Is battle rap due for a change in format?

**Emseed** · 03-29-2017, 01:28 AM

Maybe its just me, but battle rap feels kinda stale to me now. I was thinking maybe because the format hasn't changed in 10 years. Is battle rap due for a change in format or is it fine the way it is? An example of a new format that showed up in battle rap was the Grime Clash Battles that the UK have.

**riffic** · 03-29-2017, 04:09 AM

Spit your second round first. Then half your third. Then your slogan. Half your first round on beat, the other half as a text battle. Never speak of the other half of your third.

**karkcack** · 03-29-2017, 04:19 AM

some more of those don't flop 4 bar freestyle battles would be cool

**Spacelab** · 03-29-2017, 04:24 AM

This is one example of a great format:

YouTube

Don't Flop could do these for sure

**The Wrist** · 03-29-2017, 04:30 AM

change in styles I think as opposed to format......too many biters......especially from dudes who aren't actually hip hop guys doing this...they don't really get it

**riffic** · 03-29-2017, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spacelab

This is one example of a great format:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqqh6KHPnqw

Don't Flop could do these for sure

go to 3:00 for one of my favorite freestyle sequences ever

god QP is so good

**RickyProehl** · 03-29-2017, 05:15 AM

No way jose

**lukej** · 03-29-2017, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wrist

change in styles I think as opposed to format......too many biters......especially from dudes who aren't actually hip hop guys doing this...they don't really get it

This.

**phoenix** · 03-29-2017, 07:42 AM

I find myself rather watching old battles than new ones. I miss the ambiente of Events like BOTB 1-5, BOLA, MOB (basically all of old GrindTime) and some KOTD Events like WD1, WD2, Blackout 2,....

Battles were short and direct insults, haymaker every two bars. And not long ass stretched schemes about football, sinks, vegetables, basketball or whatever else. Just remove all filler and get back to battling.

I think bringing back a freestyle tournament would be great. World Rap Championship, Spin the Mic, etc.

**SonnyDaze** · 03-29-2017, 12:00 PM

Across all platforms I'd like to see shorter battles. Bottom-tier battles should never go beyond 15 minutes, mid-tier battles should be around 20, and top tier battles shouldn't go beyond 30 minutes. KOTD, specifically with the Bunker, generally has been doing a good job of delivering on this end.

**vokab206** · 03-29-2017, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenix

I find myself rather watching old battles than new ones. I miss the ambiente of Events like BOTB 1-5, BOLA, MOB (basically all of old GrindTime) and some KOTD Events like WD1, WD2, Blackout 2,....

Battles were short and direct insults, haymaker every two bars. And not long ass stretched schemes about football, sinks, vegetables, basketball or whatever else. Just remove all filler and get back to battling.

I think bringing back a freestyle tournament would be great. World Rap Championship, Spin the Mic, etc.

lol @ sinks. I heard a scheme about foreskin at the event I was at last Saturday. Whole crowd cringed.

**ghettonetics** · 03-29-2017, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wrist

change in styles I think as opposed to format......too many biters......especially from dudes who aren't actually hip hop guys doing this...they don't really get it

So you're saying get rid of Canada all together

**erfworm** · 03-29-2017, 02:12 PM

KOTD Grime Clash event
@Organik
@AVOCADO

**peace** · 03-29-2017, 02:15 PM

shorter rounds would definitely be a plus. i think leagues should get better at recognizing who can and who can't maintain interest with three three-to-four-minute rounds. there are so many rappers who could excel if 90 seconds were the limit. it makes battlers easier to push and battles much more replayable.

**Rtongsta** · 03-29-2017, 02:44 PM

i would love to see 5 round battles with strict 60 or 90 second time limits

**RandallFlagg** · 03-29-2017, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erfworm

KOTD Grime Clash event

Keep that shit across the pond. I speak for all North Americans when I say we dont anything to do with that bass heavy gibberish.

The format is fine and has evolved naturally over the decade out of necessity. It just needs refining (ex The Bunker) When other leagues catch up and learn to film/edit a standard battle like Avo then MAYBE we can look at some change in format here and there.

I wouldn't mind seeing some occasional gimmick battles. 4 bar trade offs/topics. Battle royals. 2 on 2s. Crew vs crew. But again I dont want to see this kind of stuff become trend until the quality of standard battles becomes uniform.

**erfworm** · 03-29-2017, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallFlagg

Keep that shit across the pond. I speak for all North Americans when I say we dont anything to do with that bass heavy gibberish.

watdyamean watdyamean u fool

YouTube

**Emancee** · 03-29-2017, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erfworm

KOTD Grime Clash event

Grime maybe not. It's a lil' too English, innit guv!

However, there are other kinds of rap going in on the states. How about doing an old-style UFC-style battle league.

Just like UFC had Karate vs Taekwondo, Kung Fu vs Capoeira etc. etc. I would love to see an event where guys with an NYC style battled some really dirty south cats or some West coast g-funk style MCs battled some Cleveland double timers. All over beats live, pre-writtens allowed.

Haha! Probably I am the only one who wants this, but I think it would be dope.

**erfworm** · 03-29-2017, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emancee

Grime maybe not. It's a lil' too English, innit guv!

Theres a Grime fanbase in Toronto but im not sure if it overlaps with the still-in-2002 hip hop backpacker fanbase that go to battle rap events.

On a real though, some on beat battles would be a good look, nothing too serious just a bit of fun. Would also give a chance for battlers to seperate between who can actually rap and who cant.

**cdizzle** · 03-29-2017, 04:15 PM

I fucked with the freestyle battles KOTD used to do at WD but they all got views in the low thousands which probably explains why we dont see them anymore.

Also if the format is a problem, I assure you grime clash is not the solution. In NA atleast. I just want to see more 90 second rounds. Not trying to see dudes I've never heard of in 20 minute battles

**vokab206** · 03-29-2017, 04:24 PM

No Coast and AHAT have been keeping it fresh lately. Lots of excitement with the road trip. KOTD is prepping for two events in Toronto this month and there is footage coming from Vancouver and Arizona. It'll be fine.

Going to the events is way more fun than watching them online. I usually am listening to battles at work so I'm not too loud with responses. If I'm at an event I'm in the mood and ready to vibe out. There is a substantial difference.

**Emseed** · 03-29-2017, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erfworm

KOTD Grime Clash event
@Organik
@AVOCADO

It doesn't have to be a grime clash, they could use America's own styles. Ness Lee had a grime type of battle against Dialect in Don't Flop. But instead Ness used his southern flow which was dope. I'd be interested to see Bill Collector in that type of format

**MrMumbles905** · 03-29-2017, 11:07 PM

Not much you can change
grime and on beats will add but not replace