Undercarding Dizaster vs. Cassidy, which is “the most important battle ever set up" according to Lush one, is a match-up fit to headline most other events. It’s also a match-up that wouldn't look out of place alongside the classics that launched battle rap towards the high-profile endorsements (and deep pockets) of Slaughterhouse, Snoop Dogg and Alki David.
The face-off between the two veterans, to be hosted on David's ETV network, is a perfect balance of finely tuned performance and legendary flips. Arsonal is the most viewed in English speaking battle rap, and The Saurus one of the most decorated (and enduring) top tier figures in the field.
It's been the case at events like "Total Slaughter" and KOTD’s "Vendetta" (A.K.A. CanibusGate) that the battle featuring the industry rapper is very much open to upstaging. With the amount of pressure resting on the shoulders of Diz and Cass, Ars and Saurus could be the runaway success of the event.
At Total Slaughter, and Snoop Dogg’s Gladiator School, much of the upstaging was done by Arsonal. He has had an astonishing year so far, bar some controversy over cancelled battles and his recycling of bars and defence thereof. Still, his stance has been the complete antithesis of the one used by Joe Budden and Canibus — Arsonal is using the artists who are using the medium as a platform as a platform for the medium. That will change once he takes on Mistah F.A.B. in 2015, but for now it holds true.
Arsonal at Gladiator School. Photo by James Kreisberg for BattleRap.com.
Ars has proven his ability to step his game up when it matters and he'll be looking to impress against The Saurus, who has been a formidable battler since, well, ever. This will be Saurus’ first time stepping up in the new school of leagues, so he'll be looking to bring his trademark consistency and freestyle mastery to the event and make an impact after a quiet year battle-wise. He put in great work against Charron and Bigg K but seems since to have been largely engaged with his domestic life and career as a professional gambler.
Photo by Chris Mitchell for BattleRap.com.
One thing you can count on is disrespect. Neither is shy about confronting their opponent. They’ve already been taking digs at each other on Twitter for weeks, so there is no doubt that animosity is building.
@ARSONALDAREBEL youve lost to every white boy youve ever battled LMAO. You still have nightmares about Okwerdz n Charron hahahaha
— The Saurus (@TheSaurus831) November 28, 2014
They’re probably not going to attack each other on sight, but exchanging snappy insults on the Internet is a good sign for two people preparing for an exchange of snappy insults on the Internet.
As a far more analytical battler, The Saurus will have a field day with Ars’ idiosyncrasies and style. His material will be well constructed and interesting regardless of Arsonal’s ability. That being said, Arsonal is going to be an unrestrainable ball of energy for the whole thing. They will be in each others’ faces but Arsonal will look like he means it more. He has been nothing short of unbeatable in several matches this year, and if that Arsonal steps into the ring, Saurus will have to pull out his best ever work to top it.
This battle goes down at "Ether" on Dec. 6. Click here to get the live pay-per-view.
Who do you have taking it? Let us know in the comments section below.
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