Battle Rap

World’s Largest Spanish-Speaking Rap Competition Shares U.S. Season Details

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Red Bull Batalla, the largest Spanish-language freestyle rap battle in the world, announces full details for its 2024 U.S. season. Over the last six weeks, aspiring and established MCs from over 18 participating countries submitted their video applications via the Red Bull Batalla App during a global application phase. Over 8,000 qualified applicants from around the world put down their best bars for a chance to become the world’s next Red Bull Batalla champion. The U.S. is thrilled to announce the country’s 32 top applicants moving forward to join the global competition this year and where fans can watch them compete. 

Red Bull Batalla Qualifiers: April 20th and July 13th

The next phase of the competition will challenge the MCs with head-to-head battles hosted across two, highly-anticipated Regional Qualifier events in cities known for their fandom for Red Bull Batalla: San Antonio, Texas on April 20th, and in New York City on July 13th. 

During these bracket-style events, aspiring freestylers will go bar for bar, in hopes of solidifying themselves as one of the top MCs in the country and punch their ticket to compete at the 2024 U.S. National Final in Miami. The Qualifier events will be judged by some of the most influential names in the Spanish-language freestyle scene including former Mexico National Champion Skiper and Dominican MC El Dilema, plus special performances from Mexican rapper Tornillo, Houston’s Bo Bundy and three-time champion from the Dominican Republic, Exodo Lirical. 

The full list of MCs that will be competing for a shot at the U.S. National champion crown includes 2022 USA Champion Oner, the standout MC known for his quick tempo White Caracas, and former Texas Qualifier champion Magimbri returning to compete in his hometown. Full details for the two Red Bull Batalla U.S. Qualifier events below.

April 20 – Red Bull Batalla San Antonio Qualifier  

COMPETING MCs 

July 13th – Red Bull Batalla New York Qualifier 

COMPETING MCs 

Over the next several months, Red Bull Batalla MCs will put their best wordplay and stage performance to the test in hopes of solidifying themselves as one of the top MCs in the country and face off against returning finalists from 2023 including Nico B, Zazowan, and AdonysX all hungry for the Red Bull Batalla U.S. National Champion title. The rightful winner of the competition will then set their sights across the Atlantic, as they represent the country at the world’s biggest stage for Spanish-language freestyle, the Red Bull Batalla International Final. 

Following a historic 2023 Red Bull Batalla season which culminated at a sold-out International Final event at the Movistar Arena in Bogota, Colombia, this season is shaping up to be the most competitive yet. Freestyle hopefuls will fight for a chance to take the championship belt from 2023 International Champion Chuty as the final leg of the competition makes its way to his hometown of Madrid, Spain this November.

The post World’s Largest Spanish-Speaking Rap Competition Shares U.S. Season Details first appeared on The Source.

The post World’s Largest Spanish-Speaking Rap Competition Shares U.S. Season Details appeared first on The Source.

Loaded Lux Isn’t Dead, T-Rex Confirms After Death Rumors Go Viral

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Despite a false rumor that spread like wildfire on Twitter after a Monday night report (March 18), Loaded Lux did not pass away like fans thought. For those unaware, fake news emerged on Monday evening that someone had murdered him, which led many fans to take to social media to express their shock, grief, and condolences. Fortunately, though, those close to the “Ain’t Gon’ Hold Ya” battle rapper were quick to dispel these rumors come Tuesday morning (March 19), although it was by the time he had become a Top Ten trending topic on Twitter. Chayna Ashley, for example, spoke to fellow Dot Mob member T-Rex, who is also his close friend.

“Lux is good! Just confirmed with Rex,” she revealed on Twitter on Monday night. T-Rex also took to Instagram to confirm this, sharing a “note” with his friends that “Bro is Good we just spoke” and that “Load still loading.” Another Loaded Lux affiliate, Un Kasa, also confirmed that his Harlem partner was alive. However, Kasa shed light on some dark context behind this rumor, as it was actually a family member of Lux who had been killed. As such, the DJ Premier collaborator is probably in a process of grief right now, and it must be odd, difficult, and heavy to reckon with rumors of your own passing on top of that.

Read More: Audio Push & Loaded Lux Freestyle On Sway In The Morning

Un Kasa Speaks On Loaded Lux Death Rumors: Watch

Elsewhere, though, Loaded Lux made headlines recently for a more curious, unexpected, but nonetheless compelling interaction. For those unaware, he appeared on Chad “Ochocino” Johnson and Shannon Sharpe’s show Nightcap to call out the former’s criticisms of Ultimate Rap League stars (URL) and to confront him about his own pen skills. Ochocino actually went on URL afterwards and faced off against DNA and Charlie Clips, and people seemed to appreciate this crossover and appreciation. Maybe he will need to be a more frequent guest on URL, and vice versa for Lux on Nightcap.

Meanwhile, the “K.I.L.L.A.S.” MC will probably comment on Ocho’s performance again, and might open the door for more pop culture recognitions of battle rap. Our prayers and condolences go out to him, his loves one, and those of his fallen family member. Hopefully brighter days are ahead. For more news and updates on Loaded Lux, come back to HNHH.

Read More: Loaded Lux Feat. Fred The Godson & Jadakiss “You Can” Video

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Conor McGregor “Raps” During Twitter Beef, Immediately Deletes His Verse

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Conor McGregor tried his hand at rapping after getting into a feud on X, formerly Twitter. McGregor posted a 2-minute verse aimed at Scott Moore, a political commentator and battle rapper from Northern Ireland, after Moore called McGregor “a profoundly stupid person”. McGregor’s stilted verse took aim at Moore’s appearance and Northern Irish origin. However, like many of McGregor’s tweets, it was quickly deleted from McGregor’s page. Moore still responded to McGregor’s verse with one of his own, going as far as to essentially call McGregor an English collaborator. However, his call for McGregor to face him in person was short-lived as McGregor simply chose to block him instead.

All of this stemmed from McGregor posting a selfie with the caption “Ireland, your President”. That’s what sparked the original comment from Moore. Furthermore, Moore informed McGregor that it was below the belt to go after his appearances and mannerisms as Moore suffers from a mental health condition that causes him to pick at his skin and is also autistic, meaning there are many mannerisms he can’t control. Unfortunately, the prevailing opinion online was that this was another L for the MMA great.

Read More: Conor McGregor Goes Off On Logan Paul After Dillon Danis Fight

Conor McGregor Welcomes A Baby Boy

Elsewhere, McGregor announced the birth of his fourth child late last week. “My baby boy is born! Mammy and baby doing amazing, 8.1lbs of prime Irish double champion beef! ❤🙏,” McGregor wrote on Instagram. Dee Devlin, McGregor’s long-time fiancee, gave birth this morning after McGregor announced she was in labor last night. The pregnancy was announced back in June, with the couple already sharing three kids – Conor Jr, Croia, and Rian. Later in the day, McGregor shared another update. “Another chunky healthy boy into the world. Dee, you are my hero ❤🙏,” the MMA fighter wrote on social media.

McGregor and Devlin have been together since around 2008, which also marks the start of McGregor’s MMA career. The couple met at a nightclub in Dublin right before McGregor began to pursue his MMA dream. They got engaged in 2020 and plan to have a wedding in Ireland in the coming years. As for their other kids, McGregor has previously said that Conor Jr is already starting to perfect his MMA moves.

Read More: Snoop Dogg Stops By Conor McGregor’s Dublin Pub

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50 Cent Honors Battle Rapper DNA With Song Shoutout During “Power” Credits

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50 Cent’s TV series empire is in full swing, and Power Book IV: Force is enjoying pretty great season so far. However, for as big as the show and its head creative are, they still take some time to shout out some underground talent. Moreover, Fif included a track by battle rapper, DNA, in the end credits for the series’ eighth episode. The underground MC shared his reaction to the shoutout on Twitter, and the Queens native clearly found a kindred spirit in the Queens legend. That regional camaraderie is always important to celebrate, cultivate, and highlight in hip-hop culture, and it clearly goes a long way in opening doors and bringing new opportunities for emerging talent.

“JUST FINISHED WATCHING POWER ‘FORCE’ EPISODE 8 N GUESS WHO SONG PLAYS AT THE END OF SHOW,” DNA wrote of 50 Cent’s cosign. “GOD IS GOOD. BIG SHOUTOUT 2 @bigtankmusic. ME & MY BROTHER @warrenwint BODIED THIS. PRODUCED BY: @jazzfeezy.” Not only that, but the spitter also reinstated his social media series recapping each episode in the Power franchise, as this team-up inspired him to show them the same love that they showed him.

Read More: 50 Cent On BMF Arrests: “Ain’t This A B***h”

50 Cent Reps For Battle Rap With Power Episode Credits

In fact, 50 Cent and DNA already have history, and their previous meet-ups make this chemistry less surprising, but even more meaningful. The two met up in Houston for the G-Unit mogul’s concert for The Final Lap tour. This was the same weekend in which Ultimate Rap League hosted their Summer Madness event, for which they hung out with Smack White, URL’s co-founder. Furthermore, they all promoted the event on social media, and having everyone in the same room for it showed the passion that they all have for the art form.

DNA Shares His Recap Of Book IV: Force Episode 8

Speaking of rap battle events, DNA will soon host Halloween Havoc further into this week on Saturday (October 28). There are plenty of great matchups on the roster, with all of them centered around using wrestling-themed bars in their spats. If you want to find a little more information on that, check out the Via link below. Also, keep checking in with HNHH for more news and the latest updates on 50 Cent.

Read More: Meek Mill Reminisces About Battle Rap, Wants To Go “Verse For Verse” Against Reed Dollaz

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Funk Flex Thinks Busta Rhymes Would Be Unbeatable On “Verzuz”

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For Funk Flex, there’s only one true MVP for Verzuz. Flex revealed his pick after being asked who he thinks could beat Jay-Z. “You want me to tell you who would beat JAY-Z at a Verzuz? Hands down embarrass him? Busta Rhymes would spank anybody in a Verzuz. There is no one that will beat Busta Rhymes as a solo artist in a Verzuz… Maybe it could be a tie with Missy [Elliott],” Flex told Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson earlier this week.

While Jay-Z versus Busta Rhymes would be amazing, it would be hard to pick anyone over Busta, even Hov himself. As we all know, Busta has a style, flow, and intensity that simply transcends the confines of battle rap. However, Flex was far from done discussing the ins and outs of various hypothetical Verzuz matchups.

Read More: ESPN Releases Hip Hop 50 Documentary Narrated By Busta Rhymes

Flex Can’t Pick A Winner In Jay-Z Versus Nas

Another hypothetical matchup that Flex discussed at length was Jay-Z versus Nas. The topic came about after Memphis Bleek argued that Nas simply didn’t have the catalog to compete with Jay-Z. “Nas has enough songs, but Jay’s swagger is strong. That’s very hard. If you’re talking Jay-Z-Nas, they’re equal in music, but Jay’s swagger on that stage might edge him out. He has a lot of swag. Nas is a weird G.O.A.T. I think lyrically, they’re both 10s, but they’re really two different styles to me. Lyrics, Nas edges JAY-Z. Swag, JAY-Z edges Nas. That’s my personal opinion.”

Things were only complicated when LL Cool J was brought into the mix. “He’s a weird G.O.A.T. as well. I’ve seen him ruin a lot of careers, so his track record of battling is enormous. But Nas, LL and Jay-Z are all multi-platinum artists with different styles, so I don’t know who would win that. That’s probably a three-way tie because if you really… but I can’t call who would win that!” Who do you think things Jay Z versus Nas? Do you agree with Flex that there’s no one who could beat Busta Rhymes? Let us know in the comments.

Read More: Joe Biden Calls LL Cool J “Boy”

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Remy Ma Shoots Down Claims Papoose Knocked Out Eazy The Block Captain

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Remy Ma has come to Papoose’s defense after rumors began circulating that the rapper knocked out Eazy The Block Captain at a recent Chrome 23 battle rap event called, “#TheGrudgeCard.” A caller on The Star Report had claimed they saw Eazy getting “too cozy” with Remy during the event and that Papoose attacked him as a result. Remy took to Twitter to shoot down the story.

“I’d like to apologize to everyone that was disappointed tonight because we couldn’t get 3 full rounds from all the opponents… I tried…and can y’all pleasee STOP with the Eazy & Pap LIES,” she tweeted. “There’s NO place like Chrome! Right back at it; see y’all in August #Chrome23.”

Read More: Remy Ma & Papoose’s Relationship Timeline

Remy Ma Poses With Papoose

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 05: (L-R) Remy Ma and Papoose attend Papoose’s Surprise Birthday Celebration at Jimmy’s Cafe on March 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

As for how the rumors began, the caller for The Star Report claimed on Sunday: “I see Papoose, and it was kind of like an aggressive motion. And Papoose swings. The next thing I know, Eazy was on the floor, and it was a lot of commotion. And people were running out of the room. Remy came in, and her security came behind her. And then they closed the door and they were arguing.”

The caller continued: “So this whole ‘it didn’t happen’ is bullshit. He did go night-night. Papoose put Eazy The Block Captain to sleep last night. What it was about, I don’t know, but he was playing Remy very close last night. A little too close for comfort.”

Remy Ma Responds On Twitter

Despite the rumors, Remy Ma and Papoose have been going strong for a number of years now. Just last month, the couple celebrated 15 years of marriage. They first met after being introduced by a mutual friend at an industry event in New York City back in 2004. They married four years later while Remy was incarcerated for assault, illegal weapon possession, and attempted coercion.

Read More: Papoose & Remy Ma Celebrate 15 Years Of Marriage

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Lloyd Banks Reacts After Murda Mook Accuses Him Of Biting His Bars

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Biting bars is a faux pas but it happens to the best of ‘em. Lloyd Banks, unfortunately, is the latest rapper to face accusations of stealing lyrics. Murda Mook appeared on The Danza Project podcast last month where detailed his grievances with established rappers in the music industry, who watch the battles without showing love. “Battle rap, in the beginning, was taboo to mention,” he explained. “N***as used to watch – like, it wasn’t cool to mention it. It used to be those, ‘Oh, them battle rapping ass n***as,’ but n***as used to watch it.”

That’s when he turned his attention to Lloyd Banks, who he believes is a perfect example of this issues “Lloyd Banks is my guy, but he took two of my bars,” he said. “I told him. He know, he know it. But, nevertheless, y’all can find it later. Find the bars later.” He then suggested that Banks likely didn’t think anyone would catch on. “Blue is just nice regardless, though. I’m not saying it’s like that. He probably thought, ‘Nobody gon’ see this battle rap shit, right?’” 

Read More: Murda Mook Wasn’t Feeling Drake’s Presence At URL This Weekend

Lloyd Banks Responds To Murda Mook

Although Mook wasn’t being entirely serious with his claims, Lloyd Banks clearly wasn’t too fond of his name being brought up in that light. In response to Murda Mook’s podcast appearance, Banks slid into the comment section of @hiphopwolf where he commented with a cap emoji. Even if Banks kept his response brief, we could imagine that he might have a few bars in the chamber in case Mook escalates this situation. However, it should be noted that Banks has praised Mook’s skillset in the past.

Banks’ recent response comes shortly after another famed battle rapper, Cassidy, cleared up allegations of dissing the Course Of The Inevitable rapper. During an interview with Cam Capone, Cassidy explained his “Punchline King” bar from his Bars On I-95 Freestyle. “I been talking that and just because I used that I’m around the Punchline King. It was like, ‘I done battled all around my city banks’ or whatever I said. It’s a play on the city bank, like the bank, but I done really battled all around my city. I  never really seen no battles with Banks. He get busy, he lyrical, he punch and all that but I never seen no battles or heard about him being outside just battling all day like how I was in my city.”

Read More: Lloyd Banks Reveals He Nearly Signed With G.O.O.D Music

Swizz Beatz Says Rick Ross Wants To Battle T.I. On “Verzuz”

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Swizz Beatz says that Rick Ross is open to battling T.I. on an episode of Verzuz. The iconic producer revealed the potential matchup during a live stream on Instagram with Timbaland. He says that the battle would decide who is the “king of the south.”

“Rick Ross said he wanted T.I.,” Swizz Beatz began. “Rick Ross and Tip. Battle of the south. Crown of the south. King of the south.” He concluded: “T.I., talk to me. Ross you can fly your plane to the party.”

Read More: Joe Budden Says He Wants To See Rick Ross Vs. T.I. “Verzuz” Battle

Rick Ross With T.I.

T.I. and Rick Ross during 2006 BET Hip-Hop Awards – Inside at Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

It isn’t the first time that the idea of pitting Rick Ross and T.I. against each other has been brought up. It’s an idea that Joe Budden previously suggested for the series. “I’m down for the person that we’ve seen already, that won… alright, next battle. Rick Ross versus T.I.,” Budden said last year. “And Ross [has] got more than 40 records that he could play with, so now [he’s] back with a different 20. Or ‘John’ in front of T.I. looks different than ‘John’ in front of 2 Chainz. Like, I don’t think Ross will have time for the strippers to come out against T.I. It won’t be time for massages, speeches… that’s T.I.”

Facing off against T.I. wouldn’t be Rick Ross’ first time appearing on Verzuz. Back in 2020, he battled 2 Chainz, running through his hits including “Diced Pineapples,” “Aston Martin Music,” and more.

Swizz Beatz On Rick Ross Vs. T.I.

Elsewhere in the live stream, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland confirmed that they still own Verzuz, despite the previous sale to Triller. “Verzuz is still 100 percent Black-owned,” Swizz said on the broadcast. “50 percent on the top of your screen, and 50 percent on the bottom of your screen. In case you ain’t know. Word to Allah. Okay? It was built for the people, and it will stay with the people. And we love everybody.”

Read More: Swizz Beatz & Timbaland Say They Still Own 100% Of “Verzuz”

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[WATCH] White Battle Rapper Gets Punched In The Face After Calling Opponent N-Word

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A white battle rapper got the exposure he was not looking for after he was punched in the face by his opposition for calling his opponent a “n***a”.

William Wolf, who is white, spit a few solid bars at his opponent, Philly’s Avenue C , saying, “I ain’t like these other battle rappers, they talk too much, saying I can’t use the n-word in this battle, my n***a….” Before he could get the last word out of his mouth, Avenue C delivered a hard right jab to Wolf’s mouth.

The two were separated by other onlookers but not before William Wolf was fully embarrassed by Avenue C.. See the footage above.

The post [WATCH] White Battle Rapper Gets Punched In The Face After Calling Opponent N-Word appeared first on The Source.

Cassidy Says He’s Not Interested In Battling Meek Mill

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Cassidy says he has no interest in taking on Meek Mill in a rap battle, despite their past beef. He discussed the state of his feud with his fellow Philadelphia rapper during an interview on Vlad TV. In doing so, Cassidy explained that he doesn’t view Meek Mill as a battle rapper and that he has so many other things going on in his career, that he probably wouldn’t be interested either.

“Salute to Meek, but, he ain’t battle rap,” he said to outlet. “Like, maybe he battled back in the day to try to get on, like to try to get people familiar with what he do. There’s a bunch of people that did that. But still, they wouldn’t consider themselves battle rappers.”

Cassidy At Drake’s Till Death Do Us Part Rap Battle

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 30: Cassidy attends Drake’s Till Death Do Us Part rap battle on October 30, 2021 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

He continued: “Maybe that’s the cloth he was cut from back then, but it’s been so much time, and him doing other shit, and on music, and then a different bag, that I’m not even sure if he’s interested in battle rapping. … We kinda already had our own little battle, but I’m not interested in battling nobody. Long as the business is right, they could pick whoever I battle.”

The beef between Cassidy and Meek Mill began over a decade ago at this point. Back in 2013, things reached a high point when the two traded a series of freestyles aimed at dissing one another. Despite his animosity with Meek Mill, Cassidy recently revealed that he once tried to sign him. During a recent interview with the African Cultural Art Forum (ACAF), he explained that he simply couldn’t offer Meek what he needed at the time. “It wasn’t like I was super connected to the machine,” he said. “I was moving towards the independent direction. So I was offering him distribution, but more in like an independent way, [however] maybe he wanted to be more on the major side.” Check Cassidy’s discussion with Vlad TV below.

Cassidy On Battling Meek Mill

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