While battle rap leagues argue over who gets the most views, one unconventional channel eclipses all of them. Epic Rap Battles Of History's channel, where historical figures face off in three-minute videos (eg. Darth Vader vs. Hitler, Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney, and Mozart vs. Skrillex) has more than two billion total views and more than 13 million subscribers.
Nice Peter and EpicLLOYD, creators of the mega-popular YouTube channel, were at KOTD's "Back To Basics 4" with NoShame (who will be appearing in an upcoming episode of the show) and spoke with BattleRap.com editor-in-chief Chris Mitchell.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGYINq4g3Is
Lloyd explained that ERB stemmed from an improv comedy show where he and others would freestyle battles between historical figures suggested by the audience. They then brought the idea to YouTube, where it took off.
On differences between their content and the battle scene, Lloyd said: “The biggest difference is the music, we use a beat, so that sometimes dictates the structure … and then when we started making the rap battles we weren’t trying to make a rap battle parody. Like I watch KOTD, Blaze Battles and Don’t Flop. The idea was ‘let’s make an honest rap battle’ and people know the context of a Miley Cyrus joke more than they know the context of a Robo joke, so that makes it a little more accessible.”
The two spoke about how NoShame came to be included in an upcoming episode of ERB, explaining that they had a role they felt she’d be perfect for. Chris, putting his detective hat on, solved the easiest mystery ever, suggesting she’d be portraying Caitlyn Jenner (again).
Subscribe to ERB and keep an eye out for the video as part of the new season, scheduled to start in early May.
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