King of the Dot has given fans yet another reason to be excited about its most recently announced 'Massacre' card. KOTD champion Pat Stay (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada) will face off against Grindtime/URL veteran Calicoe (Detroit, Mich.) in an eagerly anticipated promo match. This battle will co-headline the event taking place on May 16th in Holyoke, Mass.
Pat has faced a gauntlet of title contenders since taking the chain from Arcane in 2013. His judged wins over notable opponents like Dizaster and Daylyt have cemented his legacy as the most decorated champion in KOTD’s history, in addition to making him one of battle rap’s most beloved performers worldwide.
However, his most recent title defense over Charron has been a polarizing subject for fans, a topic that Pat has been vocal about himself. Some feel Charron wasn't given a fair shot, as he was forced to change his third round approach only minutes ahead of the battle. Others feel Pat took the battle with ease, stating the situation that happened beforehand had no bearing on the outcome or judgement of the battle. Regardless, the whole controversy may have created a new angle from which to attack the champion.
Even so, Pat has the ability to effortlessly brush away criticism, making himself impervious to even the most pertinent and observant angles used against him. His rebuttals are typically on point and he'll be ready for Calicoe (and every opponent going forward) to address the Charron situation. He also has an outstanding ability to win over crowds with a few lines. His on-stage charisma and performance capabilities are second to none and he will undoubtedly have the edge in this regard. His humor, a seemingly underrated tool in his arsenal, may play a huge factor here as well. Pat is a master of clowning even the most daunting competitors but can then transition into aggressive fits of rhyming, dissecting his opponents with sheer intensity and rapping ability.
His opponent Calicoe is no easy test. His most recent release comes by way of Snoop Dogg’s "Gladiator School," a competitive battle against Hitman Holla in which he delivers an undeniably commanding performance. He frequently brings the audience’s cheers to a deafening tone with his high-level lyricism and wit.
Calicoe has had several standout performances, but his rep has suffered from some of his best performances never getting official YouTube releases, and moments of inconsistency in his career. It doesn’t help that a lot of newer fans know him only as being on the receiving end of Loaded Lux’s career performance. With that being said, Calicoe has the talent necessary to dispel any doubts about him. His best performances (vs. T-Rex, Arsonal and Tsu Surf) proved that he has the ability to compete with the top competitors in the world. His unrelenting punchlines and signature aggression make it hard for any opponent to stay on par.
Calicoe brings an outstanding energy to performances, but also understands the importance of pacing and structure in a round, keeping the audience's attention building up to well-crafted haymakers. He has converted several hostile crowds in this fashion, as he frequently battles outside of his home against other cities’ local favorites. His ability to rise to the occasion when the odds are stacked against him is what makes him a very dangerous competitor for someone like Pat Stay.
Calicoe has shown he has the capability to perform an upset, which may be what he'll need at "Massacre." This is his KOTD debut, against the league's champion, in front of a neutral Massachusetts crowd. If he makes the most of the opportunity, he soars to the top tier of KOTD and (on the outside chance that Pat puts up the title as Hollohan did against The Saurus) could be the new champ. Even if it's not for the chain, a win would be a definitive feather in his cap.
Whatever the outcome, this is sure to be one of the most exciting battles of the year.
Predictions? Let us know in the comments below.
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