Battle rap

Battle rap (also known as rap battling)^[1] is a type of rapping performed between two or more performers that incorporates boasts, insults, wordplay and disses originating in the African-American community.^[1][2] Battle rap is often performed spontaneously, or freestyled, in live battles known as rap battles, where participants will compete on the same stage to see who has the better verses.

Battle rap is like verbal warfare, where competitors trade insults, wordplay, and clever rhymes in a competitive setting. It's all about lyricism, delivery, and sometimes even performance. It's a blend of poetry, wit, and bravado, often performed in front of an audience or judged panel.

Battle rap was loosely described by 40 Cal, previously a member of American hip hop collective The Diplomats, in the book How to Rap (2009) as an "extracurricular" display of skill, comparing it to the dunk contest in the NBA. Battle rap has been developed into highly organized league events drawing in significant revenue and attention. Mainstream artists such as Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Machine Gun Kelly, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Joe Budden and Cassidy have attended or participated in battles to help increase their popularity.^[3] Rap battles are often written and performed to impress crowds with technically inventive rapping,^[4] and knowing a wide variety of rapping styles and a wide range of MCs as personal inspirations is recommended.^[5] Various MCs have started out writing mostly battle raps and battling other MCs before releasing commercial records.^[6]