Artists… does anyone freestyle anymore?
Among many artists, the best one out in terms of consistency and lyrics is Lil’ Wayne. But even he steps into the freestyle booth on BET’s popular television show Rap City and lays down a verse from a song that he’s already put out.
Where’s the ingenuity, the showmanship that makes Hip-Hop what it is? Has it been lost along with the old days of real mixtapes where tracks put on mixtapes were exclusive, never to become radio rock? I think so.
The issues I have with artists these days revolves around the fact that they one, either have ghost writers who write their lyrics for them. Two, have pre-written lyrics that they put out as “freestyles” and three ad-lib their so-called freestyles which negates the word freestyle.
I believe that even if a person can’t come up with punchlines as fast or messes up occasionally, its still a freestyle and you’ll still get respect for doing it.
Take for instance, artists like Jae Millz and Murda Mook. They are true freestyle artists. You’ll never hear a verse they did on one track used again on another. They completely respect the sanctity of Hip-Hop unlike alot of new artists.
I encourage all artists trying to make it big to be true to themselves rather than create a false image. Artists get respect for their work, unless they are off beat and have nothing relevant to say. So man up artists and take charge. Give your fans what they want, real uncut gritty freestyling. Its hot in the streets.
