Freestyle Gateway To the Beyond Within (Redux pt. 1)
Freestyling is the area within Hiphop culture where I've found a home. Not only does freestyling allow me to honor my love for being creative but it also allows me to genuinely connect with others in a very human way. Sharing the vulnerable space of cyphering with others who are trying to be as completely welcoming of their experience and unafraid to be themselves as possible, reminds me of many experiences that i’ve had in my life that felt spiritually genuine. For me the intimacy, openness and loving support i’ve found in cyphering has been similar to attending a Sweat Lodge with the lights on. I write about the subject of freestyling the most because I've found it to be the area of Hiphop where pretense isn’t admired and where authenticity and self acceptance equal success. Cyphering is also one of the only Hiphop centered activities that asks me to directly confront the fundamental human fear of not being enough and needing to continue the exhaustive search of being someone else. I hope that these writings are of some benefit to those who read it.
There is more to freestyling than just rhyming and what follows are how I’ve come to understand and practice cyphering. My advice: Don’t worry about being good. Be more concerned with experiencing the goodness of Being.
I wrote most of what follows in 2002-3 during a time of my life when I was doing a lot of what my teacher called spiritual weightlifting. I recently decided to dust it off and re-edit it. To me all my writings are living documents and always worthy of reanalysis and rewriting. It was the first piece of Integral Hiphop literature I believe and it was how I became friends with my brother Corey DeVos (now Editor of integrallife.com and a dope integral woodworker) who found it in a chat room and reached out to me and invited me into a world that included Rick Rubin, Saul Williams and Deepak Chopra. Since that time i’ve continued writing and experimenting with Hiphop based theories and practices that I hoped would benefit humanity.
May a second look a these writings turn us all towards our nature.
Meaning of the Cypher
In the vibrant world of Hiphop, the freestyle cypher is not merely a gathering; it is a crucible of creativity and a sacred circle where practitioners and aficionados converge to engage in freestyling—the art of improvised, spontaneous lyrical delivery. This dynamic arena serves multiple purposes: it is a battleground for sharpening lyrical prowess, a sanctuary for personal expression, and a communal space where individuals connect through the power of words and rhythm.
The term "cypher" has deep roots in Hiphop culture, symbolizing a complex matrix of meanings. Firstly, it represents a 'code' or 'hidden meaning,' reflecting the layered, often metaphorical language of rap lyrics which convey intricate messages and cultural commentaries. Secondly, it denotes a 'nobody' or 'non-entity,' emphasizing the transformative potential of the cypher, where unknown artists can emerge as significant voices within the community. Thirdly, the cypher is literally a circle—enclosed and intimate—where participants and observers are drawn into a shared experience of authentic discourse.
Understanding the Freestyle Cypher
The freestyle cypher is a dynamic and multifaceted element of Hiphop culture, serving as a platform for spontaneous lyrical improvisation. It is a communal space where emcees, beatboxers, and other musicians gather to express themselves through the art of freestyle rhyming. The cypher (often conducted in a circular formation) allows each participant to contribute their unique voice to the collective experience. This practice is deeply rooted in the traditions of African oral culture and has evolved to become a significant aspect of Hiphop's global influence.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the freestyle cypher is to foster a sense of community and collaboration among Hiphop practitioners. It is a space where artists can showcase their skills, exchange ideas, and engage in friendly competition. The cypher also serves as a training ground for emerging artists, providing an opportunity to hone their craft and gain recognition within the Hiphop community. Additionally, the cypher acts as a conduit for cultural expression, allowing participants to address social issues, share personal narratives, and celebrate their identities.
Processes and Dynamics
The process of engaging in a freestyle cypher involves a series of unwritten rules and etiquette that ensure a respectful and inclusive atmosphere. Participants take turns performing, typically adhering to a set number of bars, and are encouraged to build off one another's energy and content. The dynamics of the cypher are characterized by a balance between individual expression and collective interaction. This balance is maintained through active listening, responding to the cues of others, and contributing to the overall flow of the session.
Therapeutic Uses of Freestyling
Freestyling has been recognized for its therapeutic potential. The spontaneous and improvisational nature of freestyling allows individuals to tap into their emotions and articulate their thoughts in a supportive environment. This process can lead to increased emotional awareness, resilience, and a sense of well-being. The Freestyle Therapy Cypher model, for instance, utilizes freestyle rap as a medium for therapy, incorporating exercises that address self-critique, gratitude, and goal setting. Such therapeutic applications underscore the cypher's role in promoting mental health and personal growth.
Beginning in 2003 I began to utilize a therapeutic freestyle framework called NTU FREE when working with adjudicated adolescents at Progressive Life Center Inc. I utilized the 5 stages of Dr. Frederick Phillips Afrikan centered psychotherapeutic model called NTU Psychotherapy. As the therapist I guided the participants through the stages of NTU psychotherapy as I would in an individual therapy session, listening and processing in the moment, staying with and guiding the participant through the stages. When the participant displays qualities of stabilization I transition the session to the next stage sometimes unknowingly to the participant and at other times I stop, check in and move on, starting a new stage with a new rhyme.
The NTU FREE process involves 5 stages and key elements:
1. Harmony: Participants verbalize their connection with the group and a creative energy, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
2. Awareness: Individuals articulate personal challenges and joys, using the cypher as a reflective space to address life's complexities.
3. Alignment: Through their lyrics, participants acknowledge personal responsibilities and challenges, fostering a sense of personal accountability.
4. Actualization: The cypher becomes a platform for declaring intentions for change or continuity, allowing artists to vocalize their developmental trajectories.
5. Synthesis: Emcees express their integration with the forces of change and continuity, symbolizing their commitment to personal growth and artistic evolution.
I’ve utilized this model with clients who are more “Hiphop” centered and it has served as a therapeutic relationship building tool as well as a means of culturally connecting with my patients who understand themselves through the lens of Hiphop.
Cultural Significance
The cultural significance of the freestyle cypher lies in its ability to create a microcosm of the broader Hiphop community. It is a reflection of the values and experiences that shape the culture, including themes of resistance, empowerment, and social justice. It is also a reflection of how we have learned to work with each other and often exposes challenges with social listening and participation. The cypher embodies the principles of Hiphop as a form of creative placemaking, where artists use their talents to impact the social fabric of their communities. Furthermore, the cypher is a manifestation of Hiphop's oral tradition, drawing parallels with African and religious practices where the circle symbolizes unity and shared knowledge.
Outcomes of the Cypher
The outcomes of participating in a freestyle cypher can be multifaceted. For individual artists, the cypher can lead to skill development, increased confidence, and artistic validation. For the community, cyphers can strengthen bonds, foster a sense of belonging, and provide a platform for voices that might otherwise be marginalized. Additionally, the cypher can have broader societal impacts, such as influencing public perception of Hiphop, contributing to cultural preservation, and facilitating social change.
The freestyle cypher is a complex and integral component of Hiphop culture that serves various functions, from artistic development to community building and therapeutic intervention. Its processes and dynamics reflect the collaborative spirit of Hiphop, while its outcomes demonstrate the culture's capacity for personal and social transformation. The cypher continues to be a vital space for expression, innovation, and connection within the ever-evolving landscape of Hiphop.
Freestyling with Intention
Far from just being a tool to entertain ourselves or others, freestyling when done with the intention of knowing one's own mind can enhance self-awareness and self-worth, deepening their understanding of others' styles and lyrical skills and connecting more profoundly with a creative or divine force.
Moreover, the cypher is a conduit for transmitting messages of personal significance to the audience—referred to here as the 'congregation'—enhancing the collective's understanding and connection to the creative forces that drive the Hiphop ethos. It is a space where harmony, balance, interconnectedness, and authenticity are not only practiced but celebrated.
The cypher, therefore, is more than just a feature of Hiphop culture; it is a microcosm of the culture itself. It encapsulates the principles of relationship and interconnectivity that are foundational to the human experience, mirrored in the communal and improvisational nature of Hiphop. Whether participants are conscious of it or not, each cypher session is a step towards mastering the art of freestyle and a deeper engagement with the cultural, spiritual, and communal roots of Hiphop
Hiphop Alive
Justin F. Miles is the founder of Hiphop Alive and pioneering practitioner, theorist and educator at the intersection of Hiphop culture, mindfulness and contemplative studies. He is the leading voice championing the use of Hiphop infused contemplative modalities to foster resilience, emotional intelligence, and community empowerment.