Damn! What a week for freestyles. This week, our list could have seen a Top 10 because of the levels everyone was bringing! As we apporach the Winter season, a number of artists have released new material or announced upcoming projects. There is no better way to build some hype then a fire freestyle via radio and YouTube. Our 4th edition sees three inclusions from BBC Radio 1Xtra and a perfect mix between veteran MCs and new faces, so kick back as we get into this week’s choices.
1. Dave – Toddla T Freestyle
“Tired of fucking rapping, like blowing will never happen. Knowing it will take work but I’m showing I’ve got talent”
First off, Dave is one of the best artists the UK has to offer! Balancing a thin line between both rap and grime, the 18 year old has shown talent years beyond his age with his new debut EP Six Paths and an acoustic session alongside DJ Semtex for his track “Picture Me”. As well as showing his natural storytelling ability on his tracks, he has always shown that he can kill it with freestyles with successful showings on BL@CKBOX and SBTV. This week saw him swing up the Toddla T show on 1Xtra. Going in over a trap instrumental that samples The Weeknd, Dave steps up with the highest level of lyricism he’s rapidly becoming known for. He goes beyond the usual freestyle, presenting a whole song, dubbed “In Vain”.
2. The Grime Show: Slickman Party, Novelist, Sharky Major, Kruz Leon & CeeJ
“Slice a man like beef man, real Gs wanna greet when they see man, peng tings wanna beat when they greet man”
Sir Spryo’s Grime Show has been a mainstay on Rinse FM since its’ first show in 2013 and has featured a whos who of the scene, from Newham Generals, Slew Dem Crew, Bloodline and P Money. This week’s incarnation saw Slickman Party bring through an all-star line up including Sharky Major and Novelist. With such a packed roster, there was always going to a tonne of quotable lyrics with each MC looking to outdo one another in a battle of lyrical one-upmanship. For me, Sharky Major shows his veteran experience and murders beats supplied by D.O.K, JamPak and Spyro himself on the decks.
3. P Money Mistajam Freestyle
“You bruddahs got me on my John Wayne zone, got me out here looking for a man on my own”
After announcing he would be dropping his new album ‘Live & Direct’ in November and dropping the video for “Panasonic”, P Money was recently a guest on Mistajam‘s Radio 1Xtra show and as is tradition, he blessed the microphone with a new freestyle, packed with punchlines and lyrical jabs. The Lewisham MC goes off for over 15 minutes, taking on no more than 15 riddims – showing his diversity and talent . He proves why he’s one of the top spitters in the game, as dismantles beats like Giggs‘ “Whippin Excursion”. After a number of years in the game, P keeps re-upping the momentum and dropping his hardest bars.
4. Milli Major Road Rage Freestyle
“It don’t matter what bench man press, backs get slashed like a website address”
Bloodline’s own Milli Major can at times be overlooked when it comes to the North London crew, especially with the success of fellow MCs President T and Big H. But Milli looks to overthrow this assumption as he is back with a bang and showing his status within the scene. After his back to back with Scrufizzer on Kiss FM in April this year, Milli has dropped his Road Rage freestyle via midlands based channel JDZ Media. From the drop, Milli showcases his infectious flow as he bounces around the instrumental – also taking the opportunity to challenge any contenders who wants it [“We could go to the basement or to the rooftop!”]
5. Izzie Gibbs – Fire In The Booth Part 2
“When I die, I hope they skank in my honour. Until then, I’ll slang to the comma, got the plug throwing the box like he’s Anthony Joshua”
Over a year ago, Northampton’s Izzie Gibbs took to the Fire In The Booth stage and was let loose over a number of skippy grime instrumentals. This week, he returned to deliver us something a little different but still absolutely KILLING IT! Flowing over some slightly slowed down beats, Izzie goes in, talking about his friends, hardships and family. While Izzie has consistently showed that he has a lot to give, he can be regularly overlooked when conservations around young MCs are had. This frustration has not gone unnoticed by Izzie [“You talk about the best rappers and I’m never mentioned, that leaves my mind with hella questions”] and he looks to put on for himself and his city by proving his lyrical worth.