Dave East Spits a Freestyle in ‘Road to Made In America’ Video

Dave East is putting on for his city. The Spanish Harlem native is getting ready to make his first ever appearance at Budweiser's 2016 Made In America Festival and Tidal is documenting his road to the festival stage. In a new video series focused on artists taking the Tidal stage at this year's festivities, Dave East is the latest rapper hoisted into the spotlight today (Aug. 22).

Aside from having cameras follow him throughout his day, officially introducing the world to his first born, beautiful Kairi Chanel, and dropping a fresh freestyle right in his hood, Dave talked about how his work ethic sets him apart from the crop of new rappers.

"I'm actually talking about real life situations, like stuff that actually happens," Dave explained of his personal rap style. "So I don't think that's old-school, I don't think that's over with. I feel like there's still dudes that can rap and tell their stories with lyricism. I just think I'm one of those dudes."

When XXL spoke to the Mass Appeal signee for his Freshman issue interview earlier this year, East's No. 1 concern was restoring NYC as the Mecca of rap.

"I want my Freshman year to be remembered as when New York City woke the fuck back up again," said East. "Legends always do what they do, Jadakiss Fabolous, Styles, they got New York etched in stone, but I want it to be remembered that it was a breath of fresh air that came in the game from Harlem."

Made In America takes over Philadelphia for the fifth year in a row on Labor Day weekend Sept. 3 and 4. Other hip-hop acts include DJ Khaled, 2 Chainz, Chance The Rapper, A$AP Ferg and two more XXL Freshmen, Desiigner and Lil Yachty. Check out the full lineup here.

Go Behind the Scenes With Dave East at 2016 XXL Freshman Class Cover Shoot