HBO’s Blaze Battle series in 2000 was the biggest exposure the organized rap battle circuits had had for a number of years. The premium channel’s broadcast allowed for underground and established acts to shine on equal footing with production values that gave the then very-niche artform the prestige it deserves.
The most memorable moment may have come from the battle between RK and freestyle legend Eyedea. While revisiting the clip 15 years later shows RK holding his own, Eyedea’s performance was stellar in a way few freestyle emcees ever reach, with the closing “backup dancer” line becoming a memorable moment that cemented his all-time great off-the-top status and would become the new standard of the freestyle era.
Check out this BattleRap.com interview with Illmaculate about Eyedea's legacy:
Every Thursday, BattleRap.com posts a classic battle that you should know about, or at least be reminded of occasionally. See them all here.
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