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The best known battle rapper out of Boston is holding an event this weekend.  Chilla Jones is one of the most talked about battlers of 2013 and for good reason.  Jones fits the URL mold, but is an innovator as well.  His “schemes” brought battle rap to a whole new level in 2013.  After his battle versus JC from Detroit dropped on URL.TV, schemes became much more prevalent in the battle world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWlqxqODLk8

This weekend in Alliston, MA Chilla Jones is hosting an event which invites all rappers from the Massachusetts area to showcase their skills.  The “Bosstown Cypher” will take place on 383 Cambridge St at 5 pm Sunday, April 13.  The event has two segments: the group cypher and the open cypher.  The group cypher is acapella format and is invite-only (to participants who were preselected).  The group cypher contains many battlers from the Boston area who have built their name off the Boston based “Shark Tank” battle league.  The open cypher is open to anyone who chooses to showcase their talents.  For the open cypher there will be DJ’s and a “mix of local producers” and some of their instrumentals to rhyme over as well.

I will be live-tweeting this event because in the world of battle rap, people are always looking for the next up-and-comer.  Boston is a popular city for battle rap and this cypher could contain some future legends.  This event is a great way to seize an opportunity since I’m lucky enough to live close to Boston, where the hip hop scene is prevalent and breeds some of the biggest names in battling today. 

What is Battle Rap?           

Rap music has become one of the most popular genres of music in the World.  As an art form, rap music promotes serious competition amongst its artists, which was evident even before it reached mainstream media.  “Who’s the best rapper?” Is a question most fans have an opinion on, with many criteria to include whilst supporting their claims.  Lyrics, flow, delivery, and breath control are just a few things to include while addressing a rappers skill.  The inherent competition in rap gave way to what is known as “rap battles” or “battle rap”.    In a rap battle, two rappers are competing against each other (face-to-face) in a display of their own talents while insulting (“dissing”) their opponent. 

My Beat

In 2014, battle rap is one of the most popular forms of entertainment for rap fans.  The internet has allowed rap battles to be enjoyed by anyone from the comfort of their own home.  It has also allowed rap battles to grow to a level of popularity where battles are marketed and promoted by leagues across the world.  Each continent has their own handful of popular leagues which include their own native battlers.  In America there is The Ultimate Rap League, England has Don’t Flop, etc etc.

The most popular league in North America is arguably King of the Dot (KOTD) based out of Toronto, Ontario.  In addition to their own roster, they have battlers from America, England, Australia, and even the Phillipines taking part in their events.   Some of their battles get millions of views on youtube, and allow some of the participants (league owners & popular battlers) to live comfortably off battle rap.

My hope is to keep readers up to date with KOTD and their events/video releases.  I’ll also be writing some reviews on the more popular new releases.  Since KOTD books rappers from different leagues around the world, my beat will hopefully be interesting to not only fans of Canadian battle rap, but fans of battle rap in general (whether it be from America, Australia, etc.). 

Last Summer, I personally took a trip to KOTD to participate in one of their tryout events (known as a ‘Prove Yourself’ event).  Although I was lucky enough to be invited back, I have yet to do another battle for KOTD.  Since I have experienced the feeling of participating in battles (even one in KOTD itself), hopefully my insights will be more informed than the average battle-blogger.  My experience in Canada also allowed me to spend a lot of time talking to the owner (former battler) for most of the night along with some of the biggest names in the league.  One of which has become a great friend who I talk to almost daily.  He often has not-yet-announced information that would attract any fan's interest.  Knowing some of these off-the-camera personalities is an interesting thing for most fans to read about.  I can include some of these insights which is another element that would further separate my beat from the average battle-blog.

SMACK/ URL PRESENTS LOTTAZAY VS SYAHBOY (ONE OFF)

TAY ROCK VS CORTEZ

NEW BATTLE!!