Freestyle battle

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A freestyle battle is a contest in which two or more rappers compete or battle each other using freestyle rap. Each competitor's goal is to diss their opponent through clever lyrics.

A live audience is critical to a freestyle battle. Each MC must use skill and lyrical ability to not only break down his or her opponent, but to convince the audience that (s)he is the better rapper. Appointed judges have been used in formal contests, but even when no winner is announced, the rapper who receives the best audience response is viewed as the victor. In addition, it is considered an act of dishonour to recite written and memorized raps in a battle, because it shows the rapper to be incapable of spitting spur-of-the-moment lyrics.

Freestyle battling is a prominent part of rap or hip hop culture, as highlighted in the Academy-Award winning movie 8 Mile, where actor Eminem uses freestyle battling to win money and respect.

1 Forms
- 1.1 Scrypt
- 1.2 Battle Rap
2 Notable battle rappers
3 See also

[edit] Forms

Although purists argue that the only true freestyle battles are those which place before a live audiences, battling has inspired other prominent hip hop genres:

[edit] Scrypt

Main article: Scrypt

Internet bulletin boards and instant messaging have been used as a forum to hold written freestyle battles known as scrypt. Proponents of this developing artform claim the Internet provides a comfortable environment for artists to develop lyrical skills, without being hindered by beats. Because it is less fast-paced, scrypt allows a writer to use the full range of his or her imagination and vocabulary in a battle.

[edit] Battle Rap

Battle raps are written in the same style as those used in freestyle battles, with the same elements of self-glorification, insulting language and violent simile, but are usually recorded from written lyrics. Battle rap is used to express machismo, put down other rappers (referred to as "Wack MCs") or simply as an exercise to showcase lyrical skill. In the latter form, there is usually no specific opponent intended. Battle rap has become a distinct form of hip hop music.

Some of the most significant hip hop rivalries have been developed through battle raps directed at other artists or groups. These diss tracks are distributed through the Internet, or on CDs, mixtapes or radio. Diss tracks include attacks on credibility, threats of violence and simple bragging. In longer exchanges, tracks will reference or reply to lyrics from previous tracks in the exchange. For added disrespect, tracks are sometimes recorded over the rival rapper's beats. Allegations of sleeping with the another rapper's significant other have become increasingly popular in disses. Examples include 2Pac claiming to have slept with Biggie's wife, and Jay-Z claiming to have slept with the mother of Nas' daughter.

Battle raps are viewed as closer to the original form of MCing than more essayic or narrative concept raps. This is because they feature 'shout outs' and insulting language, which evolved from the roasting (or toasting, as it was called by Jamaican ragga and dub artists) that was part of the original MC's craft.