While reminiscing with a buddy over the weekend about some old tapes of us jamming, I was reminded how happy I am that some of those recordings disappeared. It's one thing to make all kinds of embarrassing mistakes in the privacy of friends, it's another to put it out in the digital public for everyone to consume and share. So, all the more credit to the emcees that continue to go off the top with their freestyles--especially those that are high-profile members of Grammy Award-winning groups currently doing media stops to promote a highly-anticipated solo album. Most rappers, or celebrities in general, would not risk making a mistake in such a public forum by using unrehearsed responses or lines.
Big Boi continues to impress by punching up what could have been a by-the-numbers radio appearance with a true school freestyle. It's pretty shaky, but he looks tired and, hell, he's improvising words that rhymeandsound great together. This is a high wire act. There are a series of false-starts, stutters and slips, but watch how Billy Ocean rides each current smoothly and patiently finds his balance. He has a few stock turnarounds ("That n***a that B-I-G"), but generally doesn't need them as he rhymes about everything from casting couches to pimp slaps to "dietation" to "Girl Scout cookies and pajamas" all over that "Renegade" beat.
Skip to 0:30 to skip straight to the goodness. My favorite line? "I got stuck / Just like your baby mama..."
[Big Boi Freestyle On Invasion Radio">Other Music From A Different Kitchen]
