What is F64?
F64 is a Rap and Grime freestyle platform on the SB.TV YouTube channel. The series showcases UK-based MC talent performing unheard lyrics using a popular contemporary instrumental. The original format ran from 2009 to 2014 across 3 series, before being revived again in early 2023.
F64 was one of a number of freestyle series SB.TV was known for, but this specific platform was gradually viewed as a destination for reserved for rappers that already had a significant profile and were viewed as high tiered among the community of Rap music listeners and peers.
Many of the most celebrated up-and-coming Grime and UK Rap artists of the time were featured, including Wretch 32, Lady Leshurr and Devlin.
At its height in the early 2010s it was viewed as one of the most prestigious UK freestyle platforms, rivalling Grime Daily/GRM Daily’s Daily Duppy and then up-and-coming platforms such as Fire in the Booth and Link Up TV’s Behind Barz.
As the platform was based in London, most of the rappers featured in the videos were from the capital. However it has also included artists from Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester, as well as international acts from New York, Oakland and Miami.
F64 Format
SBTV videos feature each artist performing raps live directly to camera. F64 videos were recorded by Jamal Edwards and the SBTV team in various indoor and outdoor locations.
Fem Fel introduced the feature in Season 1 Episode 1 of the first series by the stating the videos should consist of: “All the hottest – only the hottest rapper’s freshest 64 bars. We don’t wanna hear them on no tracks before; no previous DVDs – all exclusive to SBTV.”
F64 Artists
F64 musicians are primarily rappers and Grime MCs based in the UK, with a heavy bias on London-based talent. The majority of the artists were independent hobbyist or part-time musicians at the time when they recorded their F64s, while a number of them went on to sign major label deals and have successful careers in the entertainment industry.
Find the complete list of all the musicians that recorded an SB.TV F64 below:
Season 1
Season 1 of F64 launched in November 2009 and ended in April 2010.
- Little Dee
- Jme
- Krept & Konan
- One4One
- Messy
- Wretch 32
- Calibar
- Scorcher (Rap)
- Terminator
- Blade Brown
- Dru Blu
- Clipson
- Random Impulse
- Chipmunk
- G FrSH
- Twizzle
- Maveric
- Manga
- Lowkey
- Master Shortie
- Mercston
- Frisco (Grime)
- Youngs Teflon
- Margs
- Vertex
- Double S
- Shocka
- Frisco (Rap)
- Youngsta
- A.S
- Fix Dot’M
- Kay M
- Talib Kweli
- Tinchy Stryder
- Mystro
- Frostar
- Lioness (Grime)
- Black the Ripper
- Podgy Figures
- Fatal Rossi
- Bashy
- Bigz
- Lioness (Rap)
- Baby Blue
- Dubz
- Slix
- Classified
- Opio, Taijai and Phesto Dee (Souls of Mischief)
- Snakes
- Pound Sterling
- Lady Leshurr
- Realz
- President T
- Jammer
- Professor Green
- Trilla
- Roachee
- Scorcher (Grime)
- Brazen, Manga, Scratchy and Breeze (Roll Deep)
Season 2
The second season actually began before the first one ended. The first instalment was released in April 2010 and the series concluded abruptly in February 2011.
- Sway
- Akala
- Trim
- Chipmunk
- Devlin
- Squeeks
- Bilzar
- D-Bo
- Yungen
- English Frank
- Tayong
Season 3
Season 3 was an extended season of F64; beginning in August 2011 and continuing to November 2013. A one-off extra was recorded in April 2014 to conclude the series.
- Wretch 32
- Little Dee
- Squeeks
- Chip
- Cashtastic
- Elro
- Maxsta
- Mic Righteous
- Tinchy Stryder and Slix
- Don Strapzy
- Mr Faiz
- Yungen
- Fem Fel
- Bilzar
- Pak-Man
- Lady Leshurr
- Blizzard
- Frisco
- Timbar
- Marger
- Misha B
- Scratchy, Manga, Flow Dan and Brazen (Roll Deep)
- Colours Miyage
- Fonti
- Akala
- Benny Banks
- Joe Black
- Joe Black
- Margs
- Mz Bratt
- Danny Graft
- Smiler
- Pound Sterling
- Diamond
- Blade Brown
- Mikill Pane
- Cashtastic
- Sickman
- Kozzie
- Scorcher
- Youngs Teflon
- Lunar C
- Griminal
- Devlin
- Ard Adz and Sho Shallow
- Lunar C
- Logic
- Harry Shotta
- Amplify Dot
- Yungen
- Doc Brown
- Ed Sheeran
Season 4
Season 4 launched in January 2023, just ahead of the one-year anniversary of the passing of Jamal Edwards (SB.TV’s founder).
- Ed Sheeran
- Dizzee Rascal
- Mic Righteous
- Avelino
Additional SBTV F64s
A number of additional SB.TV F64s were recorded in slightly different formats to the standard style. These include the following:
- Wizard Sleeve (2010)
- Ed Sheeran – Erasure (2017)
F64 FAQs
Who did the first F64?
The first SB.TV F64 was performed by Fem Fel in November 2009.
Who has the best F64?
In April 2010 there was a public vote to determine which artist had recorded the best F64 of the first series. The viewership decided Black the Ripper’s was the best, out of the *** F64s that had been released up to that time.
What does F64 stand for?
F64 stands for Fresh 64, as in an unheard 64 bars of lyrics.
