Black Culture permeates and is an integral part of what is deemed fashionable, "hip", or controversial. It's no stranger to microaggressions, progress, and dissection from the outside world. A lesser known aspect of the culture, however, is battle rap, which consists of people from all walks sharing a love of succinct word choice and performance values--people that, in a different or more judgmental setting, would not organically be labelled as poets.
That's what they are, however. They're poets and warriors wielding their power and notoriety to antagonize or (as Daylyt states) elevate/rebirth their opponents. While it can be a carcinogenic platform (glorifying violence and sexism in a way not dissimilar to that of mainstream hip-hop), that doesn't eradicate the avenues it opens for its participants nor the potential it has to influence its community.
Don't get me wrong. Battle rap is not exclusively Black nor must you be Black to participate in or appreciate it. It's no secret, however, that Black voices are marginalized in most spaces from academia to film. To have a platform pioneered by us for us that passionately, entertainingly, and impressively engages with the issues our communities face and rejects the insistence we be polite about it, is refreshing to say the least.
How long have you been a fan of battle rap? What are some of your favorite moments/performances? Who are some of your favorite performers? Have you ever attended a battle rap event and what was the atmosphere like for you? I'd love to know your thoughts.
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