The Lost Freestyle Files
label: babygrande | koch

producers: dj rhettmatic, dinji brown, joe buddha, oh no, others.
guests: a-butta, wildchild, jurassic 5, iriscience, marc 7, vinnie paz, craig g, others.
year of release: 2003
Known across the globe as one of the most skilled freestylers to ever clutch a mic, Supernatural has wowed audiences for many years now, flexing his razor sharp off-the-top skills in emcee competitions and on major tours alike. Despite his underground celebrity status and being in the game for over a decade, Supernat has yet to really score a 'hit', watching in frustration as his records got shelved, slept on, poorly promoted, and generally caught up in industry B.S. For his latest release, "The Lost Freestyle Files", he combines brand new studio tracks with live recordings of assorted battles and radio appearances.
The album kicks off with the aptly titled "Internationally Known", a triumphant banger produced by the Beat Junkies' DJ Rhettmatic. "No matter where I've been / whether abroad or the states / when I'm in the place they always recognize the face / the way the mic is laced with impeccable taste / I'm known for stealing the show and leaving without a trace." Old friends and tour mates Charli 2na, Marc 7, and Akil (of Jurassic 5) and Iriscience (Dilated Peoples) join the party on "Work It Out", bringing the heat over a soulful, chime-filled beat from Joe Buddha.

tracklisting
1. Internationally Known
2. Work It Out feat. Charli 2na, Akil, Marc 7, Iriscience
3. Victory feat. Wildchild
4. A Piece of Hip-Hop History Pt. 1 (Stretch & Bobbito freestyle)
5. A Piece of Hip-Hop History Pt. 2 (Stretch & Bobbito freestyle)
6. Wake Up L.A! (Sway & Tech freestyle)
7. Clash of the Titans (Supernatural vs. Craig G freestyle)
8. Get Ready To Rumble (Supernatural vs. Juice freestyle)
9. The Live Show (opening for Wu-Tang freestyle)
10. Supernatural & A-Butta (NYU freestyle)
11. Cosmic Slop
12. Suckaz feat. Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks
13. Flashbacks
14. Victory (Oh No Remix)
"The Live Show" flaunts his patented 'three words' routine, where he asks different members of the crowd for three words, then ties them together in a lengthy freestyle. On the same epic track, he gets into the 'physical phase', busting verses about random items that people hold up for him. To be sure, it's not as compelling as seeing him do it in person, but it's still a pretty cool concept. He also flips some hot impersonations, switching up his voice to sound like Biggie, Slick Rick, and Xzibit. Another brief but interesting highlight finds him rapping like he's underwater.
Several joints are straight-up freestyles from his many storied radio spots, some dating back to the early 90's. Included are a couple of sessions from the old Stretch and Bobbito show, catching wreck over some familiar instrumentals. Natural Elements fans will also be psyched to hear A-Butta alongside Supernat on DJ Riz's NYU show. Of special interest are the disc's two, much ballyhooed battles - vs. Craig G at the New Music Seminar, and against Juice for the Wake Up Show. Though the sound quality is far from stellar, both confrontations are definitely fun to listen to, and the raw intensity of all lyrical combatants can still be felt. The album ends with a few more studio tracks, including the mellow, Djinji Brown produced "Flashbacks".
While today's appreciation for true-blue emceeing often takes a back seat to name brand producers and all-star guest appearances, Supernatural brings the realness. Between his spirit-crushing battle rhymes, on-point imitations, and seemingly unlimited freestyle abilities, there is no disputing his verbal superiority over many current rap stars. "The Lost Freestyle Files" is a solid pick-up for anyone who appreciates legitimate mic skills, and a dope record from an under-rated master.
review: brolin winning
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