“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.” -Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu once wrote, “All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.” This philosophy of engaging in battles was never more evident than at the End Of The Weak (EOTW) Battle Royale presented by The Iron Mouth Battle League (IMBL). The IMBL is an underground rap battle league where two individuals battle against each other for bragging rights, prizes, and to verbally annihilate their opponent.

The battle took place in a dope venue 414 S. Main St. I entered and was ushered quickly downstairs into a basement that was made for battling. I thought I was back in New York or Atlanta where rap battles have a true following that create legends. The events are run by AC Dutch and K-Wine at approximately 8 p.m. and I stretch the approximately. It was a well-run show once started though.


On to the show:

There was a battle of the producers: BEAT Battle or should I say massacre. I will post this and let it die. TEAM KingPin da Composer destroyed TEAM LP Swayze. There were bones scattered next to treble and bass clefs with a note that clearly stated wrecked.

Winners: Davenport, Sky Beats, & KingPIN by A MORTAL KOMBAT beheading and FLAWLESS victory Bus driver UPPERCUT

All the battles were entertaining and full of bars (lines or lyrics of rap). Some of the ones that truly moved the crowd in no particular order were: Arkitect vs Martian Man, IMBLdemon vs. Stizo Gretzski, Rev vs. JusGenius. The other battlers represented well but these three battles really provided Memphis with a new platform of aggression and creativity that is rarely seen here.

IMBLdemon vs. Stizo Gretzski

http://youtu.be/qIv1zMeJ9j0 


IMBLdemon is a battle rapper whose lyricism is amazing “…sack of worthless on purpose female rapper’s afterbirth.” He came out the gate on Stizo and threatened to send him to HELL on the spot asking hard questions of Stizo. Stizo countered with a live lyrical excorcism. Mocking the idea of IMBLdemon and raising the worth of what a demon’s power may be in a line so cold, “…This ain’t demon versus God, This Demon vs GODZILLA.” These cats went blow for blow. Lyricism- I have to give to IMBLdemon but as a showman Stizo has my respect for a helluva show. I must admit his theatrics and turned up behavior hide his lyrics power. After watching the footage Stizo brought content. Watching the replay this battle was ridicously close within contrasting styles.

Winner: IMBLdemon

Rev vs. Jusgenius

Is an instant classic. Jusgenius went “BAR-tarded.” At one point, he used the word bar in everyline 31 times stretching a hook into a devastating affair of wit. Rev material depth was incredible. Rev Over the entire battle: These cats went blow to blow in a ALI vs FRAZIER affair of pugilistic war. JusGenius pushed Rev to another level with REV countering in an instant classic.

WINNER: IF you were there anything other than saying a TIE is a LIE.

http://youtu.be/WEKuwpcgMyA

Arkitect vs Martian Man

A lot of battle League’s is scripted, memorized, and choreographed with entourages rapping along. In the middle there are moments of freestyle, quick well timed bars, or epic one-liners; however, to me Arkitect vs Martian Man represent what I feel is truly battle rap: FREESTYLE. On the spot freestyle was bred, Arkitect showed a diversity and intellectual control that is rare. He reminded me of a young and hungry KRS-One. Martian Man asked the crowd to fire words out that he would grab and freestyle from. His performance and array of skill proved too much for a game and worthy Arkitect. I really wanted to see a five round battle due to the complexity of their wordplay.

Winner: Martian Man

Yo, if you in Memphis and you have not tried to see these cats please don’t come complaining my way about there being “nothing to do in MEMPHIS”. The energy of a rapper before they are signed to big deals, the hunger of a lyricists battling to be heard, the rage of an emcee trying to be seen is a magnificent sight to behold and if you don’t want greatness then shame on you. These Battle Leaguers left me wanting to H.O.M (a sign of respect by placing your H.and O.ver your M.outh when a rhyme is a great one). So today, I ask my fans to get up and check these fellows and ladies out. They really represent the good of HIP-HOP or at least what true hip hop used to be before the bull. H-O-M. H-O-M. H-O-M.

"A single death is a tragedy, 
a million deaths is a statistic. "
-Joseph Stalin



The truth about Juan Carlos Guzman (June 23, 1996 - April 27, 2014)is that maybe he should still be alive. Nobody deserves to be murdered no matter what color, affiliation, or difference. When I met Juan, he was a small kid from California. It was my second year teaching at Wooddale Middle School in Memphis, TN. I was honestly starting to feel that I had found my way. Over time this kid, in a big flat brim hat, baggy khakis, and an infectious smile would come sit in the door way of step practice. According to all of the teachers, Juan was a troubled continuously active kid. To me all I saw was a kid that wanted to belong.  He was just like me when I was small: sarcastic, playful, bright, and a genius in the classroom. Often he would finish his work early and just create mischief. After school, he kept coming to practice. I, in return, kept throwing him out. 


He finally got angry with me one day and refused to leave. He told me that he was going to stay. I tried to put him out and he screamed, "What do I have to do, Mr. MO?" I told him, "Get your conduct in order." Juan left and came back three hours later and said look, Mr. All the teachers said I'm better. I chuckled. I let him in that day. From that day forward, I mentored Juan. He was easy too cheer for. A bright kid with a bright future who honestly had one of the most genuine hearts I've ever met. It's hard to see a student slowly creep down the wrong path. I started noticing flags, colors, friends, and aggressive edge that wasn't there before. Over the years, I asked him why are you engaging in the streets. He looked me in the face and said, "Because every teacher is not like you. They don't care bout me. They don't give an F--- about me." Juan reminded me of the moment that I was angry at never being allowed to join the honors poetry class. I felt tremendously bad for not allowing him to hang around earlier and recognizing that he just wanted to have fun.

These words stung because I knew great teachers who loved him and tried to teach him to the best of their ability. I knew many men who tried to act as role models. A certain regret laid on my shoulders. It wasn't until an unrelated incident with my career forced me to take hard looks at why I felt this way. Why was I so broken? Why did I feel like I could have done more? Helen Keller once wrote, " I do not want the peace which passeth understanding, I want the understanding which bringeth peace." I don't have faith in the system to create avenues for brown boys to feel safe. Time and time again, the system has shown they are more interested in finding ways to monetize or capitalize off of criminal activity rather than reform.


There are so many areas for the middle class to attend, to enrich themselves, and to become better citizens. Where do the poor, angry, hurt, and kids that are not "angels" go? I felt this anguish because I feel like I have ducked my purpose for too long. I have the knowledge to create avenues but have been selfish in my own desire to succeed. What if it doesn't work? What if I lose all my shiny objects? Juan's death showed me that now is the time. I can't wait for another Brown boy to lose his life without trying to create an answer. The truth of my own struggles, of my own understanding of the sorrow that young males sometimes hold can be used for good.


Over the course of the next year, I will seek a path. Truly the only difference between Juan and Me was maybe two choices and an aunt. I hope that Juan's family seeks peace more than justice. I can not imagine the sorrow or anger to have someone taken from you. I won't even try to justify or go into why people join gangs. The truth is people need people to love them. People need people to love them when they are dirty, poor, angry, hurt, unlovable. People need people to open the door and not shut it. I ask you for all the brown boys and all the people we have lost: CAN WE OPEN A FEW MORE DOORS? I'm tired of burying brown boys. I'm tired of mothers telling me thank-you for mentoring and trying. I'm tired of hearing muffled cries of fathers. Today, I ask as a community to hug our youth today. Today, tell one that they can be great.  Tell them they are awesome beyond compare and most of all. Tell them of a boy named Juan who had the heart of an angel who got trapped in the hell of the streets. R.I.P my student. May God Bring you a stage to step on and the big hats you like. 

-Urban Thoughts
urbanthoughtspoetry@gmail.com