20 of the Best Freestyles of 2016 So Far
Freestyling is an art form that is one of the most beautiful things to witness in hip-hop. The act of spitting off the top is a skill rappers need to showcase when they're on a radio show, for their fans at a concert or just kicking it with friends. There's just something about watching your favorite rapper spit witty wordplay, analogies, double entendres and slip in a diss or two. When a rapper is in the zone, crushing one of the game's most popular beats, it should get any hip-hop fan excited.
Who can forget The Diplomats or Eminem ripping the mic during BET's iconic video mixshow, Rap City: Tha Basement? Or Royce Da 5'9, Mr Porter and Slim Shady on Tim Westwood? How about Jay Z freestyling over Kanye West's "Grammy Family" on Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex show? There was the iconic The Notorious B.I.G. and Nas freestyle where Method Man introduced both of them to the masses as well. The list can go on and on.
In 2016, there's been a bunch of freestyles that prove rappers young and old still got it. From rising Brooklyn star Young M.A to West Coast veteran The Game and more, here are the best freestyles of the year so far. And don't forget to check out every artist in the 2016 XXL Freshman class freestyling below.
Joey Bada$$
Where: Sway in the MorningYoung M.A
Where: Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex ShowMick Jenkins
Where: Sway in the MorningMeek Mill
Where: Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex ShowTsu Surf
Where: Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex ShowLil Dicky
Where: Tim WestwoodThe Game
Where: Power 106's The Cruz ShowCharlie Clips
Where: Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex ShowVic Mensa and Joey Purp
Where: Sway in the MorningPusha T
Where: Sway in the MorningTory Lanez
Where: Sway in the MorningDave East
Where: L.A. LeakersVince Staples
Where: Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex ShowToken
Where: Sway in the MorningStro
Where: Statik Selektah's Shade 45 ShowTaylor Bennett
Where: Sway in the MorningA-F-R-O
Where: Statik Selektah's Shade 45 ShowJay Electronica and Metasota
Where: MinneapolisAction Bronson and Meyhem Lauren
Where: DJ Whoo's Kid Shade 45 ShowTyler, The Creator
Where: OFWGKTA
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