Chaz KangasOnce upon a time, if battle rap fans wanted to see their heroes compete, they had to do it in person. Today, however, battling is big business, and the internet brings it all right to you. For example, launching this summer is Alchemy Network's Rap Battle Network, an official YouTube channel that will operate on a paid subscription service.
In any case, this summer could well include some classics; here are our picks for the five most anticipated.
See also: Top 10 Rap Battles in History
5) Charron vs. Shotgun Suge
King of the Dot: World Domination IV: August 23rd & 24th
Canada's King of the Dot often books match-ups where styles clash and worlds collide, and their fourth annual World Domination event in August will be no exception. Included on the bill is longtime KOTD favorite Charron (who recently had viral success with his “Smoking Crack with Rob Ford” video) against frequent Smack/URL main eventer Shotgun Suge. Irreverence will meet controversy in a bout certain to get folks talking.
4) Dizaster vs. T Rex
URL: Night of Main Events 3: June 23rd
Last December, Ultimate Rap League's Armageddon event was cancelled, stalling both Dizaster's highly anticipated URL debut, as well as what was sure to be a showstopping battle with respected outspoken veteran T Rex. Now, six months later, the two are finally set to square of. Rex is one of the most knowledgable minds and gifted performers in battling and Dizaster's is one of the biggest names in the game. This is likely to be one for the ages.
See also: Ghost-Writing Allegation Rocks the Rap Battle World
3) Math Hoffa vs. Daylyt
Rap Battle Network
The Rap Battle Network's debut event was filmed for YouTube last week on a Los Angeles soundstage, with some very promising match-ups. The talk of the event has been the controversy surrounding the Math Hoffa vs. Daylyt battle, as Daylyt reportedly pulled out a pillow and attempted to literally sleep during Math's rounds, leading to escalating tensions. The fallout is arguably the most anticipated battle footage since last year's Dizaster vs. Canibus kerfuffle.
See also: Did Canibus Ruin His Career by Breaking Out His Notebook During a Rap Battle?
2) Pat Stay vs. Arcane
King of the Dot: World Domination IV: August 23rd & 24th
KOTD's World Domination event this August marks the promotion's fifth anniversary. While most battle leagues tend to peter out much more quickly, KOTD's exponential growth each year has only brought bigger and better things for the organization. It's fitting, then, that World Domination IV's main event boasts two MCs who've been with the promotion since its first year. Given that they've both seen controversy recently, this might be the most unpredictable one-on-one battle this year.
1) Dizaster vs. Cortez
King of the Dot: Fresh Coast Take Over: June 28th
A battle many thought would never happen will finally go down, as Cortez and Dizaster square off in the main event of KOTD's Fresh Coast Take Over in Los Angeles. Already cancelled on three separate occasions, it appears that one of battling's greatest dream matches will finally go down. Both Cortez and Dizaster have been iconic since battling's late-2000s renaissance, and this event will certainly become a cornerstone in each's legacies. Both, for sure, have something to prove.
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