The grand opening of the second location of Fat Beats' old flagship store in New York City was a Hip-Hop head's dream. Half of the underground community came out to cypher, including J-Live, Breeze Brewin of the Juggaknots (who also played the lead role of Tariq on the Prince Paul concept album A Prince Among Thieves) and El-P of the legendary Company Flow (who, of course, is now half of Run the Jewels, alongside Killer Mike). El-Producto spits last, starting off with his part from "The Fire In Which You Burn" by Company Flow's supergroup with the Juggaknots and J-Treds, the Indelible MC's — but transitions into a freestyle midway into his verse.
In this clip of the Fat Beats' grand opening cypher, a pre-Pimp My Ride Xzibit of the legendary Likwit Crew freestyles alongside D.I.T.C. founder Lord Finesse. Both emcees kick concise, lyrically dense verses.
When Pharoahe Monch's seminal group with Prince Po hits Fat Beats to promote The Equinox in 1997, some dope underground emcees showed up to support and kick some rhymes. Among those who get on the mic are El-P of Company Flow and Run the Jewels, Sir Menelik and, of course, Organized Konfusion the...
Astro takes Hip-Hop back to its beginnings, with a freestyle in the park.