Product Description

This provides an explosive inside look into the creative framework of hip-hop culture & the improvisational art of freestyle - where mcs express themselves by creating rhymes in the moment. Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 05/24/2005 Run time: 60 minutes

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60560 in DVD
• Brand: Freestyle
• Released on: 2005-05-24
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 75 minutes

Amazon.com
Freestyle makes for the ideal double-bill with Scratch, Doug Pray's fine film about the art of the DJ. Kevin Fitzgerald looks instead at the MC, specifically those who make their rhymes up on the spot, like a slam poet or jazz vocalist adding new flavor to an old standard. Unlike Scratch or The Freshest Kids, an exploration of b-boy culture, Freestyle doesn't explain or trace the history of a form as much as celebrate it. In other words, the focus is more on the practitioners of the present, despite some valuable commentary from Abiodun Oyewole and Umar Bin Hassan of the legendary Last Poets, on circles and battles, and some inspiring footage of a 17-year-old Biggie Smalls (the Notorious B.I.G.) cutting loose in Bed-Stuy. Other notable participants include Common, Black Thought (the Roots) Chali Tuna (Jurassic 5), Mikah 9 (Freestyle Fellowship), and Mos Def (Black Star). --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

Outstanding Hip-Hop Documentary
This is a really excellent film and it is no suprise to me that it has won so many awards are various film festivals. The film is about "freestyle." Freestyle is a form of rap music that comes from the top of the MC's head. A freestyle is not a written rap. The MC that "fronts" a written rap as a freestyle loses much respect. The film maker has amassed a great deal of archive and olf footage of hip-hop legends like Cool Herc and Run DMC to name a few. The film is really about the underground culture. Unless you are deep into underground hip-hop, you are not going to recognize a lot of the rappers in this film. I can't say enough about this film. It explores the various aspects of the freestyle art form--including "the battle." The battle is when the MC's go at it in a freestyle battle. They can say some really confrontational things, but it's all about the rhyme. Women rappers are also well represented in this film. Bahamadia appears in the film as does rapper Medusa. All hip-hop lovers should check out this film. Between the live performances and the interviews, you will know about the freestyle culture by the time you finish watching this film. It digs deep into the rawness of hip-hop and rhyme. No bling bling, video chicks and or Bently's, just cats freestyling.

COULDVE BEEN ALOT BETTER
I thought this documentary was alright. It wasnt really mindblowing and at times got to be really slow. For people who have never seen some one freestyle or have only seen eight mile, then this is a movie to watch. But for me this movie could have been made alot better. I thought there was too much footage of Supernat. It seems after 30 mins this becomes a doc on Supernat. Supernat is fresh but there are tons of mcs out there that kevin could have shown.

I think there was too much coverage on the east. The east is fresh but something that I would have rather seen is maybe interviews on the old school like KRS, Rakim, MC Shan, Nas or some other mcs known for being tested on the mic and servin. Mos def was cool but he was not impressive to me. The lyricist lounge mcs were not too impressive either. I also did not like that dude singing in the subway wtf is that about.

What I did like was the footage of Black Thought with Questlove rhymin about whatever is around him. I liked that acapella that peace did. PEACE is one of the best freestylers that I have ever seen and to only show that footage was disappointing. The bigge footage was good also. Seeing otherwize battle other mcs was also good to see. Ive seen otherwize take out many including eminem.

What i wanted to see was more of the west coast because from my knowledge Freestyle Fellowship were some of the best mcs to ever come out. They changed the whole hip hop scene with their flows. The footage of the fellowship was cool but I have seen Micah 9 come off way better than he did on that film. I also know that Kevin has footage from the goodlife days and project blowed. I dont know why footage was not used but seeing fellowship back in da days was just amazing and I wished that was shared within the film. I would have also wanted to hear about more battling not just supernat vs juice but others. Why wasnt the hobo vs hiero battle put up on the site? That was one of the most talked about battles at that time. What about the Hiero vs Freestyle fellowship battle where hiero lost so Casual had to wear a fellowship shirt on their next video. What about Saafir or Del? These were some fresh MCs at their time. Or what about gift of gab, lateef, and lyrics born. These are mcs that are great.

The reason why I thought this movie could have been better was because Kevin knows about these mcs. He knows what these mcs have done for the art of mcing and also has footage of these mcs.

Overall i think people should buy this dvd because even though it could have been better you still can see a glimpse of what are truly great mcs which are Freestyle Fellowship, Pharoah Monch, Black Thought, Juice, and Supernat.

Great document. A must have for anyone interested in rhyming
I saw this film in Portland at the hip-hop film festival. It's really amazing. Some of the ftg is phenomenal: Biggie eating some kid alive in a street-corner cypher. Mos Def flowing from the dome for DAYS. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. I heard through the grapevine that VH1 is going to be showing the film as well. These guys have busted their asses in true hip-hop/DIY style to get this film made and out to the public. It has been well worth the effort!