Big T vs. Caustic: What To Expect

Adam "Mos Prob" Felman looks at the match-up at Don't Flop's Chicago event.

Don't Flop's not-so-gradual takeover of the States rumbles on with its Chicago event on June 20, and undercarding the 2-on-2s that grace the headline slots (check out the full line-up here) is a faceoff between Caustic and Big T.

Vitriol vs. Gunplay.

Beard vs. Belly.

Caustic is playing on Big T's home turf. This would normally be a disadvantage, but Caustic has given so few fucks about likeability during his career, and a hometown disadvantage feeds right into his heel image. His dependability on short notice (replacing Shotty Horroh twice in a year against Aye Verb and most recently against Arsonal at "MASSacre," and filling those boots amply) is notable, and given some prep time he is even more destructive. He's having a great 2015 as well, wobbling Head I.C.E's infallible rep and putting in some great work against Pass at KOTD's secret "Back To Basements" event.

Caustic vs. Head I.C.E.
Caustic vs. Head I.C.E.

I don't think Caustic will be exposing anything about Big T (the idea of an exposed Big T is not one anyone wants to endure), rather I think he will play more to the wryly funny elements of his writing. Incisive material, sure. But not delivering up in T's face, and not with his customary spite. I think he will be highlighting the more ridiculous elements of Big T's character, nodding to the typical Don't Flop playfulness that was wholly absent in his Jefferson Price battle (god rest his soul). I'm up for being proven wrong. It could be entertaining to watch Big T barking his verses through a veil of tears. I just don't see it happening in T's hometown.

In the last year, Big T has shown that he clearly doesn't subscribe to the "if it's not on URL, it doesn't count" tenet. His recent improvements have been notable on various different platforms, including Don't Flop, KOTD, FilmOn and a bodybag performance against Aktive at "Ether." His lighter, funnier side came through against Dizaster and Gemini and his gun sounds have become a crowd-pleasing staple of his repertoire. He's always had a domineering, charismatic presence but his wordsmithery is becoming more and more effective and he's pushing himself on all fronts lately.

Caustic is a challenge. Battling Rone (in what was a "Blackout 5" highlight and far closer than any "Hard-Hitting Poet Destroys X" viral video would have you believe) is good practice for battling Caustic in a few ways: having to think your way around a distinctive style while also balancing you attack with a defense to the jokes that are sure to come.

Rone vs. Big T. Photo by Zach Macphoto for KOTD.
Rone vs. Big T. Photo by Zach Macphoto for KOTD.

Big T has some heavyweights on his resume (including pretty much all of the top URL guys) but now that he's stepped into new platforms he's started experimenting with new approaches and tones to his material. After coming up in the Grind Time era, Caustic has now faced a long list of street rappers, including John John, Aye Verb, Cortez, and Head I.C.E. We're about to see two battlers who have been expanding their comfort zones face off to see who's more comfortable.

This battle, as I mentioned earlier, may very well lean on the fun side. As one of the first two battlers to face Shuffle-T and Marlo in the U.S., he's game for a laugh, and Big T is no small target. If you cast your mind back to Big T vs. O Red, you may well remember the episode of The Dirtbag Show that followed it and the ferocity with which Dan and Caustic pissed themselves laughing at the genesis of T's "Mr. Chilaka-Boo" persona. Big T is a boisterous performer, and will definitely have energy on his side. Big T seems to be having fun in the ring lately, and I want to see Caustic vs. Fifty Machine Guns In Dolby Surround Sound so much my face hurts.

This should be a solid, very watchable match-up, and both have done themselves proud on Don't Flop before. With Caustic and a range of hilarious targets facing off against a Big T bolstered by the first big battle rap crowd in his hometown for a good while, the primer's set for a great atmosphere and some memorable material from both.

BattleRap.com will be in the building for this so stay tuned for updates and interviews. More details on the event here.

Who do you have taking it? Do you prefer URL Big T or Big T 2.0? Let us know in the comments below.

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