Danny Myers vs. T-Rex: What To Expect

The old-fashioned grudge match over $12,000 goes down at URL's "Redemption" on July 25.

On a card mostly comprised of big opportunities for up-and-comers, Smack has managed to lock in just the sort of match-up that made modern battle rap what it is: the grudge match between Danny Myers and T-Rex. This Saturday (July 25) at URL’s “Redemption,” fans will finally get to witness the long-delayed clash and evaluate for themselves whether or not Danny’s money was well spent.

If you’re lost, the short version of the story is that Danny paid Rex $12,000 to battle about a year ago and has been chasing him to no avail ever since. Needless to say, this has given Danny’s skeptics more than enough to talk about, and many are already chalking the whole situation up as a loss for him. Others, like Danny, don’t see the monetary relationship as important and are solely interested in quality of content. Either way, the controversy has allowed the battle to amass a huge buzz, creating a prospect URL couldn’t pass up. Here we have two powerhouses in battle rap, now almost equally vulnerable to the shame of defeat.

T-Rex at "Blackout 5." Photo by Zach Macphoto for KOTD.
T-Rex at "Blackout 5." Photo by Zach Macphoto for KOTD.

Regardless of how anyone ranks him as a current battler, Rex has complicated his legacy. Recently, we’ve seen the SMACK DVD staple get annihilated by Charlie Clips, recycle bars, rush through battles like there’s a prize for finishing fastest, and generally not give a shit. He has had some standout moments during that time too though, like his run through the bracket in the "Road To Total Slaughter" tournament and against Rum Nitty at Snoop Dogg's "Gladiator School."

Either way, he’s had Danny in the palm of his hand for months, but he’s still going to have to rap against him. Many assert that it’s time for Rex to “pay for his sins,” and it’s not hard to tell where they’re coming from, especially if you look at he and Danny’s ongoing rapport. He’s made it quite clear that he intends to humiliate Danny and take him out of his comfort zone, but it’s unlikely that anything short of vintage Rex will suffice at this point.

Photo by Valerie Sakmary for BattleRap.com.Photo by Valerie Sakmary for BattleRap.com.
Danny Myers at "Ether." Photo by Valerie Sakmary for BattleRap.com.

Danny has quite a bit to prove himself. Even if the money means nothing to him, taking an L after this ordeal will look very, very bad. He needs to clearly win, which will be difficult and will largely depend on Rex’s own preparation. But there’s no real reason Danny can’t do it. Even being one of the most consistent in the game, Danny exudes so much positivity that he may not be taken as seriously as he should be. He’s now in a rare situation of genuine tension and needs to really get in Rex’s face to get his point across.

Whether you love it or hate it about him, Rex is a very talented defenseman. He has thrown numerous opponents off by the sheer intensity of his presence, making side comments, staring them in the face, moving around the stage, and he’s all but announced his intentions to pursue that route here. This will be a largely unique challenge for Danny, but he’s no stranger to tenacity either. Yes, Danny will be tested, but this is far from just another day in the office for Rex.

Danny has been throwing shade on Rex’s lyrical ability for some time, and now he has the chance to prove that his style is superior. Rex has created a situation where consistently sonning Danny is absolutely essential. It’s almost impossible to tell which of these motives will weigh more in the ring, but pure hunger may be the determining factor.

I’ve got Danny taking it 2-1. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Cover image by Samuel Sellers. Follow him on IG.

"Redemption" goes down at Gramercy Theatre (127 E. 23rd St.) in New York on July 25. Buy your tickets before they sell out.

11 Comments

Latest
Best
Worst