Earlier this week, Chicago Drill maniac Chief Keef caught a probation violation charge stemming from a redacted episode of Pitchfork’s Selector — a video series that features an MC freestyle rapping over beats from different producers — that pictures the 17 year-old shooting guns at a firing range. It’s amazing that this is what resulted in him catching a charge, instead of the hundreds of Instagrams and video clips he’s posted of him holding automatic weapons and smoking blunts, but I digress.
In honor of the #FREESOSA movement, I decided to countdown my top 5 Pitchfork Selectors. For a show that feels slapped together at the best of times, it has captured some pretty incredible performances.
5. Das Racist
An oldie but a goodie, this video was captured in the now-defunct Brooklyn trio’s heyday, all the way back in 2011. When DR was good, they were so fucking good.
Best Line: Heems, “Catch me at the bar, H Man, with like 90 girls. You feel me? And like 180 dudes too.”
Watch at Pitchfork.
4. RiFF RAFF
One of the rare selectors where the interview is as good as the freestlye, the delightfully bonkers Texan spends seven minutes free associating with the admirably game Selector host. Hilarious.
Best Line: “I mean koala hours, then we’re talkin’ pine cones. We’re talkin’ like Australian like, down under. Yea, Outback steakhouse, so it’s a lot of Bloomin’ Onions.”
3. Joey Bada$$ and Pro Ero
Anyone who is a fan of just a straight-up rhyme skills will love Joey and his crew’s Selector. Riding an old-school boom-bap beat, the Pro Era boys flow effortlessly. I feel like this could have gone on for 45 minutes.
Best Line: Too many to pick out just one. These kids have lines for days.
2. Danny Brown’s Bruiser Brigade
Somehow Danny Brown found three dudes who are as weird/excited about life as he is. It also scores extra points because the last MC sounds like a grown-up version of that kid who scream-raps near the end of “Hot Cheetos and Takis” (fast forward to 2:45). If these dudes ever get their shit together to make a full-length album, it’s gonna be incredible.
Best Line: “I’m the hulk on bath salts.”
1. A$AP Mob
Though their Lords Never Worry crew album was a bit of a disaster, their performance on Selector was nothing short of brilliant. The Harlem MC’s all have a ton of charisma, and it pours out of them as they take turns murdering the beat at a Laser Quest.
Best Line: “Put my hat on backwards, get on my Pokemon shit, you already know.”
