Freestyle Fellowship
Encyclopedia
Freestyle Fellowship are a rap
group from Los Angeles
consisting of rappers Aceyalone
, Myka 9
, P.E.A.C.E.
, Self Jupiter and producer
J Sumbi. Their vocal techniques focusing on the method of the freestyle
, as well as a successful infusion of hip hop
and jazz
, established the group as forerunners in the sub-genre of jazz rap
, and also placed them amongst prominent West Coast underground hip hop
acts of the early 1990s like Hieroglyphics
, Abstract Rude
& Tribe Unique, and The Pharcyde
. They are part of a hip hop collective known as Project Blowed
.
and Self Jupiter and knew them since elementary school, and he met P.E.A.C.E.
in 10th grade. Before the Fellowship, Aceyalone
, Spoon (of) Iodine, and Myka Nyne were in a group called the MC Aces in high school.
After releasing the album To Whom It May Concern… in 1991, the Fellowship became known in tape-trading circles, identified by their range in rhyming, at times bordering on Jazz scat
, and Afrocentric messages over jazz
inspired beat production. Their 1993 release Innercity Griots
is acknowledged by many to be among the best hip hop albums of the 90s.
In 1993, the group went on hiatus due to the four year incarceration of Self Jupiter. After his release, the Fellowship reunited to record Shockadoom in 1998 (released 2002). Temptations was released in 2001.
The members of the Fellowship have all put out solo albums, with Aceyalone
and Myka 9
being the most prolific. In addition to their solo work, Aceyalone
and Myka 9
recorded two albums with Abstract Rude
as Haiku D'Etat
.
In 1999, P.E.A.C.E.
won second place in the Scribble Jam
freestyle battle to Eyedea
.
The song Cornbread also appears in the professional skateboarder Brent Atchley's pro debut video.
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
group from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
consisting of rappers Aceyalone
Aceyalone
Eddie Hayes, better known by his stage name Aceyalone, is an American rapper.He is a founding member of the Freestyle Fellowship. Apart from his role in Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone is also a member of Haiku D'Etat and The A-Team , and he is a co-founder of Project Blowed.After releasing a...
, Myka 9
Myka 9
Myka 9 is a musician/rapper from Los Angeles.-History:Originally known as Microphone Mike, in the 80s he was a member of the MC Aces with Aceyalone and Spoon Iodine. As one of the founding members of Freestyle Fellowship, Myka 9 was instrumental in the scene at the Good Life Cafe in the early 90s...
, P.E.A.C.E.
Mtulazaji Davis
P.E.A.C.E is the stage name of Mtulazaji Davis. He is a part of Freestyle Fellowship along with Aceyalone, Self Jupiter, and Myka Nyne. He has released two solo albums Southern Fry'd Chicken and Megabyte. P.E.A.C.E. is known for his fast and choppy style and many consider him to be the originator...
, Self Jupiter and producer
Hip hop production
Hip hop production is the creation of hip hop music. Though the term encompasses all aspects of hip hop music, it's most commonly used to refer to the instrumental, non-lyrical aspects of hip hop. This means that hip hop producers are the instrumentalists involved in a work...
J Sumbi. Their vocal techniques focusing on the method of the freestyle
Freestyle rap
Freestyle rap commonly refers to rap lyrics which are improvised through a acapella or with instrumental beats, i.e. performed with no previously composed lyrics, or "off the top of the head"...
, as well as a successful infusion of hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, established the group as forerunners in the sub-genre of jazz rap
Jazz rap
Jazz rap is a sub-genre of hip hop which incorporates jazz influences, developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The lyrics are often based on political consciousness, Afrocentricity, and general positivism...
, and also placed them amongst prominent West Coast underground hip hop
Underground hip hop
Underground hip hop is an umbrella term for hip hop music outside the general commercial canon. It is typically associated with independent artists, signed toindependent labels or no label at all....
acts of the early 1990s like Hieroglyphics
Hieroglyphics (band)
Hieroglyphics, also known as the Hieroglyphics Crew and Hiero, are an American underground hip hop collective based in Oakland, California. The collective was founded in the early-1990s by rapper Del tha Funkee Homosapien...
, Abstract Rude
Abstract Rude
Abstract Rude is an American rapper, from Los Angeles, CA. He is the MC for the hip hop group Abstract Tribe Unique , alongside dancers Zulu Butterfly Prince and Irie Lion Locks, Turntablist DJ Drez, and Underground Hip Hop producer, Fat Jack...
& Tribe Unique, and The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde are an alternative hip hop group based in South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani , Slimkid3 , Bootie Brown and Fatlip . DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla...
. They are part of a hip hop collective known as Project Blowed
Project Blowed
Project Blowed refers to an open-mic workshop, its affiliated hip hop crew, and the two compilation albums released by that collective. The Leimert Park workshop is the longest running open-mic for Hip-Hop in the world.-The Good Life:...
.
History
The group was formed at the Good Life Café in Los Angeles during the early 90s. Myka Nyne stated in an interview that he grew up with AceyaloneAceyalone
Eddie Hayes, better known by his stage name Aceyalone, is an American rapper.He is a founding member of the Freestyle Fellowship. Apart from his role in Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone is also a member of Haiku D'Etat and The A-Team , and he is a co-founder of Project Blowed.After releasing a...
and Self Jupiter and knew them since elementary school, and he met P.E.A.C.E.
Mtulazaji Davis
P.E.A.C.E is the stage name of Mtulazaji Davis. He is a part of Freestyle Fellowship along with Aceyalone, Self Jupiter, and Myka Nyne. He has released two solo albums Southern Fry'd Chicken and Megabyte. P.E.A.C.E. is known for his fast and choppy style and many consider him to be the originator...
in 10th grade. Before the Fellowship, Aceyalone
Aceyalone
Eddie Hayes, better known by his stage name Aceyalone, is an American rapper.He is a founding member of the Freestyle Fellowship. Apart from his role in Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone is also a member of Haiku D'Etat and The A-Team , and he is a co-founder of Project Blowed.After releasing a...
, Spoon (of) Iodine, and Myka Nyne were in a group called the MC Aces in high school.
After releasing the album To Whom It May Concern… in 1991, the Fellowship became known in tape-trading circles, identified by their range in rhyming, at times bordering on Jazz scat
Scat singing
In vocal jazz, scat singing is vocal improvisation with wordless vocables, nonsense syllables or without words at all. Scat singing gives singers the ability to sing improvised melodies and rhythms, to create the equivalent of an instrumental solo using their voice.- Structure and syllable choice...
, and Afrocentric messages over jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
inspired beat production. Their 1993 release Innercity Griots
Innercity Griots
-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*arranging – Edman, JMD, Kevin O'Neal*bass – Robert Harris, JMD, Kevin O'Neal, Christy Smith, Alfred Threats*bass – Kevin O'Neal, Christy Smith*drums – Robert Harris, JMD...
is acknowledged by many to be among the best hip hop albums of the 90s.
In 1993, the group went on hiatus due to the four year incarceration of Self Jupiter. After his release, the Fellowship reunited to record Shockadoom in 1998 (released 2002). Temptations was released in 2001.
The members of the Fellowship have all put out solo albums, with Aceyalone
Aceyalone
Eddie Hayes, better known by his stage name Aceyalone, is an American rapper.He is a founding member of the Freestyle Fellowship. Apart from his role in Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone is also a member of Haiku D'Etat and The A-Team , and he is a co-founder of Project Blowed.After releasing a...
and Myka 9
Myka 9
Myka 9 is a musician/rapper from Los Angeles.-History:Originally known as Microphone Mike, in the 80s he was a member of the MC Aces with Aceyalone and Spoon Iodine. As one of the founding members of Freestyle Fellowship, Myka 9 was instrumental in the scene at the Good Life Cafe in the early 90s...
being the most prolific. In addition to their solo work, Aceyalone
Aceyalone
Eddie Hayes, better known by his stage name Aceyalone, is an American rapper.He is a founding member of the Freestyle Fellowship. Apart from his role in Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone is also a member of Haiku D'Etat and The A-Team , and he is a co-founder of Project Blowed.After releasing a...
and Myka 9
Myka 9
Myka 9 is a musician/rapper from Los Angeles.-History:Originally known as Microphone Mike, in the 80s he was a member of the MC Aces with Aceyalone and Spoon Iodine. As one of the founding members of Freestyle Fellowship, Myka 9 was instrumental in the scene at the Good Life Cafe in the early 90s...
recorded two albums with Abstract Rude
Abstract Rude
Abstract Rude is an American rapper, from Los Angeles, CA. He is the MC for the hip hop group Abstract Tribe Unique , alongside dancers Zulu Butterfly Prince and Irie Lion Locks, Turntablist DJ Drez, and Underground Hip Hop producer, Fat Jack...
as Haiku D'Etat
Haiku D'Etat
Haiku D'Etat is a hip hop supergroup trio consisting of Aceyalone & Myka 9 of the Freestyle Fellowship, and Abstract Rude, the leader of Abstract Tribe Unique . Abstract Rude previously worked with Aceyalone as the A-Team. All three artists are heavily affiliated with the Project Blowed, group...
.
In 1999, P.E.A.C.E.
Mtulazaji Davis
P.E.A.C.E is the stage name of Mtulazaji Davis. He is a part of Freestyle Fellowship along with Aceyalone, Self Jupiter, and Myka Nyne. He has released two solo albums Southern Fry'd Chicken and Megabyte. P.E.A.C.E. is known for his fast and choppy style and many consider him to be the originator...
won second place in the Scribble Jam
Scribble Jam
Scribble Jam was an annual hip hop music festival hosted in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dubbed "America's largest hip hop festival", it was co-founded in 1996 by "Fat" Nick Accurso, and Jason Brunson, founders of graffiti magazine Scribble, and DJ Mr Dibbs, in the parking lot of a local nightclub...
freestyle battle to Eyedea
Eyedea
Micheal Larsen , known by his stage name Eyedea, was a well-known freestyle battle champion and underground rapper. His notable wins included the televised Blaze Battle sponsored by HBO and a victory at Scribble Jam...
.
Film
Freestyle Fellowship is featured prominently in the award-winning documentary This Is the Life, chronicling the music movement that was birthed at The Good Life Cafe in South Central Los Angeles. The Good Life is the open-mic workshop where the group first performed in the early 1990s.Albums
- To Whom It May Concern… (1991)
- Innercity GriotsInnercity Griots-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*arranging – Edman, JMD, Kevin O'Neal*bass – Robert Harris, JMD, Kevin O'Neal, Christy Smith, Alfred Threats*bass – Kevin O'Neal, Christy Smith*drums – Robert Harris, JMD...
(1993) - Temptations (2001)
- Version 2.0: To Whom It May Concern, Remixes (2001)
- Innercity Griots Instrumentals (2002)
- Shockadoom EP (2002)
- The Promise (2011)
Singles
- Bullies Of The Block (1992)
- Hot Potato (1993)
- Can You Find The Level Of Difficulty In This? (1999)
- Temptations (2001)
- Sex In The City (2002)
- On This Earth (2010)
Other appearances
- Project BlowedProject BlowedProject Blowed refers to an open-mic workshop, its affiliated hip hop crew, and the two compilation albums released by that collective. The Leimert Park workshop is the longest running open-mic for Hip-Hop in the world.-The Good Life:...
"Hot" (Project BlowedProject BlowedProject Blowed refers to an open-mic workshop, its affiliated hip hop crew, and the two compilation albums released by that collective. The Leimert Park workshop is the longest running open-mic for Hip-Hop in the world.-The Good Life:...
- 1994) - Project BlowedProject BlowedProject Blowed refers to an open-mic workshop, its affiliated hip hop crew, and the two compilation albums released by that collective. The Leimert Park workshop is the longest running open-mic for Hip-Hop in the world.-The Good Life:...
w/ T-Love, AC, Nefertiti, BJ, Ganjah K, Medusa, Ko Ko, & Volume 10Volume 10Volume 10 is a hip hop artist from Los Angeles, California. He was part of the Heavyweights Crew, which included artists Freestyle Fellowship, Medusa, Ganjah K, and other Los Angeles acts from what later became Project Blowed...
"Heavyweights Round 2" (Project Blowed - 1994) - Nobody "Planets Ain't Aligned Z-Trip Remix" Earthtones (Ubiquity - 1999)
- Nobody "Planets Ain't Aligned" No Categories 2: A Ubiquity Compilation (Ubiquity - 1999)
- Defcon 4 "Can You Find The Level Of Difficulty In This? (Remix)" (Celestial Recordings - 2001)
- O.L.C. "Hungry" Operation Left Coast (Rah Rah Nigga Entertainment - 2001)
- We Came From Beyond "Ummm" (Razor & Tie - 2001)
- Abstract RudeAbstract RudeAbstract Rude is an American rapper, from Los Angeles, CA. He is the MC for the hip hop group Abstract Tribe Unique , alongside dancers Zulu Butterfly Prince and Irie Lion Locks, Turntablist DJ Drez, and Underground Hip Hop producer, Fat Jack...
& Tribe Unique w/ J Smoov, Neb Luv, Ellay Khule, Medusa, Sugar BJ, Zulu Butterfly, Priest, Nga Fish, K-Bar, Trensetta, Riddlore?, BusdriverBusdriverBusdriver is a rapper from Los Angeles currently signed to Epitaph Records and Fake Four Inc-History:...
, Ko Ko, Volume 10Volume 10Volume 10 is a hip hop artist from Los Angeles, California. He was part of the Heavyweights Crew, which included artists Freestyle Fellowship, Medusa, Ganjah K, and other Los Angeles acts from what later became Project Blowed...
, DJ RhettmaticDJ RhettmaticDJ Rhettmatic is a member of the Beat Junkies DJ crew. Rhettmatic began his DJ career in 1983 with the DJ group Double Platinum, and was one of the founding members of Beat Junkie crew....
& DR. EZ "Heavyweights Round 4" P.A.I.N.T. (Battle Axe - 2001) - Constant Elevation "Crazy" (Astralwerks - 2002)
The song Cornbread also appears in the professional skateboarder Brent Atchley's pro debut video.
External links
- "Down for the Good Life," Brendan Mullen, L.A. Weekly, June 21, 2000.
- "Livin' the Good Life," Nicole Balin, The Source.
- Freestyle Fellowship - The Last Temptation of Mics
- Interview in Klub Magazine 1993 Seth Jaquish Klub Magazine June 1993.
- Complete Discography