Sat- Feb. 26th
Caffeine TV
6pm ET
Resolution 2 coming soon for the URL so let’s assess the head-to-head preview.
Several matchups in the 1st quarter with major implications for the SZN forecast.
Note: *NR- ‘non-ranked’ titans of the sport will not be included into Top 25 poll until 3 battle minimum has been fulfilled for sake of general fairness, SOS, and respect in consideration to all parties and approaches to the craft, collectively.
Fight Nite!
#NR Charlie Clips (0-0) v. #13 Lu Castro (1-1)
Initial Thought: Don’t get caught with your hands down by Charlie Clips Lu.
- So what constitutes a win for Castro if winning the fight is inconceivable? Got me to thinking, I wonder what the going odds are Charlie Clips shows up fully loaded for a Lu Castro bout that will undoubtedly take a comedic turn into the unexpected for better or worse? The easy wager here is that this bout will be one of the more entertaining of the card ripe with Clips stand-up and Lu’s personable manner of making aggression funny to smooth over his growing popularity into signatures and mantras of performance our viewership can remember and entrench fondly. For most battlers you’d say the allure of getting side-tracked with Charlie Clips antics is the exact point of which Clips begins purging his opponent of his own advantages as said opponent soon finds himself falling into the pit of humor Clips thrives in. But Lu Castro presents the rare exception. Lu Castro utilizes much of the same charm in banter Clips has found successful for so long and thus I think we can expect a scent of confidence overtaking the room for both fighters in this battle. For Clips he has to feel there is no real and actual threat of Lu Castro using his own arsenal of punches against him to win the bout just as Lu has to be brimming with excitement at the opportunity in front of him understanding the draw and core audience tuning into a Clips bout is exactly the crowd tailored to appreciate Lu’s style. All things considered Lu wins from that fact alone as he endears himself to a wider base of consumership who will enjoy his efforts without compromising or altering his own ring approach and strategy. An instance where friendly fire helps. The push to headlining stardom for Castro is now well underway and he’d be wise not to take the Adrien Broner route towards his ultimate goals in this sport with all eyes on him as one of the emerging modern Era artists being tasked with anchoring the ships future direction. Case in point, the sport of boxing didn’t need another Floyd or prototype of in order to appreciate Broner’s peak talent just like the sport of Battle Rap doesn’t need Lu Castro to emulate or flatter the imitation of anyone prior as he is unique enough on his own. That is undoubtedly key to why he is here in the position he holds now. This bout should be quite a jest.
As for rankings, a scorecard W for Lu Castro on the points would go a long way to recouping strength of schedule (SOS) back from the Drugz bout and evening out his total leaderboard stat-line as the SZN progresses. Especially considering how tough winning the points will be up against one of the most difficult to defeat entities in BR history…Furthermore Clips though ‘NR’ is the equivalent of a Top 10 opponent. Castro shouldn’t want too many L’s columned to begin the SZN.
#3 Eazy The Block Captain (0-0) v. #NR Aye Verb (0-0)
Initial Thought: Eazy makes plain sense of the sport. And the lure of it is a skill.
- Verb through self-admission has acknowledged the tactical wit of Eazy but might there be even more method to the madness than just that? Soon we will see what behooves the ambition of Eazy The Block Captain to merge his desire to win with his proclivity to conduct adult psychology on his opponent. Reading the tell within so much public accessibility of late has shown just how coordinated and fundamentally aware Eazy truly is of his opposition. Will be very intriguing to see how Verb goes on the attack as a vet who’s seen it all. If we know anything we know Aye Verb can build the billing of a fight when he so chooses and will not back down. Here we find the latest example of Verb admittedly luring a fighter out into the promotional wild and issuing the challenge you cannot refuse to the most dangerous threat he can be trifled with to suit his interest. And here it is. Rashad Denton can be found Wednesdays on Peacock TV in a perilous pursuit of Will Smith. Eazy will be in the ring Saturday the 26th for the first of what I hope are many legacy-defining bouts on tab for Eazy’s 2022 campaign as he begins his formal initiation into the vaunted elite of the elites with a key Rushmore battle for a stone he should covet if he doesn’t already- flood the gates. Aye Verb didn’t ask for permission to be the pillar of the sport that he has become. He went through the gauntlet to get it himself as he quite often notes. And it’s true, in this way Eazy the Block Captain can find many similarities in his own path to Verb’s as guys who bucked conventional thinking and took on some of the most calculated risks one can on the way up. The reward for Verb was now gracing the halls of battle history as one of its most marveled and achieved as much of the same can be had for the taking along Eazy’s trajectory. As the fighter walking into his prime Eazy finds himself the clear favorite and he should be. But with the caveat of us the viewers knowing Aye Verb can thrive in these moments. To be astute you’d ask me how and i’d say- Verb can speak to the rise and development of this sport from first hand perspective. Beyond the veteran speech of been there done that I am more referring to Verb’s ability to paint Eazy a picture of the yellow brick road towards manna and what is to come. Because after all, in his own way during his own Era, he’s been there. Perhaps even more relatable than any of Eazy’s seasoned peers on his list. Verb had a mission. And he had his picks. All while taking the best fights in-between and building up the portfolio that the builder could not refuse when the Lux & Mooks of the World came around to his view. To be undeniable. So was Verb and so could be Eazy. The difference- where does Eazy take his lumps? And if he doesn’t? Well, he may achieve his set forth goals in record time. Protect the -0 at all cost. I have no doubt he will.
Rankings: Eazy sits #3 and with SOS on his side as a fighter I do not expect to see meddling with bouts not worth the goose or the gander in his case, expect Eazy to be right there at the 4th Quarter of the 2022 SZN sitting firmly atop the Top 25 no later than where he sits now. It would take quite the Herculean effort to TKO Eazy out of his spot as he appears headed toward the climb Geechi Gotti just amassed recently. Well on his way the tall task for Verb is obvious. But he’s Verb.
#6 DNA (0-0) v. #NR Hollow Da Don (0-0)
Initial Thoughts: Hollow Da Don may be typecasting DNA. Masterfully.
- Hollow Da Don recognizes DNA has evolved his game to the threshold of being comparable and dangerous. Much like Hollow, DNA can score from anywhere on the floor with either hand. And may very well be the superior scorer present day. That said I fully expect a mutually invested commitment to intangibles from both artists. The historical context of what this bout expects to disclose will be culture-defining when you consider the value of origin battlers who bring a depth of insight from several generations of the sport, into the ring together. We will learn new things in this fight while witnessing a mirror match with a type grudge. Good to know there are still bouts of this magnitude left to be had and the sport benefits as a result. So what are we looking at? Hollow Da Don the complete fighter past his prime yet eternally dangerous between the lines. Across from DNA, the complete fighter still enjoying an extended prime who’s more equipped than most to offset the skills and strengths of Hollow when we invoke the tale of the tape. DNA may have been overlooked and undersold before. But he is neither now. And as one of the toughest fighters to decisively conquer, DNA has proved to possess a chin that even Hollow Da Don cannot dismiss as it stands present day. Hollow’s in for a fight and he knows it. And just as importantly DNA sees a realistic path to his own career landmarks he undoubtedly deserves that starts with winning this one and as a result will not pull punches in this bout. DNA is coming for the last stones left unturned and can no longer be overlooked. What we can assume propels Eric fuels the fire all by itself so what gets Hollow fired up for this match? That is the question. Though Da Don is certainly in-character. Only he holds the answer to what advantages he may hold over DNA in strategy/execution and on the 26th we will all bear witness to whether or not Hollow styling on the DNA he’s always known or seen him to be will be enough to combat the DNA he has grown into now. Maybe Hollow would never admit it but the equal footing over time is where we are. This battle has an anything you can do I can do better undertone to it wouldn’t you say?
As for rankings the same applies here towards SOS and hopefully represents the first of several cards we will see Hollow Da Don make an appearance. Always a pleasure to see the Energy God get loopy and mix it up. Tho DNA is a tough one.
#20 T Top (0-0) v. Charron (0-1)
Initial Thought: Histrionics will be on full display. Content therein included.
- The most straightforward bout of the nite will pit two of the sports most aggressive anglers up against one another in a race to jab each others open wounds to submission and keep the cut man (composure) busy all fight. Come to think of it Bizzy asked for Aaron Ward and was brought Charron. Not bad considering the potential for an even spicier contest between two highly controversial performers. Both will be present in tell all fashion for as much as it’s worth and can be expected upon a few weeks time to vet the requisite information regarding each’s checkered battle careers. One of these guys could very well land just enough sturdy contact on a flurry of angled jabs that seemingly demoralizes the other and wins over the style point marker for lack of couth. Both men will be entertaining and have a lot to say while it is worth noting Charron possesses a key attribute few can match while T-Top mustn’t get set up and lured into a corner of grey area content leaving him open to counter rebuttal punches.
Rankings: T-Top begins the SZN with an opportunity to rise into the teens with a decision in his favor and an inflated point tally. Think haymakers from the haymaker branded emcee. Landing the riskiest thrown punches could be what makes all the difference for the Bear in this bout. Charron will be technically sound and consistent as to be expected as he breaks down an opponent ripe with flushed out storylines Charron will be likely thrilled to dissect and expound upon.
Real Name Brandon (0-0) v. Kyd Slade (0-0)
Initial Thoughts: At first glance, could this have waited awhile? Too early?
- Maybe not and the course of the top 2 of their respective class will in effect push their paths further and further away from one another with time so it happens now. Both Slade and Real Name enter this bout as young heavy-hitters with pensive patience that clash considerably well on paper with contrasting styles. Kyd Slade brings the short story stanza style that ends in an uppercut in the pocket whereas RNB brings the pop jab setup to be followed by the dominant hand straight away strike punch lined up subtle but packaged with hostile intentions. Real Name has something going for him in that in many ways he is becoming the element of surprise fight climbing ranks. Everybody thinks they want a Luis Ortiz fight until they get one. Brandon certainly has that going for him as his foundation holds much room to grow due in part to substance of content. His raps matter for the most part. A great asset indeed however Slade also has several things going for him as well. Firstly, he’s a quotable friendly artist which always favor the moments department of the Battle Rap Gods good fortune. Slade leaves a mark. He’ll be challenged as his career progresses to make a slew of them stick and having the support of the environment will help. Lastly, if the goal here is to match Kyd Slade up with opponents who force a more diversified approach to craft for Slade than the artist emerging from the smoke clouds could prove somebody somewhere is lightyears ahead of the curve.
Regarding rankings these two gentleman face an uphill pathway into breaking the Top25 by the 2nd quarter of the SZN and as they eventually break through I find the idea reminiscent of the Lamelo Ball’s and Trae Young’s of the World. Sophomore year leaps that establish early the future cornerstones of the sport are here and showing prove right out of the game. I suspect the winner here matters toward future endeavors and will be paced with feverish optimism accordingly.
That’ll do it.
Best of luck to these men taking lyrical fortress Saturday nite.
Godspeed.
Respect to all readers.
TwoCent
1/1