Awesome article bro. I remember hearing freestyle for the first time in the Lower East Side of Manhattan walking around with my dad. People would be blasting Show Me, Silent Morning, etc. in their boom boxes, Toyotas,😆 and at house parties. Long story short, I moved to Pennsylvania with my grandparents, stayed for a couple of years then moved to Bay Ridge with my mom. Came back to Pennsylvania a couple years later and the people were jamming to freestyle music. I became a corrections officer for 20 years, then retired. I’m working at a warehouse now and every day I listen to freestyle music. I’m always making my coworkers laugh and they tell me all the time to try stand up.😆.There’s a nostalgia about it that brings me back to NYC and the great memories I had going clubbing with my friends and dancing. Thank you for your contribution to this music. I am sure you are an important part of the music. We as fans can see your passion for it and it’s awesome bro. God Bless and keep up the great work.
Pete, thank you so much brother for that comment and of course that incredible story. I myself was born in the Bronx, but moved to Jackson Heights Queens when I was around 11 years old. So many wonderful stories I hear with Freestyle as the backdrop and I feel were are all so fortunate to have grown up with it in our lives.
Not sure if you're a ware, but Freestyle Club and concert events are still poppin' all over the country, and the artists are even better than they were back then. They look and sound great and the crowds are still packing in the venue.
Thanks for Subscribing to The Blast and I'm happy you're enjoying it. If you haven't yet read my book Freestyle for Life, you really need to get it. It's already considered a Freestyle Cult Classic, and it will bring you back to an amazing time in your life. here's the link https://a.co/d/0uDNkD3 and if you ever come to any of our shows, make sure to bring it, so we can meet and I can sign it for you. Thanks again and stay in touch.
Wow! That’s awesome! I will definitely be getting the book, and would be happy for you to sign it for me. I’m also looking forward to attending some shows as well. Thanks again for being a great person and down to Earth to the fans. Hey who knows? Maybe you’ll hear my name mentioned in the comedy world. I have lots of ideas in my mind for great skits. I just have to bring them to life. Thank you so much for being so cool bro. Have a Blessed Day.
Aw man, I appreciate that and yeah, I'll be looking out for your name. get those skits happening, I'll love to check them out. By the way, have you every seen any of my TikToks? If not, check them out under LatifMercado, especially the ones I did during covid. Stay in touch and we'll talk soon.
Yeah as a matter of fact I got inspired to them from watching your skits with Angel. You guys are great together. My favorite one was when she was getting rid of the Goya products at home and you started crying. Oh man! Lmaooooo. I’ll keep you posted on my skits as soon as I can get someone to do my editing. 😆
Congratulations on your success in Buffalo! I hope the people there enjoyed Lil Suzy and Angel OCG's performances as much as I did back in August 2022.
Well....all of our experiences were different....I can certainly relate to some of your madness!...I definately indulged for a long time..(I mean..who didnt?)....Yet...I still remember my summers from back in the 80's very fondly!....Freestyle was everywhere...blasting in every car...every boombox...every club!...We were all superstars...and we would start a trend and a historical impact!...
Awesome articles Latif. You inspire me to learn more about Freestyle, the culture and the people. I appreciate your knowledge, your experience that you share with us that keep me and I'm sure many others motivated, and bring back those back in the days memories. The Summertime article really hit the nail on the head for myself. Growing up in a gang and drug environment were rap and hip hop was most popular, I secretly listened to freestyle hiding it from my friends. Something about freestyle that calm my heart and took me to a place where I felt more in peace. My story is long, but so much happened good and bad that now, life has still brought me back to love freestyle culture more than before. Keep grinding, KEEP FREESTYLING!!! Thank You.
Thank you brother, yeah, and I know that feeling. I too was a big Hip Hop head, but I felt at home when listening to Freestyle. It's funny now that I think of it. I had my Hip Hop friends, and my Freestyle friends! Lol... Thanks for sharing and I'm happy to hear that you are enjoying the newsletter.
Awesome article bro. I remember hearing freestyle for the first time in the Lower East Side of Manhattan walking around with my dad. People would be blasting Show Me, Silent Morning, etc. in their boom boxes, Toyotas,😆 and at house parties. Long story short, I moved to Pennsylvania with my grandparents, stayed for a couple of years then moved to Bay Ridge with my mom. Came back to Pennsylvania a couple years later and the people were jamming to freestyle music. I became a corrections officer for 20 years, then retired. I’m working at a warehouse now and every day I listen to freestyle music. I’m always making my coworkers laugh and they tell me all the time to try stand up.😆.There’s a nostalgia about it that brings me back to NYC and the great memories I had going clubbing with my friends and dancing. Thank you for your contribution to this music. I am sure you are an important part of the music. We as fans can see your passion for it and it’s awesome bro. God Bless and keep up the great work.
Pete, thank you so much brother for that comment and of course that incredible story. I myself was born in the Bronx, but moved to Jackson Heights Queens when I was around 11 years old. So many wonderful stories I hear with Freestyle as the backdrop and I feel were are all so fortunate to have grown up with it in our lives.
Not sure if you're a ware, but Freestyle Club and concert events are still poppin' all over the country, and the artists are even better than they were back then. They look and sound great and the crowds are still packing in the venue.
Thanks for Subscribing to The Blast and I'm happy you're enjoying it. If you haven't yet read my book Freestyle for Life, you really need to get it. It's already considered a Freestyle Cult Classic, and it will bring you back to an amazing time in your life. here's the link https://a.co/d/0uDNkD3 and if you ever come to any of our shows, make sure to bring it, so we can meet and I can sign it for you. Thanks again and stay in touch.
La'
Wow! That’s awesome! I will definitely be getting the book, and would be happy for you to sign it for me. I’m also looking forward to attending some shows as well. Thanks again for being a great person and down to Earth to the fans. Hey who knows? Maybe you’ll hear my name mentioned in the comedy world. I have lots of ideas in my mind for great skits. I just have to bring them to life. Thank you so much for being so cool bro. Have a Blessed Day.
Aw man, I appreciate that and yeah, I'll be looking out for your name. get those skits happening, I'll love to check them out. By the way, have you every seen any of my TikToks? If not, check them out under LatifMercado, especially the ones I did during covid. Stay in touch and we'll talk soon.
Yeah as a matter of fact I got inspired to them from watching your skits with Angel. You guys are great together. My favorite one was when she was getting rid of the Goya products at home and you started crying. Oh man! Lmaooooo. I’ll keep you posted on my skits as soon as I can get someone to do my editing. 😆
Hahaha. Yeah, I got a bit carried away with that one. Thank you Pete
Congratulations on your success in Buffalo! I hope the people there enjoyed Lil Suzy and Angel OCG's performances as much as I did back in August 2022.
Thank you, and yes they did. I'm truly blessed and grateful that after all these years, my girls still get so much love. Thank you, Marcus.
Well....all of our experiences were different....I can certainly relate to some of your madness!...I definately indulged for a long time..(I mean..who didnt?)....Yet...I still remember my summers from back in the 80's very fondly!....Freestyle was everywhere...blasting in every car...every boombox...every club!...We were all superstars...and we would start a trend and a historical impact!...
You're fortunate to have had that experience... Were you in PR during that time?
Awesome articles Latif. You inspire me to learn more about Freestyle, the culture and the people. I appreciate your knowledge, your experience that you share with us that keep me and I'm sure many others motivated, and bring back those back in the days memories. The Summertime article really hit the nail on the head for myself. Growing up in a gang and drug environment were rap and hip hop was most popular, I secretly listened to freestyle hiding it from my friends. Something about freestyle that calm my heart and took me to a place where I felt more in peace. My story is long, but so much happened good and bad that now, life has still brought me back to love freestyle culture more than before. Keep grinding, KEEP FREESTYLING!!! Thank You.
Thank you brother, yeah, and I know that feeling. I too was a big Hip Hop head, but I felt at home when listening to Freestyle. It's funny now that I think of it. I had my Hip Hop friends, and my Freestyle friends! Lol... Thanks for sharing and I'm happy to hear that you are enjoying the newsletter.
Great article Latif
Thank you brother