The "quiet" times on the battle rap calendar have completely disappeared. September was another stacked month for releases, card announcements and events, with URL's "Summer Madness 5" generating the most buzz by far, though reviews were also excellent for Don't Flop's "Sunburn 2" and RBE's Labor Day weekend events.
Summer Madness 5
To suppress the rampant bootlegs appearing all over YouTube after last week's event, URL decided to release official versions of the battles that had been livestreamed. The result is somewhere between Christmas morning and a heroin overdose. We've still got a lot of SM5 coverage to get to, but for now here are some quick summaries of what went down, collected as one entry in this Top 10 Battles list.
Loaded Lux vs. Charlie Clips
Who: Loaded Lux (Harlem, N.Y.) vs. Charlie Clips (Harlem, N.Y.)
Where: URL's "Summer Madness 5" in New York, N.Y.
When: Sept. 26, 2015
If you followed our updates, you know we called this 2-1 Beloved. The particularly indecisive crowd produced outcomes ranging from “Lux 3-0” to “Clips 3-0.” All in all, this wasn’t everything it could have been, but it was another strong lyrical chapter for Lux and a revitalized turn for Clips.
Tay Roc vs. Calicoe: This long-awaited match didn’t disappoint, with “second round Roc” in full effect and Cal putting his aggression to expert use. This was a divisive battle in the building, and that doesn’t seem to have changed on camera. See Roc for back-to-back gun bars and Cal for relentless barking and physicality.
O’fficial vs. Ms. Hustle: This battle felt something like Jaz vs. O’fficial, and it shows how quickly the dialogue can change in female battle rap. Although you won’t see O’fficial at her most confident, check out Hustle for a true display of endurance as she wins over the hesitant crowd.
T-Top vs. T-Rex: Despite probably losing this battle, this was still the Rex we wanted to see. Thankfully, Top also addressed complaints of being too indirect and delivered a dominant performance. Either way, one of the best battles from an overall-solid event.
Daylyt vs. Iron Solomon
Who: Daylyt (Los Angeles, Calif.) vs. Iron Solomon (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Where: KOTD's "World Domination 5" in Toronto, Canada
When: Aug. 22, 2015
To most in attendance, this was the battle of the weekend at KOTD’s “World Domination 5.” Forget about the Iron Solomon you saw versus Mook and prepare to once again see Daylyt on his A-game.
This is another very disputable battle that few have bothered debating with any tenacity, simply because the quality of every round is so high and the atmosphere so positive. Day showed Iron the utmost respect, as he tends to do with high profile matches that he takes seriously, which allowed Iron to get all his material out and wash his hands of the Mook showing.
Day was in his bars-only bag, including that absurd third-round haymaker that always brings the house down. For many, though, Iron’s borderline literary style was enough to outclass Day (and mid-round freestyles never hurt). Whichever you prefer, you can’t really go wrong.
Chess vs. Rum Nitty
Who: Chess (Bronx, N.Y.) vs. Rum Nitty (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Where: URL's "Traffic" in Los Angeles, Calif.
When: Aug. 1, 2015
This was one of the better battles at URL West’s “Traffic,” featuring a to-the-point performance from Rum Nitty and an often over-the-top haymaker show from Chess. Interestingly, this also seems to be a prime example of battles looking different in the building and on camera.
Although in the building people were saying “Chess 3-0” (and his rounds look great on footage, too), this release makes it look a lot more debatable. Instead of waiting for the crowd to wild out like Chess did, sometimes to a fault, Nitty just charged ahead. On camera, this gives his rounds a sense of relentlessness — just bar after bar after bar.
If enthusiastic crowds tend to spoil battles for you, then this is not for you. But to everyone else, enjoy an energetic bar-fest. P.S. Rum Nitty versus Tay Roc? Anyone?
Illmaculate vs. Pat Stay
Who: Illmaculate (Portland, Ore.) vs. Pat Stay (Dartmouth, N.S., Canada)
Where: KOTD's "World Domination 5" in Toronto, Canada
When: Aug. 22, 2015
There’s no guarantee that every title match will have replay value. Luckily, this one does, and I question what you’re doing with your time if you haven’t seen it yet.
Again, you can’t really beat Pat in Round 1 (unless you’re The Saurus), and Illmac is one of the only battlers to have accepted that and successfully worked it into his plan of attack. This makes for a nice first from Pat and an all-around masterful performance from Illmac, each round having meticulous structure and purpose.
There have been a few holdouts still disappointed with the decision, but to dwell on the relatively non-controversial third round would be beating a dead horse. Pat communicated quite clearly that the chain didn’t mean all that much to him, and Illmac relieved him of it expertly that round. Overall, this is a more than solid battle that marks the beginning of what could be a new American legacy for KOTD.
If you missed our feature interview where we played chess with Illmac, check it here.
Genocide vs. Jorilla G
Who: Genocide (West Florence, S.C.) vs. Jorilla G (Nashville, Tenn.)
Where: Spit Dat Heat's "Bar Class" in Decatur, Ga.
When: July 25, 2015
Why is this dude Genocide not famous yet? He and Mr. Mill$ need to start buying billboard ads or something. Oh, and Jorilla G has some shit to bring to the table too, it turns out.
If you’re sleeping on Genocide, do yourself a favor and catch up on his battles. You’ll probably end up watching a few in a row, because his style is like battle rap popcorn. It’s the back-to-back punch approach that today’s fans gravitate toward, with the perfect amount of originality and lightheartedness to keep it fresh.
Whereas Genocide seems to rap fast for the sole purpose of squeezing in all his content, Jorilla has a slower, more deliberate approach. He takes some risks getting personal in the first, but he has plenty to say and his delivery is strong and steady. Depending on your preference, you might give him a round, but this was another standard showcase for Genocide.
Brizz Rawsteen vs. Tay Roc
Who: Tay Roc (Baltimore, Md.) vs. Brizz Rawsteen (Raleigh, N.C.)
Where: URL's "Redemption" in Manhattan, N.Y.
When: July 25, 2015
This is the Tay Roc we’ve become accustomed to seeing against the Brizz Rawsteen we've been waiting to see on the main stage. Move over “12 hot rounds” and make room for “smack out ya teeth and make me a African necklace.”
That synopsis really says it all, but this battle is worth watching for other reasons too. Most give it to Roc despite a great showing from Brizz, but get this: Roc didn’t win the second round(!). Despite the “second round Roc” phenomenon, Brizz stole the show in Round 2 with unorthodox punches and vivid imagery. He knew he had a lot to prove after his weaker Aye Verb outing, and he won over everyone (including Tay Roc) as the battle went on.
DNA & K-Shine vs. 40 B.A.R.R.S. & Bonnie Godiva
Who: DNA (Queens, N.Y.) & K-Shine (Harlem, N.Y.) vs. Bonnie Godiva (Yonkers, N.Y.) & 40 B.A.R.R.S (Boston, Mass.)
Where: Queen Of The Ring's "No Holds Barred 2" in Manhattan, N.Y.
When: Aug. 9, 2015
Are DNA and K-Shine taking too many battles this early in their 2-on-2 partnership? Probably, but they seem to be getting great results often enough for it to make sense. As for 40 and Bonnie, they’re a much stronger team than many anticipated.
The QOTR boxing ring setting lends itself nicely to doubles matches, especially if you like to act shit out. Like, say, DNA and Shine do, every battle. That said, this too will come down to your preference.
DNA and Shine have some electrifying haymakers and hilarious moments, but 40 and Bonnie’s material is so structurally sound that it gives their performance a totally different vibe. After hearing the thought they put into their angles and the precision of their back-and-forth, I’m interested in seeing 40 and Bonnie team up again.
Dizaster vs. Dumbfoundead
Who: Dizaster (Los Angeles, Calif.) vs. Dumbfoundead (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Where: KOTD's "World Domination 5" in Toronto, Canada
When: Aug. 21, 2015
Are you cool with casual racism? You know, like, the "fun" kind? If so, this battle was made for you. Here, we find Dumbfoundead perhaps a bit below his normal threshold of excellence and Diz in truly rare form.
Before the battle, the vast majority of fans (including myself, I must admit) had Dumb clowning Diz into oblivion. He did a decent job of that, but Diz possessed a Zen-like (sorry) focus that made it impossible to overshadow his expertly belted one-liners. Although he limited himself pretty exclusively to Asian jokes in this instance, this version of Diz is telling of how dangerous he can be when the conditions are right.
While this probably won’t do the mega-numbers that Dumb vs. Conceited did, even that might serve as an impetus for Dumb to come back even harder next time (if there is a next time). This isn’t really a bad showing for him, but I’m sure he’s not excited to be overshadowed by Diz.
Big J & Lefty vs. P Solja & Matter
Who: Big J (London, England) & Lefty (London, England) vs. P Solja (Leeds, England) & Matter (Leeds, England)
Where: Don't Flop's "Sunburn 2" in London, England
When: Sept. 5, 2015
Although the new wave of “street” 2-on-2's is interesting, the culture still needs this version. This is vintage Don’t Flop, with plenty of self-deprecation and brilliant interplay between teammates.
This was somewhat of a raw deal for Matter (the target of many insults, including his own), but he didn’t seem to mind. The highlight was probably Lefty’s observation that he closely resembles an owl, but that’s just one of the moments that makes this clash memorable. P Solja and Matter recruit more than one familiar face throughout, and the teamwork is something to behold.
As far as calling a winner, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. You’d be right to give it to whoever happened to entertain you more. Big J and Lefty seem committed to their irreverent roots, but P Solja and Matter give them a run for their money in more “cheeky” fashion.
Caustic vs. Marv Won
Who: Caustic (Oakland, Calif.) vs. Marv Won (Detroit, Mich.)
Where: Counter Productive's "Battle Of The Zae 4" in San Jose, Calif.
When: Aug. 13, 2015
If you put someone with an immediately apparent physical attribute in front of Caustic, in a small room, the results are going to be uproarious. This is no exception at all, but Marv Won is a great sport as always.
Let me be frank: Caustic’s rounds are far and away the main reason to watch this battle. Marv has some standout moments too, but his preparation seems a bit rushed (as evidenced by some lengthy pauses throughout).
That said, the genuine nonchalance Caustic displays in saying some of the meanest things you’ll ever hear is truly astounding. How can you look someone in the eye and say, “You know how I know you’re overweight? You snore when you’re awake.” This battle is a buffet of fat joke one-liners of only the highest quality.
Cover design by Steve Finch. See more of his work here.
There were a TON of releases this month so excuse us if we missed any smaller classics. Add them to the list in the comments and explain why they deserve attention.
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