Freestyle Friday

12-26-25

In hip hop, we all know what a freestyle is. Well, do we? Originally, a freestyle or free style is a rap about anything. Free in style or stylin' free. No subject, topic, no song format, just bars. The more lyrical the better. Meaning a freestyle can be written or off the top. 

Off the top refers to making the rhymes up on the spot. According to a clip by legendary MC, Roxanne Shante, back in the day they'd just call it "Nipsey Russel syndrome", having the ability to rhyme about anything at any time.

Freestyling is usually about just rapping to rap. It ain't making a song. Although, certain rappers have used the freestyle ability to create songs. These could be freestyled verses or sometimes the entire point of the song is to just rap in freestyle format. These freestyles often appear on radio shows and mixtapes, and often over other rappers beats. 

Here are two new freestyle song. One was written, one was off the top. Can you tell which is which?