresh, News
Pete Rock Blasts Funkmaster Flex For Not Supporting Real Hip-Hop

Pete Rock Blasts Funkmaster Flex For Not Supporting Real Hip-Hop

At the top of this week, Conway The Machine spoke out against several gatekeepers of Hip-Hop at radio. In particular, the Buffalo, New York MC named Funkmaster Flex and DJ Suss One in an Instagram Live monologue venting frustrating with what gets played on radio. Funk Flex responded to Conway... Read more
July 13, 2022 Fresh, News
Funkmaster Flex Is Trying To End Conway The Machine

Funkmaster Flex Is Trying To End Conway The Machine

In mid-2019, Conway The Machine stopped on Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 radio show to deliver a high-profile freestyle. The Buffalo, New York MC was having a pivotal year at the time. That year, he released Everybody Is F.O.O.D. 3 and Look What I Became before eventually teaming with brother Westside... Read more
July 12, 2022 Fresh, News
Biz Markie Has Passed Away At Age 57

Biz Markie Has Passed Away At Age 57

A challenging year for the Hip-Hop community continues to become more tragic. In a breaking news story, Biz Markie has died at the age of 57. The legendary MC, DJ, and producer born Marcel Hall passed away this evening (July 16) after a decade-plus-long bout with type 2 diabetes. TMZ reported... Read more
July 16, 2021 News
Marlon Craft Puts His Competition On Notice With A Blistering Freestyle (Video)

Marlon Craft Puts His Competition On Notice With A Blistering Freestyle (Video)

Manhattan native Marlon Craft has been making the best of his opportunities by delivering top-notch freestyles that show off his skills. For those not in the know, Craft came across Rap honestly and as the son of a Jazz musician. From there, he showcased an adept style that instantly endeared... Read more
December 14, 2019 Video
Rapsody’s Latest Freestyle Shows Why She Is Already In The Winner’s Circle (Video)

Rapsody’s Latest Freestyle Shows Why She Is Already In The Winner’s Circle (Video)

Yesterday (November 20), Rapsody expressed her disappointment following the announcement of the 2020 Grammy Award nominations. While late 2017's Laila's Wisdom earned two nominations, 2019's exceptional LP Eve was not included in Wednesday's list. In a social media post, the Jamla/Roc Nation MC admitted that she was "frustrated" and "disappointed."... Read more
November 21, 2019 Video
Young M.A. Kicks A Freestyle That’s Germane & So So Def (Video)

Young M.A. Kicks A Freestyle That’s Germane & So So Def (Video)

With only nine days until Young M.A drops her debut album Herstory In The Making, the Brooklyn, New York MC visited Funkmaster Flex’s HOT 97 studio, self-proclaimed "home away from home." The popular MC builds the hype in the best way she knows possible. M.A busts a two-part freestyle that... Read more
September 18, 2019 Video
YBN Cordae Freestyles Over 3 Generations Of Beats To Show He’s 1 Of A Kind

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
August 1, 2019 Video
Tyler, The Creator Repeatedly Flirts With Funkmaster Flex In An Insane Freestyle

Tyler, The Creator Repeatedly Flirts With Funkmaster Flex In An Insane Freestyle

From the inception of his career, Tyler, The Creator has been nothing, if not controversial. The enigmatic and charismatic leader of the Odd Future collective has relished in stirring people up, whether it be through outlandishly homophobic jokes or references to being the son of the devil. Though his first... Read more
July 25, 2019 Video
Ever See This ’91 Cypher With Leaders Of The New School, Biz Markie & More? (Video)

Ever See This ’91 Cypher With Leaders Of The New School, Biz Markie & More? (Video)

At the top of the 1990s, many Hip-Hop artists were coming together in the name of peace, unity, love, understanding, and having fun. Collectives like the Native Tongues and Diggin' In The Crates (which was not even minted yet) earned the respect of the pioneers by keeping alive the 1970s... Read more
January 28, 2019 Throwback
Meek Mill Freestyles Over Drake’s Diss Track To Show He’s Truly Back

Meek Mill Freestyles Over Drake’s Diss Track To Show He’s Truly Back

Last Friday (November 30), Meek Mill released Championships. The Maybach Music Group star symbolically hoisted a trophy over his head in the form of a stellar album with appearances by JAY-Z, Rick Ross, and Drake. The moment represented Meek's newfound freedom from prison, a return to Rap form, and a... Read more
December 4, 2018 Video
Arsonal Says He Has The Best Funk Flex Freestyle…And That Includes Black Thought

Arsonal Says He Has The Best Funk Flex Freestyle…And That Includes Black Thought

Newark, New Jersey Battle Rap star, Arsonal Da Rebel, is the latest MC to flame the mic on Funkmaster Flex’s freestyle segment. However, while most MCs come to prove their worth on the mic, this lyricist—seen in the 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards cyphers, is out for symbolic blood. He... Read more
November 29, 2018 Video
Tierra Whack Claims She’s Andre-Meets-The Beatles In An Incredible Freestyle

Tierra Whack Claims She’s Andre-Meets-The Beatles In An Incredible Freestyle

The term “eccentric” may often be overused, but Tierra Whack fits that description well, with no hyperbole. Earlier this year the young Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC made waves with her innovative and truly original effort Whack World, which has racked up seven figures in streams with its 15 one-minute songs in... Read more
November 21, 2018 Video
Last Week Jae Millz Took An L, But This Freestyle Shows He Bounced Back (Video)

Last Week Jae Millz Took An L, But This Freestyle Shows He Bounced Back (Video)

Jae Millz was once considered one of the sharpest MCs on the streets of New York. That's why, approximately 15 years ago, Puff Daddy took his Making The Band hopeful E Ness to see Millz for a battle. In the years since Jae was signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money at... Read more
November 15, 2018 Video
Dave East & Styles P Kick Freestyles & Show Why Their Bond Is Thoro (Video)

Dave East & Styles P Kick Freestyles & Show Why Their Bond Is Thoro (Video)

Styles P and Dave East recently released a joint album, Beloved. For two New York City MCs with proven chemistry, the Def Jam Records LP has the spirit of early 2000s mixtapes (especially of the D-Block variety) with the kind of polish typically reserved for albums. To promote the 13-song... Read more
October 25, 2018 Video
Mysonne Says He’s Today’s Tupac & Nas On The Best Freestyle Of The Year (Video)

Mysonne Says He’s Today’s Tupac & Nas On The Best Freestyle Of The Year (Video)

Mysonne is far from a new artist. The Bronx, New York MC has made his impression felt for years, on major platforms like his show-stopping performance at last year's BET Hip Hop Awards cypher stage. However, awareness surrounding the MC who appeared on Ma$e's Double Up and Ruff Ryders' Ryde... Read more
July 25, 2018 Video
Kid Capri Explains Why He Has Beef With Funkmaster Flex (Video)

Kid Capri Explains Why He Has Beef With Funkmaster Flex (Video)

Two of the most recognized names in DJ'ing, especially for those in and around the New York City area, are currently beefing. For those following social media, mixtape legend Kid Capri has minced no words in his opinions of Funkmaster Flex. Both men, who each claim Bronx, New York as... Read more
July 9, 2018 Fresh, News, Video
Video Music Box Is Celebrating Its 35th Anniversary With A Concert Packed With Legends

Video Music Box Is Celebrating Its 35th Anniversary With A Concert Packed With Legends

It is an obligation for music historians and Heads alike to acknowledge the evolution of music video shows largely began with "Uncle" Ralph McDaniels and his pioneering TV show Video Music Box. The Queens, New York-born McDaniels is the founder and host of the show, which first aired on New York... Read more
June 27, 2018 Fresh
Big Daddy Kane Freestyles Raw, Uncut & With A Chip On His Legendary Shoulders (Video)

Big Daddy Kane Freestyles Raw, Uncut & With A Chip On His Legendary Shoulders (Video)

This Wednesday (June 20), Big Daddy Kane is performing a free concert in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York. The living legend of the microphone is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Long Live The Kane. In an era when records are shorter and appear to be more... Read more
June 18, 2018 Video
Snoop Claims Biggie Tried To Have Him Shot & Explains How They Made Peace (Video)

Snoop Claims Biggie Tried To Have Him Shot & Explains How They Made Peace (Video)

While Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls had the most storied and ultimately tragic Rap beef in history, there were other moments that greatly defined a coastal conflict between the Death Row and Bad Boy labels. In 1995, there was a shooting in Red Hook, Brooklyn while Tha Dogg Pound and... Read more
June 11, 2018 Throwback, Video
Big Daddy Kane Details Recording This 1988 Mixtape Collabo With JAY-Z (Video)

Big Daddy Kane Details Recording This 1988 Mixtape Collabo With JAY-Z (Video)

Big Daddy Kane and DJ Mister Cee have been performing and recording together for more than 30 years. The two Brooklyn, New York natives appear together on Funkmaster Flex's I Got A Story To Tell series. For more than an hour, one of the greatest MCs of all time revisits... Read more
June 10, 2018 Throwback, Video
Do Remember When Biggie & The LOX Flexed A Freestyle Over Wu-Tang’s C.R.E.A.M. (Audio)

Do Remember When Biggie & The LOX Flexed A Freestyle Over Wu-Tang’s C.R.E.A.M. (Audio)

Earlier this week, Styles P was on The Breakfast Club to promote his newly-released G-Host album. During the interview discussion, co-host Charlamagne Tha God mentioned The LOX and The Notorious B.I.G.'s important collaborative freestyle appearance on early 1997's The Mixtape Vol. II: 60 Minutes Of Funk by Funkmaster Flex. He... Read more
May 10, 2018 Do Remember
Freeway’s New Freestyle Shows He Is 100% Back & At Peak Powers (Video)

Freeway’s New Freestyle Shows He Is 100% Back & At Peak Powers (Video)

Compared to his mid-2000s run, Freeway has been out of the spotlight lately. From health concerns to label shifts, he has his reasons. However, the Roc Nation MC snatched it right back the best way he knew how. The Philly spitter, accompanied by fellow Roc-A-Fell Records alum Pain In Da... Read more
April 18, 2018 Video
Mickey Factz Teaches Financial Responsibility Through Taxing Bars (Video)

Mickey Factz Teaches Financial Responsibility Through Taxing Bars (Video)

Bronx, New York native Mickey Factz is the latest guest on Funkmaster Flex's freestyle platform. With his barrage of bars, the veteran lyricist kicked knowledge about something often overlooked in Rap: financial responsibility. After warming up his chops and getting his metaphorical ducks in a row, Factz began spitting facts... Read more
April 5, 2018 Video
Can You Hear Me Now? Lil Yachty Freestyles With Clear Intent (Video)

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

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

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
Iman Shumpert’s Freestyle Can’t Be Faded. Dame Lillard Has Company (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
This 11-Year Old Raps Harder Than Most Grown Men (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
IDK’s Freestyle Delivers Knowledge With Some Humor & Ignorance Too (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
Papoose Takes A Ratchet Freestyle Challenge & Makes It Regal (Video)

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)

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
Mista Sinista Reminds Why Hip-Hop Was Built By DJs. He Puts On An Amazing Display (Video)

Mista Sinista Reminds Why Hip-Hop Was Built By DJs. He Puts On An Amazing Display (Video)

Mista Sinista was a crucial part of the X-Ecutioners in the '90s and early 2000s. Alongside the late Roc Raida, as well as Rob Swift and Total Eclipse, the X-Men were real-life superheroes behind the turntables and mixers. Moreover, their 2002 Built From Scratch album on Loud Records brought turntablism... Read more
September 19, 2017 Video
Fred The Godson Delivers One Of The Year’s Best Freestyles & Makes It Look Easy (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’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
Puffy Explains How He Landed On Tribe’s Midnight Marauders Cover Before Fame (Video)

Puffy Explains How He Landed On Tribe’s Midnight Marauders Cover Before Fame (Video)

The week of Puff Daddy's 24th birthday, the would-be mogul ended up on his first album cover. In late 1993, before Bad Boy Records ever released a single, and No Way Out was a distant dream, Sean Combs appeared on the outer artwork to A Tribe Called Quest's third album,... Read more
June 29, 2017 Video
5 Years After “1999,” Joey Bada$$ Is Still Fighting To Restore New York’s Place In Hip-Hop (Video)

5 Years After “1999,” Joey Bada$$ Is Still Fighting To Restore New York’s Place In Hip-Hop (Video)

Today (June 12) is the fifth anniversary of Joey Bada$$' releasing his 1999 mixtape. The Brooklyn, New York MC used that opportunity to make a powerful impression on Hip-Hop. Starting with debut video single "Survival Tactics," featuring Capital STEEZ, he brought a colorful crew and retro style with him. In... Read more
June 12, 2017 Video
Treach Flies To L.A. & Wages War To Protect Tupac’s Legacy

Treach Flies To L.A. & Wages War To Protect Tupac’s Legacy

UPDATE: Just over 48 hours after Hip-Hop Heads were questioning whether Naughty By Nature's Treach and The Game's manager Wack 100 made an online beef a physical altercation, that conflict has been declared resolved. Moments ago today (May 22), Treach publicly apologized the the veteran music executive tied to Ray... Read more
May 20, 2017 News, Video
J.I.D’s Monster Freestyle Shows There’s A New Contender For King Of The South (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
Mary J. Blige Is As Real As She’s Ever Been In Discussing Her Divorce (Video)

Mary J. Blige Is As Real As She’s Ever Been In Discussing Her Divorce (Video)

Celebrated world over for her deeply personal approach to music, Mary J. Blige has never held back from admitting her weaknesses and pain. In fact, she has time and time again channeled it all into her work, which continues to resonate with her fans 25 years after she made her... Read more
March 31, 2017 Video
Scram Jones Speaks Against The President Through Party-Rocking Turntablism (Video)

Scram Jones Speaks Against The President Through Party-Rocking Turntablism (Video)

Scram Jones is a bona fide Hip-Hop veteran. The New Yorker has produced tracks for Raekwon, The LOX, and Ghostface Killah (as well as Mariah Carey), among many others. Moreover, he's a highly-respected DJ, from rocking clubs, mixtapes, concerts, and his post on Shade 45. Oh yeah, this 2002 "Unsigned... Read more
March 14, 2017 Video
Fat Joe Airs Out Terror Squad’s Dirty Laundry & Defends His Name (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
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