20-12-2010, 00:34
I'm not a huge fan of freestyle rapping. In the moment, live, it's easy to get wrapped up in a skillful freestyler, but it rarely has much replay value for me.
When I think of my favorite rap songs, 90% of them aren't the kind of stuff that might come from a freestyle session. I'd rather hear a well thought out song, like "Sister" by Rhymefest. That's a very poignant piece that never could have have come out of a freestyle battle. The lyrics make you think and touch the heart and mind. Most freestyle raps focus on empty braggadocio, which isn't enough for me anymore.
What freestyle raps can match these songs for lyrical content?
The Rise And Fall Of Elliot Brown - Blackalicious
The Crossroads - Bone Thugs N Harmony
Friends - Whodini
Fatima - K'naan
Undying Love - Nas
How I Got Over- Roots
Louder Than A Bomb - Public Enemy
The list is endless. No freestyle song can match those for lasting quality. I would never say freestyling is a useless skill, but it can't match true hip-hop songcraft.
When I think of my favorite rap songs, 90% of them aren't the kind of stuff that might come from a freestyle session. I'd rather hear a well thought out song, like "Sister" by Rhymefest. That's a very poignant piece that never could have have come out of a freestyle battle. The lyrics make you think and touch the heart and mind. Most freestyle raps focus on empty braggadocio, which isn't enough for me anymore.
What freestyle raps can match these songs for lyrical content?
The Rise And Fall Of Elliot Brown - Blackalicious
The Crossroads - Bone Thugs N Harmony
Friends - Whodini
Fatima - K'naan
Undying Love - Nas
How I Got Over- Roots
Louder Than A Bomb - Public Enemy
The list is endless. No freestyle song can match those for lasting quality. I would never say freestyling is a useless skill, but it can't match true hip-hop songcraft.