Many remember BET's popular "Rap City" show hosted by Big Tigger and how fans got so excited to watch their favorite emcees rap/freestyle a verse in the Booth/"The Basement". "The Basement" segment was a period of time where lyricist would perform Free-verses or Freestyles. That portion of "Rap City" was a reflection of authentic Hip-Hop culture; it wasn't about who could make a hot song and produce a radio ready instrumental. "The Basement" was about who could really Rap. It was a lyrical exhibition that displayed off the dome lyrics, flow, voice, energy, personality and more. Legends like Eminem, Kanye West, Nas and more have killed the mic in "The Basement". In 2008, the legendary "Rap City" show was cancelled and a piece of Hip-Hop history was no longer transmitted to the masses via BET.
Many in the Hip-Hop community were upset about "Rap City" and its "The Basement" segment getting cancelled. It felt like a piece of the culture was no longer getting the same amount of love that it definitely deserves. Yes, BET does have their annual BET Award Cypher but that's once a year. "The Basement" was aired on a regular basis and enjoyed by Hip-Hop heads all over the world. Fortunately, for Hip-Hop aficionados, a new segment on BET's hit countdown show 106 & Park called "The Backroom" is bringing the art of Free-styling and rapping back to the forefront of Hip-Hop media. The new 106 &Park segment launched on May 18 and is still being aired. There has already been classic Freestyles that have been recorded and published on YouTube. Here a few of the notable raps. Which 106 & Park "The Backroom" freestyles do you enjoy the most?
