THIS IS YOUR FREESTYLE BLAST #26
In this issue of The Blast we get all dressed up... and slow dance.
Welcome to another incredible issue of The Freestyle Blast Newsletter. Thank you for subscribing, reading, and of course engaging with us in all the ways that you do.
Whether it be clicking that heart button, sharing the entire newsletter with friends and family, solving the Scramble Board, voting on the Flash Blast 3, and of course my favorite, commenting on our articles. I love when you guys do that.
I do my best to keep this newsletter short and easy to read. Most of the information is via my perspective as a veteran in the Freestyle Music genre, and I try and touch on topics that aren’t normally talked about, hoping to educate those who may have written Freestyle off as just a has-been genre.
In other words, I’m trying to attract interest and relevancy for a community that has been good to many of us, while trying to highlight areas in it that would make it more into a culture and way of life.
With that said, I’d like to ask you all, if you would please help spread the word about The Freestyle Blast. It’s Free and I have some great content to be featured in upcoming issues. It’s simple, just click this button, and I’ll do the rest.
Thank you guys, and Let’s get into it!
FREESTYLE’S VISUAL LANGUAGE
While exploring the relationship between music and fashion, it became clear to me that these two elements have always coexisted, creating a sort of fusion that defines the unique identity of each musical genre. Be it the rebellious attire of Punk, the glitzy outfits of Disco, that urban street vibe of Hip Hop, or the rugged aesthetics of Heavy Metal, fashion has played an important role in visually distinguishing and shaping the cultural landscape of music.
As I dove into the imagery associated with these genres, it was easy to conjure up a mental snapshot of what fans and artists of those genres might look like. From the way they presented themselves. Their choice of hairstyles, clothing, and even the type of shoes they wore became integral components of the genre's visual language. This connection between music and fashion acts as a bridge, allowing fans to identify with the culture on a more personal level.
However, when the spotlight shifts to Freestyle Music, a genre known for its vibrant and energetic tunes, not to mention its dominant focus on love, its distinct visual identity seems to fade a bit. Unlike its counterparts, Freestyle doesn't readily conjure up any specific images in terms of fashion. Whether it's the more Hip Hop-inspired appearance of groups like K7 and The Swing Kids, the sequin dresses, and heels reminiscent of a 50s Motown group as seen with The Cover Girls, or the eclectic choices of countless others who simply embrace what seems to feel right at that particular time, is proof that there is a lack of clear and cohesive visual identity for Freestyle, and because of that, I challenge the Freestyle Music community with this compelling question.
Is the absence of a signature look for Freestyle a potential stumbling block, contributing to a perceived disconnection with the masses? This question invites us to wonder if whether the absence of a definitive fashion statement impacts the genre's ability to resonate with a broader audience.
Music, as an art form, is a powerful form of expression, and it thrives on its ability to evoke emotions and connect with listeners on a personal level. Fans, especially those from the younger generation, are on a perpetual quest for self-discovery. They seek artists who not only define themselves through their music but also their distinctive style. The seamless integration of music and fashion becomes a means for fans to align themselves with the artists they admire, reinforcing a sense of identity and community. Can this be the reason why our genre struggles a bit with the kids?
To conclude, the intersection of music and fashion continues to be a compelling aspect of cultural expression. While Freestyle Music may lack a clearly defined fashion identity, the ongoing dialogue surrounding this absence prompts us to reflect on the broader implications for the genre's connection with its audience. As the musical landscape evolves, so too does the potential for Freestyle to carve out its own unique visual language, further enhancing its ability to resonate with fans and create not just a lasting cultural impact, but also a growing one.
So, here's the question: Do you feel that Freestyle lacks its own fashion identity? And if so, what can we as a community do to change that? Let us know your thoughts.
PLAY ANOTHER SLOW JAM
When we think about Freestyle music, of course, we’re thinking about all the uptempo hits like Party Your Body, Show Me, Bad Of The Heart, Take Me In Your Arms, and a thousand others that have kept our community dancing for years.
But what about all those great Freestyle Slow Jams? Or is it that you never considered any of them Freestyle? Well, let me tell you something right now… You better start!
So many of our wonderful and talented Freestyle artists have released some of the greatest slow jams ever made, and therefore I find it crucial that we recognize and give credit for these incredible masterpieces.
Just think of those Classic gems like Brenda K Star’s, I Still Believe. Timmy T’s, One More Try. The Cover Girl’s Promise Me, and who in their right mind would ever forget, probably Stevie B’s, most famous song of all, Because I Love You, aka The Postman Song?
Just think about it like this. If Freestyle artists can pull romance out of their fast songs, just think about what they can do to a slow jam.
I love slow songs. Always have, and If I had to list my top ten all-time favorite songs, from the 1970s till now, I bet you at least eight of them would be slow jams.
The reason I’m bringing this up, obviously is because, if this newsletter is released on time (as it always is), then yesterday would’ve been Valentine’s Day. That special day that we add a bit more emphasis on love, and seriously, what genre of music caters more to love than Freestyle?
I knew all the obvious songs, such as the ones I mentioned earlier, but I knew there had to be more. My wife, whom many don’t know, advises me on much of the Freestyle Blast content, noticed what I was working on and immediately got on her phone and did some research.
I was expecting her to find, maybe ten or so Freestyle Slow Jams, and so I planned to mention just those. But she didn’t stop, and before I knew it she had already dug up over 30 Songs.
I told her to pick her favorite ten, but “No,” She replied. “Mention them all. It’s bad enough they don’t get to perform them live!” I understood what she was saying and she was right, so below I have listed over thirty Freestyle Slow Jams. Take a look, and if there are any that I might’ve overlooked, please. list them in the comment section below.
Keith Mercado, Eddie Rivera, Noemi Rivera, Margo Espino, Tony Heyward, Ev Edo-German, Braz Jose Semedo, Sally Sal, Benz Stillenvy, Wyndi Paachecoo, Anthony Reyes, Michael Amor, Chino Hernandez, David Irving, Lulu Destiny, Evelyn Castrillo, Steve Chavez, Louie Merced, Tony Moreno Aguilar, Rich Huerta, Sal Piccolo, John A. Seidito, Steve Hernandez, Pam Santos-Ramirez, Patricia Reyes, Dorie Chiello, Sylvia Santiago,
To all our Subscribers, Readers, Subjects, and of course our Sponsors, for being a part of this month’s issue of the Freestyle Blast Newsletter, Thank you all so much!
and until next time…
This was your Freestyle Blast!
Latif Mercado has been a part of the Freestyle Music scene for well over 30 years, as well as an integral player behind the genre’s continued success.
As a Booking Agent with a who's who roster of Freestyle Greats, as well as his managerial involvement with such industry icons as Lil' Suzy, Angel OCG and The Cover Girls, rarely would you find a Freestyle event happening without Latif somewhere in the mix.
Latif loves hearing from his readers, answering questions, and sharing whatever advice he possibly can, whether it be on writing, or maybe something Freestyle related, so be sure to reach out, even if it’s just to say hi.
So please Follow Him here @LatifMercado
Wow I didn’t realize how many slow jams freestyle had. I need to play these on my show.
I've always enjoyed slow jams (even some relatively uptempo ones such as "Seasons Change") from freestyle musicians. Other ones I like are Exposé's "When I Looked At Him" and Will to Power's cover or 10cc's "I'm Not in Love."