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{{Infobox musical artist
{{Short description|American hip hop band}}{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Freestyle Fellowship
| name = Freestyle Fellowship
| image = Aceyalone.jpg
| image =
| caption =
| alt =
| image_size =
| caption =
| image_size =
| background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| alias =
| origin = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], [[United States]]
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]], [[freestyle rap]], [[jazz rap]]
| origin = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| years_active = 1991–1993<br/>1998–present
| years_active = {{hlist|1991–1993|1998–present}}
| label = [[Project Blowed]], [[Decon]], [[4th & B'way Records|4th & B'way]], Beats & Rhymes, Ground Control, Whig Music
| label = {{hlist|[[Project Blowed]]|[[Decon]]|[[4th & B'way Records|4th & B'way]]|[[Island Records|Island]]|Sun Music|Beats & Rhymes|Ground Control|Whig Music}}
| associated_acts = Project Blowed, [[Haiku D'Etat]], DJ Kiilu, JMD, Mathmattiks, The Mighty O-Roc, Spoon
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Good Life Cafe]]<br>[[Project Blowed]]<br>[[Haiku d'Etat]]}}
| website =
| website =
| current_members = [[Aceyalone]]<br/>[[Myka 9]]<br/>[[Peace (rapper)|P.E.A.C.E.]]<br/>[[Self Jupiter]]
| current_members =
| past_members = J. Sumbi<br/>M.D. Himself
* [[Aceyalone]]
* [[Myka 9]]
* [[Peace (rapper)|P.E.A.C.E.]]
* [[Self Jupiter]]
| past_members =
* J. Sumbi
* M.D. Himself
}}
}}
'''Freestyle Fellowship''' is a [[hip hop]] group from [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. It consists of [[Aceyalone]], [[Myka 9]], [[Peace (rapper)|P.E.A.C.E.]], and [[Self Jupiter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/10/the-77-best-rock-samples-in-rap-history/de-la-soul-transmitting-live-from-mars|title=35. De La Soul "Transmitting Live From Mars" (1989) / Freestyle Fellowship "Sunshine Men" (1991)|publisher=Complex|first=Jesse|last=Serwer|date=October 16, 2012}}</ref> They are part of an [[underground hip hop]] collective [[Project Blowed]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/12/its-your-anniversary-underground-hip-hop-hub-project-blowed-turns-17.html|title=It's Your Anniversary: Underground hip-hop Project Blowed is 17|publisher=Los Angeles Times|first=Jeff|last=Weiss|date=December 15, 2011}}</ref>
'''Freestyle Fellowship''' is an American hip hop group from [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. It consists of [[Aceyalone]], [[Myka 9]], [[Peace (rapper)|P.E.A.C.E.]], and [[Self Jupiter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/10/the-77-best-rock-samples-in-rap-history/de-la-soul-transmitting-live-from-mars|title=35. De La Soul "Transmitting Live From Mars" (1989) / Freestyle Fellowship "Sunshine Men" (1991)|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|first=Jesse|last=Serwer|date=October 16, 2012|access-date=August 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019080331/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/10/the-77-best-rock-samples-in-rap-history/de-la-soul-transmitting-live-from-mars|archive-date=October 19, 2012}}</ref> The group was a prominent part of the [[Good Life Cafe]] collective, and are part of the [[Project Blowed]] collective.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/12/its-your-anniversary-underground-hip-hop-hub-project-blowed-turns-17.html|title=It's Your Anniversary: Underground hip-hop Project Blowed is 17|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first=Jeff|last=Weiss|date=December 15, 2011|access-date=August 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619220103/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/12/its-your-anniversary-underground-hip-hop-hub-project-blowed-turns-17.html|archive-date=June 19, 2013}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
While in high school in the late 1980s, Aceyalone, Myka 9, and Self Jupiter formed the short-lived MC Aces, a precursor to Freestyle Fellowship, at the [[Good Life Cafe]] in Los Angeles, California.<ref name=hiphoparoundtheworld>{{cite book|editor1-first=Melissa Ursula Dawn|editor1-last=Goldsmith|editor2-first=Anthony J.|editor2-last=Fonseca|title=Hip Hop Around the World: An Encyclopedia|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|year=2019|pages=2–3|first=Melissa Ursula Dawn|last=Goldsmith|chapter=Aceyalone}}</ref> Subsequently, former high school friend P.E.A.C.E. was added to form Freestyle Fellowship.<ref name=hiphoparoundtheworld/>
Freestyle Fellowship was formed at the [[Good Life Cafe]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] during the early 1990s. In an interview, [[Myka 9]] stated that he knew and grew up with [[Aceyalone]] and [[Self Jupiter]] since elementary school, and he met [[Peace (rapper)|P.E.A.C.E.]] in 10th grade. Before Freestyle Fellowship was formed, Aceyalone, Spoon (of Iodine) and Myka 9 had been in a group called the MC Aces in high school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/2002-02-14/music/ring-of-the-fellowship/|title=Ring of the Fellowship|publisher=LA Weekly|first=|last=|date=February 14, 2002}}</ref>


Freestyle Fellowship released the first album, ''[[To Whom It May Concern...]]'', in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/HipHop/freestyle_fellowship-to_whom_it_may|title=Freestyle Fellowship - To Whom It May Concern|publisher=Exclaim!|first=Del F.|last=Cowie|date=September 1999}}</ref> Their second album, ''[[Innercity Griots]]'', was released in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20294020,00.html|title=Innercity Griots Review|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|first=Marisa|last=Fox|date=July 23, 1993}}</ref>
Freestyle Fellowship released the debut studio album, ''[[To Whom It May Concern...]]'', in 1991.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/hip-hop-today/2013/10/today-hip-hop-freestyle-fellowship-releases-may-concern/|title=Today In Hip-Hop: Freestyle Fellowship Releases 'To Whom It May Concern...'|work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|first=B.J.|last=Steiner|date=October 5, 2013|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224233710/https://www.xxlmag.com/news/hip-hop-today/2013/10/today-hip-hop-freestyle-fellowship-releases-may-concern/|archive-date=December 24, 2015}}</ref> In 1993, the group released the second studio album, ''[[Innercity Griots]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/04/today-hip-hop-freestyle-fellowship-drop-innercity-griots/|title=Today in Hip-Hop: Freestyle Fellowship Drop 'Innercity Griots'|work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|first=Sidney|last=Madden|date=April 28, 2015|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712171906/https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/04/today-hip-hop-freestyle-fellowship-drop-innercity-griots/|archive-date=July 12, 2015}}</ref>


Freestyle Fellowship went on hiatus due to the incarceration of Self Jupiter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/06/knowledge-of-self-selfjupiter-talks-freestyle-fellowship-reunion-going-back-to-school-and-west-coast.html|title=Knowledge of self: Self Jupiter talks Freestyle Fellowship reunion, returning to school, and the West Coast underground|publisher=Los Angeles Times|first=Jeff|last=Weiss|date=June 18, 2010}}</ref> After his release, the group reunited to record the ''[[Shockadoom]]'' EP in 1998; it was released on Whig Music in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3190-shockadoom/|title=Freestyle Fellowship: Shockadoom|publisher=Pitchfork Media|first=Sam|last=Chennault|date=July 14, 2002}}</ref> Their third album, ''Temptations'', was released on Ground Control in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3189-temptations/|title=Freestyle Fellowship: Temptations|publisher=Pitchfork Media|first=Brad|last=Haywood|date=February 12, 2002}}</ref> They released the fourth album, ''[[The Promise (Freestyle Fellowship album)|The Promise]]'', on [[Decon]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/10/freestyle-fellowship/|title=Freestyle Fellowship's Brain-Hop Delivers on Promise|publisher=Wired|first=Scott|last=Thill|date=October 19, 2011}}</ref>
Freestyle Fellowship went on hiatus due to the incarceration of Self Jupiter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/06/knowledge-of-self-selfjupiter-talks-freestyle-fellowship-reunion-going-back-to-school-and-west-coast.html|title=Knowledge of self: Self Jupiter talks Freestyle Fellowship reunion, returning to school, and the West Coast underground|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first=Jeff|last=Weiss|date=June 18, 2010|access-date=August 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620045328/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/06/knowledge-of-self-selfjupiter-talks-freestyle-fellowship-reunion-going-back-to-school-and-west-coast.html|archive-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref> In 1998, the group reunited to record the ''[[Shockadoom]]'' EP, which would be released in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3190-shockadoom/|title=Freestyle Fellowship: Shockadoom|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|first=Sam|last=Chennault|date=July 14, 2002|access-date=August 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304044900/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3190-shockadoom/|archive-date=March 4, 2014}}</ref> The group released ''[[Temptations (album)|Temptations]]'' in 2001,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3189-temptations/|title=Freestyle Fellowship: Temptations|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|first=Brad|last=Haywood|date=February 12, 2002|access-date=August 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802015605/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3189-temptations/|archive-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> and ''[[The Promise (Freestyle Fellowship album)|The Promise]]'' in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/43291-new-release-freestyle-fellowship-the-promise/|title=New Release: Freestyle Fellowship: The Promise|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|first=Tom|last=Breihan|date=July 25, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208075306/https://pitchfork.com/news/43291-new-release-freestyle-fellowship-the-promise/|archive-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref>


==Style and influences==
==Style and influences==
{{Listen
Freestyle Fellowship's vocal techniques focusing on the method of [[freestyle rap]] and their successful infusion of hip hop and jazz established the group as forerunners in the subgenre of [[jazz rap]] and placed them amongst prominent West Coast [[underground hip hop]] acts of the early 1990s such as [[Hieroglyphics (group)|Hieroglyphics]] and [[The Pharcyde]].<ref>{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p38905|pure_url=yes}}|title=Freestyle Fellowship|publisher=Allmusic|first=|last=}}</ref>
| pos = right
| filename = My Fantasy.ogg
| title = "My Fantasy"
| description = Trained in the art of [[freestyling]], members of the group deliver complex, intricate rhymes atop [[bebop]]-influenced beats. The track "My Fantasy" showcases [[Aceyalone]]'s rapid [[Rapping#Flow|delivery]], twisting rhymes, and [[Stream of consciousness|stream-of-consciousness]] lyrics.
| type = music
}}
According to ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', Freestyle Fellowship incorporates "jazz rhythms into its raps, which have the improvisational ebb and flow and the random explosiveness of a jazz solo."<ref name=latimes1993>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-29-ca-8220-story.html|title=Liberating Rap With Jazz Sound : Freestyle Fellowship Adds Riffs to Rhymes|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first=Dennis|last=Hunt|date=June 29, 1993|access-date=May 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417084911/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-29-ca-8220-story.html|archive-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> In a 1993 interview with ''Los Angeles Times'', the group's member Myka 9 said, "What we are is liberators, liberating rap from its R&B/funk structures--that 4/4 (time) prison."<ref name=latimes1993/>

The group has been described by ''[[LA Weekly]]'' as "the astral jazz-cracked geniuses of sherm-strafed South Central, rapping with caged bird cadences about sleeping on park benches, biblical books, and gangsta rap carpetbaggers."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/music/having-already-influenced-every-rapper-you-like-freestyle-fellowship-are-back-2403051|title=Having Already Influenced Every Rapper You Like, Freestyle Fellowship Are Back|work=[[LA Weekly]]|first=Jeff|last=Weiss|date=September 27, 2011|access-date=May 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405034948/https://www.laweekly.com/music/having-already-influenced-every-rapper-you-like-freestyle-fellowship-are-back-2403051|archive-date=April 5, 2015}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
<!-- See [[MOS:HEAD]] -->
===Studio albums===
===Studio albums===
* ''[[To Whom It May Concern...]]'' (1991)
* ''[[To Whom It May Concern...]]'' (1991)
Line 33: Line 50:
* ''[[Temptations (album)|Temptations]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Temptations (album)|Temptations]]'' (2001)
* ''[[The Promise (Freestyle Fellowship album)|The Promise]]'' (2011)
* ''[[The Promise (Freestyle Fellowship album)|The Promise]]'' (2011)
* ''The Masters'' (TBA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/FreestyleFS/status/467330481575313409 |title=Freestyle Fellowship on Twitter: "Our new LP The Masters hoping to get features from @TalibKweli @macklemore @chancetherapper @equipto @SnoopDogg @LuckyovLegends @LASymphony" |publisher=Twitter |date=2014-05-16 |accessdate=2016-02-09}}</ref>


===Remix albums===
===Remix albums===
* ''To Whom It May Concern... Version 2.0'' (2001)
* ''Version 2.0: To Whom It May Concern... Remixed by J. Sumbi'' (2001)


===Mixtapes===
===Mixtapes===
Line 48: Line 64:
* "Hot Potato" (1993)
* "Hot Potato" (1993)
* "Can You Find the Level of Difficulty in This?" (1999)
* "Can You Find the Level of Difficulty in This?" (1999)
* "Temptations" b/w "Ghetto Youth" (2001)
* "Sex in the City" (2001)
* "Sex in the City" (2002)
* "Temptations" b/w "Ghetto Youth" (2002)


===Guest appearances===
===Guest appearances===
Line 56: Line 72:


===Compilation appearances===
===Compilation appearances===
* "Hot" on ''[[Project Blowed]]'' (1994)
* "Hot" from ''[[Project Blowed]]'' (1994)
* "Can You Find the Level of Difficulty in This? (Hive Remix)" on ''Defcon 4'' (2000)
* "Can You Find the Level of Difficulty in This? (Hive Remix)" from ''Defcon 4'' (2000)
* "Ummm" on ''We Came from Beyond'' (2001)
* "Ummm" from ''We Came from Beyond'' (2001)
* "Crazy" on ''Constant Elevation'' (2002)
* "Crazy" from ''Constant Elevation'' (2002)


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
* {{AllMusic|id=mn0000802928|label=Freestyle Fellowship}}
* {{Discogs artist|Freestyle Fellowship}}
* {{Discogs artist|Freestyle Fellowship}}

{{Freestyle Fellowship}}
{{Freestyle Fellowship}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:West Coast hip hop groups]]
[[Category:Hip hop groups from California]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles, California]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Five percenters]]
[[Category:Five percenters]]
[[Category:Project Blowed]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in California]]

Latest revision as of 20:30, 24 March 2024

Freestyle Fellowship
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Years active
  • 1991–1993
  • 1998–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • J. Sumbi
  • M.D. Himself

Freestyle Fellowship is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California. It consists of Aceyalone, Myka 9, P.E.A.C.E., and Self Jupiter.[1] The group was a prominent part of the Good Life Cafe collective, and are part of the Project Blowed collective.[2]

History[edit]

While in high school in the late 1980s, Aceyalone, Myka 9, and Self Jupiter formed the short-lived MC Aces, a precursor to Freestyle Fellowship, at the Good Life Cafe in Los Angeles, California.[3] Subsequently, former high school friend P.E.A.C.E. was added to form Freestyle Fellowship.[3]

Freestyle Fellowship released the debut studio album, To Whom It May Concern..., in 1991.[4] In 1993, the group released the second studio album, Innercity Griots.[5]

Freestyle Fellowship went on hiatus due to the incarceration of Self Jupiter.[6] In 1998, the group reunited to record the Shockadoom EP, which would be released in 2002.[7] The group released Temptations in 2001,[8] and The Promise in 2011.[9]

Style and influences[edit]

"My Fantasy"
Trained in the art of freestyling, members of the group deliver complex, intricate rhymes atop bebop-influenced beats. The track "My Fantasy" showcases Aceyalone's rapid delivery, twisting rhymes, and stream-of-consciousness lyrics.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

According to Los Angeles Times, Freestyle Fellowship incorporates "jazz rhythms into its raps, which have the improvisational ebb and flow and the random explosiveness of a jazz solo."[10] In a 1993 interview with Los Angeles Times, the group's member Myka 9 said, "What we are is liberators, liberating rap from its R&B/funk structures--that 4/4 (time) prison."[10]

The group has been described by LA Weekly as "the astral jazz-cracked geniuses of sherm-strafed South Central, rapping with caged bird cadences about sleeping on park benches, biblical books, and gangsta rap carpetbaggers."[11]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Remix albums[edit]

  • Version 2.0: To Whom It May Concern... Remixed by J. Sumbi (2001)

Mixtapes[edit]

  • Power Plant (2011)

EPs[edit]

Singles[edit]

  • "Bullies of the Block" (1992)
  • "Hot Potato" (1993)
  • "Can You Find the Level of Difficulty in This?" (1999)
  • "Sex in the City" (2001)
  • "Temptations" b/w "Ghetto Youth" (2002)

Guest appearances[edit]

  • Nobody - "Planets Ain't Aligned" from Soulmates (2000)
  • Abstract Rude & Tribe Unique - "Heavyweights Round 4" from P.A.I.N.T. (2001)

Compilation appearances[edit]

  • "Hot" from Project Blowed (1994)
  • "Can You Find the Level of Difficulty in This? (Hive Remix)" from Defcon 4 (2000)
  • "Ummm" from We Came from Beyond (2001)
  • "Crazy" from Constant Elevation (2002)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Serwer, Jesse (October 16, 2012). "35. De La Soul "Transmitting Live From Mars" (1989) / Freestyle Fellowship "Sunshine Men" (1991)". Complex. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  2. ^ Weiss, Jeff (December 15, 2011). "It's Your Anniversary: Underground hip-hop Project Blowed is 17". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 19, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn (2019). "Aceyalone". In Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn; Fonseca, Anthony J. (eds.). Hip Hop Around the World: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. pp. 2–3.
  4. ^ Steiner, B.J. (October 5, 2013). "Today In Hip-Hop: Freestyle Fellowship Releases 'To Whom It May Concern...'". XXL. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  5. ^ Madden, Sidney (April 28, 2015). "Today in Hip-Hop: Freestyle Fellowship Drop 'Innercity Griots'". XXL. Archived from the original on July 12, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  6. ^ Weiss, Jeff (June 18, 2010). "Knowledge of self: Self Jupiter talks Freestyle Fellowship reunion, returning to school, and the West Coast underground". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  7. ^ Chennault, Sam (July 14, 2002). "Freestyle Fellowship: Shockadoom". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  8. ^ Haywood, Brad (February 12, 2002). "Freestyle Fellowship: Temptations". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 2, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  9. ^ Breihan, Tom (July 25, 2011). "New Release: Freestyle Fellowship: The Promise". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
  10. ^ a b Hunt, Dennis (June 29, 1993). "Liberating Rap With Jazz Sound : Freestyle Fellowship Adds Riffs to Rhymes". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  11. ^ Weiss, Jeff (September 27, 2011). "Having Already Influenced Every Rapper You Like, Freestyle Fellowship Are Back". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on April 5, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2017.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Freestyle_Fellowship&oldid=1215381796"