Take Five: Hot Dub Time Machine's All-Time Favourite Rap Battles
Aussie partystarter Hot Dub Time Machine is regarded as the world's first time travelling DJ, but dropping beats is not the only thing he's passionate about. We chatted with the homegrown disc jockey ahead of his upcoming gigs in Sydney and Adelaide to get the scoop on his favourite rap battles of all time. Check out his top five picks below.
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Words by Hot Dub Time Machine
I love Battle Rap. Battle Rap these days isn't improvised freestyle over a beat like in Eminem's 8 Mile, it's performed acapella (no music) with incredibly intricate rhyming insults pre-written and delivered directly to the opponent's face over 3 super intense rounds. It's the most pressurised performance imaginable with no second takes, a constant atmosphere of repressed violence (that sometimes explodes) and an obsessed crowd hanging on every word.
Illmaculate vs Bigg K
This is a great battle to get started with. Bigg K starts first and he's angry, and I love it. He's known for his incredibly crafted, punchy rhymes, that are brutal in their simplicity but hit like a brick. He starts off so strong that it seems like an easy win, but Illmac is veteran of the scene and has a complex, intricate style and his third round is considered one of the greatest ever. But I still have Bigg K 2-1.
Rone vs Big T
This is an all-time classic, putting Rone up against Big T. This battle is an epic clash of styles, with Rone's funny, nerdy but incredibly funky schtick going against Big T's more street smart, classic style. The highlight is Rone's 3rd round (which went viral at the time) where he does nothing but fat jokes and it's absolutely brutal and incredible. The levels of intricacy and art devoted to calling another man fat, is unsurpassed. Rone 3-0.
Conceited vs B-Magic
Now we're getting into the real stuff. The URL. The heart of the culture. Their events are wild, with this one at a packed Webster Hall in New York City reacting to every bar. Enjoy the intro by the iconic host SMACK, before we get into a classic. B-Magic is a super smooth rapper from St Louis who sounds just so cool, if you like hiphop and you like rapping, you'll like B-Magic. Conceited is hilarious and one of the great performers, who went on to have a huge career. 2-1 either way.
Loaded Lux vs Calicoe
5. Shotty Horroh vs Tony D
I've got to put a UK battle in here. This features Shotty Horroh from Manchester vs Tony D from London, two wildly different battlers who were the absolute pinnacle of the UK scene. UK battle rap is different, generally more intricate and grime influenced, with a different cadence and humour. This battle was hugely anticipated and delivered. Great fun. Shotty 2-1.
HOT DUB RAVE MACHINE
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