The Art of Freestyling

Good morning, Family!

This morning I woke up with something on mind. I need a definition, ya'll.

Can someone please define what "freestyling" is?? As an avid hip-hop fan and former novice emcee, I have always assumed that when an hip hop artist performs a freestyle, it's literally just that...a verse that was "spat" off the top off the dome, free flowing, no pre-written lines and off the cuff. However, I am seeing more and more artists call "pre-written verses" freestyles. I guess the rationale behind it was that if you didn't have that written verse set aside for a song, you can use it to battle, spit over the radio waves, or put on a mixtape. I dunno...

Look...I have no problem with pre-written verses, but don't play me for a sucker. call it what it is. If you are battling a cat and he's tearing you to shreds with lines about what's happening now, then you come back with some pre-written isht about guns, drugs or whatever, you are playing yourself, B. There is nothing wrong with not being able to freestyle. Greats such as KRS, Supernatural and Busy Bee honed this skill over many years. Freestyling is an art and it's not to be taken lightly. Rakim and Nas aren't great freestyling emcees - yet, they hold the admiration of millions because of their writing prowess. They have never fronted to be the aformentioned. They played their lane and did what they had to do. If you are gonna write some isht and battle, at least write something that you can easily apply in any situation.

That's it...I'm done.

Cap-D