Freestyle Professors emerged from the Forest Projects in the South Bronx in the early '90s, founded by Branesparker, Don-Q and DJ G.W. Foxx. Growing up alongside Bronx heavyweights like Diamond D, Showbiz, Lord Finesse and Fat Joe, the crew honed their craft in sessions with members of the Diggin' In The Crates crew.
Frustrated by bad experiences with record labels, they launched their own imprint Freestyle Records and in 1994 dropped their 8-track EP entitled "Your Pockets Been Picked". Despite critical acclaim, life's realities and disillusionment with the industry's turn toward shallow, commercially driven content put their album plans on hold.
Though the members went their separate ways, Freestyle Professors never fully disbanded, continuing to reunite for occasional recording sessions, keeping their legacy alive in the hip-hop underground.
"Your Pockets Been Picked" EP is considered as a classic and a must-have by the record collectors. It consists of 5 songs entitled "Your Pockets Been Picked" (Original and Instrumental), "Get Wise", "The Hardcore Villain", "Down With the Freestyle Professors" (Radio Bass version, Dirty Bounce Mix & Dirty Bounce instrumental) featuring Timbalan & "Get Put On" featuring Spook. All the tracks are produced by Branesparker except "Down With the Freestyle Professors" produced by legendary Showbiz. All scratching in this project are handled by DJ Timbalan who was also Shorty Long's DJ.
It's becoming rare to see the original version for sale, and if you're lucky enough to find it, it will cost you an expensive price.
