woke up one day and my music had a new label

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taezee

taezee

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for those of us that came up in the music lived it and had it forever embedded in our very souls..those who were in the club as we watched the birth of "let the music play" or "set it off" or "the mexican" "one more shot" songs like these which made us addicts trying to make our way back to that original high.. the old school those who were in the trenches up rocking against rivals and finding your first high school loves.. living life with our club music constantly playing on in the background.. when did we wake up and someone slapped a label on our music?? when and where did the term "Freestyle" originate???
 
taezee said:
for those of us that came up in the music lived it and had it forever embedded in our very souls..those who were in the club as we watched the birth of "let the music play" or "set it off" or "the mexican" "one more shot" songs like these which made us addicts trying to make our way back to that original high.. the old school those who were in the trenches up rocking against rivals and finding your first high school loves.. living life with our club music constantly playing on in the background.. when did we wake up and someone slapped a label on our music?? when and where did the term "Freestyle" originate???
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I'd say the earliest indications point to Pretty Tony and the Miami scene. No offense, or no flames intended, I'm just saying thats the earliest calendar wise that you can find a mention of the name Freestyle. Unless anyone else can show otherwise. I'd be interested to know as well. OSG
 
I think the bigger question is why does it have a negative connotation attached to the word? And don't give me the argument of how "bad" freestyle ruined it all. That may be a part of it but not the whole taco here. All musical genres have acts that should have never been released yet alone recorded....
Interesting question taezee
 
Why is it so bad that this music has a name assigned to it? Doesn't every genre of music have a name? From what I've learned, the term "freestyle" came about as artists that were being labeled "latin hip hop" wanted their music to have more of a universal appeal. The term "freestyle" was a way that the music could still maintain its hip hop roots without restricting it's marketability. It went "latin hip hop", then "latin freestyle", and then just "freestyle".
 
wasnt even going off on "freestyle" being negative... just as to where and when the term started being generally accepted I believe the term did actually come out of miami

the ironic part is "freestyle" today, which broken down should be defined as "freedom of expression or no bounds" however try to make a song with a little difference or twist outside the unspoken rules of freestyle and fans will crucify you
 
I first heard the term "Freestyle" in the Summer of 1990. But I was listening to this shit since "Let The Music Play". Fast forward to 2008....."Let The Music Play", to ME, is Freestyle. Not really caring if anyone wants to challenge or correct me on that, but to me is what it is and what it will always be.
 
wikipedia and bear in mind a majority of the shit i read in wikipedia is way off base on other subjects I have researched ,but anyway it states this......




Term usage
Why Freestyle is actually called freestyle is subject to speculation.

Some feel the term freestyle may refer to the difference between the mixing techniques used by DJs spinning this form of music (at least in its pre-house incarnations) and those who were spinning disco, the only other widely played dance music that incorporated sung vocals. Disco, with its relatively predictable beat structure, could be mixed with smooth, slow, and consistent techniques, but freestyle's syncopated beat structures demanded that DJs get creative, incorporating aspects of both disco and hip-hop techniques; they often had to (or had more freedom to) mix more quickly and more responsively to the individual pieces of music.

Others believe it refers to the vocal technique: singing melodic pop vocals over the kind of beats that were previously used only with rap and semi-chanted electro-funk vocal styles was a form of freestyling —getting creative by mixing up the styles— somewhat akin to the use of the term in reference to competitive freestyle rap.

Another explanation is that the dancing associated with this music allows for a great degree of freedom of expression than the other music that was prevalent at the time. Each individual dancer is free to create his or her own style.

In Miami, the freestyle name evolved after confusion between Tony Butler's track Freestyle Express by Freestyle and Debbie Deb's When I Hear Music, a slightly older but more popular track that was produced by Butler. The sound became synonymous with Butler's production, and the name of the group he was in, Freestyle, became the genre's name.
 
I have an interview of Tony Moran on Power 96 out of Miami circa 1989-90. When asked why the music stop being called Latin Hip Hop and now was called Freestyle, Tony responded that Freestyle was a more inclusive term and acts like Taylor Dayne could be under this name for the music. I don't think its an accident that this genre is bka Freestyle today. Im willing to bet that it was a decision made for business purpo$e$.
There's a record from either 85 or 86 where they have a "freestyle" mix. I think this is the first time that it was label on a record. I will have to see if I can find it.
 
Phantazma said:
I have an interview of Tony Moran on Power 96 out of Miami circa 1989-90. When asked why the music stop being called Latin Hip Hop and now was called Freestyle, Tony responded that Freestyle was a more inclusive term and acts like Taylor Dayne could be under this name for the music. I don't think its an accident that this genre is bka Freestyle today. Im willing to bet that it was a decision made for business purpo$e$.
There's a record from either 85 or 86 where they have a "freestyle" mix. I think this is the first time that it was label on a record. I will have to see if I can find it.
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You know, I was thinking the same thing. I bet you that "Freestyle" was first coined to describe a remix version or something. It makes total sense.
 
Kid Heartbreak said:
Why is it so bad that this music has a name assigned to it? Doesn't every genre of music have a name? From what I've learned, the term "freestyle" came about as artists that were being labeled "latin hip hop" wanted their music to have more of a universal appeal. The term "freestyle" was a way that the music could still maintain its hip hop roots without restricting it's marketability. It went "latin hip hop", then "latin freestyle", and then just "freestyle".
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So basically, I was exactly right. I know what I'm talking about. That's why I don't let anyone feed me that crap about how it was just called club music and people later labeling it "freestyle" is what hurt the music. It had a name almost right from the start (latin hip hop) and later adjusted the name to not be so demographically restrictive (freestyle). See the reason why many don't like the music having a label is because that creates a hardcore movement around the genre, thus making it more difficult for some of the artists to crossover and still maintain the support of the hardcore fan base. Those people don't give a f*ck about the genre. They don't even think it worthy to have a name.
 
And another thing, I can remember back in the late 90s when most of the old school artists were looking to ditch freestyle and venture into other genres of music in english, and they were trying to lay the groundwork for the new George Lamond. I remember someone from his management team trying to tell me that there was no term "freestyle" back when GL's old school hits had come out. Supposebly it was just called "dance music". He made it seem as if "freestyle" was just a term that us ignorant fans had come up with to try to ruin the artists' careers by restricting them. I guess dude that told me that must have conveniently forgot that on the original 12" pressing of "Without You" (this record is from 1989) there is the "Extended Freestyle Club Mix". So how could all this bs that the term "freestyle" didn't exist back then be even close to true. That's all the proof you need is the actual 12" record from back then saying it. I have an original 12" pressing of a record from 1988 that is called "Introduction to Latin Hip Hop" and contains 6 or 7 tracks that are all "freestyle". Sa-Fire's "Let Me Be the One" is one of the tracks on there.
This world is so full of lies and hypocrisy. I can't even believe that anyone would try to say that this music didn't have a name, that it was just "dance" music. As if they don't want to give the music any respect. All people do is contradict themselves in an effort to get over on others.
 
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CarLito said:
I first heard the term "Freestyle" in the Summer of 1990. But I was listening to this shit since "Let The Music Play". Fast forward to 2008....."Let The Music Play", to ME, is Freestyle. Not really caring if anyone wants to challenge or correct me on that, but to me is what it is and what it will always be.
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I'm with ya there! It was around 1989/90 that I too remember first hearing that term. Before that, I recall it just being "Club" music.

And when you would go to the store, they would be under all these catagories: Club, Dance, Pop/Rock, and even the R&B section.
Today "Freestyle" is generally found in the Dance section along with House, Tribal, Disco, & Electro.
 
Kid Heartbreak said:
And another thing, I can remember back in the late 90s when most of the old school artists were looking to ditch freestyle and venture into other genres of music in english, and they were trying to lay the groundwork for the new George Lamond. I remember someone from his management team trying to tell me that there was no term "freestyle" back when GL's old school hits had come out. Supposebly it was just called "dance music". He made it seem as if "freestyle" was just a term that us ignorant fans had come up with to try to ruin the artists' careers by restricting them. I guess dude that told me that must have conveniently forgot that on the original 12" pressing of "Without You" (this record is from 1989) there is the "Extended Freestyle Club Mix". So how could all this bs that the term "freestyle" didn't exist back then be even close to true. That's all the proof you need is the actual 12" record from back then saying it. I have an original 12" pressing of a record from 1988 that is called "Introduction to Latin Hip Hop" and contains 6 or 7 tracks that are all "freestyle". Sa-Fire's "Let Me Be the One" is one of the tracks on there.
This world is so full of lies and hypocrisy. I can't even believe that anyone would try to say that this music didn't have a name, that it was just "dance" music. As if they don't want to give the music any respect. All people do is contradict themselves in an effort to get over on others.
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Isn't anybody looking at the raw facts. Tony Butler had a group called Freestyle Express in 83. Song was called Summers Delight. The group became known as Freestyle soon after. Tony continued to put out hit after hit at this time with Debbie Deb, Trinere, and Freestyle. Early 80's man, early 80's. The writing is on the wall. The name was coined then. NY was at this time doing their thing with "Latin Hip Hop" and Rap. A few years later is when it blew up as Freestyle for everyone. Bottom line is that the origin of the term is in Miami in 1983.
 
oldskoolguy said:
Isn't anybody looking at the raw facts. Tony Butler had a group called Freestyle Express in 83. Song was called Summers Delight. The group became known as Freestyle soon after. Tony continued to put out hit after hit at this time with Debbie Deb, Trinere, and Freestyle. Early 80's man, early 80's. The writing is on the wall. The name was coined then. NY was at this time doing their thing with "Latin Hip Hop" and Rap. A few years later is when it blew up as Freestyle for everyone. Bottom line is that the origin of the term is in Miami in 1983.
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Sounds logical to me, because I love that Miami based sync'ed bass bottom end that is a Miami trademark and which is on many top "freestyle" records.
 
Hey, IMO the music we love, the songs we love, by the artists we love, HAVE no need for a label. Whether it's called Latin Hip-Hop, Heartthrob or Freestyle or just "Awesome Music" doesn't matter.
The New York sound, the Miami sound, Old School, New School.

This kind of music that we love, is beyond words.
 
elementfreestyle said:
Hey, IMO the music we love, the songs we love, by the artists we love, HAVE no need for a label. Whether it's called Latin Hip-Hop, Heartthrob or Freestyle or just "Awesome Music" doesn't matter.
The New York sound, the Miami sound, Old School, New School.
This kind of music that we love, is beyond words.
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well said..and true but too many people get lost in the politics of whats in the name..too many people want to act as "mentors" and try to tell others they know nothing about music because they think a certain song is freestyle.. others want to sound sooooooo knowledgeable and correct people at every turn... some even want to tell freestyle artist how to make music!!

at the end of the day when you in the club..in your ride..chillin on the beach..at work..wherever it just music man!!!!!
 
taezee said:
well said..and true but too many people get lost in the politics of whats in the name..too many people want to act as "mentors" and try to tell others they know nothing about music because they think a certain song is freestyle.. others want to sound sooooooo knowledgeable and correct people at every turn... some even want to tell freestyle artist how to make music!!
at the end of the day when you in the club..in your ride..chillin on the beach..at work..wherever it just music man!!!!!
Click to expand...

True but we must remember that the 90s kind of changed everything in general. That was the era of the hardcore movement. When I was in high school, it was all about representin' your music of choice and the style that came along with it. Maybe that's part of why freestyle fell off in the mid 90s. It wasn't able to distinguish itself as a genre with a clear identity. There were the hip hop headz (at a time when hip hop was still real) rockin the army gear or the brand names (DKNY, Hilfiger, etc.) along with some boots or all white sneakers, there were the alternative heads rockin the flannels and the ripped jeans, there were the euro heads with the skin tight shirts (they didn't get that much attention), and then there was everyone else (they didn't have much of an identity). That was the mid 90s and that was a pretty cool era compared to anything that's come along since. The point being that it was all about listening to music that meant something and being part of the movement attached to that music. Freestyle didn't really fit in anywhere. It just wasn't "cool" anymore. It was something that I would listen to when I was by myself and somewhere in all that I fell in love with the music. It was the most fascinating thing I had ever come across and I never let it go.
 
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