It's appropriate that the new headliner for June 27's "Back To Basics 2" provides a style clash as drastic as the battle it's replacing. With Carter Deems unable to face off against Head I.C.E, KOTD scrambled to get Dizaster — one of the most famous battlers on the planet — to make his return to the league, exactly one year after rather abruptly punching Math Hoffa in the face and getting banned. Chilla Jones, meanwhile, has just reached the apex of his ascent to top tier and is well on course to making 2015 his year. The timing of this pair's collision is perfect. Can we expect a classic?
Chilla Jones will certainly be doing his best to push the battle in that direction. His last two opponents have been Math Hoffa (also making his return after the Diz battle) and Conceited. He had one of the best battles of last year against Daylyt and he hasn't really slowed down in 2015. Despite debatable losses to 100 Bulletz at "Blackout 5" and recent DF title contender Cee Major, he has fully clawed his way into the very top echelon of global battle rap.
Dizaster is his biggest opponent yet, and on the day of his post-ban return you can put some pretty safe cash on Chilla having a heap of material as a result. In a battle that sees the total opposite of his own style at its furious, multi-packed peak, Chilla will have to produce some ridiculous wordplay to show off just how well he can scheme. He has shown he can hang at the top of a bill against the top guys. All he has to do is stick to his style and hope that he can match Diz's presence and projection.
There isn't much that can withstand a hungry Diz though. He's been out of KOTD, but has still managed to stay one of the most talked-about emcees in the world with his mega-battle against Cassidy and polarizing personality. His time away may even have done him some good, since after an incredibly busy 2013 and 2014, what he needed most was to refocus and harness some of his old fire. He'll want to get back into KOTD's good graces with his comeback and a stellar performance (paired with good behavior) ought to do that. He has it in him.
He'll need to rely less on his freestyles — although impressive at times, they can trail off and that will be conspicuous against Chilla's polished writing and structure. If he sticks to his writtens more thoroughly he'll have more confidence and momentum and this will spill over into the flips he does throw in (case in point: the sling moment against Canibus) to brutal effect.
Diz's aggression will not falter just because of PunchInTheFaceGate. Even though he stated he's only battling people he likes in order to avoid getting wound up, go back through Daylyt vs. Chilla and you'll hear Diz call Chilla a mark from Daylyt's corner after Chilla's false start in Round 1. There's clearly a friction between Diz and Chilla or at least between Diz and the scheming/wordplay style Chilla reps. But I don't think even Diz will find that style reason enough to sock Chilla in the mouth, and will hopefully take a lighter approach in his return and not play the heel.
Soul came back from his post-Caustic-punching ban to become the Don't Flop champion. Who knows what could happen with Dizaster. But he is being tested here: he has an accomplished, intelligent and amply skilled opponent. Both want the win and will lunge for it at the starting pistol.
Could have us quite the battle here.
BattleRap.com will be in the building doing updates and our own Chris Mitchell will be co-hosting the live pay-per-view with Dirtbag Dan. Buy it here.
Who do you have taking it? Are you happy to see Diz back? Let us know in the comments below.
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