The definition of “freestyle” has definitely evolved over the years. No longer just pertaining to the act of rhyming off the top of the head, the industry has become accustomed to the idea of it simply being “free” rhymes being offered by the artist.
With easy access provided by this thing we call the internet, we’ve seen countless platforms feature freestyle segments that include just that — artists rapping (either off-the-top or pre-written bars) over other people’s beats or a capella.
From Sway’s 5 Fingers of Death and Statik Selektah’s ShowOff Radio to Tony Touch’s Toca Tuesdays and Funk Flex’s recent #000 series, the list goes on and on. And today, we’ve got another one to add to the list, courtesy of Beats 1.
Live from a rooftop in NYC, Apple Music and Hot97’s Ebro Darden knocks out the intro, before Joey Purp takes the mic and proceeds to drop some beat-free bars.
Check it out below and be sure to pick up the Chicago emcee’s latest project, iiiDrops mixtape — featuring Chance The Rapper, Vic Mensa, Mick Jenkins, and more.
