LEGENDS NEVER DIE 2: RVA battle rap returns
Photo by: Muktaru Jalloh
Richmond-area MCs and battle rappers showcased their skills at Southpaw Battle Coalition’s Legends Never Die 2 show on Saturday Aug. 27.
The event, hosted at The Broadberry, featured a series of one-on-one rap battles.
The matches of the night included Radio B versus JC, Nickelus F versus Danja Zone, Bravo versus Moon, Chillum Allah versus Habeeb, Favio Cool Kid versus Big Jinya and Breeze Da Poet versus Artillery The God.
The event featured the sequel to Bravo versus Moon. Bravo, who lost to Moon at the first Legends Never Die, said he was determined to avenge his defeat.
“That’s why you ain’t got enough haymakers for me plus your jabs are suffering. Your rounds take forever to move, you still buffering,” Bravo rapped.
Moon responded passionately during his turn.
“I’m the one they gotta go after. The one they don’t want to lose the coin toss to and have to flow after,” Moon rapped.
Marc Cheatham of the Richmond Hip-Hop blog “The Cheats Movement Podcast,” was impressed with the duo’s verbal sparring match.
“I will have to say the Bravo versus Moon battle was classic because it was very personal. Those guys know each other well and deliver really good performances,” Cheatham said. “Those guys both battle for a living so to come to Richmond and battle hometown favorites Radio B and Nickelus F is just a credit to their talent and character.”
Radio B, who said he had been preparing material for months, was satisfied with the results of his battle with JC.
“I thought that the battle was incredible,” Radio B said. “I got the JC I was hoping for, at his best. I think in the building it was being debated. This was a battle of the year candidate in all of battle rap.”
The crowd, ranging from high school students to much older rap fans, packed the venue. Throughout the battle, boo’s were spewed if rhymes weren’t received well, and heralded with applause if words stuck successfully.
Cheatham said the night was a success to say the least and sign of more to come.
“Battle rap is very niche. The crowd was amazing but it’s not mainstream yet,” said Cheatham. “Events like Legends Never Die 2 will move the battle rap culture in VA forward.”
Staff Writer, Muktaru Jalloh
Muktaru is a senior double majoring in English and political science with a minor in media studies. Topic areas Muktaru enjoys covering include music, sports, pop culture and politics. // jallohmm@commonwealthtimes.org
