Hip hop culture is pervasive, it crosses multiple boundaries as well as different genres of music. I love hip hop, I love the music, the fashion, the lifestyle and how far it reaches in American society. One of the truest forms of hip hop, and one of my favorite aspects, is the battle scene. Nothing combines the maxims of original hip hop like a good battle. There are lyrics, punchlines, crowd reactions and money on the line, all in a quest to prove you are better than your competitor.
Today's pop culture of radio bullshit has pushed lyrics to the side, in favor of gimmicks, processed beats and follow-along YouTube dances. In turn, battling, predicated on lyrical content, has moved to the underground circuit. While it remains outside of the mainstream, there is still a large following for battle MCs, enough that there is competition for where you can find the best battle scene.
Based on Internet hits and the amount of MCs in each camp, there appear to be three circuits in the running for best battles: Smack, Grind Time and Fight Klub.
Smack has a sterling reputation for being a big stepping stone that can lead to MCs getting deals. It is well known in the rap community and therefore you see a lot of A-list artists doing promos on the DVDs. It is a barber shop mainstay, where many MCs begin building a name and some get too embarassed to ever recover. Originally a DVD franchise, Smack is making the transition to new media, popping up on YouTube and continuing battles than can be seen in a more widespread fashion.
Grind Time is a West-coast-based outfit, putting "Fresh coast" artists on the map. Assisted by WorldStarHipHop.com, Grind Time has loads of talent that you've never heard of, but classic lyrics and punchlines. Already an Internet-based production, Grind Time has a strong following and could produce the next big thing that the West coast desperately needs.
Fight Klub is an MTV production, that has carried over into the YouTube spectrum where its has seen an extended life. The desolate MTV2 had a good thing going with Fight Klub, but with no one getting the channel, ratings were not at a premium. Fight Klub draws big names and has classic battles, and thanks to the Internet, it can still be enjoyed by battle enthusiasts.
Experience samples for yourself and decide who is best.
Smack:
Iron Solomon vs. Math
Jin vs. Verse
Serius Jones vs. Murda Mook
Grind Time:
Dumbfoundead vs. The Saurus
Reverse Live vs. Dizaster
F.L.O. vs Dumbfoundead
Fight Klub:
Serius Jones vs. Jin
Jin vs. Iron Solomon
Big Ace vs. Serius Jones
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