LTBR Award Recipients
Battle of the Night: A.Ward/Loso vs Saflare Sole/Footz
Best 2on2n teams: #1 A.Ward/Loso | #2 Saflare/Footz | #3 J2 & Bonnie Godiva
Best Individual 1 RD Performance of the night: #1 Sheed Happens | #2 Funeral Fame | #3 Yunus | #4 Kapo | #5 Hoodlife Vito | #6 Swamp
Our Society Battle League (OSBL) recently hosted the 5th edition of its annual Eminence event, marking one of the most significant milestones in the league’s history with one of its biggest cards to date. This year’s card was star-studded, featuring top-tier battlers like T-Top, Shotgun Suge, A.Ward, Tay Roc, Swamp and more. The event had a mix of thrilling one-round battles with some of the culture’s most prominent names pit up against OSBL’s homegrown talent and a blend of exciting 2-on-2 matches, all taking place in an outdoor venue that was new to the league and spacious for all of the fans in attendance. The local talent had the opportunity to show off their skills, all under high-quality production standards.
Salute to Kelz, the league owner and the entire OSBL staff; they made all of the necessary moves and adjustments to put this event in a position to succeed. Rightfully so, because an event of this magnitude is a legacy event for the endless commitment she pours into the culture and the DMV scene. She brought in the big guns; she had JB, the Director of URL, produce and film the event. The result was a visually stunning and audibly perfect production. Initially, the event was scheduled to be a pay-per-view event, but OSBL had to make a last-minute decision to switch to Video on Demand due to concerns about the venue’s capacity to deliver a stable live stream. This decision aimed to avoid potential vocal complaints from the audience if they couldn’t ensure a smooth viewing experience.
While this change elicited mixed feelings for me, the live experience is a significant draw in battle rap, and a card with this many big names gets the perfect opportunity to garner the proper attention for their performance. I can’t lie; the Fan in me was a little frustrated. One thing about the way we do media at LTBR, we have the luxury to be just as impactful and supportive, if not more, by watching an event remotely than actually being in attendance. If you have ever been to an OSBL event in person, it’s almost impossible not to have a good time. However, traveling to events isn’t always feasible, and there is a whole online world and people across the country that can propel an event when it’s being live-streamed.
The online experience in our culture is one that sometimes comes with a very vocal audience of complainers, but it also has a large audience of people who truly love battle rap, and they love to support the culture and also bring an evening full of battles that can be the perfect level of entertainment someone yearns for. Sometimes, VOD events don’t capture the momentum or energy that an event can provide, and the coverage for them can easily get lost in the mix, but it was ultimately the right decision. OSBL was unwavering in its commitment to addressing previous criticisms, a testament to its respect for the audience. They participated in showing more transparency, organized timeliness, and effective communication with marketing the event, and you have to commend them for that. They made sure to announce which battles are 1 or 3 rounds; they made a battle schedule for the performers and promised a quick turnaround time for the VOD.
Tay Roc vs Ace Amin Will Be rescheduled.
The final thing worth noting is that this is the second consecutive time an event centered around Ace Amin’s headlining battle has not taken place. His one-round battle with Tay Roc did not go down, and after his Kyd Slade battle, he couldn’t go down at the previous event. Don’t be surprised if this recurring issue could lead to increased skepticism from fans when they see Ace Amin’s name on future flyers.
However, Ace is currently dealing with a personal situation requiring some level of empathy and patience. I don’t expect all of the fans or paying customers to express that, and it’s okay. Two things can be true at once. Tay Roc advised Kelz that he received a message from Ace Amin on the day of the battle that Ace could not participate because his request for the battle was denied by his P.O.
Kelz did an interview on Hip-Hop Is Real addressing this and advised that the battle will be rescheduled as a three-round bout instead.
Let’s Break down the 10 biggest takeaways.
Since the card was split between 1 round battles & 3 round battles. Five of the takeaways will be catered to the 1-round performances, and the other five takeaways will be catered to the 3-round performances.
Kapo Wins Judged Battle vs 6'8
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The battle between Kapo and 6’8 was a clash that many saw as emblematic of the rivalry between the rising talents from URL and RBE talents, and they certainly fit the bill. With weeks of promotion, the stakes elevated, culminating in a judged battle with $1,000 on the line. 6’8 delivered a solid performance, showcasing some decent to good punchlines. However, Kapo’s versatility and strategic approach gave him the edge. Kapo effectively leveraged the angle of 6’8, leaving the bricks while also increasing his punch rate, implementing performance, showing disrespect to his opponent, and employing multiple flows. This multifaceted strategy led to Kapo getting another victory, extending his current win streak and securing the money on the floor of $1000.
Hood Life Vito Takes His Shot, Close Range
Hood Life Vito delivered a stellar performance against T-Top in a fun one round battle. T-Top set the bar at a solid enough level for Vito to match, he would have to reach that level to make the one rounder debatable and not only did he meet it, you can very well say he exceeded it. Vito demonstrated exceptional pacing and excellent delivery in his aggressive style. His bars were impactful, particularly his creative drug references, like the memorable “Tennessee” line and more quotables. Facing a top-tier opponent and one of the leading contenders for Champion of the Year (COTY), Vito seized the opportunity and showcased his talent on the stage. He matched T-Top’s energy and matched him in bars, showing he could hang with some of the best for 1 round.
Yunus Getting His Groove Back
Yunus delivered an impressive performance against Emerson Kennedy, marking a solid comeback after a tough two-battle stint. Out the gate (no pun intended), Yunus showcased his versatility, applying a variety of flows with unique wordplay and flips of Emerson Kennedy’s name. Yunus also brought an endless supply of punchlines that overpowered Kennedy’s sharp angles and well-tailored performance. Yunus’s ability to switch gears while being able to build up his punches and not lose the crowd is a reminder of why his skillset is so special. He can maintain a relentless pace while keeping the audience engaged. After a few battles where some lessons were learned, your resilience as a battler grows. This battle was a positive checkpoint you want to see from someone who is a rising star. But it is worth noting that it’s still a 1 round battle, so it’s a solid step to get back on an even-keeled. Maintaining a level of equanimity will be part of Yunus’s growth; don’t let the peaks get too high or the valleys get too low.
Funeral Fame Capitalizes
Funeral Fame has been a notable talent in the battle rap scene for some time, though he hasn’t fully broken through to the next level. However, his performance against Shotgun Suge is certainly a way to fuel some momentum to change that trajectory. With an opportunity to prove himself, Fame seized the moment, delivering a relentless barrage of haymakers from start to finish. He landed consistently and showed his ability to command the projection, his aggression, and rock the room. While Suge briefly brought an intense energy to match Fame, he couldn’t maintain it throughout the battle. Fame’s performance against a well-established top-tier like Suge is a surefire way to raise your stock or boost your confidence, but don’t stay complacent or too high on this moment; the same hunger he channeled against Suge is the same level he needs to stay at consistently. Don’t stay satisfied.
Sheed Happens Had The Best 1 Round Performance
Sheed Happens delivered the standout individual performance among all the one-round battles, showcasing the full spectrum of his talent. His theatrics and unique flows moved the room, while his seamless transitions with dope mulits and witty lines kept you on your toes. Chain punching with originality, Sheed always brings a breath of fresh air to the stage. It was the full Sheed Happens experience, and it reminds you why he is always a must-watch battler when he’s placed in the right situations. In this performance, he was firing on all cylinders against Swamp, perfectly blending his creativity and skill.
3 Round Battles:
A.Ward & Loso Deliver The Best Show of The Weekend
Loso and A. Ward delivered the battle of the night, while also providing the best show of all the battlers on the card. Their chemistry in 2-on-2 battles is seamless and special, showcasing a completely original dynamic. They offer a mix bag of everything you could ask for—jokes, punches, angles, freestyles, and concepts—all executed precisely. Their unique duo dynamics are always coined by their signature move of using the last word of a bar to start a new sentence; that move always shakes the room, and it’s what sets them apart as a 2on2 team. Despite facing an extremely competitive performance from the Foot Soldiers, Ward and Loso’s synergy is like a dream battle rap 2-man pick and roll, perfectly coordinated, highly effective, and always able to get you a bucket! This is the 2nd 2on2 from the Horsemen in 2024, and both showings have been great performances.
Saflare Sole & Footz Have Battle Of The Night
Saflare Sole and Footz delivered the battle of the night alongside A.Ward & Loso. The Foot soldiers have become one of the more fan-favorite 2on2 teams over the last year and a half. Also worth noting is that this marks the second consecutive time Footz has earned Battle of the Night on OSBL. Since they graduated from the Crucible class, Saflare Sole and Footz have navigated an intriguing career path over the past two years, and 2024 for both of them may be a bit more on the quiet side but they are making stride and putting in work. Saflare Sole has been accumulating wins in 2024, showcasing his skill and consistency, while Footz continues to impress with standout performances and the ability to bring out the best in his opponents. This highlights Footz’s significant value and potential as a versatile asset to not only be the best version of himself but also to bring it out in his opponents. It’s traits like this that always produce great replay value and makes him an addition worth having to any card on any league.
J2 & Bonnie Godiva Continue To Add to Their Active Year.
J2 and Bonnie delivered a dope performance as a team, adding another impressive chapter to their active year in 2024. Their partnership, which has seen multiple collaborations, showed a growing synergy on the stage. Facing off against Kai The Poet and Viixen, who opted for a more traditional battle rap approach, J2 and Bonnie stood out as they were quicker to the punches, and had a more captivating performance. J2 & Bonnie effectively utilized moments of isolation to shine individually, with Bonnie effortlessly rapping circles around her opponents and J2 strategically setting up his haymakers. Their combined efforts resulted in a good battle and a clear win where their skills and chemistry were on full display and another good showing to add to the repertoire.
Quban bounces back.
Quban delivered a good bounce-back performance following his battle against Justice, reaffirming his status as a seasoned and experienced battler. He is etching his name as a perennial artist whenever you think of OSBL’s Eminence series. Having headlined the previous Eminence event, he returned with another solid showing against Wordplay The Menance; Quban’s performance is always a joy on the ear if you appreciate his pure fluid rapping abilities, some of his witty basketball references, and skill. His consistent performances seemed to have earned him a new moniker as “The Logo of OSBL,” reflecting his integral role and presence within the league.
Bad Newz & Swervoo
To be transparent, I don’t really have a takeaway for this battle, but I wanted to highlight something for both of these emcees.
I’m disappointed to report that the Bad Newz vs. Swervoo battle still isn’t available on video-on-demand, despite it being one of the battles I was most eager to see. This battle marked Swervoo’s return since his lackluster performance at NOME 14, while Bad Newz has been having a standout year, showing immense hunger and potential for one of his best career years yet. Although clips are circulating from the battle, I wanted to take this time to emphasize and remind everyone that Bad Newz’s momentum throughout 2024 has been undeniable, and Swervoo seems poised to rebound strongly, aiming to regain his stride not only in this battle but also in future performances on the horizon.
