John John Da Don vs. Aye Verb: What To Expect

A look at what's in store when the two battlers that the New York crowd loves to hate face off.

On Sept. 28, this battle -- a battle no one had really seen coming -- will be taking place at URL’s “Summer Madness 4,” sharing a flyer with Charlie Clips vs. T-Rex and Tsu Surf vs. Hitman Holla. As two of the “most hated” (according to VladTV) in the league, does the clash make sense and can the clash be the sleeper hit it’s being slated as?

At GO-Rilla Warfare's "Blueprint" event in Chicago last weekend, Aye Verb picked back up some of the momentum he’d lost choking against Caustic and Big T, and towards the end of his lukewarm Illmaculate performance.

He received praise for warming up the crowd far more effectively than he has in recent performances, and for being more direct than Daylyt, who took the opportunity to give what was essentially a dramatic reading of the "Road to Total Slaughter" reality show.

Talking to VladTV recently, Aye Verb seems dismissive of this match-up, and maintains that he’d rather be battling Head I.C.E. “I don’t know what he’s gonna do, nor do I care man,” he maintains. “He’s going down … I’m a god out here, do you understand? I’m not a fucking mortal.”

He is also convinced that John John is going to bite lines at the event.

“John John does steal people’s raps … Stealing is stealing,” insists Verb. “If I walk up to you and I take your watch, knowing it’s your watch, it’s stealing. If John John goes on stage and he repeats and steals other people’s bars, that’s stealing … You’re deliberately taking someone else’s shit.”

The first half of this year was quiet for John John, with a couple of previously unreleased battles finally being unvaulted, and a crowdless clash against Charlie Clips on Quiet Room. Since then he's picked up steam, with a clear win over the returning veteran (and most likely re-retired) Reed Dollaz and a small-room battle against impressive newcomer T-Top in Spit Dat Heat.

According to BattleRap.com's Chris Mitchell, JJDD recently lost to Arsonal at "Gladiator School" but it was nothing to dwell on seeing as he was up against the same devastatingly on-form Ars that stomped all over "Total Slaughter." With a battle lined up against Don’t Flop founder and host Eurgh at DF USA in November, he will be looking to make 2014 his year in its closing quarter.

With help from BattleRapNews.com, he also put out a legitimately hilarious video interview with the proprietor of a nursing home, foreworded with the message: “It’s about that time. You had your run. You know, you’re of age now… We’re gonna find you a nice retirement home for you to check out in after Sept. 28.” He then proceeded to communicate with Verb through the conduit of the manager, with a deadpan mock sincerity that perhaps suggested his approach to the battle.

“Ain’t no dress code here or nothing? He likes to wear this gold jacket … It’s kind of disturbing to watch him wearing it,” John John asks in a heartfelt voice. “I’m not really just tryna talk down about him. I care.”

The manager’s answers are unwittingly direct also, addressing Verb without even knowing. “I keep telling people, now you have a choice,” she suggests. “If you wait until there’s a crisis then someone else is going to make your choice for you.”

If John John can bring this kind of ingenuity to the battle, he will walk away with the win. But going by his Daylyt performance, Verb has not totally lost his power to win over a crowd, and doesn't seem ready for retirement just yet.

There's always the chance the New York crowd will just boo them both for three full rounds too.

Whatever happens, this will be one for which to keep an eye out, lurking on the undercard of a great weekend.

Who do you have taking it? Let us know in the comments section.

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