Disclaimer: The below power ranking module/template serves strictly for educational purposes and presents as a suggestion model of consideration toward potentially new ideas and ways for the battle community at large to consume the sport in totality and is not in any way associated with the Ultimate Rap League company, brand, or imprint.
Back at it!
1st Quarter is in the books and a peak into the field’s body of work for Jan. - March is upon us. As we will come to find, for many artists amongst the roster the first quarter either served idle or served us a tune-up exhibition or two as the lyrical athletes of the URL prepare to kick into second gear from March forward. Think early SZN Duke basketball. Spar sessions out of conference to get the blood flowing. Find some rhythm and set the expectations for the years potential. A few upsets noted and perhaps a few early SZN surprises sprinkled in-between. Respect to the URL turn-key operation. And the uber talented wordsmiths below.
Let’s do maintenance and assess the logistics thus far!
But first-
Art v. Sport…
Both a battle artist (two actually) and media member have recently broached the subject of YouTube placement still being deemed prevalent and essential to the battle roster of the URL specifically and it raised to me a fair question i’ve sequestered over the better course of a years time now- is Battle Rap a sport or not? What we doing? (Smack voice) Believe it or not I find the answer to this inquiry to be a key distinction in how the art form can and will be received going forward for several reasons I will divulge into briefly prior to the Top 25 Q1.
1. Viewership- [Open secret] Network and sponsorship enterprising are what truly separate sports from other past times and thus bring in the big bucks so to speak. An ex: Tyreek Hill has been guaranteed 72 million US$ to play professional football for the Miami Dolphins. Evan Fournier has been guaranteed 73 million US$ to play professional basketball for the New York Knicks. What do both of these athletes have in common? I cannot watch their games for free on YouTube. Now do any of us project these numbers as a reasonable expectation for battle artists to aspire toward in their field? Of course not but it is the case in point to a much larger discussion becoming more prevalent for the ‘sport’ of Battle Rap as the art form begins its ascension into new heights with the URL leading the way. Some may never truly be on board to go with it. New levels new devils perhaps. Speaking of YouTube. The #1 free video sharing service in the World has developed into what seems like an endless abyss of shared content free to consume alongside ad placements which generate billions of watch hours and million upon millions of stored/filed human engagement. Posts, comments, and likes. Exciting, and yet and still to watch out of market NBA/NFL games one would have to invest in league generated platforms such as NBA League Pass and NFL Sunday Ticket (or some league prescribed derivative of it) to legally enjoy the vast pool of NBA talent any given Wednesday and/or NFL talent any given Sunday. My point? There appears to be an assumed diagnosis that the URL imprint should feel both compelled and obligated to release their product to the YouTube platform when actually I think theirs more meat on the bone of this notion than what is often implied from those who indulge the subject openly and publicly. Ponder this- Spence v. Crawford will be the biggest fight booked in boxing for 2022. And it won’t be uploaded to YouTube. And none of us assume it should be. Why is that? Because no sport is or because sports have always operated from network partnerships and corporate brand marketing at its peak? Probably shades of both and so additionally I would pose this question to battle artist & media- is their a chance Smack’s origins and beginnings through the advent of what became the premiere video sharing platform renowned around the World now clouds the expectations of what a progressive business model for the sport of Battle Rap looks like? Said to say the irony in having such an expectation for an art form many now refer to as a sport is that sports do not operate from this motive at all. So why should the URL? On YouTube I can find channels which promote sports but when it’s time for a fight the PPV will be sold. Or my cable subscription will afford me access to where I can watch the NBA game or NFL game. I think the gist of what i’m getting at is clear at this point. The cognitive dissonance housing the mental pariah of equating Battle Rap in one breathe to a sport (or the ghastly phrasing- opinionated) while simultaneously holding Battle Rap’s construct to antiquated music industry politics may be approaching it’s operational fail safe. Fact is, the URL could be headed towards doubling down on the sports model and if so that procedural methodology does not marry itself to YouTube policy. And why expect the URL to? Because such was the case before? That doesn’t seem all too progressive objectively speaking. Just as the idea that battle artists may find it more advantageous to have battles licensed to YT to maybe make a fan/supporter out of someone utilizing a free application exclusively or a record label/executive for a record deal? In 2022? Question- you prefer a monetarily invested core following or fairweather views of the algorithmic variety? To each their own but say, wouldn’t it be far more beneficially transformative and potentially wealth-aspiring as a collective roster to venture into the realm of sport where monetary abundance is intrinsic to the fabric of the sports relationship to it’s viewers? Or opt to rely on the viewer retention metrics of a platform you do not have any control over once your creative license has been afforded over to the platform itself? Said to say I don’t think the matter is a matter of not wanting to utilize the YouTube optionality as a reliant promotional model as much as it’s simply- it’s time to move forward and evolve to the next step here. Check it- Geechi Gotti recently prosed a great question amongst his peers that deserves further examination- “y’all think Battle Rap could ever sell out somewhere like Madison Square Garden?”. To my surprise many of his peers immediately alluded to music industry artists being the required draw to accomplish such a feat but I didn’t hear anyone observe the obvious of what makes the question so intriguing- the Garden expects a show. Whether basketball, boxing, or concert, the Mecca can pack out 20,000 top to bottom to witness a piece of sports/entertainment history with each moment the platform creates. So why can’t Battle Rap fill 20,000 seats? With a million plus viewership on any given main event battle that’s a fraction of the human capital required to accomplish the feat. Further context, if you ever so happen to find yourself in MSG or any sporting arena for that matter, look up and what you see held at center of the building’s sky is exactly why it doesn’t have to be Murda Mook v. Drake to put butts in the seats for BR going forward but rather a serious adjustment in mindset. Because maybe it isn’t the revert backwards toward YouTube fixation that is needed for the URL as much as it is the ‘sport’ of Battle Rap finding itself at a crux with a need to look in the mirror and go one way and never look back. It is my 2cents that path is sports entertainment and not rap industry ethics of principalities. At the end of the day the BRC should focus on adding to the Art. Athletes are artists. Rappers are artists too. HipHop’s official sport is Battle Rap. With the rare position to encompass both. I ponder if the general audience and its contributor base at large are aware of its responsibility to lift the foundation of the craft it adorns so much and propel it to legitimacy as the best version of itself whatever that is; for better or greatest. The time is now.
2. Truth is, the transit migration of the URL’s core viewership over to the URL app is already well underway which would reflect in the numbers generated from the YouTube channel associated with the URL present day if keen to the steady deflation. Tsu Surf recently referenced a pay discrepancy generally speaking for artist within the sport comparable to it’s high performance expectations opposite current accommodations and I have to think that whatever the healthy medium of future revenue sharing that exists for battle athletes and the league they elect to perform for, you’ve got to leave the shell of being merely rappers and rather evolving to high-performers. In some ways like Steph. In some ways like Michael Jackson. In some ways like John Cena. And in many ways like a cultural blend of all the above. The appeal of Money Mayweather with the skill of Royce da 5’9. You get the drift. Surf makes reference to the performing arts often and he is right. Even more so, the buy-in of his peers and the proposed field of media coverage alike is what could conceivably take this profession to a new level that ideally alleviates concerns of salary in the long-term view. Short term- BR needs a box score. Is that not clear? Ex: several hundred thousand people globally are willing to tune into and indulge a competitive natured product such as Battle Rap without any definitive results to reference. Imagine what could be achieved with it? Case in point- I can watch it for myself but how do I sell it through word of mouth? What’s the Monday morning cooler talk for BR? Subjective arguing? How do I explain Battle Rap to a new viewer when they ask who won? Go watch 5 blogs on YouTube and read the comments underneath? Or a fan poll as law? C’mon man… Can the battle athletes themselves grow to see themselves as such and move as such accordingly? Making way for the Era of BR where one day a group of friends will assemble on a Saturday night for a primetime mega clash, pull up network television pre-game and watch Champion preview the big #1 Geechi Gotti v. #2 Eazy The Block Captain matchup in front of a packed house at State Farm Arena like Kirk Herbstreit previews Georgia/Florida… The fear that Battle Rap as a collective doesn’t see it’s own potential and clean up around the edges to take a leap forward is a fear I imagine keeps league owners up at night.
As the World turns…
TwoCent
…
Top 25 Poll ⬇️
#1. Geechi Gotti
Record: (1-0)
Points: 48
Streak: +1
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: v. Mike P
Outlook: Geechi popped out early opposite Mike P and outfitted the latter for an engraved L that almost felt career defining for both in what may have been looked upon initially across the board as the URL experimenting with a cool concept. Apparently Geechi Gotti don’t care about none of that and decided to dismiss Mike anyway in scathing fashion. Then again you expect Alabama to win going away most days. For this bout I scored Gotti with a +48, easily the largest single round metric i’ve personally computed thus far and thus Geechi gets a healthy head start toward MVP contention as the reigning defending champ with his 2022 schedule appearing set to begin picking up steam 2nd Q. And with Jaz the Rapper on tap, I look for Gotti to gain ground up to current with the rest of the field by time we revisit the 2nd Quarter results. It is always his crown to lose….
Next: v. Jaz the Rapper (April 30th)
#2 Eazy The Block Captain
Record: (1-0)
Points: 80
Streak: +1
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: v. Aye Verb
Outlook: ETBC checks in at #2 for this edition with a Top 10 (NR) quality victory against an energized Verb who brought the fight to Eazy’s chin. Eazy withstood and won the bout ultimately while also potentially offering a peak into what may grow into pattern for his bouts as he ascends into a style aesthetic fitted for the hunted- dogfights. Vicious, up close and personal, and an assured victor at the end. I agree with Eazy. The body of work presented in both the v. K Shine/ v. Verb bouts weighs a cut above the opponents rhymeforce. However the manner in which Eazy brings the fight to the square alludes to a clear assessment- you are going to have to bite down on the proverbial neck of Eazy’s penmanship to win. Generally speaking, in hoops you a know a dog when you see one. But can you stop him? PJ Tucker is a certified dog in the trenches of the hip point live dribble. But can he stop a top dog like Jayson Tatum on the rise? We know the answer and how varied the answer ultimately equates to team success. But in the sport of rhymes you’re on your own. And you know what type of bout you get with Eazy the Block Captain. So can you do it? Well it depends. Are you PJ Tucker or are you Kawhi Leonard? I expect Eazy’s 2022 opponents to venture the path of answering those questions once and for all with a SOS slate for Eazy that may go unrivaled as the 2022 SZN concludes come December. Sports of many varieties come with dogs. Dogs come in many varieties. Eazy ain’t scared of dogs though. ✅
#3 Calicoe
Record: (1-0)
Points: 90
Streak: +1
Trend: ⬆️ 🚀
Prev: #8
Outlook:
What tip you on/
shooting ta ATL/
you tryna skate? /
hol on hol on/
what tip y’all on/
wit Nu Nu Nellz/
is this a date? /
hol on hol on hol on/
what tip y’all on/
he keep getting out of jail with all these pistols on his case/
hold on hold on/
what tip you on coming in here with this tiny resume/
- Quadruple entendres with obvious yet intricate layers missing the mark? If this assumption from Calicoe indeed rings with truth I think the wizardry may not only be underappreciated at this juncture but the question to beg could be-
what are people listening to when Calicoe performs?
T.I.=Surf=Skate=Nunu=Nellz=Tiny…if this isn’t apparent to some what about-
but see what Chess don’t understand/
the game that i’m playing/
even if I make it to the other side I don’t get none of my n*ggas back/
..
the mind of QB but look like J.Lo/
[redacted] to get the case closed/
..
The irony. The wizardy of Calicoe is like if lyrical miracle could skate. Tsu Surf coined AMG mode as an attribute badge for the sport. I wonder what Cal might one day elect to sum up the 0-60 ramp up style he exhibits so uniquely? Thoughts. Additionally, Cal constitutes one of the highest risers up the Top 25 ladder of the 1st Quarter with a convincing style point W over fellow top 10 opponent Chess. With a skyrocketing stock and several hypothetical bouts of major importance perhaps imminent, Calicoe may prove correct in his self-assessment that being in one’s prime can also mean getting better at one’s craft simultaneously. See Demar Derozan. Deebo and Cal are quite simply elite and masterful at their areas of strength and the skill presented is rather artsy and remarkable when in a zone. I look for Calicoe to contend with Eazy for SOS King down the stretch toward MVP contention. Ideally Calicoe will yield a fair field assessment of resume when the time comes. In the meantime we await the announcement we all anticipate…
#4 Tsu Surf
Record: (0-0)
Points: N/A
Streak: ↔️
Trend: ⬇️
Prev: #2
Outlook: Tsu Surf drops a few spots merely for being idle. Similar to an off-week in College Football, in that time other Top 10 opponents clashed and thus shook up the rankings in his absence. As we know their was a bout slated to close the 1st Quarter and introduce Surf to the 2022 SZN but we will instead see the first of Surf’s theatrical zeal in results for the next edition of the Top 25 poll summating the 2nd Quarter instead. First up for Surf- Bodega. Question that counts? Which bout is this? Floyd v. De la Hoya or Floyd v. Jose Luis Castillo 1? For Cortez he’d hope for the latter as he prepares to enter what is for him an opportunity to force the cultures hand and say current Tsu Surf at his zenith lost a bout. No small feat in the age of cult allegiance. Or, the fact of the matter becomes what Surf has always said it is. Cortez can’t touch em. As admirable a fight he’d put up, still won’t be enough when not enough don’t land. Feels like this long-awaited fight went through all the twist and turns of build-up and anticipation over the years just to land at- damn, Cortez can’t catch a break. He will rely on the footage to do him justice as this main event billing quickly spiraled from promotional apex to make-up bout with lost steam. Though the fight remains a fierce matchup and BRC bucket lister, it can’t be understated the stakes have changed. And the shock value of the result is what Cortez will now have to hang his hat on to seize the interpretive rush of an assumed loss. A parallel Universe where Castillo TKOs Floyd removing any doubt. Tall task. With Cortez relying on footage, irony… For Surf its even simpler. He can’t land on me he can’t win. The End. Surf’s up.
Next: v. Cortez (May 7th)
#5 DNA
Record: (1-0)
Points: 77
Streak: +1
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: #6
Outlook: DNA bumps up a spot after securing the Hollow Da Don decision rather decisively and according to his own speech may actually set the stage for DNA to fallback a bit from frequent 1 v. 1 ring activity. Would be a shame if the reasoning component behind the decision truly does consist of feeling undervalued by the sport. No doubt DNA has given a lot to it, this we all know. Though as a result the underlying fact could just be that he may be running out of fights soon enough, the surefire Hall of Famer can still man the ring admirably. So much so it’d be a shame to see him fade to black with so much left in the tank. Truth is- Beloved is a man in his own right and who am I or anyone else to tell him who to step in-between those lines with. But man, it surely wouldn’t be for lack of earned merit on DNA’s part… Nonetheless Eric kicks off 2022 with a healthy W. #GMDW ✅
P.ess- (v. King Los) is the epitome of the culture perhaps sailing too far away from shore of why the art and skill of Rap matters so much. A criminally overlooked six round gem worthy of not only a rewatch or five but some community discourse as well. Subject matter has to always hold value or you lose it. This is Hip-Hop still.
“We’re practicing Hip-Hop in its purest form” Eric St. John
#6 Rum Nitty
Record: (0-0)
Points: N/A
Streak: ↔️
Trend: ⬇️
Prev: #4
Outlook: Idle. Rum sparred in exhibition v. Nunn Nunn however has yet to record fully-sanctioned 3 round statistical metrics thus the drop out of Top 5 for now though this will change once revisited come early June considering the Alien begins Q2 with a splash- Mr. Myers. Seems the BarGod has gotten up the gall for lyrical suicide and summons the Boogeyman from his desert crypt. To live and die in LA so the saying goes. What better homage to the Pac anthem than these two word talisman to stretch the meaning and give it new purpose in lyrical combat.
Next: v. Danny Myers (May. 14th)
#7 Danny Myers
Record: (1-1)
Points: 181
Streak: L1
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: #11
Outlook: BarGod is an early riser with his two major bouts of the 1st Quarter highlighting several things we know to be true. His style of fight ensures he will point well and his defensive +/- with 2-4 rebuttals per round on average will keep Mr. Myers in the race theoretically. However, what we also know is fatigue plays a factor for him perhaps more than anyone else in the field. So while Danny tends to wow and give a performance or three in succession that deserve the ringing endorsements it will receive and more, the fright of the idea Danny is gassed by the 4th Quarter will always remain a stickler when watching him build his steady momentum. This go round said hiccup occurred off platform and now the meter starts over. In 2021 it was the biggest stage (N.O.M.E.), in 2022 Danny should tread carefully with his build-up this time around as [hypothetically speaking] Loaded Lux coming off of a stellar performance (v. Daylyt) will not be on the books for a mixed result Danny Myers stock to take for his next bout. My 2cent- gain steam and allow the simmer to prosper Mr. Myers, if I may say respectfully. His next conquest- sequel. A trip down Nitty lane. Now that’s a match made in South Central heaven for two artists now arrived at their peak fighter condition. Noted. Myers adds to an early impressive resume with a homecourt invitation to the URL’s silent assassin. Nice. Could easily see this one in BOTY contention. In closing, Danny presently points the highest total count thus far one quarter into the 2022 SZN with a solid SOS to complement the single most impressive statistical performance (v. Roc) we have to date in 2022. Great start Yikers. ✏️
Next: v. Rum Nitty (May 14th)
#8 Ave
Record: (1-0)
Points: 87
Streak: +1
Trend: ⬆️ 🚀
Prev: #18
Outlook: Ave sees a 10 spot skyrocket jump into the top 10 with a hard fought decision W over Danny Myers as well as inactivity from a large chunk of the field. Combined you now have an Ave with momentum leading into what could be several key career arc defining fights on the horizon. Ave could rise even more.
#9 Chess
Record: (0-1)
Points: 77
Streak: L1
Trend: ⬇️
Prev: #5
Outlook: No need to revisit the loss, a positive- Chess pointed exceptionally well prior to the deductions for the obvious. This bodes well as a projection for future Chess bouts to come. As we all know, the dogged competitor in Chess will be prepared to rip the heart out of his next opponent and the show goes on. Because of his strong point tally Chess will still have plenty of opportunity to gain ground as the volume of fights increase for everybody. Chess= D Book. Still getting better.
#10 Tay Roc
Record: (0-1)
Points: 86
Streak: L1
Trend: ⬇️
Prev: #7
Outlook: Roc ran into Danny on of those nights when the opponents shot is just falling at a clip it’s nothing you can do about. Thing about Roc, he stands in and delivers as much punishment as he receives in the pocket. Fights like this often come with the caveat that if you have a chin you always have a chance to win. And then there’s the the end of the spectrum where occasionally the decision just doesn’t land in this fighters favor every once in a while. This was that. Far from a stoppage yet far from unclear. Roc will be back. Danny’s string of fortune is in no way indicative of future opponents success. Whoever’s next has their work cut out. Speaking of next…newly announced and equally intriguing, what’s ahead for Roc is a major out of conference clash with a women’s division elite and one of the best in her own right- Viixen the Assassin. Viixen will check ball Roc from jump and force him to be a scorer on this nite. Well its Roc. So we know how he will respond. Challenge accepted. In his mitten she will likely force Roc’s hand and stir the competitive pot to which a wildly capable Roc may go for 35 or even 50 if he finds a pocket to heat check and blowtorch Viixen with in vintage Roc fashion. However unsurprisingly I think it is Roc’s ability to defend that will be most put to the test the most in this one. I fully expect Ms. Assassin to go scorched Earth in her ring approach toward Roc and how effective he proves to be at guarding the heavy over right punch style from Viixen will ultimately decide the tone of this fight if he allows her the room to get ahead. Can Roc get enough stops to outscore Viixen or will the Assassin manage to secure a stoppage over the slightly favored SMACK branded showstopper? Time will tell but what we do know- defense wins championships and Viixen will be confident in her strategic approach this bout. These two will run the score up and throw heavy straight punches all night as this lyrical fight may ultimately come down to the wire and who buckles down to avoid the big punch long enough to deliver one. Also, Battle Raps wide range of versatility that allows me to utilize both basketball and boxing references simultaneously is reason #382 why this sport is so intriguing. Surf out. Roc in. Equal degree of difficulty for Viixen. But she wants the fight. 🍿
Next: v. Viixen the Assassin (April 30th)
#11 Lu Castro
Record: (1-1-1)
Points: 210
Streak: ↔️
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: #13
Outlook: Active Lu Castro has hit an early stride filling up the 1st Quarter calendar with 3 bouts on record already. One of which has now awarded Castro the designation of being an inaugural belt holder of a previously vacant title. Coupled with a draw decision v. Clips (that Lu Castro isn’t being penalized with a L in the column, can’t do it.) in a strong performance of tit for tat, Lu Era is underway indeed. The L in the column however can be credited to Drugz and his eye-opening introduction to the 2022 campaign, more on that later. Lu took his lumps in the Drugz bout and responded by taking advantage of the opportunity to introduce a new platform and add to a rapidly growing portfolio. For Lu’s 2nd Quarter it would seem that timing up the mandatory title defense alongside potential inclusion into the Spring festivities of premiere URL cards to come will be the testament to what Lu ultimately desires from the story his resume will tell down the stretch of the SZN. Future is bright for wild strong. In the meantime, Lu sees an early turnaround back to the URL platform with a v. Jerry Wess bout set for Raleigh, NC @ Civil War 2. The obvious shouldn’t need said. Let’s see what Castro makes of it. Mr. Wess represents 2 sides of the opportunity coin. Go figure.
Next: v. Jerry Wess (May 7th)
#12 Jakkboy Maine
Record: (1-0)
Points: 36
Streak: +1
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: #14
Outlook: BANNED Jakk scored a convincing W decision in exhibition with Chess to kick off the SZN. Therefore point him accordingly. Up to bat next is KVQ3- First Lady Flamez. It’s only right. In what will be one of the most entertaining and competitive matchups of the evening in Charlotte, NC Jakkboy Maine and First Lady will be a barnburner filled with intensity, respect, and performance. Soon to be followed up with a swift peel back for 2 on 2 action v. DNA/Official. Emptying the strategic chamber and double-dipping. Interesting development…
Next: v. First Lady Flamez (April 30th)
#13 Fonz
Record: (1-0)
Points: 70
Streak: ↔️
Trend: ⬇️
Prev: #10
Outlook: A rested Fonz returns to the stage for a KVQ3 sanction with Shooney after scoring a high mark majority decision W in his fight v. Tink da Demon in Houston, TX. Prior to, Fonz ran into a souped up Drugz early in Q1 and caught a few cuts in sparring making the return to form necessary. Fonz obliged with Tink. And now 1 v. 1 with Shooney? Wow. Fireworks. Heavyweight bouts are still King. Fonz will deliver. A great chance Fonz is back up where 2022 started for him soon.
Next: v. Shooney the Rapper (May 1st)
#14 JC
Record: (1-0)
Points: 87
Streak: +1
Trend: ⬆️ 🚀
Prev: #24
Outlook: The lyrical savant upended the return of Charron to the URL stage and sparked the interest of a Sikh v. JC brawl. He’s off to a good start per usual for the Pontiac sage veteran. Ahead JC preps for lyrical war with female division’s own- C3. A side-by-side tale of the tape indicates this matchup should deliver well.
Next: v. C3 (May 1st)
#15 Loso
Record: (0-0)
Points: N/A
Streak: ↔️
Trend: ↔️
Prev: #15
Outlook: Loso ran into a Holmzie resurgence though avoided the TKO in exhibition thus remaining a clean slate for the Tampa, FL emcee for Q1. Idle
#16 T-Top
Record: (1-0)
Points: 74
Streak: +1
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: #20
Outlook: T-Top took a split decision over Charron early in Q1 however Bizzy’s style of fight will eventually require customization for the second half of what has been an eventful second leg of his career. The maturation of narration as a picture painter presents the challenge for Top to tell other vantage points of the story going forward. I think he can and will. Sparring w/EK revealed a peak for Biz?
#17 Real Sikh
Record: (0-0)
Points: N/A
Streak: ↔️
Trend: ⬇️
Prev: #9
Outlook: Idle. Results and statistical metrics to come in 2nd Quarter. And if Sikh’s spar session with JC is any indicator of what to expect, Sikh’s rise up the rankings will occur in short order once his sanctioned bouts begin for the SZN.
#18 Kid Chaos
Record: (0-0)
Points: N/A
Streak: ↔️
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: #21
Outlook: Chaos ensues soon one would imagine. Kid teased what a 3 round bout with Dot could look like and now we gotta have it despite its unlikely happening. Of note a skillset with such spellbound nuance should NOT be held in the silly captivity of popularity oriented W/Ls. I’d expect a turn of tide in Chaos favor 2022.
#19 B Dot
Record: (0-0)
Points: N/A
Streak: ↔️
Trend: ⬇️
Prev: #12
Outlook: B Dot will eventually phase out of the Top 25 altogether should his exodus from the sport be indefinite as he himself has recently stated and made clear. Could you count on one hand the phone calls he could receive to change that stance? I think so. But until then, taking the man at his word is the only thing that matters to date. Implying the sport will have to move forward this SZN without one of its brightest beacons. On a lighter note, the kicks look fuego 🔥🔥
#20 Real Name Brandon
Record: (2-0)
Points: 105
Streak: ⬆️
Trend: +2
Prev: Unranked
Outlook: RNB walked into a spar session with Twork presumably to tune up a superior fighter and brush shoulders with one of the best and walked out with a rare exhibition TKO due to circumstances of turbulence from his spar partner of which Real Name directly stood to gain from as a result. Fast forward and shortly thereafter RNB is sanctioned in Houston, TX with a dance partner who many feel may have been snubbed for ROTY in Brandon’s favor- Kyd Slade. Subtle move of the URL to get those guys on schedule right out of the gate to market the two young stars on the rise ala Ant Man v. Lamelo. Lyrical gloves up. I have a split decision W for Real Name in this very underrated bout that deserves a cultural revisit (coming soon) as the two young ascending artists talents were on full display in this fight. The split constitutes I having Real Name while the general consensus would seem to have Kyd Slade for the record. All in all, RNB’s a riser.
#21 Drugz
Record: (1-1)
Points: 77
Streak: L1
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: Unranked
Outlook: Drugz has entered the chat. The 2022 URL SZN was set off by Drugz. Don’t let time play revisionist history as we know Danny/Roc took the main event thunder as it should but it was Drugz who re-introduced himself to the field with a resounding TKO W over Lu Castro to get the party officially started and set his momentum in motion for a revitalized stock and passion for the sport. He then followed this noteworthy performance with a shocking knockdown in exhibition with Fonz nearly netting the TKO on BANNED. Followed by a sturdy fought performance to help introduce the MM platform, Drugz is active and up early fighting his way into the Top 25 with seized capital on the early returns of the URL investment into his stock growth. The next trend- v. Franchise. Loud. 🧨
Next: v. Franchise (May 7th)
#22 Serius Jones
Record: (1-0)
Points: 72
Streak: +1
Trend: ↔️
Prev: #22
Outlook: Serius did his numbers in the mix with a true vet in Chilla Jones and that can’t be tossed aside in the likeness of ushering in for the sake of forcing out. For as long as Serius can book the fight it is imperative on the culture to be astute in assessing the work accordingly. Serius mixes it up admirably in the ring still even at his advanced age in terms of battle experience. Should someone be able to TKO Serius Jones into retirement as a young prize fighter sending the old guard out to the woodshed with respect? Theoretically yes but I haven’t seen it yet and so the status quo in the case of Serius Jones must remain. There is a scenario where such a thing could occur should the risk be taken to task…Roc? Until then, the sage Hall of Famer with steady and consistent ring excellence remains here.
#23 Kyd Slade
Record: (0-1)
Points: 72
Streak: L1
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: Unranked
Outlook: Kyd Slade belongs here and so no need to stall with so much of the field idle for Q1. Slade could net any one judges decision in his favor in the quiet kept best tit for tat bout Q1 had to offer v. Real Name Brandon. Slade glides thru rounds like a style point boxer made to make a show of it all. How he elects to allow his speech and demonstration to develop into a space of crowning wisdom and full delivery similar to his peer counterpart ETBC (lesson in every bar) will be what is likely one of the biggest determining factors of how high up his climb extends with time. On the way up expect moments in between as Slade currently presents as one of the most skilled and impressive young stars the roster presents.
#24 Twork
Record: (1-1)
Points: 93
Streak: +1
Trend: ⬇️
Prev: #19
Outlook: The climb back for Twork has already begun with an unanimous decision W over Snake Eyez to curb the downward spiral and buck the net negative trend. For Twork it’s quite simple, once again he’s back up. He earned that much in the ring like he’s suppose to when redemption is the sole objective. Though there may be several iterations of it required before Smack White reels back in the human highlight reel to continue forward with his projected stardom arc. And just like a certain reel, we’ve seen this movie before. How the plot twist ultimately unwinds is always up to the script keeper himself- Self. Twork is phenomenal and we all know it. We also can all acknowledge Twork is also the age old cautionary tale in sports of the guy with all the talent in the World who doesn’t always love what comes with it. Good to see Twork once again rewriting his own path & beginning anew. Sport is always better for it with him at his best.
#25 Nunn Nunn
Record: (0-1)
Points: 68
Streak: L1
Trend: ⬆️
Prev: Unranked
Outlook: Nunn Nunn cut the Alien in spar exhibition. He almost warrants a win on the board just for that alone. However in the interest of integrity and fairness Nunn did not TKO Rum Nitty on the BANNED stage and thus does not gain a W in the column but what I imagine he did do in having such a great showing? Net a big fish in his backyard for a home game May 7th. Charron enters the ring in North Carolina to welcome the Caleb Plant of the URL to prize fighting and the question becomes for Nunn- at what cost for Charron can you make him ponder the shot? Nunn is a legit talent with smooth and decisive punch power that will be put to the test by one of the greatest counter punchers in Battle Rap history. Sound familiar? (Plant v. Canelo) Should Nunn desire to alter the result of that outcome in his own sport the art of landing clean punches while avoiding leaving the backdoor open for Charron to counter inside and damage the core of his strongest material with rebuttals will be one of the biggest determining factors for Nunn in what could end up the hallmark fight of his young promising career. This matchup presents real opportunity. I expect to see a sharply tuned Nunn. Of note is the L column, a split decision L to Snake Eyez in main event. Nonetheless, Nunn breaks into the Top 25 and I would look for him to stick around for Q2.
#NR- 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. But instead will automate to the equivalent of a Top 10 opponent by default.
Charlie Clips- Will likely have met the qualifier quota by the end of 2nd Quarter and as a result will climb the ranks accordingly for Edition 2 of the Top 25 Poll.
Aye Verb- Same for Verb.
Charron- Same for Charron.
Hitman Holla?- Would love to see it. Also, Holla’s incredible historical acumen of battle history has been one of the most intellectually pleasant gifts to unwrap from the rise of the Twitter chat social space. A true well of historical context, Holla’s deep recollection and analysis of the sport is a treasure trove of gems for any and all who appreciate backstory and battle raps true contribution to HipHop.
Much respect to him. 💯
Edition 1 in the books.
3 Quarters to go.
#URLSZN
Respect to everybody.
Godspeed.
TwoCent
1/1