Like 106 & Park did, I'll be bringing you inspiring and impressive freestyles and cyphers from around the world, from superstars to average joes who kick it with the best of them. For the non hip hop heads reading this, I've provided definitions of freestyles and cyphers. The main similarity between them is the spontaneity when delivered. That is, even if the lyrics are rehearsed (like a cypher) they are typically delivered in an unprepared environment, to a new beat or to a crowd who has not heard them before.
When the LL website drops you'll be able to see the cyphers that we've filmed of local artists to check out and appreciate their skills too. In the meantime and since it's the first week I've linked up my favourite freestyle and cypher from Youtube as examples for you.
And now you know!
Ingers
A freestyle is an improvisational form of rapping, performed with few or no previously composed lyrics, which is said to reflect a direct mapping of the mental state and performing situation of the artist. It is non-scripted, non-rehearsed, uncut, and the rawest form of hip-hop. Artists will often refer to places and objects in their immediate setting. Freestyle rapping forces an individual to think on the spot, describe his or her surroundings, and, to a certain degree, rap uncensored from what is inside. It is similar in this sense to improvisational music or acting and draws comparisons to improvisational jazz in particular.
Freestyle: Mos Def
A cypher is to an emcee the equivalent of what a jam session is to a musician. This is typically a group of emcees exchanging written and or improvised lyrics, often in a circle so that all have the chance to listen and contribute.
Cypher: Papoose, Styles P & Lupe Fiasco
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