Cassidy should no longer boast that he is undefeated.
He should boast that he is a pioneer in popularizing battle rap. (That bar against Goodz last spring about these guys getting popular cause of battle rap, but he made battle rap popular was just fire).
He should boast about his successful five or six years in the industry. (You can’t take away the debut gold album and that “I’m a Hustla” was one of the first ringtones to go platinum.)
He should boast about his current marketing and promotional prowess, but the mythology surrounding his infamous battling record (5001 or better victories) should never again muster in his belly, rise through his esophagus and come out his throat.
It should not, but it will. And despite popular opinion, he is needed for battle rap to go to the next level.
One of the problems with the millennial thought process is to disregard legacy and foundation. The small ten year window that the new cats give credence to often limits their ability to recognize anything that was popping before they were “on” or even alive. Cassidy’s refusal to allow “them” to put him in a washed up box speaks volumes to his tenacity, self-confidence and his roots into a culture that right now spans four different generations.
He screams “FUCK THAT, I AM HERE!” in the face of those pushing him out. He says that to a culture that as much as it is wants to be respected, is closed off to a world that is needed to give them the mainstream respect and bag they so desire. [Ed. Note. That’s a fact!]
URL has genius-ly identified that there is still value in ”The Hustler,” even though it appears that his arrogance, long ass verses that span what seems to be like an hour and an unsportsmanlike Philly crowd might have rattled the SMACK stage with momentary thoughts of regret. Having the Lock Down card in Philly should have been a home run, particularly with Philly hometown heroes up to bat, but it was not.
But that’s just it. Knowing Philly is more than knowing the difference between Ishkibbles, Jim’s and Genos.
It’s more than the catch phrases of “Nut Ass” or “Jawn” or “Bul (which has no real spelling but a feeling).” If the league would have known Philly a little bit more than the dope emcees from the town, they would have known that the Philly fan is fierce, bleeds green, loves everything about Allen Iverson (transplant), Dr. J (transplant), Will Smith and don’t say nothing about Phyliss Hyman or Teena Marie. The Philly fan would fight you for their jawns, but if they think you drawing (especially if you from Philly or Philly adjacent) they banging on you. Philly be hating on people- no reason necessary- and will cannibalize its own city. Philly be on that sh*t, nahmean. Don’t let them tell you differently, just listen to any Philly rapper talk about Philly… the city in regards to supporting music be sometimey. They will dance to Tuff Crew all day, but will never buy their music. Just consider how NOOOOOObody cared about Dutch from Major Figgas but when Gilly da King and Wallo stepped up, they went crazy.
And while it seemed like Philly was gonna ride w the former Ruff Ryder, Cassidy, they booed him.
But booes do not faze Cassidy. They seem to make him stronger. So what is the finally assessment? Is this definitive loss from Arsonal (please Cass fans don’t gas it) they end for him? NO!!!
As aforementioned, the culture needs him. The energy understands the dynamics of selling the fight. He even adapted a little with performance… to make him seem a little less dated. All he needs is to stop verbally masturbating with them long ass, nut ass rounds and he will be aiight.
The question everyone should be asking is if Tsu Surf still wants to battle him.
This weekend started out with a bang as the WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown debuted on Fox last night and fans were not let down. The franchise did more than just entertain fans, thirsty for a rough and rumble contest, but made history. This event was the first WWE program to air one of the four major broadcast networks, in celebration of SmackDown’s 20th Anniversary.
URL, the most premier English speaking battle rap league in world, is also celebrating their anniversary with a debut of their own. For the first time, the league will host a battle in Philadelphia, making another huge splash in this emerging industry during their historic 10th Anniversary year. The title of this event is surprisingly close to the WWE tentpole, and has garnered just as much attention: Lock Down.
Could it be safe to say that SMACK/URL is Hip-Hop’s closest version of WWE? And it is more than John Cena busting some rhymes, or rappers included wrestling in their bars.
1. Cassidy is Battle Rap’s The Rock!
Both companies went out their way to bring back legends of the culture for these epic debuts. For WWE, the brought back Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Outside of Hulk Hogan, he possibly the most successful wrestler ever to hit the mat. The same could be said of Cassidy, the Hustler. Cassidy is a star. Has been a star. Continues to move and attract audiences like a star. And so it is smart to bring this platinum selling artists to the “mat” to battle a formidable opponent in, Arsonal da Rebel. Both The Rock and The Hustler add bells and whistles to the experiences- sending a note that legacy is still competitive and that they can come and go (based on the fans desire to see them) as they please.
Both companies understand that women are powerful in the market. While URL’s Lock Down card, taking place on Sunday, Oct. 6, has no women on it, the league dropped a two-on-two from its famed Summer Impact card on its app. The Bardashians (Jaz the Rapper & O’fficial) vs. TOQ (40 B.A.R.R.S. & E-Hart) was aggressive and entertaining, showing that the ladies have just as much grit as the men. Even though it was a clear body, the dynamics of the battle on such a large stage rippled through the industry. It further elevated the URL brand as one that is invested in equity (in a smart and strategic way), as much as it is invested in quality entertainment. The same could be said about the WWE. At yesterday’s Smackdown event, Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley and Sasha Banks, took the stage with just as much energy, both teams understanding the privilege it is to compete on the highest level in the industry. Ironically, both franchises opened their events with the female contests. Notably, Lynch and Flair put their rivalry aside to battle, similarly to what 40 and E-Hart did at Summer Impact.
The under-cards at both of these experiences are just as exciting as the title events. This is something that both the wrestling league and the battle rap league has taken into consideration over the years. Working hard to make sure the experiences are rich, the casting of each card takes a lot of thought- and has become a science. While there is a secret recipe of contracts, fan favorites, skill and chemistry, the teams of both companies plan out months in advance cards that make sense. Now that brings up another question, since we know that there is choreography involved in commercial wrestling… Would this kind of engineering destroy the battling or heighten the value and quality control of the performances? Or are the quality of these fights (physical and lyrical) based on the preparation of the battlers and wrestlers? Either way, by the time you get to a Lock Down or a Smackdown, those casted are properly vetted to put on a show.
4. The Business Behind The Competitions Are Just As Colorful As Those on Camera
The WWE perfected making Vince McMahon just as much a part of the show as the wrestlers that he has tapped to be the faces of his business. And at $2.8B in real time net worth, he has taken his golden mug and platinum brain to the bank. The same can be said about Troy “SMACK WHITE” Mitchell. While not a billionaire yet, he is just as much a brand as the business. Hell… he is the business. Consider that the name of the company is Ultimate Rap League, but his name is interchangeable with that of the league’s. And if SMACK WHITE is not enough… Eric Beasley, one of his partners, finds his names just as much in the verses and battlers as the show’s host!
TV IS READY FOR THIS RAP REVOLUTION
Wrestling, by nature of its 50 year history, has been a staple on television. Battle rap has been sequestered to the back allies and lunchroom cafeterias of urban America. That is until Fight Club made its debut on MTV and URL made their impact on BET. Both moves opened the doors for the other digital platforms to grow, using TV not as a need mode of distribution but as a cool way to market what they have going on. This weekend, URL has moved from just being a segment on the now defuncted 106 & Park show and a blip on the award show’s cypher segment. During the BET Hip-Hop Awards, URL is programmed to do two battles, a rematch between T-Top vs. Shotgun Suge and DNA vs. Geechi Gotti.
This weekend has already been sport overload as Comicon has taken over NYC, WWE has taken over Los Angeles and URL has taken over both Atlanta and Philadelphia. Working to see how both arenas produce stars, industry and moments for fans to look back on, are evidence that these two are siblings in a market base that the mainstream will have to reckon.
Never has a card like Summer Impact packed such a dynamic punch. With only six major battles slated to take place, the promise of that this All-Star roster would be the experience of a lifetime was kept. It almost seemed to big to be true, and with a few minor set backs the fulfillment of that promise was almost not met… almost.
But Smack and his team of champion producers, despite a couple of hiccups along the way, have a way of making the most impossible tasks look easy… and continue to throw cards that satisfy the erratic cravings of the battle rap enthusiast.
Let’s not get it twisted.
There were a few things that happened leading up to and during the battle that made most irrational fans beet red with frustration (insert cartoon image with steam coming out of the character’s ears).
The first frustration: Superstar Tsu Surf, and one half of the battle rap duo GunTitles, got locked up. In the most suspiciously ironic case of “WTF,” on the year anniversary of an attempted assassination that almost took his life, The Wave found himself locked up. The particulars are not important, but reeks of pronouncedly excessive targeting of a Hip-Hop star. But while incarcerated, and with one of the major players in GT being put away so closely to the match, the team and producers decided that the best thing for the competition and fans was to bringing a substitute for the battle. They tapped young Chess, 21, out of the Bronx. Fans were mixed about the choice, because so many wanted to see Surf and his partner, Tay Roc get busy together. BUMP IN THE ROAD.
The second frustration: The event started late and did not afford one of the most anticipated battles time to happen. The Murdaland (Murda Mook & Calicoe) and Dark Lyfe (T-Top and Brizz Rawsteen) contest was nixed (or better stated postponed). The venue, The Fillmore, was not gracious enough to extend an additional 30 minutes to the league to tape the battle, leaving fans who ordered on Pay Per View sour and those in the audience disappointed. Why? Because in addition to Murdaland being some of the first generation SMACK titans, Top and Brizz are hometown heroes. Imagine how triumphant it would to have been to have Top and Brizz dance like warriors in their home state, against two of the best that ever did… YUP… SAID THAT. The battle would have just been epic, but despite their hopes to do it even at another venue, it just did not happen.
Regardless of these two setbacks, Summer Impact proved to be one f*cking amazing event, and anyone that let any of those aforementioned reasons taint their perspective on this show must be smoking crack…. Speaking of smoking crack.
The night started off with Jaz the Rapper & O’fficial aka The Bardashians against TOQ (40 B.A.R.R.S. and E Hart), and one of the defining bars was when Jaz-O asserted that 40 was smoking crack. Battle rap (female battle rap in particular is brutal).
Many did not believe that Jaz and O’fficial would have the chemistry to beat such bar heavy victors as Hart and 40. But Jaz and O’fficial showed at least one of the two why they are URL’s main stage ladies. With bars like the crack line, they had 40 shook, so much so her partner could not help her. But it was not because of the choking that these two won… they just were better.
It was like watching the birth of Wonder Woman and her twin sister Nubia united in a sinister twist of unbelievable girl power magic. Instead of of using that rope of truth, these battle rap amazons tied their opponents up with lyrical lasso of “leave them alone” causing TOQ to forfeit their last round (which did not matter because this had already been the body of not only the night, but the year).
“I’m from New Orleans – it’s in my genes to be better denim, that’s how a bitch from the boot cut” – @OfficialRealRap#SummerImpact
Rap Grid pulled the right quotes. Because 40 B.A.R.R.S., who made her premiere on the URL stage showed how ill prepared she was to stand before a crowd of 2,000 people. And the crowd smelled insecurity, quickly jumping to a boo and later dividing the team… sympathetically cheering for Hart, while alienating the heralded “Queen” of The Ring. If we could quote Cortez, this was “nasty.”
The second battle was NWX vs Every Fuccin Bar featuring DNA, K-Shine, Geechi Gotti and Rum Nitty. This might have been one of the greatest back and forths of the night. It was light-hearted and filled with good sportsmanship. It was refreshing to see professionals take the stage and demonstrate for the culture what fierce rivalry, but civility looks like… even as you are coming to take your opponents heads off rhyme for rhyme.
The seasoned NWX controlled the stage with their wordplay and performance. It is to note that while the gifted DNA could have freestyled the entire battle and won, he played off of a carefully crafted Shine- matching his high-energy performance like a good tag team does. It has to be said… Shine looks like he was born to be on the stage, and DNA looks like the proud coach making the possibility of stardom a reality for his partner. They matched up like Kobe and Shaq, Jordan and Pippen, like Lebron and Dwyane… just seamlessly. But they were not on their stage alone. Newly formed EFB were very much there. It seems like a no brainer: Two Crips coming together… both from The West Coast… both on a galactic rise in URL… both super creative with rhyme construction. But again, people were unsure if this match-up was more about homeboys catching a vibe, or two competitors linking to make a mega motion picture.
Well… EFB were the stars of this movie that played out before our eyes in Charlotte. If the sports references are true for NWX, it has to be said that EFB went together like Pacino and Dinero, The Rock and Kevin Hart or Will and Martin.
Effortlessly, the two teams put on a classic. #CantCallThisOne
The next battle was Good Clipz vs. Multiple Remixes featuring Goodz da Animal, Charlie Clipz, Hitman Holla and John John Da Don.
The definition of a preference battle, the two put on for the camera. What did you expect with two emerging TV stars, a swag god and arguably one of the most dangerous artists in battle rap? Another first time team-ups was Hitman and John John. Clever. Entertaining. Masterfully delivered. There is something about when two series artists look at their craft with respect, and show up prepared to do what they have said they would do. Or if it wasn’t that respectfully crafted, them dudes sure made it look so. Perhaps it is because both of them are athletes and bring the discipline needed to win the game, or it could have been the added adrenaline running through their veins that pushed them off the charts… after all… they were going against Goodz and Clips.
Clips and Goodz are scary together. The fear comes from Houdini Goodz the Hypnotist, who has a way stirring that cup of Henny, staring out into the crowd and making them react whatever way he pleases. That has to be terrifying for a battler going up against him. He is charming and talented. Equally, Charlie Clips is gifted. The Harlem native combines all his natural charisma and meshed it with the valuable lessons he is learning as a principal cast member of the hit Nick Cannon, Wild N’ Out show (a show that he co-stars on with Hitman). They had jokes. They had punches and out of the two, Clips had one of the best 3rd rounds of his career, maybe the year, maybe ever…. Nah… not ever… the 3rd against T- Rex at Summer Madness 4 was exceptional.
This battle could go 2-1 either way. #AnotherClassic
After this epic battle, fans were almost exhausted from cheering so hard for this well developed roster. The first three battles where intense. They offered surprises, after surprises and could have been too much for the average battle rap fans. But this is URL… fans are different here. They are use to WWE type events. They are used to mega stars being on high voltage. This next battle had two sets of those mega stars, but like the first match the verbal contest did not bring glory to one pair.
Quest McCody and Marv Won are legends. For years they were the most prominent 2-on-2 pairing. They are contemporaries of Eminem when he was on the battle rap scene. They are again, legends. But against two of Jersey’s finest, Shot Suge and Nu Jerzey Twork aka The Monstars, they looked amatuer-ish. It made you feel that feeling that you felt when Jordan came back and played for the Wizard. Indeed, while not garbage, they were not the superior level battlers that you have come accustomed to seeing. They were good, but their pace was slow. Battling is about who would you want to be in the stage… Suge and Twork were young and fresh. They had performances that matched the Monstars persona that they impressed on the industry early on in the promotional season. They had bars.
Quest and Marv had some bars too… especially in the last round where it seemed like they caught some fire… but it was not enough to match the authentic magic that those two Jersey boys, Crip and Blood united, had on that stage. It was truly a battle that showed the passing of the guard to a next generation (and yeah… Suge been around but he is emerging in the last few years as one of those voices that you have to respect… and do so without any bully tactics).
The title match-up was between two undeniable Mt. Rushmore battlers and faces of URL’s future. We went into the complications associated with this battle. Quite a few believed that Chess was not ready to take on Hollow or Lux. Even more believed that he did not deserve the opportunity.
HOW-SO-EVER…
Chess not only stepped up to the plate, but he eat ever single crumb, sopped every bit of gravy, damn near licked the saucer during this battle. And Dracula was the perfect person to usher him into this victorious performance. Don’t let that statement fool you. There needs to be several reviews of the battle to call a winner, but without a doubt and with all clarity, Chess is a victor on that stage with three legends.
Tay Roc and Chess have a brotherhood. The Cave Gang collective was in full effect giving their gun heavy spitting brothers the energy that propelled them into battles barking on Lux and Hollow. Tay Roc had been there before… remember he killed a god before on Summer Madness 6.
But beloved…..
Lux and Hollow were god-like on the stage. Prophet and Prodigal Son. Preacher and Drug Addict. Shaft and Sweetback (pause). Zeus and Poseidon. When these two started rapping an aura encircled them and you could hear the battle rap gods whispering “Beasley, you thought the app was genius, this is platinum level excellence, changing the face of battle rap forever.”
In their third round, Lux and Hollow started off talking to these “little n*ggas,” and then genius-ly turned on each other and went at each other. Astonishingly, fans watched as these two created Hip-Hop euphoria with theatrics and showmanship par excellence. But that can’t and does not take away from Tay Roc and Chess…. who were out of here with no missed steps… with no dropped balls (pause again)… with un-see-able errors and the grace that the two needed to remind people that they are battle rap KINGS. Both Chess and Tay Roc reminded the community who the f*ck they are, and could only do that by having a debatable classic with two stellar and divine caliber opponents. Yes, Surf did not perform… but again… if you love the sport… you were more than satisfied… dare we say gleefully delighted with the performance that this re-imagined team put forth.
The rap world was spun on its head in disbelief last week when emerging artists and The Source Magazine‘s most recent Unsigned Hype inductee, Tsu Surf has arrested again on weapon related charges. More unbelievable is that the hit happened exactly a year to date from the day an attempted assassination on him life was thwarted.
Surf in a unicorn. He is one of the few battle rappers to have his feet successfully planted in both words: Commercial Rap and Battle Rap. However, his achilles heel is the cold hard streets of Newark and all of the alluring trimmings that he just can’t seem to shake. This street life paralleled all of the success that is hovering over his star. This is unfortunate… Not only because his career is at stake (this summer promises to be a breakthrough one for him)… But also for the people connected to him.
Case in point… He has a mixtape with Sacramento rapper Mozzy that is set to drop this summer… Surely, him being on lock will affect the promotion of the joint. But more immediately, it will affect his partner in the super group Gun Titles, Tay Roc. The two of them were billed to battle against another Loaded Hollows (Loaded Lux and Hollow Da Don) at the upcoming rap event, Summer Impact. This concert has been called the event of the decade for the premier rap league in the industry. However, with this recent arrest… things seem to be up in the air as The Wave is not available to rhyme.
But all is not lost… SMACK WHITE, owner of The Ultimate Rap League, states that they are doing everything that they can to make sure that fans still get the performance of a lifetime… even if it is not with Tsu Surf. In fact, on social media, he is reminding people why Tay Roc should not be counted out.
URL has announced that Chess, a member of Tay Roc’s Cave Gang, will step in as a substitute. They will form the new group, GunzNCake.
It makes sense… He is hungry. He has been hanging out with both Surf and Roc all summer… And has had a few good showings over his last few battles.
Chess says “People thought it was over for me… but nah… Can’t no old nigga gonna talk to me?”
Some were rooting for Ave or Chef Trez. If The Source could have weighed in… we wanted Brizz to do double duty and kill a bunch of Mt. Rushmore Vets in one single execution.
Regardless of what you feel about CHESS, understand this:
Roc needed a partner for one of the most historic matches in Battle Rap, and could’ve called ANYBODY….and he called someone who HE believes will be the perfect partner in the place of Surf for Loaded Hollows
48 hours into the new year and you already know what that means.
The time has come for The Source to announce our top 20 battle rappers and top 5 events of the previous year. Looking back, one thing is clear: The culture is bubbling to new heights. 2018 not only gave platform for the emergence of great talent, but produced some of greatest battles of all times.
Before we get into the list, lets review some of our favorite moments and bars of the year.
In 2018, we saw the return on a few battle rap veterans: Murda Mook , Jae Millz , T- Rex and Reed Dollaz proved that you can go away and do mainstream projects and still come home to an attentive audience. Some were able to deliver their classic flows to an anxious newby crowd that had only seen them on grainy YouTube, others seemed outdated and out of touch with the culture as it is now. Either way, these battlers created quite a stir on some of the top cards of the year.
We also enjoyed the stripped down, low production styled battles that we saw with URL’s new BANNED series and Smack Vol. series and the make-up battle between Ill Will and Calicoe on the RBE Lift His Soul 5.
Speaking of BANNED…
Lets revisit the Nu Jerzey Twork vs Chess for one of our first moments and favorite haymakers. A classic battle indeed, both men traded slick shots back and forth. While we appreciated the disrespectful tone of the bout, we doubt Smack appreciated getting his pockets tapped in round 3 as Twork got ‘strapped in.’
“I’m strapped in… Nah, Nah… I ain’t even strapped. I’m still on strike. Y’all gotta deal with that! All this pay-per-view shit, I don’t like what I’m hearing Smack. You made $2.5 million? Nigga where its at?”
Another bar that we loved also comes from the front man from The Goonies. On SMACK Vol. 2, against Aye Verb, at the top of round three, Twork attempts a kill shot with his trademark.
Let’s go in unison: “I’m strapped in! I’ll clap you in a coma! Madness! I could snap at any moment….”
“I pull a pound! 100 clip, he get the fully round!He don’t know who did it.. I’m over the body with the hoodie down”
Now lets get into the list. We surveyed over all kinds of battle rap enthusiasts for the last three months (including fans, league owners, bloggers/ influencers and the battlers). The surveys were done in s qualitative manner with special attention to what fans have said and what rappers outside of the culture believe. With over 200 submissions, here are the results.
Before you get your Twitter fingers moving, we’re not done. There is more…
Honorable Mentions
Goodz makes our honorable mentions because he was undeniably one of the best battlers of the year, though he only battle twice this year. While he was god-like against last year’s number one battler Tay Roc, his battle against Jimz was lackluster and ended in a fight. We look forward to an even better year from the vet, as he is scheduled to battle Cassidy on URL.
Ill Will has been cooking, showing up ready to battle and representing Pontiac to the fullest. Those surveyed did not vote him on the list, but we could not let this listing go without noting that he did his thing and deserved to be on the list. His Calicoe and T-Top battles were not only entertaining but proved that he just ain’t anything to be “f*cked” with.
Goonies’ Ryda and female rapper QB Black Diamond also deserve honorable mentions.
This year we felt it was necessary to include top events as well. Check out our top events list below.
Top 5 Events:
URL’s Nome 8
RBE’s Rare Breeds
RBE’s Lift His Soul 5
URL’s SM8
URL’s SMACK Vol. 3
Honorable Mentions:
S.E.A. Cinco De Mayo
K.O.T.D.’s Massacre 4
RapGrid’s Atlanta vs. Everybody
Extra Special Mentions:
BANNED series…. all of them
Thank you to all the fans and survey participants. The culture is alive and well. See you next year.
Harlem battle rap legend Loaded Lux is set to make his long-awaited return to SMACK / URL next year, with a NOME 9 appearance battling against St Louis’ Aye Verb in Houston, Texas.
Without a doubt, one of the greatest battle rappers of all-time, news of the return of Loaded Lux to the world’s biggest battle rap stage in URL has sent battle rap fans in a frenzy and looks to set up 2019 as the biggest year for battle rap yet. Facing a formidable opponent in Aye Verb (who most recently took it all the way and then some with Murda Mook on RBE earlier this year), this is the battle that fans have been requesting ever since then. The announcement yesterday on Christmas Day was the greatest present that owner Beasley could have gifted fans.
This is just one more battle that URL has lined up, that has fans trembling with joy. The other announced battle that is on deck is Goodz vs. Cassidy. Goodz is one of the most formidable emcees in the culture and Cassidy… well everyone knows about the Philly vet.
Coming up battling for years off-camera throughout New York before making his on-camera debut, Loaded Lux has previously battled in the SMACK/URL DVD era against Midwest Miles (aka Young Miles in 2006), and most famously against Murda Mook over eight rounds back in November 2003 in the Bronx. Lux then went on to battle half a dozen times on the now defunct 106 & Park on BET in 2009. In the most modern era post-SMACK DVD on URLTV, Lux headlined Summer Madness 2 vs. a young Calicoe in a classic and battled a very tough Charlie Clips on a heated Summer Madness 5 three years later in 2015. Lux has also had a classic vs. Hollow Da Don on UW (2014), rematched with Murda Mook on Eminem’s Total Slaughter in 2014 before most recently battling Arsonal Da Rebel on UW mid last year for Arsonal’s then supposed retirement battle.
Verb will be no easy opponent by any stretch of the imagination for Lux. The experienced Verb has had near 50 battles on camera over the last decade since the Grind Time era on multiple platforms. He has stood on that stage and like Lux also faced off against Charlie Clips, Hollow Da Don, Arsonal, T-Rex, Midwest Miles (twice) and of course most recently with Murda Mook in a performance which really made its own case for him to now face Lux. Aye Verb’s complete battle resume is one of the most impressive overall, having also battled the likes of K-Shine, Math Hoffa, O-Red, Pat Stay, Hitman Holla, Dizaster, Tsu Surf, Cortez, Goodz amongst dozens of others.
This battle has been long in the making for seven-plus years already, and Verb’s recent strong showing vs. Mook coupled with strong fan support for this battle to go down now means the time is now finally right for Lux to greenlight it. The battle means a lot to both, a Lux win will really see him cement his place at the top end of battle rap table while a win for Aye Verb would really rattle the battle rap Mount Rushmore. Stay tuned to The Source for news as the lead-up to this monumental battle.
Canada’s talented and imposing yet hilarious Pat Stay is set to battle URL’s top gunner, Tay Roc on SMACK/ URL’s Summer Madness 8. This card will be the league’s first ever abroad event held in London on Saturday, November 10th. Since the Don’t Flop (UK’s most dominant battle rap platform) hit a low a couple of years ago, leaving the British battle climate ripe to have other platforms emerge. One example is Canadian league King Of The Dot (KOTD), who has teamed up with Chalked Out to fill this gap. You know who is else looking to at least test the waters? SMACK/URL, the #1 English speaking league in the world.
Pat Stay ascension to the URL has been a long, patient road. Many believe it is overdue because he has put the work in. Stay has had classic battles on KOTD with many of the top battlers in the culture: Arsonal, Hollow Da Don, Dizaster, Head I.C.E, Math Hoffa, Charlie Clips, Daylyt, Bigg K, Serius Jones and a heated encounter with Calicoe. He has battled DNA on UDUBB, Aye Verb and Danny Myers on RBE, and both John John Da Don and Tony D on the UK’s Don’t Flop. Battling artists that have been known to win on URL should give him insight on what to expect that Summer Madness stage (albeit a different dynamic as no one knows if the URL European fanbase differs across the pond).
If Pat Stay is able to have a strong performance versus Tay Roc next month, the demand for him to make his URL debut in America will be hard to ignore. And perhaps, we could expect to see him on a URL New York stage early next year. Pat Stay’s comedic ability is likely to play in his favor in England, but if Roc is able to get in his bag and rebuttal with unexpected jokes of his own it could hit twice as hard and turn the battle around possibly.
Anything can happen with these two.
While Tay Roc has proven over the years to be nearly unbeatable on URL in New York (having battled nearly every top name), some would say he has been less convincing on the road. His battle against Dizaster in LA was not his best performance. Also, despite being booed by an attentive and at times hostile Houston crowd when he battled Goodz, he still took away a 2-1 debatable win. Those domestic battles have done little to alter how anyone looks at Roc as a champion. But his battle against the Canadian born, Charron is one that people are pointing to as caution for The Gun Bar King. Tay Roc had a very difficult battle versus the KOTD/Wild ’N Out’s star on UDUBB. Fans will look at Pat Stay and Charron as similar types of opponents. That would be pedestrian, as both emcees bring entirely different swag to the table. The only things that are similar is that they are funny, white and from Canada.
Another thing to note is that this will be his first ever international battle for Roc. And to go against the seasoned traveler Pat Stay will prove to be a difficult match-up, particularly in front of the much more neutral London crowd.
Salute to Tay Roc for taking a challenging and possibly awkward battle here. Roc has been developing his pen and pushing himself to be more than just the Gun Bar King. This battle represents a real opportunity for Roc to showcase the creative writing ability and personality. Real Talk: despite his age, Roc is a bonafide vet, seasoned over the last 14+ years. Fans and critics need to remember that, as Roc’s superpower tends to make people cast him as the underdog. If Tay Roc is able to overcome what he has called himself his “biggest challenge yet” in a multi-faceted and adaptable Pat Stay in London, the case for Roc to be etched on Battle Rap’s Mt. Rushmore increases.
The announcement comes on the back of the Battle of Da Don’s headliner for Summer Madness 8, with Hollow Da Don set to face his name-sake nemesis in John John Da Don in what is sure to be a heated encounter and is long awaited. With only two battles announced to date for SM8, the card is already looking fire and has sent battle rap fans into a frenzy. It will be interesting to see how all the battle emcees adapt to an away URL crowd in London – now a long, long way away from New York’s home.
London fans, tickets available now from here to support the culture and allow battle rap to continue to develop. The Pay Per View is available as usual from http://www.watchbattlelive.com/
Drake seems to pay close attention to things outside of mainstream music charts, competition and currency. Back in 2015, Murda Mook taunted hip-hop’s biggest superstar to step into the world of battle rap. Drake made a cameo on SMACK URL’s “Night of Main Events 5 in 2015 to address the possible Murda Mook battle. When asked about the battle, Drake threw some shade on the New York battle rep veteran. “You gotta beat Surf first before you get to me,” said the “In My Feelings” artist.
Aside from the possibility of his battle with Murda Mook that never happened, the 6 God keeps tabs on what’s going on in the underground world of battle rap. In the world of battle rap, lines are crossed and girlfriends mothers and other close relatives may get mentioned. And it may not be in the most respectful manner. In a recent battle between Nu Jerzey Twork and Eazy Da Block Captain, things got heated once Twork decided to get personal and mention Eazy’s girlfriend. She happened to be standing right next to him. Twork starts by sayings, “Me and shorty you cuffing are great friends… he’s a f*****g replacement…. you remember them long night of me f******g your face in.” Peep the vulgar statement at 4:30.
Well, this line caught the attention of Drizzy at 5:41.
“Hahahahahahah this guy really sent it. Nah I would have been heated if my ting never told me that. Oh my God.” One can assume that Drake usually has his eyes on the battle rap ring, although it is pretty sure that he will never enter the ring itself. He can’t risk the corporate ties. That wouldn’t be a good ting.
Well, #BARSISBACK. At this point of his rap career, Cassidy is staunch on strictly feeding the mouths of lyricist lovers and he is taking a route rap fans to favor his presence, the battle rap arena.
This past weekend, founder of the Ultimate Rap League, Smack White made an official announcement confirming the Philly rap veteran’s position to battle on SMACK/URL. According to Smack, Cassidy will officially return the ring in 2019.
“I got an opportunity to make history with my brother. I needed to make that happen for my legacy and I was able to accomplish that. So 2019 look for it,” said Smack. “Motherf*cking Cassidy and URL TV!”
Despite not having a grand presence in modern-day battle rap culture, Cassidy has managed to participate in battles that are deemed iconic. Primarily, in the infancy of his hip-hop coming with fellow Philly rap veteran Freeway and his most recent match against battle rap notable, Dizaster.
Back in June, he shared a telling video hinting a return to the ring under the guise of surprise.
“Me and Smack been talking lately and we got a surprise for y’all real soon.”
Ever since the boom of social networks, especially ones with a strict visual appeal like Instagram, Cassidy (in a respective right to being lyrically inclined), took on and marbled the phrase #BARSISBACK, insinuating an unapologetic return back to the mic. Periodically sharing several off-the-tops on his social media feeds, the “I’m a Hustla” spitter clearly has not lost a step in his rhythm and has even showcased a grand sense of evolution in overall content. Call it an upgrade, but with bars marbled in a message along modern-day corruption, street realities, and hip-hop controversies, Cassidy is beyond equipped for the battle arena, once again.
(@SLIME_Gunna1K) 
(@Th3Saga)