Farewell to Freestyle

Back in the 80s, people went to clubs to dance. The girls would actually wear flat shoes because they knew they were going to dance. With the advent of velvet rope culture and bottle service, dancing is the last reason we go to clubs anymore. That’s why the Copacabana rocked.

Regardless of people’s mixed opinions of the modern-day Copa, it was one of the few venues around that understood what it meant to be a real New York club. This was evident in their annual - and most beloved - event: Freestyle Fever.

Each fall, the club would enlist an all-star lineup of Freestyle heavyweights to perform all night long. In case you don't know, Freestyle is the musical genre that defined New York in the 80s - the only genre that the real-deal clubs like Underground, Emerald City, 1018 and The Saint would play – and the Copa was its only hope of surviving.

Not only were the die-hard fans of Freestyle grateful to the Copa for bringing these artists back, but the acts themselves – most of which haven’t had a hit since 1984 – were equally grateful. There’s nothing quite like a tri-level club full of Freestyle fans. One woman was even overheard proclaiming “this is the best night of my life!”

But now the Copacabana is gone – so is Freestyle Fever. You can bet Guest House won’t be doing that sh*t.

The ultimate Freestyle video:  

TOP 10 Freestyle tracks (as chosen by P.Samotin) 

1. Silent Morning - Noel

2. In my Eyes - Stevie B.

3. Change on Me - Cynthia

4. Let me be the One - Sa-Fire

5. Party Your Body - Stevie B.

6. Give Me Tonight - Shannon

7. Hooked on You - Sweet Sensation  

8. When I Hear Music (It Makes Me Dance) - Debbie Deb  

9. Clave Rocks - Amoretto

10. Point of No Return - Exposé