Definition Of Freestyle

[Naturalstyle]

Ever since I joined this BB, there has been a SERIOUS debate as to what "freestyle" music is supposed to sound like.

Also, since the mid-90s people have been uttering the phrase "Keep Freestyle Alive" as if the music was in some kind of life-support.

Now,

Some open-minded members have heard songs they consider "freestyle" (or at least contain elements of freestyle) on cds released by major artists, like Madonna, 98 Degrees, etc. which would certainly give evidence that freestyle IS indeed alive.

But of course, there are some people on the board that love to knock other people's opinions of freestyle as if only they themselves posess the "mind power" to understand the concept of freestyle. Also, their "definition" of freestyle is generic (at best) and vague. How can you argue a point if you don't know what you're arguing for?

Those people fail to recognize that there are many definitions of freestyle and maybe even some sub-categories of the gender.

My question and challenge to the members is, DEFINE freestyle, it's characterists, and provide examples to argue your definition.

What are some examples of:

1. Mic Mac style, Miami Bass, New-School Freestyle, Freestyle Pop, Electro, etc.

 

[cArLiToS WaY]

Why, oh why, does it have to be so damn complicated?!

Natural Style.....don't even waste your time or energy. You might say it's "red", and someone else might say it's "maroon".

No matter what you or I say, it's going to be a continuos debate as to what "sound" represents Freestyle and so on. We are NEVER goin' to come to a conclusion.

But I totally agree with you.....there are WAY too many misconceptions.....and so many of us THINK we know what we are talking about- but do we don't? To me, it's ALL music.

 

[aim4night]

To me, it's ALL music.

i second that. anyway isnt freestyle a form of dance/club music. yes indeed so i say it's all dance.

 

[K7 tka]

next time name names it makes it easier

define its name and you will fine the answer .
also look at its roots .
look at can you feel the beat by lisa lisa
or play at your on risk by planet patrol the start of robbing the planet rock beat]
or shannon's give me tonight or my hearts divided .
freeze i.o.u.
listen to babes ruth's original version of the mexican[ not jellybeans]and you will find some influence by the way it was a rock record
the edit kings of the time the latin rascals or shep nunez.
then you can think of the covers
or the s.s.
or trilogy [the original one]
or nayobe.
sub-categories of the genderyour right there were some of those in the past
like miami bass [two live crew tre dee] and they influenced fan fav stevie b to make his brand of soulful slower type of freestyle .
thats why so much confusion comes from whether it started here or miami

and you will find how they started to label us because it was strictly embraced at first by latinos so our first label was latin hip hop was given to us.then racist attitudes towards rap music made us rob a reference to what a dancer would do while dancing to club beats at the same time the word came from exactly what some were trying to escape from hip hop so we stole the word freetyle from what a rapper might do when creating rhymes on the spot [now nefered as of the head].
...
as a fan of the sound you should gather all your compliation together and sit and listen to them and notice the instruments usedin every one to finds it characterists.
i was not the first to say it was on life support but i view it from many sides one a an artist who recorded and wrote songs for it .
two.as a radio personality who see's the radio station program directors laugh at alot of the newer records by this genre as well as watch them ridicule its older established artist .
three .as a fan i'm the biggest of fans some of my peers in this
four as a member of a site where we lose direction because we don't know what we want this to be and have glorified it to a degree that does not allow us any enjoyment of it .
i've been around since its first days till now if you don't respect my veiw its cool .
but everyone on this site knows that it has to go some where better than here .
and it should not be treated like the new disco

 

[Naturalstyle]

Hey K,

I respect anyone's opinion who realizes that what they're saying is an opinion. What you say you say from experience and you don't say it with arrogance and you don't seem self-righteous. How can anyone take exception to that?

I certainly don't and I respect your views.

Carlito's Way, you are RIGHT also. Who cares?

I tell myself, "just let it go" but somehow I go against my gut and I find myself posting again.

MY personal definition of freestyle is more about a "vibe" than a concrete pattern. It's about the melody, the instrumentation, etc. It has nothing to do with what the artist looks like or how many records they have sold.

I also think that it has EVOLVED beyond what it was long ago. That's why I'm curious to know what freestyle means to different people. I hope to prove that despite what some people think, the definition of freestyle is elusive, and difficult to pin down.

Peace!

Hi

 

[K7 tka]

well said..

 

[davetheonemendez]

I have the original tommy boy 12 inch; planet rock (orange label) as well as the second print (basic tommy boy blue with the charachters shadowed) it says music by planet patrol!; guess they borrowed it back for their own ish!!!

As far as going somewhere better; It's a simple matter of buttons being pushed simultaneously on all ends. Time to play chess!

 

[shawn michael]

"STYLE"...hey hey, I personally think its a "feeling". Remember , its the space betwen the notes that creates the music........ 😀

 

[FreestyleHead]

Freestyle is the combination of breakbeats and latin rythem.

 

[PapoSwing2k4]

For me freestyle is an.....

Era, a historical part of urban latino culture that thrived in the late 80s to early 90s. Freestyle which today can be referred to as Urban Dance was a source of energy and passion through dance music.

Just wanted to add my perspective on the definition of freestyle.

Humbly Submitted,

 

[Kenny Guido]

Freestyle is the combination of breakbeats and latin rythem.

I know alot of songs that dont have "the latin rythem" so does that mean they are NOT FREESTYLE?

 

[Bang]

I have to say that I would not be able to give an exact definition of Freestyle Music......I just know it's Freestyle when I hear it.

 

[FreestyleHead]

I know alot of songs that dont have "the latin rythem" so does that mean they are NOT FREESTYLE?

That's a good question. The breakbeats is definitely the prerequisite. Everything after that point is debatable. Like Shannon "Let the Music Play" in my view is freestyle, but others might not think so. Whatever the case, its definitely more freestyle than anything most of the "legends" are currently doing. Also how could you say on another thread that freestyle doesn't come from hip hop. The beats is half the music. At the time, the concept was to sing over the phattest rap tracks of the time which were uptempo breakbeats.