A Freestyle Music Primer for Today's EDM Fan

Earlier today, Kennedy Jones delighted the DAD staff when he dipped back into 1984 and revived Debbie Deb's classic freestyle jam "Lookout Weekend." W

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Earlier today, Kennedy Jones delighted the DAD staff when he dipped back into 1984 and revived Debbie Deb's classic freestyle jam "Lookout Weekend." What's "freestyle," you might be asking. Freestyle was also known as "Latin freestyle" or "Latin hip-hop" for a time, and was built off the growing electro scene of the early 1980s, although freestyle's known specifically for the pop leanings that are exhibited throughout its music. How pop? From 1987 through the early 1990s, freestyle crept into the Billboard charts, getting hits on the Top 40, Hot 100, and U.S. Dance charts. At times it could be corny (as much of the pop scene was in the '80s and '90s), but that was a part of its charm, and if you were in the city and trying to get your dance on, any freestyle night would do.

This scene didn't pop everywhere, though; it seemed to be concentrated in New York City, spots in Jersey and Philly, Miami, and in communities in California. We have a feeling many of today's EDM fan isn't that versed in the freestyle scene, so why not give you androids a primer, highlighting the different sounds of freestyle music from a decade of it's existence.

Debbie Deb - "When I Hear Music"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Jam Packed
Year: 1983

Shannon - "Let The Music Play"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Warehouse
Year: 1983

Deebie Deb - "Lookout Weekend"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Jam Packed
Year: 1984

Connie - "Funky Little Beat"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Sunnyview
Year: 1985

Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force - "Can You Feel The Beat"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Columbia
Year: 1985

Exposé - "Come Go with Me"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Arista
Year: 1986

Nice & Wild - "Diamond Girl"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Top Hits
Year: 1986

Trinere - "I'll Be All You Ever Need"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Jam Packed
Year: 1986

Will To Power - "Dreamin'"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Thrust
Year: 1986

The Cover Girls - "Show Me"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Fever
Year: 1987

Johnny O - "Fantasy Girl"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Micmac
Year: 1988

Stevie B - "In My Eyes"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: LMR
Year: 1989

Cynthia & Johnny O - "Dreamboy/Dreamgirl"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Micmac
Year: 1990

Tony "Dr. Edit" Garcia ft. Lil Suzy ‎- "Take Me In Your Arms"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: High Power
Year: 1991

George LaMond - "Where Does That Leave Love"

Not Available Interstitial

Label: Columbia
Year: 1992

Latest in Music