I remember when I first started listening to Hip Hop as a kid. I remember how rough, gritty, street and real it was. I remember how rappers would go in and spit out lyrics with a flow that was so fast and exciting, it made you stand up and take notice. They did it, almost as if it was unrehearsed and just spit what came to their minds and created a track that anyone could vibe to. Battle rapping is a form of rap where you went head to head with another rapper and test your skills to showcase your dominance. There was no Ja Rule – 50 Cent animosity; just a battle between two rappers that was done out of respect and nothing said during the battle was meant to spill over into real life.

     Today, rap has undergone a terrible transformation, it has in essence lost its edge, as making money and having untold amounts of sexual encounters seems to be the only thing most mainstream acts can relate too. The movie 8 Mile actually diminished my apathy and brought me back to when struggling rappers were trying to make a name for themselves and using the venue of battle rapping to be heard, appreciated and recognized for their skills and not their bling, bitches, and boos.

     I thought battle rapping was dead, but between BET’s 106 and Park's Freestyle Fridays and 8 Mile battle rapping is making comeback, inspiring me to find out as much as I could about today’s current Battle Raps. Interscope, home to Dre and Eminem, has become fascinated with the battle rap scene and created the multi-part documentary The Next Episode, featuring some of the hottest independent battle rappers in cities across the United States, all competing for a shot at rap supremacy as their quest is aired on national cable powerhouse station, Showtime.

     The Next Episode is loosely described as a reality version of the rap contests in the movie 8 Mile, and follows the trials and triumphs of undiscovered rappers from across America struggling to become the country’s top MC. In each city, Detroit, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York, the field is narrowed down from hundreds of rappers to the top two battlers striving to be the "NEXT." Each one-hour episode showcases two MC's–in their respective cities in a lyrical war, ending in a final battle in front of peers, with special guest DJ’s and MC’s officiating. The series culminated with a massive winner-takes-all freestyle rap battle in a final showdown in Los Angeles. Interscope Presents ‘The Next Episode' also tells the untold hip-hop history of major cities as revealed by local legends and famed rappers, including 50 Cent, Joe Budden, Wyclef, Clipse, Big Tigger, Nate Dogg, Bonecrusher, Gang Starr and Loon.

     I caught the last two episodes of the series, showcasing New York City, the birthplace of rap, and the final showdown in Los Angeles. After watching these two episodes, I just had to write about them. They were a great look into the whole battle rap scene and I enjoyed watching the whole battle unfold between some of the most talented rappers I have seen in some time. Finally, rap was taken back to its roots and it was great to see so many artists be tested without the help of producers, mixers or lyricist. They had to come in prepared, but they had to adjust to the moment and come up with lines off the top of their heads to overcome the odds and defeat their opponents. This documentary was hot, discussing how gang battles evolved into rap battles and how coming up with the lyrical poetry off the top of your head was a way of elevating people’s minds. It also discussed how rap was a way for African-American leaders to be heard, giving a new generation of social justice leaders and agitators a chance to have their opinions and struggles addressed.

Find Out What Happened on the Next Page

     Send your comments and or questions to JMinners@ybfree.com.

Related Artciles

• The Art of the DJ Battle: Battle Sounds Hip Hop Documentary - 1997 Whitney Biennial Cut
• For Hip Hop Reviews Check out YBFREE.com's Archives!

Return to YBFREE.com's Main Page