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Locksmith Has Already Delivered The Freestyle Of The Year

Richmond, California's Locksmith is a decorated veteran MC who makes music with substance. He has made songs with Xzibit, KXNG Crooked, Ras Kass, Apathy, and others along the way. However, the East Bay lyricist is also known for being the source of incredible freestyles. Over the last decade and a... Read more

LL Cool J’s Freestyle Shows He Is Still A GOAT MC

This weekend (August 5), LL Cool J is headlining the annual Rock The Bells Festival in his home borough of Queens, New York. L will be joined by The Roots and DJ Z-Trip as he shares the main event with the MC's longtime friends and peers Run-D.M.C. Other performers include... Read more

Vic Mensa Kicks The Year’s Two Best Freestyles Back To Back

Over the last decade, Vic Mensa has cemented himself as one of the most exciting freestylers of his generation. The Chicago, Illinois MC often uses the free-form opportunities to provide substantial commentary—whether notes about ugly Hip-Hop history, his personal conflicts, or systemic oppression. Just days after a fellow Roc Nation... Read more

Alchemist’s Freestyle Shows He’s Magic On The Mic Too

This Friday (March 31), Larry June and Alchemist are teaming up for The Great Escape. After four singles ahead of Friday's Escape and a documentary video (embedded below), fans are anticipating the LP, which is slated to feature Joey Bada$$, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Curren$y, Action Bronson, Ty Dolla $ign, Slum Village, Boldy James, Evidence... Read more

Kanye West & Sway’s Legendary Fight Is Mashed Up With Kendrick Lamar

On November 26, 2013, Kanye West appeared on Sway In The Morning for one of the show's most memorable episodes. While promoting that year's Yeezus album, Kanye got into an argument with host Sway Calloway that led to yelling, trembling, interruption, flared tempers, and an enduring catch-phrase, "How, Sway? You ain't got the answers!" The... Read more

CyHi The Prynce Disses Joe Budden On A Blistering Freestyle

For three and a half years, there has been tension brewing between Joe Budden and CyHi The Prynce. The MC-turned-media mogul has been critical of the former G.O.O.D. Music artist. In 2018, Budden criticized CyHi's relationship with Kanye West. “CyHi just tweeted yesterday, ‘Uh oh, masta’ said, I’m gettin’ seven... Read more

Nas Releases His King’s Disease Album. Where Does It Rank In His Catalog?

Last Friday (August 21), Nas released his 13th solo album, King’s Disease. Produced entirely by the Inland Empire native Hit-Boy, the project features appearances by Anderson .Paak, Charlie Wilson, Big Sean, and Dr. Dre, among others. The Mass Appeal Records release also marks a surprise reunion of The Firm. The... Read more

LL Cool J Weighs In On Why Some GOAT Rapper Lists Snub Him (Video)

Hip-Hop loves a list, and that was especially true in 2019. In late summer, a series of fan-generated Top 50 MCs lists became a viral fad, with everybody from rappers to athletes and celebrities participating on social media, and evoking debate and discourse. At the same time, many interview guests... Read more

Locksmith Rips 2 Amazing Freestyles. Fat Joe Declares That He May Be The Best (Video)

Locksmith is regarded as one of the elite MCs in Hip-Hop, especially when it comes to freestyling. As an independent artist, the Richmond, California MC has relied on his keen storytelling abilities and deft wordplay to secure his growing fan base. In his early days, Locksmith's career began as a... Read more

Kanye West Finally Admits That Sway Had The Answers (Video)

In late 2013, Kanye West gave Sway In The Morning a watershed moment. Host Sway Calloway suggested West empower himself, and in turn, others when he seemed to be at his highest. At a time when Kanye's later-revealed financial woes were making their way into the public, West erupted, "How,... 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

Lil Dicky Kicks A Freestyle With Comedy Without Sacrificing The Bars (Video)

This year, Lil Dicky took an Earth Day-themed song about saving the planet to the top of the charts. Even though the corresponding music video to "Earth" features Justin Bieber, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ariana Grande, and a host of others, the Greater Philadelphia native is still very in touch with his... Read more

Conway The Machine’s Freestyle Wrecks Shop Alongside Benny & Rick Hyde (Video)

Earlier this month, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher released "Headlines," a standalone single produced by the legendary DJ Premier. The Payday Records song stands as a benchmark intersection between the three self-made stars of Griselda Records and the Gang Starr O.G. According to Wes' recent interview... 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

D.L. Hughley Calls Out Those Who Hate R. Kelly But Excuse Michael Jackson

This week, D.L. Hughley was a guest on both The Breakfast Club and Sway In The Morning. The 56-year-old Los Angeles, California native is returning to television with Uncensored. Premiering on TV One next week, the talk show will confront the issues of the day head-on, and reportedly without compromise.... Read more

De La Soul Speak In Detail About What Went Wrong With Their Record Company

This week, the legendary group De La Soul announced to the public that they are currently unhappy with their former record label, Tommy Boy. These revelations came with good news for music fans, as De La's first six albums are reportedly soon to made available to digital retailers and streaming... Read more

Kevin Hart Speaks About Why We Find Joy In The Unhappiness Of Others

Kevin Hart is a recent guest on Sway In The Morning. He addresses the recent controversy surrounding his stepping down from hosting this year's Academy Awards. While there were some suggestions that Kevin might return to the post for next month's 91st Oscar event, he puts those notions to bed.... Read more

Master P Discusses His Film Legacy & Why No Limit’s Covers Were So Loud

Twenty-one years ago, Master P wrote, directed, and produced his first feature film, I'm Bout It. In addition to P, the work starred his brothers and TRU band-mates Silkk The Shocker and C-Murder, along with Mia X, Mack 10, and Mr. Serv-On. While it may not have necessarily seemed it... Read more

Torae Freestyles His Responses In His Sway Interview. THIS Is A True MC (Video)

This morning (October 11), Brooklyn, New York MC Torae released his latest project, All Praises Due. Dropping on his Internal Affairs Ent., the rapper, radio host, podcaster, and actor teams with producer Praise for an eight-track effort that offers a pure Hip-Hop display. This week, the Barrel Brothers co-founder stopped... Read more

Mistah F.A.B. May Be The Greatest Off The Top Freestyler EVER. This Will Sway You (Video)

Few MCs have bodied Sway In The Morning's "5 Fingers Of Death" challenge as many times as Mistah Fab. Given Sway's Oakland, California roots, it's only natural that he champions the former Mac Dre pupil. However, make no mistake — Fabby Davis earned his spot as a proven serial killer... Read more

One Of Biggie’s Final Radio Appearances Is A Moment That Can Never Be Tuned Out (Video)

In today’s Hip-Hop landscape, Sway Calloway is most synonymous with hosting both established and budding MCs at the Shade 45 studios in New York, providing them a globally esteemed platform to showcase their verbal readiness. A successful Sway In The Morning appearance has become somewhat of a seal of approval for... Read more

H-Town MCs Freestyle Their Way. Lil Keke’s Off The Top Rap Is Far From Screwed Up (Video)

Houston, Texas veteran Lil Keke recently appeared on Sway In The Morning. A onetime protege of DJ Screw, this Southside MC has more than 20 years of stock in the game. A member of the Screwed Up Click, Keke made many of his cult-lauded singles like "Pimp Tha Pen," DJ... Read more

J. Prince Says Drake Had A Diss Response That Would Have Ended Pusha-T’s Career (Video)

J. Prince has officially intervened in the ongoing beef between Pusha-T and Drake. The owner of Rap-A-Lot Records has served as an advisor to Drake for nearly a decade. As a multi-millionaire 30-year-exec with a reputation for no-nonsense "Geto Boy" tactics and street wisdom, the man also known as Lil... Read more

Snoop Dogg & Jamie Foxx Create A Dope Collabo On The Spot (Video)

Snoop Dogg interviews are some of the best in Rap music, and that was the case this week for a  segment of Sway In The Morning. The two respective greats discussed old times, Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, Snoop's latest album Bible Of Love, his ongoing relationship with Suge Knight... Read more

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

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

Talib Kweli Recalls A Great Story Involving Freestyle Fellowship, Neo-Soul & Rent Money (Video)

There have been several memorable Hip-Hop roommates. During the early 1990s, Gang Starr members Guru and DJ Premier lived together at several New York City residences (one was a Brooklyn home owned by Branford Marsalis). RZA and Ghostface Killah were under the same roof in the days before Enter The... Read more

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

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

The D.O.C. Speaks About Idolizing Rakim & Making Plans To Work On New Music Together (Video)

On August 1, 1989, The D.O.C. released his debut album, No One Can Do It Better. The Ruthless/Atco/Atlantic Records album was the solo debut from the Dallas, Texas MC, formerly of the Fila Fresh Crew. Produced by N.W.A.'s Dr. Dre, it was not only an important mainstream representation of Southern... Read more

South Central’s Quincey White Gives New Meaning To Chasing Hollywood Dreams (Video)

Quincey White is an emerging voice within the Los Angeles scene, and he has a lot to say. His latest video single “HOLLYWOOD” is a “metaphor for success.” It is all about achieving status. White, the MC formerly known as DUBB, dropped his EP, The 7, on Sway Calloway &... Read more

Parrish Smith Discusses LL Cool J Dissing EPMD ON THEIR OWN SONG (Video)

For decades, LL Cool J has been known as one of the most ferocious MCs ever to pick up a microphone...or ink one on his arm. Long before 50 Cent, LL Cool J was the bully from Queens, taking on all comers, old and new. LL's beefs with Kool Moe... Read more

Bun B Previews The Vulnerability That Will Make His “Bernard” Album Truly Real (Video)

For 25 years plus, Bun B has made music that's been a reality check. Songs like "One Day" coped with short life expectancy and constant loss. "I Left It Wet For You" was a cruel account of creepin' on the low. "Pocket Full Of Stones" was not a story of... Read more

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

Jada Pinkett Smith Reveals She Left The Thug Life Right As Tupac Entered (Video)

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith met Tupac Shakur at Baltimore School For The Arts in the mid-1980s. While Pinkett would graduate in 1989, Pac and his family relocated to Marin City, California in 1988. While Shakur paid his dues as a roadie, dancer, and eventual MC with Digital Underground, Jada made... Read more

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

Jermaine Dupri Penned Hits For Many. He Explains Why Using Writers Ain’t A Thang (Video)

In recent years, Hip-Hop has called into question the use of additional writers on songs. In 2015, Meek Mill created a beef when he publicized Drake's working with Atlanta, Georgia MC Quentin Miller on #1 album If You're Reading This It's Too Late. In turn, Meek and Drake's relationship disintegrated,... Read more

Marsha Ambrosius Explains Why She Will Never Say Yes To Another Floetry Reunion (Video)

In the first half of the 2000s, Floetry was an exciting addition to the Soul genre and Philly's booming scene. Marsha Ambrosious and Natalie Stewart made two Top 20 albums, with 2005's Flo'Ology sophomore peaking at #7. The five-time Grammy-nominated duo made their fans "Say Yes" right along with them,... Read more

O.C. Tells The Heartbreaking Story Of How He Learned Of Big L’s Death (Video)

O.C. recently released his album Same Moon Same Sun. Available without cost for download, the D.I.T.C. Entertainment LP is the latest in a career that spans back more than 25 years. The Brooklyn, New York representative has been a key MC within Diggin' In The Crates, and made important records... 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

Louie Anderson Details How An Act Of Kindness Landed His Role In Coming To America (Video)

Twenty nine years ago, Eddie Murphy struck gold when he made Coming To America. The romantic comedy has endured as a classic, thanks to a number of roles taken on by Murphy. One of Hollywood's top earners and top draws of the day, Eddie was surrounded by a cast of... Read more

D.L. Hughley Uses Comedy & Intelligence To Show How Hypocritical We’ve Become (Video)

D.L. Hughley has built a career on making light of current events. The creator of The Hughleys has been active for more than 25 years, using his family, personal life, and world at large to illustrate powerful points, sprinkled with humor. Recently, the Los Angeles, California native stopped by Sway... Read more

Tech N9ne & Smoke DZA Ignite A Cypher On A Fresh Pete Rock Beat (Video)

In less than two weeks, the unit of Smoke DZA & Pete Rock, as well as Tech N9ne will release albums, respectively. As Smoke has become a force to be reckoned with in 2010s independent Hip-Hop, Tech may be the standing giant of that field—given his commercial success and cult... Read more

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

Shia LaBeouf Transforms Into The “#1 MC In Hollywood,” With A Monster Freestyle (Video)

Many things come to mind when the name Shia LaBeouf is mentioned. "MC" is not one of them. For years, LaBeouf has been a fixture in Hollywood as an actor and director, who has been involved in major film franchises such as Indiana Jones, Wall Street and, of course, Transformers.... Read more

RZA Explains Why Wu-Tang Clan’s Next Album Is Ghostface Killah’s Responsibility (Video)

In June, Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah revealed that if the legendary Hip-Hop crew is to release another album, he will be at the helm. “RZA put the ball in my hand. He said ‘Yo, I want you to do it,’ and I been wanting to do it, and that’s a... Read more

President Obama Gives His Current Top 5 MCs As He Prepares To Leave Office (Audio)

When President Barack Obama took office in 2008, Hip-Hop was in a widely different place. That was the year that Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III sold more than a million copies in its first week available. That year, T.I. made one of his loudest statements in Paper Trail, before going... Read more

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

Big K.R.I.T. Details Being Moved To Tears For His BET Performance (Video)

Last week, Big K.R.I.T. seemingly delivered the musical performance of his career to date. During the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards, the Mississippi MC/producer performed a remix to Kenneth Whalum's "Might Not Be OK" dressed as an officer of the law. In addition to the highly evocative lyrics, Krizzle's delivery... Read more