If you are not a believer in battle rap, then you’re naive to the turn of tides within the Hip-Hop game. The music industry is doing a complete 180; where most artist are realizing their worth and taking independent routes to push their music (TIDAL) or are signing to artist-owned labels (Roc Nation, OVO). With Battle Rap STILL on the rise, the impact it has cemented on the industry is here to stay. As the monetary value continues to increase within battle rap, you start to see who really is here for the sport or a check. Artists are beginning to take the leap of faith to put their reputation on the line and step in the ring with lyrical assassins, as long as it compensates for their time. Current industry artists were always skeptical but one in particular who is never shy to put himself out there; Joe Budden. He took on Hollow Da Don at Total Slaughter which aired on cable and streamed on pay per view. Even he admitted, on PSA radio before the battle and after the battle, that Battle Rapping takes A LOT out of a person and he respects the artistry of it to the fullest. Ever since then, eyes are ALL on battle rap and whats next for the culture.
If you are not a believer in battle rap, NOME 5 should have made you one. The URL team has sold out the venue a week in advance, making it the first time for any league to sell out a week before the event.
Check out the line Rapgrid caught waiting to be let into Irving Plaza.
Battle Rap can only go up from here as its preparation for events are at an all time high. There were some familiar faces in attendance for the event like Joe Budden, Drake, Mook, Jack Thriller, Hitman Holla, Conceited, Loaded Lux, and more. The more stars that continue to show face at events only helps show how far battle rap has came from being stigmatized as having a violent atmosphere. The feeling of attending events and watching them on camera are totally different when there’s one thousand plus people coming together to enjoy a war of words.
The night was much more than a success as various matches were spewed and could potentially create the Summer madness 5 card. The appearance of Drake on the smack stage sent the hip hop world into a frenzy as OldManEbro from Hot97 caught wind of the moment. Tsu Surf, who battled Tay Roc at NOME, is the opponent drake wants to see Mook battle first before they talk about a real battle between them. Now, us at Def Pen personally believe that the match up has been already set in place as Surf and Mook have been expressing interest in battling each other. Another assurance that Mook and Surf is already set is because Clips, being the only other worthy contender at this point to battle Mook, is set to battle Lux at Summer Madness 5. Now we ALL want to see Mook vs Surf. so lets thank Drake later.
FINALLY, BEASLEY GAVE IN. The ever dreading question Beasley was always asked and hated to answer was about the bringing the URL to the pay per view world, but he finally tried it. As the fans loved the instant access, Beasley’s and Smack’s main problem was losing the value of his content in one day and that is what happened. Multiple bootlegs of the battles started appearing on youtube as early as 11pm, an hour after the event ended. The numbers said it all as smack went on AngryFansRadio and announced they will not participate in PPV anymore. For the full 2 part interview, click here: Part one, Part two. Recaps for each battle will be released when Smack decides to drop it on YouTube, so continue supporting the league.
Here’s an insight of what you missed, from the fans.
Aye Verb vs K-Shine
Shine is doing EXACTLY what he did wrong against Wavy.. He’s SLOWING DOWN! And it’s working Up 2-0 on Verb
— Timbo (@TopBattleRaps)
K shine is wiggin vs aye verb #NOME5
— Poison Pen (@PoisonPenBK)
Verb in a pushing Match w Kshine on stage. #NOME5
— Rap Grid (@rapgrid)
DNA vs Serius Jones
Standing ovation. Serius just won the whole battle off that round. Momentum swinger -DNA needs a miracle #nome5
— Rap Grid (@rapgrid)
dna v serius jones was a classic. much love to both of um. #nome5
— Feeno (@ArianFoster)
atleast no battle UNDERwhelmed! even serius & dna was a good battle URL is 2 for 2 this year can we agree?
— John John Da Don (@JohnJohnDaDon)
Jaz The Rapper vs O’fficial
@jaztherapper is cooking, @officialrealrap 1st was super FIRE though!
— The War Report (@TheWarReport_)
This is an excellent battle I hope it’s 45 minutes long! #NOME5
— OTBVA (@OTBVA)
Hollow Da Don vs Charlie Clips
@hollowdadon is just too ill.
— MR. WONDERFUL (@ActionBronson)
Fireeeeeeeeeee @CHARLIECLIPS
— MR. WONDERFUL (@ActionBronson)
Even the most successful rappers don’t LOOK DOWN on or downgrade the sport
— Conceited!! (@ConceitedNYC)
Tay Roc vs Tsu Surf
Roc my Niggggggggggggggggggggggggga man but he clearly lost — Rojas (@_D3adpool) May 10, 2015
There’s people out there who still think Pacquaio and Tay Roc won. God help them.
— Ice (@OfficiallyIce) May 11, 2015
If you are not a believer in battle rap…
More Nome 5 news is coming soon. Stay tuned.
