Danny Myers vs. Xcel: What To Expect

Bars. That’s what to expect here. In all seriousness, this will be pen against pen, with each battler hoping to outdo the other’s writing. Danny Myers and Xcel have tremendous respect for one another, and they’re each concerned with making a classic above anything else. Danny in particular has a way of making his battles even better by appreciating his opponents’ strongest lines and using them to amp up his own performance. With an opponent like Xcel, that phenomenon should be in full effect.

Danny takes a ton of battles, whether against top tiers or no-names, and he’s hardly ever slacked a round. The guy just loves battle rap, and he’s like a ball of energy in the ring. Many who have faced him, including seasoned vets like Aye Verb and Cortez, have spoken to how difficult it is to keep up with his undying intensity. At the end of the day, Danny’s humble attitude and drama-free approach have probably given him more opportunities than they’ve taken away; battling him seems to be becoming a rite of passage for those who consider themselves elite writers, and Xcel is another to add to the list.

Xcel burst onto the scene not too long ago, and his skill was almost instantly recognized. He first popped up in Traphouse NY and then caught eyes with a performance on BET’s “Ultimate Freestyle Friday,” and now other leagues have been quick (and smart) to recruit his talent. Like Danny, Xcel has no chip on his shoulder, no superiority complex, just a strong desire to out-write everyone he faces. This battle probably won’t make or break him, but proving he can hang with the BarGod could be a milestone in his career.

Regardless of how one feels about Danny or Xcel, it simply must be acknowledged that they are both expanding the concept of “bars” in battle rap. It’s not uncommon to hear either of them working heady historical and philosophical references into their punchlines, and they’re pushing creativity beyond what most people would consider pertinent to battle rap. That style may not be for everyone, but it’s pretty obvious that neither of them care.

Often times when two emcees are expected to bar each other’s lives away, an additional factor tends to sway the battle in one direction or another. One of the most enticing aspects of this match is the uncertainty of what that factor might be. It could be Danny’s performance energy, Xcel’s flow, or something totally different. The only thing relatively guaranteed is that this battle will demand the scene’s attention, both due to overall quality and in order to catch the lines.

The event goes down May 16 in Holyoke, Mass. See the full card, and buy the $30 live pay-per-view (hosted by Dirtbag Dan and BattleRap.com's Chris Mitchell) here.

Give us your predictions in the comments below.