In the 1980s and 90s, trailblazing artists from the Bronx, Spanish Harlem and Miami create a new style of music. This is the story of the artists, producers and DJ's who were instrumental in Latin hip-hop/Freestyle Music and keep the genre alive.
Freestyle Music: The Legacy is a feature documentary that takes you on a journey from Latin boogaloo to freestyle music. Documenting the musicology process will allow everyone to relive how a few pioneering producers, songwriters, and artists created the foundation of Latin hip-hop and formed a new American genre of music called freestyle music.
Many freestyle songs reached the “Billboard Hot 100 Pop Chart”. Grammy Award Winners and Latin Award Winners such as Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Little Louie Vega, and Robert Clivillés along with nominees such as Brenda K. Starr, Tony Moran, and La India have begun their careers in freestyle music.
The legacy of freestyle music has continued to pulsate through dance floors and concerts throughout the world. This is a high level, cinematic stylized documentary that has historical quality. It is the only inclusive music documentary featuring never seen before interviews and archives from the 80s and 90s featuring the complete catalog of artists, producers and DJ's that keep Freestyle Music thriving for over 40 years.
Maria Soccor is an award-winning director, actress, producer, and the founder of Maria Soccor Productions. Her films explore pop culture and socially relevant themes, starting with her directorial debut, Lords of BSV that has earned 13 international awards including Best Director at the 2015 Madrid International Film Festival. This documentary was released on Red Bull TV July 31, 2026, and later went on to have a theatrical releasee at The New York City Plex, Newark NJ, December 2016. Her portfolio includes: the VR theatrical play LOVESEAT, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, and feature documentaries such as Freestyle Music: The Legacy, Sybil In Her Own Words, and Tillie, which are currently in production under her production company, Maria Soccor Productions.
A dedicated advocate for women in media and green productions, Ms. Soccor co-founded REEL Women in 2025 alongside publicist Jane Owen. This global initiative launched at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, providing mentorship to women pursuing storytelling behind the lens. She is also a leadership member of New York Women In Film and Television (NYWIFT) and a member of the Film Fatales Documentary Feature Chapter.
In addition to her creative work, Ms. Soccor has extensive experience in community leadership. Currently, she serves as a board advisor for Women Empowerment at The Institute of Public Policy and Diplomacy Research, Educate The Block, Film Fatales, The Chelsea International Film Festival, and The Miss Caricom International Foundation. She is also a member of the New Jersey Chapter of Beyond Bedtime for Somerset County.
Her recent honors include the 2025 Global Luminary in Film & Media Award presented by UNGA80 and the 2020 Hell's Kitchen NYC Festival Female Filmmaker of the Year.
Writer/Director/Producer - Maria Soccor
Editor - Barry Rubinow
