The Giant That Is Battle Rap...

Some of us may know it and some of us may not... Some of those who know and some of those who do not are both within and outside the movement itself, but Battle Rap is and has always been the most exciting part of hip hop as a literal culture. It helped raise the bar lyrically when rappers were making transitions from being hype men to being lyrical monsters, and today Battle Rap is keeping lyricism alive by taking penmanship to new heights. Actually, one could say lyricism has almost completely left mainstream rap music, and battle rap has the opportunity to be the main source of lyrical nourishment for rap fans. Even literary enthusiasts will appreciates the lengths these competitors will go to in order to make battles memorable. 

All over the world, battle rap is making its re-insurgence to the mainstream, and it cuts across cultural barriers. From Japan to Botswana, the battlers (as the competitors are known) understand that words are important, and the way these words form sentences, how these sentences are used and what they imply are integral in building an amazing verse that will go on to pulverize their opponents.

Of course, most of these battle rappers don't have professional rapping careers. Some are unemployed, others are still in university, and others may have a rap career, but it doesn't provide enough for them to feed their families. Battle rap actually helps put money directly in their pockets. International leagues can be used as case studies, and they are really helping these rappers make ends meet! It is also encouraging to see big names take a leap of faith in providing financial support to some of these leagues. That's out there though.

Here in Africa, and specifically in Botswana, there is so much potential for growth in battle rap. In my travels (Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa), I have been involved in Battle Rap in Namibia and Botswana where I currently reside. My personal experience is that Botswana has enough talent to be a leader in Battle rap in Southern Africa. What is stunting the growth of the culture of BW (as we call it, we love acronyms), is the lack of interest from the business community. Rap did not become the biggest and most bankable genre globally because of block parties in the South Bronx, but because big business saw the potential to make money from it. The difference with Battle Rap is that lyricism will drive this potential!

Below is a YouTube link of a rap battle in Russia, which gathered over 15 million views in 3 days. As business people, you should understand what that means for a brand. As battle rappers, you understand where that could take you as an artist. As I often say, DON'T SLEEP ON THE WARZONE! 

https://www.hiphopdx.com/news/id.44401/title.russian-rap-battle-racks-up-15m-views-in-3-days