In an exclusive interview with BattleRap.com, Fresh Coast honcho Lush One has gone into some detail on the next stage in the evolution of battle rap, announcing shows that will make full use of cash-laden collaborator Alki David’s holographic "Musion Eyeliner" technology.
"We already had plans to do a hologram battle. We're gonna be doing hologram battles,” Lush explains, before going on to paint a picture of the opportunities that holograms can provide for a battle audience. "If we shoot a battle in L.A., and it's a hot battle, and everybody wants to see that shit, we can take that motherfucker on the road, be in Phoenix the next day, you feel me? Me and Alki pop up with a fucking Amy Winehouse hologram,” he says, referring to the rumors that surfaced earlier this year about the late singer’s potential Tupac-at-Coachella-esque holographic resurrection, only to be dispelled by her father.
"And there it is. There's the battle and the whole basketball gym full of people can watch them, this crazy high-quality version in hologram of the battle that we just saw yesterday. And I think that'll go. I know I'd wanna see it if it looks cool.”
Lush is optimistic about the scope the format could give battling. “I saw the next ten years of technology flash before my eyes,” he says. “And I was like 'oh, damn.' I was looking to see if I had any new tattoos or some shit. It was gnarly."
Also in the cards for the "Battle Rap TV" FilmOn channel is a behind-the-scenes documentary series from King Of The Dot’s "Battle of L.A. 5" event called “King Of The Bars.” It explores the backdrop of two battles in each episode. The first two up for exposure are Head I.C.E vs. The Deadman and Math Hoffa vs. Dizaster.
Serving as "a more general introduction to battle rap for people that don't know what's up that's still gonna be entertaining to people that do follow battles,” Lush says we can expect a cavalcade of “unreleased shit,” including a glimpse of their neighborhoods, pictures of them growing up and interviews.
The partnership's flagship introductory battle event, "Ether TV," happens in L.A. on December 6, and is confirmed to feature Dizaster vs. Cassidy. The event will be available on pay-per-view.
Alki David has stirred up some controversy with the holographic technology in the past, having taken legal action against the Billboard Music Awards for use of the technology, and remaining in pursuit of Circue du Soleil for their continued use of the patent for the finale of their "Michael Jackson: One" show. He also lashed out at ComiCon for unlicensed use of Musion Eyeliner during the appearance of a “Real Life Homer Simpson” hologram at a Matt Groening press conference.
Watch the full interview below:
And here's the Tupac hologram from 2012 in case you missed it:
Will holographs make battle rap larger than life? Or is it just another gimmick? Let us know in the comments below.
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