Lush One Previews "Virus"

Lush One sat down at BattleRap.com HQ in Los Angeles to break down the source of the Oct. 30 "Virus" card's concept, and spoke on some of the controversies that could arise and what good will come of it.

“When you just Google battles, battle rap, the first things that always pop up seem to be these crazy, outlandish, cartoon battles that don’t really exist," explains Lush, "Loaded Lux vs. Calicoe or Dizaster vs. [Cassidy] or Hollow Da Don vs. Clips – those battles don’t pop up, no. What pops is like Epic Rap Battles Of History, George Washington vs. Abraham Lincoln on like some weirdo shit, some character shit. Why not conceive an event based on really doing that to the max that you know is going to be a virus and spread like one ... and put it in the hands of people that are actually capable lyricists?"

Lush says we could see some controversy from Malcolm X (Daylyt) vs. Klan Member (Cadalack Ron) but that the debate it stimulates will ultimately be healthy. “We don’t know what either of these artists really have intended," he concedes, "but just the fact that it alone is happening there ... is really interesting. Hopefully a lot of issues are addressed ... I actually look at it as something that’s positive. The discussions that it will inevitably bring up in itself are proof positive that it is in fact good for the culture."

He also professed excitement at Bruce Jenner (Rone) vs. Caitlyn Jenner (NoShame). “Not only is [Rone] a really dope emcee, but he look hella like Bruce Jenner ... think about this opportunity for NoShame to use this as a way to voice ... what she’s gone through and use this Halloween costume and this character as a vessel to do, and really impact society in a large way.”

Lush thinks that the experience is going to be a good one. “Battle rap in this essence is volatile, battle rap is edgy, battle rap is controversial. Shit, that’s the hip hop I grew up on ... that’s what defined groups like Public Enemy, NWA, artists like Eminem, the artists that really made a huge impact and defined the culture on a mass level, and that’s what this battle rap could potentially do ... just think about the impact this event could make.”

Here's a trailer for the Bill Collector vs. A-Class battle too:

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.