funkmaster flex Archives

Statik Selektah Is A Highly Regarded Producer. But He’s Still One Mean DJ Too. (Video)

In the mid-2010s, Statik Selektah is a deeply respected producer. From some of the highlights of Joey Bada$$'s B4.Da.$$ to Eminem and company's "Detroit Vs. Everybody," to his own incredible album catalog, the ShowOff Records founder is highly sought out, and one of Hip-Hop's most prolific creators. As Statik's career... Read more

February 14, 2017 Video

Chris Rivers Pays Tribute To His Father Big Pun With A Crushing Freestyle (Video)

Tuesday (February 7), marked the 17th anniversary of Big Pun's passing. Though Pun only released two studio albums, his dextrous rhymes and impeccable flow left a mark that allows him to still be widely considered one of Rap's all-time greats, nearly 20 years after his debut album, Capital Punishment. Fat... Read more

February 9, 2017 Video

Big Sean Has Radio Hits, But His Freestyle Game Is Still On FIRE (Video)

Today (February 3), Big Sean released I Decided, his fourth solo album and the first since 2015's platinum-selling and Grammy-nominated Dark Sky Paradise. Supported by the hugely successful singles "Bounce Back," "Moves," and "Halfway Off the Balcony," I Decided features Eminem, Jeremih, Migos, The Dream, as well as a choir... Read more

February 3, 2017 Video

Consequence’s Freestyle Has A Clear Message For Mumble Rappers: “You’re A Customer” (Video)

Consequence finished out 2016 strong. The Queens, New York veteran released his A Good Comeback Story at mid-year. However, in the closing weeks of the year, his numerous appearances on A Tribe Called Quest's We got it from Here...Thank You 4 Your service put the 20-plus-year affiliate of the group... Read more

January 24, 2017 Video

Cassidy Doesn’t Even Need a Beat To Outrap MCs, Bar None (Video)

Opening up 2017 with what can already be deemed one of the year's most impressive freestyles, Cassidy was Funkmaster Flex's latest guest at Hot97 and delivered yet another scorcher. Heads may recall that on January 4, the Philadelphia MC blacked out for some extemporaneous flows over a handful of beats... Read more

January 13, 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

Termanology Rips A Funkmaster Flex Freestyle. Pardon The Interruption (Video)

It's been just over a month since Lawrence, Massachusetts's Termanology dropped More Politics, a self-released LP featuring Bun B, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Kxng Crooked, Joey Bada$$, Your Old Droog, and others. With just three songs featuring a solo Term', the album is an inclusive affair with plenty of variety... Read more

December 22, 2016 Video

Remy Ma & Papoose Are Hip-Hop’s Real Bonnie & Clyde. No Couple Has Better Bars (Video)

This week revealed that Remy Ma is going for Grammy Awards for the first time in more than a decade, thanks to her and Fat Joe's reunion campaign, "All The Way Up." The First Lady of the Terror Squad has made her biggest and most beloved music with Joe Crack—between... Read more

December 8, 2016 Video

A Newly Released ’96 Cypher Shows A Tribe Called Quest Schooling Phony Rappers (Audio)

This month, A Tribe Called Quest released their sixth and said to be final album. We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service appeared to shock to the music world, when it was revealed to exist, less than six months after Phife Dawg's March death. It had been... Read more

November 17, 2016 Throwback

Nick Grant Shows Why The Future Of Hip-Hop Is Far From Mumble Rap (Video)

Last year, Nick Grant made an appearance on the Sway In The Morning show and kicked one of the best freestyles of the year, excluding nobody. He earned his spot after participating in a cypher with CyHi The Prynce, one of the most respected lyricists in the game, and shining... Read more

October 8, 2016 Video

Murda Mook Smothers The Mic In This Head-Hunting 9 Minute Freestyle (Video)

Murda Mook can downright destroy microphones when asked. The Harlem, New Yorker and onetime Ruff Ryders member is nice with the ring of Battle Rap. However, without an opponent, the MC that's worked with Sean Price and LL Cool J is simply a standout lyricist. Appearing alongside Funkmaster Flex at... Read more

September 23, 2016 Video

Joe Budden Reminds All He Built His Career On BARS Not Beef (Video)

Joe Budden has been dominating headlines for the last several months, almost exclusively due to his ongoing, and increasingly one-sided war with Drake. As the events of the past week showed--with overzealous Drake fans harassing Budden at his own home, and Budden returning the favor--the feud has taken on a... Read more

July 29, 2016 Video

Dave East’s Latest Freestyle Emphatically States His Place In The Game (Video)

Dave East links with Funkmaster Flex for a video freestyle. There, the Harlem, New Yorker locks in for an extended series of bars that combines his hunger for more, with his formative past. In his zone, the Nas co-signed MC is clearly influenced by the mid-2000s mixtape wave of emphatic... Read more

July 21, 2016 Video

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

Nyck Caution Shows Pro Era Is One of the Deepest Crews On The Beast Coast (Video)

Although Joey Bada$$ may have been the first member of the Pro Era crew to have break out success, the talent in the group runs deep. Since the release of Joey's 2012 mixtape, 1999, Kirk Knight, CJ Fly, Dessy Hinds and, of course, the late Capital STEEZ have all made... Read more

May 31, 2016 Video

New York City DJ Icon Big Kap Has Passed Away

In a developing story, multiple sources have confirmed that veteran DJ and producer Big Kap has died.The New York mixmaster born Keith Carter was a DJ for The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and others. Kap was also a fixture of 1990s NYC venue The Tunnel, a club notable for introducing some... Read more

February 3, 2016 News

Every Holiday Season, Funkmaster Flex, DJ Red Alert & Chuck Chillout Make Radio Amazing (Mix)

Every Christmas Eve (December 24), Funkmaster Flex assumes his HOT 97 post as usual, but invites in two fellow legends of radio. Funk Flex brings in DJ Red Alert and DJ Chuck Chillout, two masters of the 1980s airwaves. There, the trio ring in Christmas by playing hours upon hours... Read more

December 26, 2015 Mixes

Ever Hear This 1996 Nas & Cormega Cypher? (Audio)

Nas and Cormega have been linked for more than 20 years, ever since Nasir shouted out Mega on Illmatic's "One Love" in 1994. Although the two would go on to have a rift that was eventually resolved, their microphone alchemy was always undeniable. This was, perhaps, never more apparent than... Read more

October 24, 2015 Throwback

Meek Mill Reveals the Ghost Writer He Claims Wrote Drake’s R.I.C.O. Verse (Video)

From The D.O.C. to Royce Da 5'9", Skillz to Ice Cube, Hip-Hop has a long line of famous ghostwriters. High profile albums such as Dr. Dre's 2001, Salt-n-Pepa's Very Necessary, and Kanye West's Yeezus are assembled around raps written by artists besides those who voiced the words. Drake, who has... Read more

July 23, 2015 Video

Travel Back To A Funkmaster Flex Playlist With ONYX, Redman & Kool G Rap (Mix)

Even before he was dropping bombs, Funkmaster Flex was explosive to airwaves. On May 7, 1993 the DJ assisted the newly-launched HOT 97 set the weekends off proper. The Bronx, New York mixmaster began an 11pm-2am "Friday Night Street Jam" show on 97.1 FM, bringing the energy of the streets... Read more

June 4, 2015 Throwback

Dipset Release Their Comeback Visual In Proper Fashion (Video)

The Diplomats—better known as Dipset—are hitting the road. Moreover, Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Freekey Zekey are bringing Funkmaster Flex out on the buses and planes with them. Flex, a veteran DJ who played many clubs across the globe, is returning to the road for the first time in... Read more

March 3, 2015 Video

Joell Ortiz Drops Fiery Verses in Between Compliments From Kanye West (Audio)

During an appearance on NYC's Hot 97 in 2011, Kanye West spoke on what artists he liked at the time and one name was front and center: JOELL ORTIZ. Ye, spoke extensively about Ortiz's talent, elaborating on the Slaughterhouse member's rhyme technique and even referencing specific lines. Years later, Joell... Read more

February 10, 2015 Audio

Funkmaster Flex Drops Some Nuclear Bombs on Jay Z. Says He Can Ruin Him (Audio)

Whoa. Funkmaster Flex fears no man. Last night, he went completely nuclear on Life + Times and, seemingly, its owner...Jay Z. Flex referenced several issues that had him upset. He felt disrespected by an interview of him by Life + Times a few years ago, ostensibly about his mobile app,... Read more

January 16, 2015 Audio

Action Bronson Rips the Mic So Hard He Loses His Headphones on This Freestyle (Video)

"I'm gonna keep it official today. Yo, this boy Action Broson is the nicest in the game right now." That was Funkmaster Flex's response after Action Bronson ripped a freestyle so hard that he lost his headphones halfway through. Technical difficulties didn't stop the action man, though. He did the... Read more

January 15, 2015 Video

Dipset Release the First Single From Their Reunion Mixtape (Audio)

Last week, Dipset announced they would be releasing their first joint project, as a full unit, in five years. Wasting no time, they drop their first single, courtesy of Funkmaster Flex. Cam'ron, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana flex their flows over a familiar old Soul sample. Check out "Have My... Read more

January 6, 2015 Audio

Dipset’s Core 4 Members Are Together, Recording A New Mixtape

2015 marks five years since Cam'ron and Jim Jones laid to rest their differences, and began what has become a slow crawl back to restoring The Diplomats activity. In 2010, the clique was photographed in the studio with Dr. Dre, an artist who had never previously worked with Cam'ron, Jim... Read more

January 2, 2015 Fresh

Funkmaster Flex, DJ Red Alert & Chuck Chillout Hit Airwaves With 5 Hours Of Master-Mixes (Audio)

For Funkmaster Flex's Christmas Eve show (December 24) Wednesday night on HOT 97, the Bronx, New York DJ invited some of his peers and inspirations to the Manhattan studios. Hip-Hop pioneers Kool DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout joined Flex for five hours of merry Hip-Hop from three icons of... Read more

December 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

G-Unit With A Live Band? Watch ‘Em. Plus, Check Out A 13-Minute Freestyle (Videos)

Following the G-Unit group's first retail release since 2008 (The Beauty Of Independence), the quintet is hard at work. For "Watch Me," the Queens-to-Nashville-to-New Orleans troop hits a warehouse to join a live building. The group continues to charm cameras, delivering bars with precision: If that's not enough, the clique... Read more

September 5, 2014 Fresh, Video

50 Cent to Diddy: “Ma$e Ain’t Worth $2MM with $2MM in His Pocket” (Video)

Part 2 of 50 Cent's extended interview with Funkmaster Flex is even more revealing than part 1. 50 touches on several controversial topics, including commentating on the Jay Z/Drake beef, Tony Yayo skipping bail, ghostwriting for LL Cool J and tense business negotiations with Diddy regarding Ma$e. Flex interrupts 50.... Read more

May 3, 2014 Video

50 Cent Opens Up About His Interscope Records Fallout With Funkmaster Flex (Video)

50 Cent has stripped down everything to rebuild. Whether it's seemingly parting ways with G-Unit's Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo to go for 'dolo again, exiting Interscope Records rather abruptly (and to some extent, over a three-year exodus), and settling beefs with The LOX and Fat Joe, while turning down... Read more

April 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Prodigy Kicks A Funkmaster Flex Freestyle Over An Odd Future Gem (Video)

Mobb Deep's Prodigy has made millions off of his verses, for over 20 years. The Queens MC/author stopped by Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 show 19 years after both Mobb members appeared on the gold-certified 60 Minutes Of Funk, Vol. 1. The self-proclaimed H.N.I.C. appears to come off the dome, with... Read more

March 26, 2014 Fresh, Video

Jay-Z Freestyles on The Funkmaster Flex Show in 2006 (Video)

NYC's Hot 97 released some rare footage of Jay-Z freestyling back in 2006. Hov flows for a little over 4 minutes. Check out the video. Related: Jay-Z Interview with Elliott Wilson, Pt 1 (Video)... Read more

July 29, 2013 Video

Mac Miller Freestyles on the Funkmaster Flex Show (Video)

Mac Miller straight bullies the mic over the Survival of the Fittest beat on the Funkmaster Flex Show. Check out the video. Related: Mac Miller – SDS (Video)... Read more

April 30, 2013 Video

Schoolboy Q- Funkmaster Flex Freestyle (Video)

TDE's Top Dawg Kendrick Lamar recently stated that getting Schoolboy Q's album out is at the top of the priority list. Check out some footage of Schoolboy kicking a few bars during his recent visit to Flex's show. Related: Schoolboy Q- Yay Yay... Read more

March 28, 2013 Video

Kendrick Lamar Speaks to Funkmaster Flex About the B*tch, Don’t Kill My Vibe Remix with Jay-Z (Audio)

Kendrick Lamar speaks in detail with Funkmaster Flex about how the "B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe" remix with Jay-Z came about, who laid the first verse and more. He also touches on being named Hottest MC in the Game by MTV. Check out the interview. Related: Kendrick Lamar – Bitch,... Read more

March 19, 2013 Audio

Kendrick Lamar – Nas Is Like Freestyle

Kendrick Lamar dropped by the Funkmaster Flex show and dropped a verse over DJ Premier's classic Nas Is Like track. Unfortunately, this one drops out at the 2-minute mark but you get a good taste of how K. Dot went in. Stay tuned for the full clip. Check it out... Read more

January 24, 2013 Audio

RZA interview with Funkmaster Flex (Video)

Here are parts 1 and 2 of a 3-part interview of RZA by Funkmaster Flex. RZA discusses the origins of Wu-Tang Clan, how Man with the Iron fists interrelates with Wu, working with Quentin Tarantino and much more. Check out parts 1 & 2 of the video as well as... Read more

October 24, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Kendrick Lamar freestyles on the Funkmaster Flex Show (Video)

Kendrick Lamar stopped by Hot 97 in NYC to drop a verse for Funkmaster Flex. Flex laced him with the Who Shot Ya beat and Kendrick laid down what might be one of his most blistering rhymes EVER (think Rigamortus with a grudge). Wow. Check out the video. Related: Kendrick... Read more

September 18, 2012 Video

G.O.O.D. Music (Common, Pusha T, Big Sean & Cyhi The Prynce) freestyle on the Funkmaster Flex Show (Video)

Part of the G.O.O.D. Music crew (Common, Pusha T, Big Sean & Cyhi The Prynce) hit the Funkmaster Flex show yesterday and laid down 9 minutes of hot verses. Everybody rhymed except Pusha T. Check it out. Related: Big Sean, Jay-Z & Kanye West – Clique (Audio)... Read more

September 18, 2012 Video

Here’s a tribute mix to Jam Master Jay by Funkmaster Flex (Mixtape)

The late, great Jam Master Jay would have been 47 years old yesterday. In celebration of his birthday, Funkmaster Flex did a tribute mix filled with Run-D.M.C. classics. You can listen to the mix and download it below. When asked who's best, y'all should say....Also, click here to listen to... Read more

January 22, 2012 Audio, Mixes, Throwback

Slaughterhouse – Hot 97 Freestyle (Video)

The Slaughterhouse crew dropped by New York's Hot 97 and dropped bombs in the form of verses with Funkmaster Flex. Check out the video.... Read more

December 20, 2011 Video

Common – Funkmaster Flex Freestyle

Common hit the Funkmaster Flex show at Hot 97 in NYC yesterday. While he was there, he dropped some a capella verses/knowledge. Check out his words below. Click here to download. Also, if you missed this freestyle battle between Common and a then unsigned Kanye West from 1996, take a... Read more

October 20, 2011 Audio

Pharrell hasn’t spit like this since…well…maybe ever. Check out his verses over a Daft Punk track from Tron: Legacy.

He's always been much stronger behind the boards but this one is respectable. There are minimal drums and bass lines but it works for Pharrell's flow. It's called The Game Has Changed and is courtesy of Funkmaster Flex. Click here to download.... Read more

April 1, 2011 Audio

2 days, 2 dope freestyles. First up is Young Chris and then Pusha T.

Young Chris laced Toca Tuesdays and Pusha T dropped bombs with Funk Flex. Check 'em out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxFoKuC5Phw&feature=player_embedded Click here to download.... Read more

March 22, 2011 Audio, Video

Mobb Deep wasted no time getting in the studio once Prodigy came home. Check out Love Y’all More.

Alchemist is on the track. There are tags from Funkmaster Flex, but you won't mind... Click here to download.... Read more

March 17, 2011 Audio

There's been a lot of chatter about the "freestyles" that Kanye West and Pusha T dropped when they visited Hot 97 in NYC earlier in the week. Check out the video and see for yourself.

November 6, 2010 Video

The latest installment of PREEM-EAR is here. This week Omar Akil drops a jewel with Joell Ortiz.

PREEM-EAR: Joell Ortiz "Project Boy" Got another one! Or should I say Joell got ONE!!! I'm hoping that, at this point, there is no need to familiarize you all with the rhyme animal that is Joell Ortiz. Forget repeat, Flex (Funkmaster) has had Joell's HOT97 (NY) freestyle on continuous loop... Read more

October 18, 2010 Audio