The 50 Best Radio Freestyles
By Andrew Barber | Oct 6, 2011 | 2:11 pm | Permalink
While some might argue that radio is now a dying medium, it’s undeniable that the AM/FM dial was the first outlet to bring hip-hop to the masses. Starting in the early 1980s, pioneering DJs like Mr. Magic, Red Alert, the Awesome Two, and Lady B gave a voiceless community the chance to be heard, and inspired future generations to pursue rapping as their full-time occupation.
Since that time, many legendary hip-hop radio shows have sprung up around the world, and during those late-night or early-morning time slots a new art form was born: the radio freestyle.
Many of hip-hop’s greatest beefs were spawned live and direct over the airwaves. In the pre-MP3 era, cassette copies of these one-of-a-kind performances passed hand to hand, cementing reputations, and becoming the stuff of legend. Nowadays it's all done digitally, but the objective remains the same—total domination, no mistakes allowed.
Some great freestylers rose through the ranks to become rap superstars (Eminem), while others had their lives cut short before attaining their just rewards (Big L). Unknown rappers and weed carriers alike got the chance to show and prove alongside hip-hop’s elite, and sometimes a hungry upstart would outshine the master.
But let’s be honest—most rappers don’t actually freestyle their freestyles anymore. As technology advanced it's become easier to catch a rapper flubbing. Instead of risking public embarrassment, most prefer to write their rhymes ahead of time. Hell, some artists don’t even have the talent to go off top. Is it cheating? Well, the jury's still out on that one, but the lines have been blurred as to what a freestyle actually is.
From off-the-dome bars to spitting writtens, the definition of a freestyle has evolved over the years—but we draw the line at reading off of mobile devices. Bottom line: to earn respect in the rap game you have to prove yourself on radio. Fuck a blog, dog. Today, Complex takes you through the 50 Best Radio Freestyles of all time. Turn up your dial and tune in.
B. October 6th, 2011 at 02:25 PM
should've been number one...it was better than the Most Kingz and better than the big l freestyle
jowhite (@whitesaid) October 6th, 2011 at 02:50 PM
Fact: Hov always gets too much shine around these parts. Fact: A list without Mad Skillz is suspect at best - how about the Supafriendz WKCR session from January '97 that I am referencing right here.
PER VERS October 6th, 2011 at 02:59 PM
Please please PLEASE do not call the-greatest-ever-to-do-it (yeah I said it) "Big Daddy Kanye" LOL!
Complex October 6th, 2011 at 03:12 PM
Fixed!
jonny October 6th, 2011 at 03:27 PM
Why is Jay-z #1 always around here? he isnt 1/10 as good as complex makes it him out to be. I mean top 100 jay-z songs? he has like 4 good songs ever lmao. complex is a joke.
jimmy October 6th, 2011 at 03:32 PM
you do know that lil wayne, nas, eminem, wu-tang have their own 100 song, right?
wtf October 11th, 2011 at 04:28 PM
i feel you on that but this is number one niot because of jayz but for big l .... he slaurghterd this beat ... people dont even remeber this was milk bones beat .
cray October 6th, 2011 at 03:29 PM
that gunit one mean
Cody Meltzer October 6th, 2011 at 03:31 PM
Juice should totally be #1 he could beat anyone on this chart.
G-Ryder October 6th, 2011 at 03:37 PM
you do kno that you uploaded the wrong Jadakiss freestyle at #33
slim October 6th, 2011 at 03:40 PM
Juice- #36. Complex this list is fucked. J.U. should easy be #1, what a joke!
Cody October 6th, 2011 at 03:45 PM
Slim you are 100% right! JUICE is #1
ABC October 6th, 2011 at 03:42 PM
wrong jadakiss freestyle(#33),and the jayz grammy family freestyle is a Consequence & Kanye song, not Little Brother
Complex October 6th, 2011 at 03:57 PM
Fixed. Thanks.
Hi. October 6th, 2011 at 04:47 PM
ahh I thought the G-Unit On da Spot Freestyle would be on here...Banks carried them so bad. I actually expected a Banks freestyle on here in general.