Coming at you from Miami with an exclusively Freestyle selection. A little Freestyle history for the listeners out there. Freestyle, is an early electronic music genre that was originated primarily by Hispanic (particularly Puerto Rican) and Italian-American communities throughout NYC boroughs in the early 1980s. It quickly gained a hub in Miami, where local sounds married the rising genre beautifully. And, IYKYK, Miami is NYC's 6th borough. Freestyle was born post-disco, during the rise of electro-funk before the height of breakdancing. It evolved from a combination of the disco vocal stylings of the 70s, early hip-hop sampling, piercing staccato synth percussion of 80s electro, and the backbone of Afro-Cuban rhythms, la clave. Many DJs and producers of the time trace it's origins back to two key tracks. 1st: the track that changed modern music for good, "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force - it's said to have been the DNA for what would become Freestyle. 2nd: "Let the Music Play" by Shannon is considered by many the first Freestyle track ever. Some honorable mentions that set the genre's tone are "Play at Your Own Risk" by Planet Patrol, produced by the prolific Arthur Baker; "Don't Stop the Rock" by Freestyle Express, of the legendary Miami producer Tony Butler aka Pretty Tony, who also found & produced an artist synonymous with the rise of freestyle, Debbie Deb. You might recognize Debbie, from her major resurgence that came thanks to Kendrick Lamar sampling her 1984 hit, "When I Hear Music", on "Squabble Up" in 2024. I can personally tell you hearing that track go global with that sample was an immensely proud moment for those of us raised on freestyle. Although it reached mainstream success with pop crossovers, Freestyle's radio play declined in the early 90s due to a shift in stations preferencing R&B, New Jack Swing, and a new genre called House. Freestyle suddenly struggled with labels dropping most artists practically overnight. However, by that point Freestyle had made its way to Brazil - particularly on the Furacao 2000 compilations that were packed with Electro and Miami Bass, or as we like to call it, Booty Bass. The influence of these 3 genres helped create the phenomenon and sonic mutation that is now known as Baile Funk. Those 3 genres are also credited with influencing the creation of Florida Breaks, a breakbeat subgenre out of Orlando in the late 80s through the early 2000s. Freestyle still has a deeply loyal following and there are many more flowers to give it, but we don't have all day, so without delay, here are some of my favorite Freestyle tracks.