Page Text: Take Five: Hot Dub Time Machine's All-Time Favourite Rap Battles
Written by Ryan O'Connor on 8th April, 2022
Aussie partystarter Hot Dub Time Machine is regarded as the world's first time travelling DJ, but dropping beats is not the only thing he's passionate about. We chatted with the homegrown disc jockey ahead of his upcoming gigs in Sydney and Adelaide to get the scoop on his favourite rap battles of all time. Check out his top five picks below.
Want to catch Hot Dub Time Machine live in action? You can get tickets to see him live HERE .
Words by Hot Dub Time Machine
I love Battle Rap. Battle Rap these days isn't improvised freestyle over a beat like in Eminem's 8 Mile, it's performed acapella (no music) with incredibly intricate rhyming insults pre-written and delivered directly to the opponent's face over 3 super intense rounds. It's the most pressurised performance imaginable with no second takes, a constant atmosphere of repressed violence (that sometimes explodes) and an obsessed crowd hanging on every word.
Illmaculate vs Bigg K
This is a great battle to get started with. Bigg K starts first and he's angry, and I love it. He's known for his incredibly crafted, punchy rhymes, that are brutal in their simplicity but hit like a brick. He starts off so strong that it seems like an easy win, but Illmac is veteran of the scene and has a complex, intricate style and his third round is considered one of the greatest ever. But I still have Bigg K 2-1.
Rone vs Big T
This is an all-time classic, putting Rone up against Big T. This battle is an epic clash of styles, with Rone's funny, nerdy but incredibly funky schtick going against Big T's more street smart, classic style. The highlight is Rone's 3rd round (which went viral at the time) where he does nothing but fat jokes and it's absolutely brutal and incredible. The levels of intricacy and art devoted to calling another man fat, is unsurpassed. Rone 3-0.
Conceited vs B-Magic
Now we're getting into the real stuff. The URL. The heart of the culture. Their events are wild, with this one at a packed Webster Hall in New York City reacting to every bar. Enjoy the intro by the iconic host SMACK, before we get into a classic. B-Magic is a super smooth rapper from St Louis who sounds just so cool, if you like hiphop and you like rapping, you'll like B-Magic. Conceited is hilarious and one of the great performers, who went on to have a huge career. 2-1 either way.
Loaded Lux vs Calicoe
Considered by many (including me) the greatest battle of all time. Loaded Lux was already a legend of the game from the DVD era, coming back to the game for his first battle on the URL. He's a New Yorker and the venue is packed with famous rappers and die-hard fans waiting for the king to speak. He's up against Detroit's Calicoe, who was the face of the new era, and an incredible talent, but facing a mammoth challenge. Lux enters the battle dressed as a pastor complete with a congregation carrying a casket ready for Calicoe, introducing a new level of theatre to the art form. The whole battle is intense and incredible, but Lux's third round became a cultural landmark and remains one of the greatest pieces of writing ever. (Skip to 36:30 to go straight there if you want) Lux 2-1.
5. Shotty Horroh vs Tony D
I've got to put a UK battle in here. This features Shotty Horroh from Manchester vs Tony D from London, two wildly different battlers who were the absolute pinnacle of the UK scene. UK battle rap is different, generally more intricate and grime influenced, with a different cadence and humour. This battle was hugely anticipated and delivered. Great fun. Shotty 2-1.
HOT DUB RAVE MACHINE
Fri 3 Jun - Sat 2 Jul 2022
Various Venues, NSW & SA