More Vintage Freestyling

Doron's post featuring the Notorious B.I.G. reminded me that I recently came across yet another vintage freestyle hip-hop clip: the uber-legendary Patterson Projects battle between Percee P and Lord Finesse. The video quality is pretty shoddy in places, but the staccato rhymes and funky drummer beats are unforgettable. Definitely one of my favorite "field recordings" of the 20th century. Thanks to the always-amazin' Noz and the Cocaine Blunts blog for bringing it to my attention.

Comments

[Fatherflot]

Amazing. Both guys remind me of the supreme master Rakim. What happened to THAT school of rap? I'm blown away by the rhythmic sophistication (so much swing!) and the sheer formal discipline of these guys, especially the first one.

[MrFab]

Reminds me of the film "Wild Style." Where else can I find recordings of classic rap freestyling? Wish I'd taped more of this kinda thing off the radio back in the day...

[whalleywhat]

nice. there's probly a lot of recordings off shows like stretch & bobbito, but i'd assume video is pretty rare. percee p takes cadence & delivery, but finesse's lines are more clever and hit harder. too bad it ends.

[illlich]

Percee P just came out with his FIRST album a few weeks ago (produced by Madlib) . . . and his style hasn't changed at all (for better or worse. . . his flow is pretty similar on everything he's ever done).

Rakim was my favorite back then too, but his records were all downhill after "Follow the Leader."

[Andrew Schrock]

Here lord finesse just spits lyrics from his albums... not really freestyle. Oh well.