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2. Kendrick Lamar challenging Charles Hamilton
Charles Hamilton opens up the stage at one of his concerts to any and all challengers. A then-unknown Kendrick Lamar steps up to the plate and delivers. Beanie-clad Kendrick raps that he is "force to be reckoned with," in retrospect an accurate boast.
3. At the dorm with Childish Gambino
Here's a case of rapping for a famous rapper, but long before the fame. In 2004, Donald Glover was just another kid at NYU. In a couple more years, he'd be writing for NBC's 30 Rock, and eventually he'd have a career as Childish Gambino, but in this clip, he's just freestyling with another young rapper at school. The other guy is Chaz Kangas, and he's still making music today.
4. Big Sean's big break
Big Sean goes back to the local radio station where he persuaded Kanye West to take a chance on him. It took a lot of persuasion on Big Sean's part to get Kanye to give him the time of day. In the video, he also recites some of the verse that he spit for Kanye, complete with a Don C imitation. Those verses must have been good, because they ended with a phone call from Mr. West and a spot on the GOOD Music team.
5. Spitting for Kanye West in the Soho streets
Getting a picture with Kanye West on the streets of NYC would be good enough for most fans. This young fan and aspiring rapper was a little more ambitious when he caught 'Ye walking down the street in New York. While strolling down the sidewalk with Kanye, Kim, and Kim's friend, he raps non-stop. Kanye not only gives him some time, but stays outside with him while Kim and friend go inside the hotel. After Simbaa is done, Kanye offers some sage advice to the young MC.
6. Rapping really well for RA the Rugged Man
A lot of the rappers who rap for other rappers aren't very good. It's just the nature of the game. But this kid A-F-R-O gets put on the spot by RA the Rugged Man, and he delivers. To prove he's really freestyling, he raps about random objects off the top, and he delivers a pretty impressive showcase of skills.
7. In the spotlight with Jay Z
During a show in Greensboro, NC, Jay Z invited a 12-year-old kid on stage to rap. The kid takes on Jay's "Clique" verse, and while he starts off a little shaky, he finishes strong. Once he wins the audience over, you can tell this kid finds his confidence.
8. Taking the stage with Kendrick
At one of his shows, Kendrick Lamar decides to pull out a dude from the crowd and bring the fan on stage. He then lets him perform all of "Look Out For Detox" word for word. The fan seems to know what he's doing, and the crowd is encouraging, which helps relieve the fan of a little bit of stage fright.
9. In the parking lot with 'Ye and Bieber
While leaving a venue, a fan approaches Kanye West and Justin Bieber. His only request? To be able to rap for Kanye. Right then and there, Kanye allows this fan the chance of a lifetime. The fan, Cameron Gray, is then able to rap some verses in front of not only Kanye and Justin Beiber but a large crowd of fans in a parking lot. Knowing Kanye's history of recognizing and promptly signing rappers, the crowd must have been holding their breath. After going off the top of the dome, Kanye tells him to spit a written, and while he might not be GOOD Music's next star, Kanye does at least ask him if he'd be willing to start as an assistant.
Of course he says yes.
10. Rapping for Nicki on Ellen
One lucky lady by the name of Nicki Minaj got the chance to rap with her idols, Sophia Grace and Rosie.
Just look how excited she is!
