Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme Full Documentary
Even if you don't sell records, it has nothing to do with your skill level as an MC or your credibility in Hip Hop. It may have something to do with your level of skill or credibility in the corporate boards, the bottom line of which is money and how many records you can sell, but who cares about them and their opinion? They don't know anything about hip-hop.
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| Freestyle The Art of Rhyme Full Documentary |
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme
This is just an impressive glimpse into one of the most talented areas of music: freestyle - where rappers just talk off the top of their heads without writing their rhymes. Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme is an in-depth look at the origins of rap and freestyle by talking to a large group of MCs. It breaks down the history as well as the future, as illustrated by The Lost Poets, some of the earliest rappers from the Bronx and Eluard Burt II, a jazz musician and historian.
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| Freestyle The Art of Rhyme DVD |
The DVD is divided into sections that focus on certain aspects of the art. The first, after the introduction, is one called The Bronx. It tells the story of how freestyle came from the Jamaican Toasters and shows clips from early rap groups like Run DMC.
With the battle section, rappers look at their opponents from a foot away, spitting rhymes that aim to both destroy the competition and get the crowd on their side.
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme Full Documentary
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"I'm competitive with everything," says Autrement, a rapper from L.A. "Nobody knows who came in third, fourth or fifth. If you're going to do it, do it! I try to get to the point where I stop people from rapping. They want to change their career field. They want to do something else. I don't really feel bad because if they keep rapping, I haven't completed my mission.
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme Trailer
Another section deals with numbers, the circle that starts with friends and after one person starts rhyming, it just circulates around the circle with people joining in as they feel it.
Umar Bin Hassan of The Last Poets describes how rappers, especially freestylers, have sometimes been able to use their skills to get out of street clashes and eventually avoid bloodshed.
Several rappers emerge, such as Supernatural, the Freestyle Champion from Brooklyn who takes on Craig G and Juice. Also, DJs and B-Boys get their fair share of camera time.
Sprinkled with commentary by a plethora of rap's holiest: Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Jurassic 5 and Questlove.
It would have taken Fitzgerald seven years to make this documentary and this is his first film. He did a wonderful job with both a scholarly and emotional approach. You want to know all the people involved and where their roads lead.
It's a comprehensive, educational and entertaining film. The DVD also contains many extras including additional interviews, deleted scenes and more freestyles from various artists. If you are a fan of rap music, you MUST see this film.
