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J.U.I.C.E. Speaks On Defeating Eminem & Then Getting Him Signed

J.U.I.C.E. Speaks On Defeating Eminem & Then Getting Him Signed

Chicago MC J.U.I.C.E. is revered as one of Hip-Hop's all-time elite freestylers and punchline wordsmiths. During the late 1990s and early 2000s in particular, J.U.I.C.E. commanded the spotlight on Sway & King Tech's The Wake Up Show, Cincinnati's Scribble Jam battles, and appearances on Molemen albums. However, J.U.I.C.E. is also... Read more
April 23, 2022 Video
Some Of Hip-Hop’s Top MCs Mourn Philadelphia Battle Rapper Tech 9

Some Of Hip-Hop’s Top MCs Mourn Philadelphia Battle Rapper Tech 9

The Hip-Hop community is mourning the death of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Battle Rap veteran Tech 9 (aka Akeen Mickens). He is survived by a daughter. Details are still forthcoming in this developing story. “Sadly it’s true. We lost a Philadelphia and Battle Rap legend and pioneer,” fellow competitive MC Buttah Madison... Read more
March 25, 2019 News
Tory Lanez Says He’s A Better MC Than Joyner Lucas & Serves Battle Bars (Audio)

Tory Lanez Says He’s A Better MC Than Joyner Lucas & Serves Battle Bars (Audio)

Yesterday (November 19), Toronto, Canada MC/singer Tory Lanez dismissed notions that Joyner Lucas was a better MC. During an Instagram Live session, the artist who released two Top 5 albums on the charts this year (Memories Don't Die and Love Me Now) In the midst of boasting of his multi-faceted... Read more
November 20, 2018 Audio, News
Last Week Jae Millz Took An L, But This Freestyle Shows He Bounced Back (Video)

Last Week Jae Millz Took An L, But This Freestyle Shows He Bounced Back (Video)

Jae Millz was once considered one of the sharpest MCs on the streets of New York. That's why, approximately 15 years ago, Puff Daddy took his Making The Band hopeful E Ness to see Millz for a battle. In the years since Jae was signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money at... Read more
November 15, 2018 Video
Eminem Is Producing A Battle Rap Satire Film Filled With Social Commentary (Video)

Eminem Is Producing A Battle Rap Satire Film Filled With Social Commentary (Video)

It's been nearly 18 years to the date since 8 Mile hit theaters, a film which solidified Eminem's place in the pop-culture zeitgeist. At the time of its debut, Eminem was several months removed from the release of The Eminem Show, his fourth studio album and one that would eventually release a... Read more
October 8, 2018 Lifestyle, News, TV/Film, Video
Royce 5’9 Explains How Beef With Joe Budden Led To A Slaughterhouse (Video)

Royce 5’9 Explains How Beef With Joe Budden Led To A Slaughterhouse (Video)

In the last five weeks, Slaughterhouse has publicly disbanded. Following KXNG Crooked's (aka Crooked I) announcement that he was stepping out of the group, Royce 5'9 and Joe Budden both responded in the media. The quartet, also including Joell Ortiz, has seemingly hung up its four mics after a run... Read more
May 25, 2018 Video
Craig G Returns To Battle Rap & He’s Ready To Juice The Competition

Craig G Returns To Battle Rap & He’s Ready To Juice The Competition

Much like many aspects of Hip-Hop, Battle Rap today looks (and sounds) a lot different than it did when it originated. With the help of some of the pioneers, like MC Craig G, Heads may get new glimpses at its past glory. The documented freestyle master and Juice Crew member... Read more
March 8, 2018 News
Murs Details Watching Biggie Smalls Lose A Rap Battle To An Unsigned MC (Video)

Murs Details Watching Biggie Smalls Lose A Rap Battle To An Unsigned MC (Video)

Many Heads have seen the footage of a pre-deal Biggie Smalls ripping into an opponent in his own neighborhood, outside a Brooklyn storefront (posted below). The Notorious B.I.G. was clearly a battle-tested MC who brought his confidence, wit, and commanding delivery to a decorated career that includes a diamond-certified double... Read more
March 21, 2017 Video
J.U.I.C.E. Defeated Eminem In One Of Rap’s Greatest Battles. He Offers A Rematch (Audio)

J.U.I.C.E. Defeated Eminem In One Of Rap’s Greatest Battles. He Offers A Rematch (Audio)

In 1997, at Cincinnati, Ohio's annual Scribble Jam Festival, Eminem and MC J.U.I.C.E. faced off in what is often considered one of Hip-Hop's greatest battles. At the time, the two Midwestern lyricists were both independent artists looking for a title, and some shine to boot. J.U.I.C.E., the Chicago, Illinois native... Read more
February 3, 2017 Audio
Snoop Dogg Recalls Meeting Tupac & Nearly Battle Rapping (Video)

Snoop Dogg Recalls Meeting Tupac & Nearly Battle Rapping (Video)

In 1996, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg would release several collaborations, beginning with All Eyez On Me video single "2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted." Snoop has previously credited himself with recruiting Shakur to join Death Row Records in 1995, when the Long Beach, California MC was the standout MC at... Read more
January 22, 2017 Video
Meek Mill Breaks His Silence On Drake, Game & Beans. He Has A LOT To Say. (Audio)

Meek Mill Breaks His Silence On Drake, Game & Beans. He Has A LOT To Say. (Audio)

Last week, Meek Mill released mixtape DC4. The fourth installment of the Dreamchasers series, which began in 2011, finds the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC in a completely different spot than when he began. In the years since, Meek has two gold solo albums, two platinum singles, and his own roster of... Read more
October 31, 2016 Audio
Murda Mook Smothers The Mic In This Head-Hunting 9 Minute Freestyle (Video)

Murda Mook Smothers The Mic In This Head-Hunting 9 Minute Freestyle (Video)

Murda Mook can downright destroy microphones when asked. The Harlem, New Yorker and onetime Ruff Ryders member is nice with the ring of Battle Rap. However, without an opponent, the MC that's worked with Sean Price and LL Cool J is simply a standout lyricist. Appearing alongside Funkmaster Flex at... Read more
September 23, 2016 Video
Daylyt Explains His Face Tattoo & Its Much Deeper Than You Think​ (Video)

Daylyt Explains His Face Tattoo & Its Much Deeper Than You Think​ (Video)

In recent years, the interest driving the sport of Battle Rap rivals that of mainstream Hip-Hop. While there are no album sales to track, and less resources to hype a career (the daily stream of songs and videos), Hip-Hop superstars (Eminem, Drake) are showing that they personally are excited by... Read more
September 6, 2016 Video
Hear One Of The Earliest Rap Battles Ever Recorded From 1981 (Audio)

Hear One Of The Earliest Rap Battles Ever Recorded From 1981 (Audio)

The Rap Battle has become a pop culture institution. The sport of two (or more MCs) competing has excited Hip-Hop culture since the art of rapping stepped to the front. Some of the most successful and acclaimed MCs began their careers through battling, and distinguished their legacies with combative moments... Read more
August 27, 2016 Throwback, Throwback
Redman Discusses His Battle Rap Days Spent Rolling With Biz Markie (Video)

Redman Discusses His Battle Rap Days Spent Rolling With Biz Markie (Video)

To the Hip-Hop record-buying community, Redman's career would largely take shape in 1990, care of EPMD's Business As Usual album. On a Top 40 LP (Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith's first with Def Jam Records), Reggie Noble appeared twice, including single "Hardcore." However, that is not where the Newark, New Jersey... Read more
August 10, 2016 Video
Ice-T Explains Why Battling Unknown MCs Is A Bad Idea & More

Ice-T Explains Why Battling Unknown MCs Is A Bad Idea & More

Ice-T has been releasing records for nearly 35 years. Whether early independent 12" singles of platinum albums with Sire/Warner Bros. Records, the New Jersey-born, California-raised artist has enjoyed a massive entertainment career. Now known for his seminal role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the pioneering gangsta rapper appeared... Read more
June 7, 2016 Audio, Food for Thought, Fresh
Spotlight: Despite His Name, Rain910 Is Here To Shed Light On His People’s Pain (Video)

Spotlight: Despite His Name, Rain910 Is Here To Shed Light On His People’s Pain (Video)

North Carolina has consistently proven itself to be a breeding ground for forward-thinking, soulful, and prolific MCs, a tradition be carried on today by Rain910. Hailing from the land of 9th Wonder, J. Cole, and Little Brother, the 27-year-old Fayetteville rapper and producer is currently surfing the waves he left... Read more
October 21, 2015 Video
The Best Overall Cypher Was Live & Shows Battle Rap Reigns Supreme (Video)

The Best Overall Cypher Was Live & Shows Battle Rap Reigns Supreme (Video)

To many Hip-Hop Heads, names like T-Top, Rain, Charlie Clips, DNA, and K-Shine may not resonate. These are not artists with albums in stores or hit songs on social media. However, in the culture of Battle Rap, these are some of the most fiery MCs doing it. At last night's... Read more
October 14, 2015 Video
Keith Murray & Fredro Starr’s MC Battle Is Back On The Books (Video)

Keith Murray & Fredro Starr’s MC Battle Is Back On The Books (Video)

UPDATE: In the summer of 2014, it was announced that veteran 1990s MCs Keith Murray (Def Squad/UnderGods) and Fredro Starr (ONYX) would face off in a competitive battle. After the event was promoted, it postponed. More than one year after it was first reported, the match-up is back on. Next... Read more
September 15, 2015 Video
Bizzy Bone Is The Next Star Battle Rap Contestant

Bizzy Bone Is The Next Star Battle Rap Contestant

Battling, in the traditional, structured setting, has become popular for established, highly-prominent artists. Earlier this year, Def Squad's Keith Murray was planned to battle ONYX's Fredro Starr. Slaughterhouse's Joe Budden took on Hollow Da Don this past summer, taking what many considered to be a major L. The next contestant... Read more
December 4, 2014 Fresh
The LOX Speak on How Battle Rap Has Changed Over the Years (Video)

The LOX Speak on How Battle Rap Has Changed Over the Years (Video)

Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch, three of Hip-Hop's finest lyrical sharp shooters, sat with Watch Loud to discuss the differences between battle rap now and when they were participants in the verbal sport. Sheek and Styles speak about the differences of battling when accompanied with a beat vs. the... Read more
November 18, 2014 Video
Watch a Highlight Reel of Some of Eminem’s Greatest Battles (Video)

Watch a Highlight Reel of Some of Eminem’s Greatest Battles (Video)

Though Eminem's 8 Mile movie was fictional, it aligned very closely with several elements in Marshall Mathers' real life, including showcasing that he started as BATTLE RAP BEAST. The battle scenes in the film have been replayed countless times, but there is also real footage of Em's battles that have... Read more
October 12, 2014 Throwback
2000s Southern Rappers Square Off, As Mike Jones Will Battle Bone Crusher

2000s Southern Rappers Square Off, As Mike Jones Will Battle Bone Crusher

Battle Rap continues to attract onetime major label stars. Following Joe Budden's challenging Hollow Da Don in July, and leading up to Keith Murray's competition against Fredro Starr later this month, two more established acts are entering the proverbial "Rap ring." Mike Jones, the breakout star of 2005's Houston Hip-Hop... Read more
September 4, 2014 Fresh
Loaded Lux Joins DJ Premier For Bars In The Booth (Video)

Loaded Lux Joins DJ Premier For Bars In The Booth (Video)

Throughout the last 25 years, DJ Premier has thrived when working with battle-tested MCs, ranging from Rah Digga ("Lessons Of Today") to Craig G ("Ready Set Begin") to Canibus ("Golden Terra Of Rap"). So with Battle Rap at arguably its pinnacle since the 1990s, why not go to one of... Read more
July 15, 2014 Fresh, Video
Episode 2 Of The Road To Total Slaughter Features Arsonal vs. Daylyt & Dizaster vs. Math Hoffa (Videos)

Episode 2 Of The Road To Total Slaughter Features Arsonal vs. Daylyt & Dizaster vs. Math Hoffa (Videos)

Following this week's premiere episode of Road Of Total Slaughter featuring T Rex vs. Cortez, Shady Records' Battle Rap league showcased two more videos. Separated into two segments, the high-profile battles of Arsonal vs. Daylyt and Dizaster vs. Math Hoffa represent the talent from one-eighth of the Eminem-backed Battle Rap... Read more
June 27, 2014 Fresh, Video
Eminem Announces Shady Records Battle Rap League, As Joe Budden Will Take On Hollow Da Don (Video)

Eminem Announces Shady Records Battle Rap League, As Joe Budden Will Take On Hollow Da Don (Video)

Eminem helped take the competition of Battle Rap and make it mainstream almost 15 years ago with his semi-autographical film 8 Mile. As Battle Rap's popularity has grown, it often appears to live in the underground (rather proudly) as names like Loaded Lux, Hollow Da Don, and even Jae Millz... Read more
April 28, 2014 Fresh, Video