Latin Freestyle

[linebaugh]

 

[linebaugh]

Latin freestyle or simply freestyle music[4] is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the New York metropolitan area in the 1980s.[2] It experienced its greatest popularity from the late 1980s until the early 1990s. A common theme of freestyle lyricism originated as heartbreak in an urban environment typified by New York City. The first freestyle hit is often said to have been "Let the Music Play" by Shannon, released in 1983. Freestyle music is a Latin American-based rhythm with a heavy syncopated drum sound. This style of electro funk was defined as "freestyle" because of the way it was produced and mixed. Chris Barbosa is widely credited as the genre's founder.

 

[linebaugh]

When I was teaching, primarily chicano kids, they said this was the soundtrack to all barbecues. They knew the night was over because theyd come out from hiding in their rooms and their parents would all be sitting silently, too drunk and tired to talk, as Lil Suzy cooed in the back.

 

[linebaugh]

Whats interesting to me is that the music doesn't necessarily sound 'latin.' Regardless I was back in Texas recently and I heard on the radio an ad for a chicano freestyle festival being held in San Antonio.

 

[linebaugh]

Like all good genres its built around one incredibly specific sound. In this case that drum beat.

 

[linebaugh]

It sounds much more futuristic than typical 80's music I think. Reminds me of the Reynolds essay on autotune and how minorities have always made the music of our sci fi future.

 

[linebaugh]

Please discuss

 

[linebaugh]

other things to conisder- why so melancholy?

 

[woops]

You answered that already

A common theme of freestyle lyricism originated as heartbreak in an urban environment typified by New York City.

One of the great themes, innit

 

[linebaugh]

I didnt read that

 

[Benny Bunter]

The singers are always charmingly crap aren't they?

Couple of early Todd Terry productions, precursor to a lot of the stuff in the NY Ravey Dance Music thread.

 

[linebaugh]

Ive found the source material its up to you all to do the reading

 

[woops]

i'll do an one hour dj mix set mix of this stuff if you lot buy me the records

 

[linebaugh]

The singers are always charmingly crap aren't they?

Couple of early Todd Terry productions, precursor to a lot of the stuff in the NY Ravey Dance Music thread.

ya, like theyre being sung in the kitchen, socks sliding on the tile, holding the land line like a mic.

 

[linebaugh]

this one is very good

 

[william_kent]

The bestselling Streetsounds Electro compilation albums maybe have been the way a lot of people in the UK first heard this style - amongst the breaks and electro funk there would be the odd freestyle chucked in, and it was just all 'electro' unless you were invested in buying expensive imported 12" from specialist dance record shops - about 10 minutes into Electro 2 the breaks give way to Xena's On the Upside which is then mixed into Hashim's Al-Naafiysh which looking at the youtube comments is still a magical moment for many

 

[luka]

like uk garage it is distinguished by the complete lack of any vocal ability in its singers

 

[luka]

this produces its own mode of pathos, abilities which fail to meet ambitions for example, a cheap mass-market and off the shelf attempt at glamour

 

[luka]

the girl in her mothers make-up etc etc

 

[linebaugh]

this produces its own mode of pathos, abilities which fail to meet ambitions for example, a cheap mass-market and off the shelf attempt at glamour

the streets in el paso that lead into mexico are lined with fashion stores like this