Have you ever stopped and wondered what the best freestyle lyrics of all time are? If so, today's your lucky day. From the early days of rap, where radio was an artist's audition in many ways, to the modern landscape, where it separates the men from the boys, freestyles have always been an essential part of the culture. So, we'll be ranking the 11 best freestyle lyrics of all time, taking a deep dive into each lyric and the MCs behind them. Without futher ado, here's our list of the best freestyle lyrics.
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The 11 Best Freestyle Lyrics of All Time, Ranked
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By: Mike McLaughlin
Published Nov 27, 2023
11. Central Cee - “LA Leakers Freestyle”
Year Released: 2022
Lyric: “You say ‘The feds just done a sweep’ / We say, ‘The boy dem run in my gaff’ / You say ‘On God, no cap’ / We say ‘Swear on your life, don't gass’ / You say ‘Spin the block’ / We say ‘Jump out and slide and crash’ / You call it ‘machine,’ we call it a ‘mash’”
To kick off our list, we have Central Cee rapping about the disparity between American culture and London culture on his LA Leakers freestyle. This was one of the early signs that the Londoner was set to be a star. Not only can he rap, but he uses lyrics that'll make you run it back again and again.
10. Benny the Butcher and Conway the Machine - "Funk Flex Freestyle" - Benny's Verse
Year Released: 2019
Lyric: “I’m on seafood and plates of pasta / I feel like Dr. Dre mixed with Frank Sinatra / I’m Mayweather, you McGregor / I’ll explain the concept. / I’mma show n****s brawlin’ ain’t the same as boxin’.”
Benny the Butcher joined Conway the Machine on this Funk Flex freestyle back in 2019, and the result was sheer Griselda perfection. Hip-hop heads are bound to fall in love with this epic freestyle, if they haven't already heard it.
9. Conway the Machine - "Funk Flex Freestyle"
Year Released: 2022
Lyric: “I dare you, to play with me like I won't air you / I swear you / better play with somethin’ safe and be careful. / Thought I made it clear to you / I ain’t who you compare to.”
Conway the Machine is a name that you can't forget when you want to consider the best freestyles ever. His solo Funk Flex freestyle was one of the best on the platform - and that is really saying a lot, considering the talent that Flex has hosted over the years.
8. Eminem and Mr. Porter - "Tim Westwood Freestyle" - Eminem's Verse
Year Released: 2009
Lyric: “I wasn't born mean, I was pushed to treachery / I walk the streets, lookin' for some puss to fetch me / I'm like a veggie, brain is turned to mush, I'm edgy / Edgy enough to give Reggie Bush a wedgie.”
In 2009, Eminem laid down one of the cleanest freestyles ever on Tim Westwood's BBC radio show, alongside Mr. Porter. This is just another notch on the decorated belt of Slim Shady.
7. Big L - "'98 Freestyle"
Year Released: 1998
Lyric: “Ask Beavis, I get nothing Butthead”
Think about it for a second - now you've got it. This incredibly nifty wordplay from Big L is yet another reason that he's such an acclaimed figure in the world of hip-hop. His lyrics would keep your mind going, even after he's done rapping.
6. Jay-Z - "Grammy Family Freestyle" (Funk Flex)
Year Released: 2006
Lyric: “Inspired by Basquiat, my chariot's on fire / Everybody took shots, hit my body up, I'm tired / Build me up, break me down to build me up again / They like: ‘Hov, we need you back so we can kill your ass again’”
It's no surprise that Jay-Z has got some of the most impressive bars in hip-hop. This 2006 Funk Flex freestyle is just another blatant reminder of just how legendary he really is.
5. The Notorious B.I.G. - "DJ Mister Cee Freestyle"
Year Released: 1994
Lyric: “Blowing n****s out the frame, simple and plain / But getting back, to the black rhinoceros of rap / B.I.G. took a loss, how preposterous is that, n***a”
In 1994, The Notorious B.I.G. joined DJ Mister Cee to show off his noteworthy rapping ability. This bar gives a look at just how talented he was at the time, and the song continues to be a great reflection of what fans love most about Big.
4. Odd Future - "Oldie" - Frank Ocean's Verse
Year Released: 2012
Lyric: “Rent a supercar for a day / Drive around with your friends, smoke a gram of that haze / Bro, easy on the ounce, that's a lot for a day / But just enough for a week, my n***a, what can I say?”
Who knew Frank Ocean could rap? I guess the answer is simple: Odd Future fans. This 2012 freestyle was a classic for many reasons. It says a lot that Frank Ocean stood out on the freestyle, amongst so many acts that are now considered legends, like Tyler, the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt.
3. Black Thought - "Funk Flex Freestyle"
Year Released: 2017
Lyric: “And just 'cause they give you shit don't mean you have to take it / My words capture greatness, sworn affidavits”
In what is regarded by many to be the best freestyle ever, next up on our list is Black Thought's Funk Flex Freestyle. The lead MC for the Roots showed off just how nice he is at rapping - while spitting lyrics that inevitably cause you to think.
2. Big L and Jay-Z - “7 Minute Freestyle” (Stretch and Bobbito) - Jay-Z’s Verse
Year Released: 1995
Lyric: “Check it out, I'm too cocky, to stop me you gotta kill me / And when I'm gone, you can still feel me, on the real, B.”
In 1995, Jay-Z joined Big L on Stretch and Bobbito's radio show to demonstrate his rap prowess, and so he did. This lyric is just a glimpse at the impressive display he put on, not to mention Big L's - which we'll get to next.
1. Big L and Jay-Z - “7 Minute Freestyle” (Stretch and Bobbito) - Big L’s Verse
Year Released: 1995
Lyric: “I got the looks that make your hottie stare / I keep a shotty near, it's that n***a with knotty hair who Gotti fear.”
At the number one spot on our list of the best freestyle lyrics, we have a timeless sentiment from Big L which characterized himself in the most ferocious, yet lovable style. This type of larger-than-life characterization was part of what makes hip-hop so great - and it still does.
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