On July 4th, the fireworks were mos def on the inside of Premier Palace in Memphis, TN. Iron Mouth Battle League (IMBL) hosted arguably the biggest card of the South that battle rap has seen in this region. The card was absolutely stacked with big names and some of the best of the local talent. A lot of my personal favorites were on this card, which made predicting this card difficult. Disclaimer: These is a recap based on these judgments- Stage Presence, Clarity, Aggression, Mic Control (Schemes, Punches, Voice Inflections, Multis, & Haymakers), and Star Factor (New angles, Crowd Reaction, Outstanding Performance Moments & Quotable). Also, this is my opinion void of official status of the online voting; however, as proven I call it like I see it. So get ya Manties/Panties out of a bunch it’s just a recap. HOM. No, seriously put your hand over your mouth if you sensitive.
Battle 1: Crisis vs. Jon Coffey
Countrymen, Romans lend me your ear…yep. I called this one right in my VLOG. Crisis was a problem that Jon Coffey could not answer. Crisis applied pressure and that coffee bean burst into broken charred remains choking in the first. The crowd was shocked. It was like when Bambi mother died in the room. Everybody was looking around waiting on the end credits. Coffey recovered started battling the second. Even though Coffey proved the pot wasn’t broken with one of the best rounds I’ve heard in a while. If you were there, they know we all know, Coffey third was amazing but it wasn’t enough to resurrect that burnt coffee. Crisis 2-1 Dangerous
Urban Predictions:1-0
Battle Two: Major vs. The Kid From Mars
I told you a man with something to prove and with hunger in his belly is a man you should leave alone. When I saw the homie Preauxx, s/o TRDON music, on the side with MAJOR whew it was looking bad. Major jumped out with a personal so devastating I thought Mars was done. I mean how do you recover from a Caityln Jenner dating bar? Major unleashed a series of witty jokes, personals, and dark multis. Unfortunately, I think it pissed the kid off. While, Major was witty- Tha Kid was on a mission of violence. He unveiled a Martian that people have been waiting for: a relentless, non-playful, lyrical mercenary. Martian obviously had built up issues from the SQUAD days that he expressed and his bars hit. It was a direct confrontation, no bobbing and weaving he stood as a man and came out an alien high above comedy. Jokes, antics and talking to the camera couldn’t save a Major from the cupcake-turned out the war was bloody and the pain was great. The Kid From Mars 2-1
Urban Predictions 2-0
Battle Three: Showoff vs. St. Courts
The battle of two of the realest battle rappers in the business Showoff vs. St. Courts was electric. The face off itself was sick. For a moment, it was like two boxers ready to fight right there. St. Courts came out punching and with Mic Gang backing him in some of the sickest combos of the night it proved to be too much for Showoff. Showoff couldn’t show out in the second and choked. St. Courts was direct and then it happened. The Flatbush bar….whoa. When your opponent daps you for a bar: that’s a bar. Period. Combine that with the Young HERB bars it was a w(rap). I take nothing away from Showoff. He is definitely talented but that was a different St. Courts and was a buzz saw. St. Courts proved today that he is still evolving even as a vet and that's dangerous.
St. Courts easy. 2-1
Urban Predictions 3-0
Battle Four: Aye Verb vs. Grizz Guru
3 minute 1 round battle
This was the shortest battle but most likely battle of the night. The footage for this one will be outstanding. Grizz Guru laid down some of the dopest word play I have witnessed. His bars were definitely comparable and pushed Aye Verb to compete. Even though I picked Aye Verb to win, I wanted Grizz Guru to show well and he did. This footage will show a closer battle than the room showed. Aye Verbs rebuttal and closes were just cleaner. His bars were well timed and at times you can clearly see Guru’s team reacting which is a great show of respect to the culture and identification of good bars; however, when your team reacts that some cold ShowTime stuff. Aye Verb proved the big leagues are polished but Grizz certainly showed that he belongs.
Aye Verb 1-0 debatable edge
Urban Predictions 4-0
Battle Five: B. Gunna vs. Ms. Murk
Ladies and Gentlemen: We are gathered here to day to witness the legacy and funeral of Ms. Murk who died of self inflicted choking suicide by stage. B. Gunna opening bar let everybody know what it was. She literally ate Ms. Murk alive. I do question if Murk was sick. She was visibly choking; however, her stumble in the first had none of those symptoms. To die in the first, second, and third by forgetting and quitting all three rounds was a terrible performance. As a Ms. Murk fan, I was disappointed. Everyone battles demons and not being 100%. I am sure Gunna had a heavy heart after her brother (R.I.P) but she was a professional and battled for her fans and I respect that. I really thought this would be a classic; hopefully, there will be a rematch. Although with a 3-0 body bag that I wanted to award a 4-0 to that may never happen. In other words, the CHAMP is HERE. The champ is here. Catch the footage ya boy Urban was on the side of B. Gunna, she let ya boy rock on her side. #facts
B. Gunna 3-0: Polish the gold body bag. The champ deserves the best for the body.
Urban Predictions- 5-0
Battle Six: T.E.D vs. Hurricane
I don’t know maybe after seeing the other battles. Maybe it was the timing but this battle lacked something. It might have been the drastic style clashes of the slow flow Kang vs. the relentless aggression and lyrical speed of T.E.D but this battle definitely got the lowest reactions of the night. I don’t fault the battlers. They gave a great show and I truly feel that the bars went over a lot of people’s heads. But from the audience a lot of people were left wanting more. T.E.D aggression and content to me edged the battle. I give the win to him but hopefully the footage looks better than the room.
T.E.D 2-1
Urban Predictions: 6-0
Battle 7: Tenasee vs. Mizundastood
What a disappointment?! A no call/ no show on any job gets you fired. Tenasee is a businesswoman with several successful businesses but it seems of late her business is not showing up for battles. It is disappointing because she is supremely talented but every since the stealing bars incident came up she has been flaky. Mizundastood wins by default. Something tells me though from the look in her face that she wanted this battle bad, which leads me to believe, she would have won anyway. Not a good look but from the rumblings not to call your opponent and even give a heads up is not cool.
Mizundastood 3-0 (no show win)
Urban Predictions 6-1 (Tenasee you jacked up my perfection)
Battle Eight: Bo the Great vs. J Roc
J-Roc was dope. Kid def has bars and in a clash of heavyweights had one of the biggest reactions for his series of what you tryna be bars: Buff or just Fat? That bar killed it. Crowd went crazy. Mic Gang has a squad and if I ever get into the ring. I want NuNu and her shoes in my corner. She is the dopest hypewoman. Facts. Problem is Bo came like Jackson and Bo knows punches. Bo knows combos and Bo knows combos. Throwing out the fact that Herb beat J-Roc and a nine-month going away silence brought questions. Finishing with a confrontation over whether Mic Gang snitches on camera telling personals made the crowd turn. J-roc may have won with stronger finishes to his round but his last punches lost conviction.
Bo the Great 2-1 in a hard fought win.
Urban 7-1 still steaming that I’m not perfect right now. I need people to see this writing ain’t a hobby. I study son. I study.
Battle Nine: Yella Mane vs. ATM
SMH. I rock with SO-FI. The things they are saying ain’t right…smh. Naw it’s true. Tragic. Yella Mane first round was cold. ATM first round tho was colder. Honestly, on footage the first round is most likely closer and more debatable then the room told. Then it happened…Yella Mane is cooking a meal so nice then his phone rings. A rookie mistake that every performer knows: Cut the phone off. I thought it was part of the act but nope. It was his phone ringing that threw him completely off. The great Yella fell. Mane, I felt like I was watching Rocky on the ropes while Yella was choking. I was like Get up Yella. Get up. ATM just kept punching and punching. It was blood everywhere. The third round Yella recovered name flipping ATM to…WAIT did 3-D fall on stage. She did. Yella is disturbed again through an honest mistake but nevertheless he was dying before the fall. ATM then went full-fledged RUSSIAN on Independence Day. I was like throw the towel. Throw the towel. It was like watching APOLLO CREED die. If he dies, he dies. Enter Bankroll. MONEY TEAM. MONEY TEAM. Dang you, Bankroll. You are starting to make me think that Money Team may be the squad of the year. I had to apologize as a man. I found ATM and looked him in the eye and told him that I had picked against him. And that dang Bankroll and his beaker.... Money team….Sigh. I shook hands and went home. Guess I can’t be perfect. So-Fi had a rough night, I still think they are talented but they got to get that eye of the TIGER back. Tragic.
ATM 3-0 roll out the casket.
Urban Predictions: 7-2
SIDE BATTLES:
Neicy’s Dress vs. the Bartender Shorts:
Whew the battle was close. Sexy was winning.
Winner: Debatable
Steve vs. EVERYBODY:
Steve stay getting pubbed in everybody bars or mentions. He gets better press than Jay-Z on TMZ.
Steve 3-0
FAT NASA vs. The STAIRS
After Bankroll was checking Nasa, Nasa attacked the stairs. The stairs won in a debatable because Nasa did reach the top. But afterwards, it is believed that Fat Nasa took a nap.
Nasa 21-20
Ashley Natural vs. Sky Beats GLAM
Ya’ll saw the hair and legs.
Sky Beats GLAM 3-0
St. Courts Pep talks vs. everybody basketball coach halftime talks.
Ya’ll saw GRIZZ go off.
St. Courts 3-0
Bar of the Night: Aye VERB vs. K-wine. Hilarious.
No, Seriously. ATM : I had to teach myself how to drive with my knees cause I was doing a drive by with guns in both hands....Whew that was some cold.
Teachable Moment: Arrive later to IMBL events. No seriously somebody gone have to text me when the first battle start. Ya’ll tripping. But a great NIGHT. Great battles. S/O Dutch and K-Wine great hospitality to me and my guest to write about this. S/O to Southern Mag. B.A.D.D Mag. And my sponsors.
–Urban Thoughts Poetry #getFAMILIAR #orGETleftBEHIND
Battle 1: Crisis vs. Jon Coffey
Countrymen, Romans lend me your ear…yep. I called this one right in my VLOG. Crisis was a problem that Jon Coffey could not answer. Crisis applied pressure and that coffee bean burst into broken charred remains choking in the first. The crowd was shocked. It was like when Bambi mother died in the room. Everybody was looking around waiting on the end credits. Coffey recovered started battling the second. Even though Coffey proved the pot wasn’t broken with one of the best rounds I’ve heard in a while. If you were there, they know we all know, Coffey third was amazing but it wasn’t enough to resurrect that burnt coffee. Crisis 2-1 Dangerous
Urban Predictions:1-0
Battle Two: Major vs. The Kid From Mars
I told you a man with something to prove and with hunger in his belly is a man you should leave alone. When I saw the homie Preauxx, s/o TRDON music, on the side with MAJOR whew it was looking bad. Major jumped out with a personal so devastating I thought Mars was done. I mean how do you recover from a Caityln Jenner dating bar? Major unleashed a series of witty jokes, personals, and dark multis. Unfortunately, I think it pissed the kid off. While, Major was witty- Tha Kid was on a mission of violence. He unveiled a Martian that people have been waiting for: a relentless, non-playful, lyrical mercenary. Martian obviously had built up issues from the SQUAD days that he expressed and his bars hit. It was a direct confrontation, no bobbing and weaving he stood as a man and came out an alien high above comedy. Jokes, antics and talking to the camera couldn’t save a Major from the cupcake-turned out the war was bloody and the pain was great. The Kid From Mars 2-1
Urban Predictions 2-0
Battle Three: Showoff vs. St. Courts
The battle of two of the realest battle rappers in the business Showoff vs. St. Courts was electric. The face off itself was sick. For a moment, it was like two boxers ready to fight right there. St. Courts came out punching and with Mic Gang backing him in some of the sickest combos of the night it proved to be too much for Showoff. Showoff couldn’t show out in the second and choked. St. Courts was direct and then it happened. The Flatbush bar….whoa. When your opponent daps you for a bar: that’s a bar. Period. Combine that with the Young HERB bars it was a w(rap). I take nothing away from Showoff. He is definitely talented but that was a different St. Courts and was a buzz saw. St. Courts proved today that he is still evolving even as a vet and that's dangerous.
St. Courts easy. 2-1
Urban Predictions 3-0
Battle Four: Aye Verb vs. Grizz Guru
3 minute 1 round battle
This was the shortest battle but most likely battle of the night. The footage for this one will be outstanding. Grizz Guru laid down some of the dopest word play I have witnessed. His bars were definitely comparable and pushed Aye Verb to compete. Even though I picked Aye Verb to win, I wanted Grizz Guru to show well and he did. This footage will show a closer battle than the room showed. Aye Verbs rebuttal and closes were just cleaner. His bars were well timed and at times you can clearly see Guru’s team reacting which is a great show of respect to the culture and identification of good bars; however, when your team reacts that some cold ShowTime stuff. Aye Verb proved the big leagues are polished but Grizz certainly showed that he belongs.
Aye Verb 1-0 debatable edge
Urban Predictions 4-0
Battle Five: B. Gunna vs. Ms. Murk
Ladies and Gentlemen: We are gathered here to day to witness the legacy and funeral of Ms. Murk who died of self inflicted choking suicide by stage. B. Gunna opening bar let everybody know what it was. She literally ate Ms. Murk alive. I do question if Murk was sick. She was visibly choking; however, her stumble in the first had none of those symptoms. To die in the first, second, and third by forgetting and quitting all three rounds was a terrible performance. As a Ms. Murk fan, I was disappointed. Everyone battles demons and not being 100%. I am sure Gunna had a heavy heart after her brother (R.I.P) but she was a professional and battled for her fans and I respect that. I really thought this would be a classic; hopefully, there will be a rematch. Although with a 3-0 body bag that I wanted to award a 4-0 to that may never happen. In other words, the CHAMP is HERE. The champ is here. Catch the footage ya boy Urban was on the side of B. Gunna, she let ya boy rock on her side. #facts
B. Gunna 3-0: Polish the gold body bag. The champ deserves the best for the body.
Urban Predictions- 5-0
Battle Six: T.E.D vs. Hurricane
I don’t know maybe after seeing the other battles. Maybe it was the timing but this battle lacked something. It might have been the drastic style clashes of the slow flow Kang vs. the relentless aggression and lyrical speed of T.E.D but this battle definitely got the lowest reactions of the night. I don’t fault the battlers. They gave a great show and I truly feel that the bars went over a lot of people’s heads. But from the audience a lot of people were left wanting more. T.E.D aggression and content to me edged the battle. I give the win to him but hopefully the footage looks better than the room.
T.E.D 2-1
Urban Predictions: 6-0
Battle 7: Tenasee vs. Mizundastood
What a disappointment?! A no call/ no show on any job gets you fired. Tenasee is a businesswoman with several successful businesses but it seems of late her business is not showing up for battles. It is disappointing because she is supremely talented but every since the stealing bars incident came up she has been flaky. Mizundastood wins by default. Something tells me though from the look in her face that she wanted this battle bad, which leads me to believe, she would have won anyway. Not a good look but from the rumblings not to call your opponent and even give a heads up is not cool.
Mizundastood 3-0 (no show win)
Urban Predictions 6-1 (Tenasee you jacked up my perfection)
Battle Eight: Bo the Great vs. J Roc
J-Roc was dope. Kid def has bars and in a clash of heavyweights had one of the biggest reactions for his series of what you tryna be bars: Buff or just Fat? That bar killed it. Crowd went crazy. Mic Gang has a squad and if I ever get into the ring. I want NuNu and her shoes in my corner. She is the dopest hypewoman. Facts. Problem is Bo came like Jackson and Bo knows punches. Bo knows combos and Bo knows combos. Throwing out the fact that Herb beat J-Roc and a nine-month going away silence brought questions. Finishing with a confrontation over whether Mic Gang snitches on camera telling personals made the crowd turn. J-roc may have won with stronger finishes to his round but his last punches lost conviction.
Bo the Great 2-1 in a hard fought win.
Urban 7-1 still steaming that I’m not perfect right now. I need people to see this writing ain’t a hobby. I study son. I study.
Battle Nine: Yella Mane vs. ATM
SMH. I rock with SO-FI. The things they are saying ain’t right…smh. Naw it’s true. Tragic. Yella Mane first round was cold. ATM first round tho was colder. Honestly, on footage the first round is most likely closer and more debatable then the room told. Then it happened…Yella Mane is cooking a meal so nice then his phone rings. A rookie mistake that every performer knows: Cut the phone off. I thought it was part of the act but nope. It was his phone ringing that threw him completely off. The great Yella fell. Mane, I felt like I was watching Rocky on the ropes while Yella was choking. I was like Get up Yella. Get up. ATM just kept punching and punching. It was blood everywhere. The third round Yella recovered name flipping ATM to…WAIT did 3-D fall on stage. She did. Yella is disturbed again through an honest mistake but nevertheless he was dying before the fall. ATM then went full-fledged RUSSIAN on Independence Day. I was like throw the towel. Throw the towel. It was like watching APOLLO CREED die. If he dies, he dies. Enter Bankroll. MONEY TEAM. MONEY TEAM. Dang you, Bankroll. You are starting to make me think that Money Team may be the squad of the year. I had to apologize as a man. I found ATM and looked him in the eye and told him that I had picked against him. And that dang Bankroll and his beaker.... Money team….Sigh. I shook hands and went home. Guess I can’t be perfect. So-Fi had a rough night, I still think they are talented but they got to get that eye of the TIGER back. Tragic.
ATM 3-0 roll out the casket.
Urban Predictions: 7-2
SIDE BATTLES:
Neicy’s Dress vs. the Bartender Shorts:
Whew the battle was close. Sexy was winning.
Winner: Debatable
Steve vs. EVERYBODY:
Steve stay getting pubbed in everybody bars or mentions. He gets better press than Jay-Z on TMZ.
Steve 3-0
FAT NASA vs. The STAIRS
After Bankroll was checking Nasa, Nasa attacked the stairs. The stairs won in a debatable because Nasa did reach the top. But afterwards, it is believed that Fat Nasa took a nap.
Nasa 21-20
Ashley Natural vs. Sky Beats GLAM
Ya’ll saw the hair and legs.
Sky Beats GLAM 3-0
St. Courts Pep talks vs. everybody basketball coach halftime talks.
Ya’ll saw GRIZZ go off.
St. Courts 3-0
Bar of the Night: Aye VERB vs. K-wine. Hilarious.
No, Seriously. ATM : I had to teach myself how to drive with my knees cause I was doing a drive by with guns in both hands....Whew that was some cold.
Teachable Moment: Arrive later to IMBL events. No seriously somebody gone have to text me when the first battle start. Ya’ll tripping. But a great NIGHT. Great battles. S/O Dutch and K-Wine great hospitality to me and my guest to write about this. S/O to Southern Mag. B.A.D.D Mag. And my sponsors.
–Urban Thoughts Poetry #getFAMILIAR #orGETleftBEHIND