[Tuddles]

so lately i've been working on freestyle and i cant do it in front of people for somereason i can do my writtens in front of em so i dont think its due to me bein nervous or whatever...

anyway when i try my mind just goes blank and im tired of it.

so i was wondering

do you think if an emcee doesnt freestyle, their a wack ass emcees?
is the ability to freestyle really necessary?

and also... is there any sort of way i can practice?

[Elbee]

reciting writtens are acceptable for a newb MC. even iron solomon prewrites and hes dope as fuck

[epik]

not everyone can freestyle bro..
writing rhymes and freestyling are two totally different artforms.

i wonder if most the cats on the FRS section can REALLY freestyle.. cus when you type you can take all the time in the world, but freestyling is off the top, with quickness. i kno i can't freestyle for shit.. o well..

btw, no offense to the dudes on the FRS section.

[Mode]

you don't have to freestyle to be a dope emcee

[Elbee]

Originally Posted by epik

not everyone can freestyle bro..
writing rhymes and freestyling are two totally different artforms.

i wonder if most the cats on the FRS section can REALLY freestyle.. cus when you type you can take all the time in the world, but freestyling is off the top, with quickness. i kno i can't freestyle for shit.. o well..

btw, no offense to the dudes on the FRS section.

yup, i cant freestyle for shit.. no one in my area actually raps or have the balls to rap so i have no one to cypher with. anyone who wanna cypher online just hit me up..

[Anghellic]

I would cypher all day.
Freestyling is what im known for out here in cali.

but ummm in regards to the post it doesnt make you wack
homeboy is right it's just a different artform
like a painter who paints with oil or markers... whatever ya know?

it's fun to do, helps keep ya mind running.
if you want to practice heres what some of my friends used to do
when we first started

you start rapping about whatever you want... and then he says rap about "apples"... cypher about apples... and then he says "cars"... so then you rap about car's and you take turns.

or you can cheat... and just get really blowed and then the magic just let's loose...
If I get Yak'd out or really high...haha I let loose

but yeah, don't feel bad if you can't not everyone can

[Voyce]

To me freestylin' comes with writing. The more you write, the more ideas and rhymes start sticking in your head. Freestyling is basically spittin' knowledge that you already know, even though that knowledge isn't in any particular pattern. Free speech and everyday talking is somewhat of a freestyle. Your spittin' out sentences that aren't pre-determined, just without the flow and rhymes. The more you practice, the more you write, and the more knowledge you engrain into your brain are prime ingredients in freestylin'.

[Tuddles]

thanks yall

ill just keep writin then maybe it'll start comin to me :]

peace.

[VicValSwift]

IMHO emcees should be dope at both.. or at least get into doing both. To me you can't really have one without the other..

I don't really Rap.. or write for that matter. I used to, on and off, but I want to get back into actually being prolific with my shit, and possibly get good at freestyling off the top.

[[Sikk]]

Writing and freestyling are two different styles, like Epik said. Usually people are great at one and suck at the other. I can come up with some crazy written shit from time to time, but it's usually right off my head. Like I just think of it, then write it or type it. Usually those are my best lines.

The problem is, I can't take those thoughts and process them into words fast or smooth enough. Think of it like this. When you try to dance and you don't know how, you just kinda flail around and do random shit. Then someone tries to teach you a technique that you practice slowly and carefully. Now you try to flail around, using that technique. You know? Like you need the train to move, but laying down the tracks will help you. Just remember to move the train.

Try this, think of shit off the top of your head and just practice freestyling in your head. When you feel like you're good at making up lines, just verbalize them. It's crazy. Your mind is a lake, your mouth is an ocean. Just build the river in between. Remember to flow.

Sorry, I tend to speak in metaphors.

[SuAZN]

Havent read the entire thread, but i just have to say this:
I was at an open mic on tuesday and there were some freestylers..some were interesting, but a couple just got up there for some stupid ass reason..and god damn..why do the ones who suck the most not know when to shut the hell up? and some start out good, run out of gas, and dont realize that theyve ran out of gas..and still dont shut the hell up?

[DeCypher]

By all means you don't HAVE to be able to freestyle to be an emcee.

When an emcee gets signed on a heavy label and start producin' albums world-wide you don't see anyone beyond kats that like freestyle searching to find that artists freestyles. The biggest area of concern is writing and making music, because fundamentally that's what it's all about.

HOWEVER... I personally believe that an emcee should at least have knowledge of how to freestyle. They don't have to be amazing at it, just be able to drop three bars even. I practice everyday to get better, because the more I freestyle the better I write and the more I write the better I freestyle.

Here are some ways to practice:

- Rhyme Strings -

Write down a word or pick a random one out of a dictionary and then write down another word that rhymes with that and continue until your mind is spent. Then rinse and repeat with a new word.

- Topics -

Ask a friend to help you out by shouting out topics for you to rap about. Like Angel described earlier. If they say 'Bart Simpson' then rap about Bart Simpson, and etc. Don't stop if you start to stutter or choke. You're with a friend and if they care enough to help you then they won't make fun. Honestly I usually ask one of my girl friends to help me. Just make me feel more comfortable.

- Sight Seeing -

When you're driving to work, or walking to school, or whatever. Anytime you're traveling or you're in a unique location begin rapping about your surroundings. If there are people around it doesn't matter, no one knows you so they won't be bothered by you rapping as you pass by one another. If you do feel weird about rapping out loud in random public take a seat and write a 10 bar real quick about what you see.. or just whisper or think your freestyle to yourself.

- Mirror Match -

Simple. Stand in front of the mirror and look yourself in the eyes and just freestyle or diss yourself. This will raise charisma and you can adjust your 'look' while you rap to suit your liking.


Hope that helps bud.

[Airin]

Freestyle = True Skill
Freestyle wit Perfect flow = master.


but ofcourse....masterin freestyle helps ur freestyle alot....but writing a good rap is another story....

[KiLLaBaNdaNnA]

Im not very good at freestyling either because i dont spend my time with it everyday. sometimes i have my good days and i could spit out 3 bars even and some days i cant even spit 1 line....all you gotta do is think of a topic...embrace it....and start spittin about it...do it everyday...if u feel naughty...think of words your gonna say in ur freestyle...pick a topic and spit....Fuck up? do it again....

You can do it in the shower....the shitter....at school...etc...

[KCBlack]

Originally Posted by epik

not everyone can freestyle bro..
writing rhymes and freestyling are two totally different artforms.

i wonder if most the cats on the FRS section can REALLY freestyle.. cus when you type you can take all the time in the world, but freestyling is off the top, with quickness. i kno i can't freestyle for shit.. o well..

btw, no offense to the dudes on the FRS section.

That's me. I write rhymes and I do rap 'em, but I can't freestyle for shit in real life. I practice though, but it takes me forever. I'm working on it. I don't think freestyling is a necessity unless you plan on doing a lot of battling. I guess if you focus on writing lyrics and getting signed, freestyling isn't as important. But winning battles does make a name for yourself... wtf do I know though?