This Sunday, URL will be holding what most would consider the biggest battle event in history. Many legends will be making their return to battle rap, and the card is stacked with battles that could headline any event. There really isn’t a battle on the card, with a clear winner. Any of these battles could go either way, and will continue to be debated, long after the videos are released. That said, here’s my predictions for Summer Madness 2.
DNA vs E Ness
DNA has creative angles, effective punchlines, and his delivery has improved by leaps and bounds. The problem I have, is with a lot of his set ups. He’s shown a tendency to stretch words to fit his schemes, and his performances often diminish after watching them a few times. E Ness is quite the opposite, which makes this such an interesting battle. He doesn’t deliver his bars in the typical setup/punchline fashion, and it hurts his crowd reaction. But, I think when it comes to the quality of writing overall, and who’s performance will hold up better over time, Ness will be the one people go back and watch.
Prediction: E Ness
Hitman Holla vs John John Da Don
I’m glad to see this back on the card, and it’s probably the battle I’m most looking forward to. I think John John has the ability to win this battle, but it’s going to be tough. His delivery and presence has improved, and he’s proved he can capture a crowd on the main stage. John John lives and dies by his bars though, Hitman is all about the performance. As much as I’d like to see John John win, and solidify himself as one the top battlers in URL, I just think it’s hard for three rounds of bars to compete with Hitman’s stage presence, delivery and crowd support. In the end though, I see the battle being close enough to be considered a classic, and will ultimately solidify JJDD regardless.
Prediction: Hitman Holla
T Rex vs Aye Verb
This battle has definitely built the most interest recently, with the blogs back and forth and controversy between them. It will most likely be the most personal battle of the night, and the most heated. You pretty much know what you’re going to get with T Rex, his performances don’t really fluctuate too much. It’s Aye Verb that is the wild card, and who wins this battle, is pretty much up to him. He’s been hit or miss with his last few battles, and there’s really no way to be sure which Verb will show up. With Verb, it’s about what he says, with Rex, it’s about how he says it.
Prediction: T Rex
Charlie Clips vs Serius Jones
I don’t think Serius Jones will have a problem with confidence, performing in front of the 2,000+ crowd, like a lot of people are saying. Even though the crowds were much smaller during his era, he never really showed a lack of confidence, or came off unsure of himself. The question is really about his material, and whether or not he can adjust it to give today’s fans what they’re looking for. Crowds no longer have the patience to let someone build up their momentum, they want punchlines and something to react to constantly. Clips gives the crowd something to react to constantly, and it’s going to be tough for Jones to adapt and compete at the level, on his first battle back.
Prediction: Charlie Clips
Calicoe vs Loaded Lux
Lux is a different story, to me. He may not have been battling recently, but he never really left battle rap. He’s always kept himself involved and attached to the scene, and has been following it closely. His style was also a bit ahead of its time, and takes the least to adjust to the current format. With all of the drama surrounding Calicoe recently, as well as the pictures Lux himself posted, he definitely has a lot of ammo to use. I wouldn’t count Calicoe out completely, but I think it will be hard for him to overcome everything that’s happened recently, when the fans are just waiting to hear what Lux will have to say about it.
Prediction: Loaded Lux
Murda Mook vs Iron Solomon
This battle is a bit different than the other legend battles, because they both are making their return, and come from the same era. It’s been five years since Murda Mook battled, while Solomon had the battle with E Ness at Grind Time’s GrizzleMania 2 event. If Iron Solomon is going to win this, I think he’s really going to need to step his material up, from that last performance. His style came off a bit dated, and while the crowd went crazy for the P Diddy stuff, it didn’t hold up after the novelty wore off. I think Mook’s involvement leading up to the event has shown he’s taking it serious, and is focused on the battle, and I think he’s ready.
