Freestyle rap Facts for Kids

Freestyle is a cool way of making up words on the spot, usually with a beat. Think of it like a musician playing a solo without planning it first, but with words instead of instruments!

Originally, "freestyle" meant a rap that was written down but didn't have a specific topic. It was just about showing off your rhyming skills. But since the 1990s, the meaning changed. Now, when people say "freestyle," they usually mean making up rap lyrics right then and there, without any practice or memorization.

What Freestyle Used to Mean
How the Meaning Changed
How Rappers Freestyle
Types of Freestyles
- Freestyle Battles
- Cyphers
See also

What Freestyle Used to Mean

Back in the 1980s, when rappers like Big Daddy Kane and Kool Moe Dee talked about "freestyle," they meant a rhyme they had written. It was "free of style" because it wasn't about a certain subject. It was often just bragging about themselves.

Rappers like Myka 9 and Divine Styler remember this old meaning. Myka 9 said it was "a rhyme about any random thing," and it was usually written or memorized.

If a rapper made up rhymes on the spot back then, they called it "coming off the top of the head" or "off the dome." It wasn't called "freestyle" yet. Kool Moe Dee said that until about 1986, all freestyles were written.

Some famous examples of this older style of freestyle include Kool G Rap's song "Men At Work" and Rakim's "Lyrics of Fury."

How the Meaning Changed

Since the early 1990s, the idea of making up rap on the spot became super popular. Groups like Freestyle Fellowship helped change what "freestyle" meant. Now, it's widely known as improvising rap lyrics.

Myka 9, from Freestyle Fellowship, explained that his group helped redefine the term. He said they made it mean "improvisational rap like a jazz solo."

Interestingly, many older rappers didn't always respect this new way of freestyling at first. They thought that if an emcee (rapper) made things up on the spot, it was because they couldn't write good rhymes. It was seen as an excuse not to be judged too harshly. But today, improvisational freestyle is highly respected!

How Rappers Freestyle

Many rappers learn and practice their skills by freestyling. They often turn it into a conversation or a rhyming game.

People freestyle for many reasons:

It's fun and entertaining.
It can be a way to express feelings.
It helps rappers discover new ways to rhyme.
It's a great way to show off their talent.
It can even be a spiritual activity for some.

Rappers also use freestyling in live shows to add something special for the audience or to cover up any mistakes. To prove they are making it up on the spot, rappers often mention things around them, like objects or places in the room. They might even ask the audience for ideas to rhyme about.

Freestyles can be performed:

Without any music (called a cappella).
Over beatboxing (making drum sounds with your mouth).
Over instrumental versions of songs.

Freestyling often happens in a group setting called a "cypher" or "cipher." It can also be part of a "freestyle battle." Because it's made up on the spot, the rhythm and flow can be a bit more relaxed than in written raps. Many artists use some prepared lines or rhyme patterns as filler, but they mostly focus on what's happening in the moment. Freestyling can even be a way to write new songs for albums!

Types of Freestyles

Freestyle Battles

A freestyle battle is a competition where two or more rappers "battle" each other using improvised lyrics. It's a big part of modern hip hop culture. In a battle, each rapper tries to "diss" (insult) their opponent with clever rhymes and wordplay. The goal is to show off how well you can make up rhymes on the spot.

It's considered a bad move to use pre-written or memorized raps in a freestyle battle. That's because it shows you can't come up with rhymes quickly. The audience is very important in battles. The rapper who gets the biggest reaction from the crowd is usually seen as the winner! Sometimes, judges are used in formal contests.

In recent times, many battles in leagues like King of the Dot are mostly written, but they still include some freestyling. This allows for more complex rhymes and insults. Many famous rappers gained their start through freestyle battles, which can happen anywhere from street corners to big stages.

Cyphers

A "cypher" or "cipher" is when rappers, beatboxers, or breakdancers gather in a circle to jam together. It's an informal gathering where people can share their skills.

The term "cypher" also refers to the crowd that gathers around freestyle battles. This group helps encourage the competition and makes the event feel more like a community. Being able to step into a cypher and show your unique style can really build your reputation in the hip hop world. Cyphers also help spread new hip hop styles and knowledge through word-of-mouth.

Freestyle rap facts for kids

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