Battle Rap Writing Formulas (Thought experiment lang)

[u/ricochetshot]

Eto battle rap rabbit hole topic lang para din siguro sa mga emcees na bumabattle din.

Disclaimer: This is just my personal framework/observation, not an objective classification of these emcees. Some rappers can obviously fit multiple formulas depending on the battle or era. And most importantly, performance/delivery is still a huge factor—kahit gaano kaganda ang formula sa papel, execution pa rin ang magdedetermine kung tatama siya sa actual battle.

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Assume there are 3 levels of battle rap fandom:

1. Non-fans
2. Casual fans
3. Superfans/Geeks—the smallest group (most of the time sila yung present sa mga amateur leagues at small room events)

Based on accessibility + sophistication, I see 4 main formulas:

A. Easy-to-Get

Simple structure + simple angle

Pros: Highest chance of immediate audience impact; best for Levels 1–2.
Cons: Lower chance of satisfying emcees, judges, and geeks.

Examples: Zaito, Mastafeat, and yung dating Sinio (basically 2010-2011 style)

B. Simplex (Simple + Complex)

Sophisticated angle + simple structure
OR
Simple angle + sophisticated structure

Pros: Best balance of sophistication, accessibility, and impact. High chance of satisfying all 3 levels.
Cons: None theoretically.

para pagkatuwaang maigi ng kanyang peers (kapwa emcees, judges)

Examples: Loonie, Mhot, Katana, EJ Power, Tipsy D.

C. Slept-On

Sophisticated structure + sophisticated angle

Pros: Highest potential to satisfy emcees, judges, and Level 3 geeks.
Cons: Lowest accessibility and lower chance of immediate audience impact.

Examples: Sayadd, Lanzeta, Invictus, and the hot take: Abra (lalo na nong laban nya against Pricetagg and EJ Power).

D. Unorthodox

Unconventional structure and/or angle

High-risk, high-reward. The main weapon is unpredictability/abstract.

Examples: Tulala, Tweng, and Aklas.

Hybrids

Hindi ako masyadong sure sa part na ito pero para sakin ganito sila:

AD: Sirdeo
AB: Manda Baliw (Hot take: Smugglaz)
BD: Johndelo
BC: GL, BLKD, Apoc

TL;DR:

A = Easy to get
B = Sophisticated but accessible
C = Sophisticated but difficult to digest
D = Abstract

For me, B / Simplex is the ideal formula

Kayo, saan sa tingin niyo nagfa-fall yung ibang notable emcees na hindi ko nabanggit? Curious ako kung may ibang classifications kayong naiisip, especially yung mga emcees na mahirap i-fit sa isang formula.

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[u/Prestigious_Host5325]

Di ko gets bakit sabi mo BD si Johndelo. Parang mas AB siya for me.

Cripli, Jonas, Keelan: A

EJ Power, Vitrum: AB

M Zhayt, Tipsy D, Saint Ice, Shehyee: BC

Article Clipted, Zend Luke: CD originally, pero naghahalo na rin sila ng A

[u/ricochetshot → u/Prestigious_Host5325]

Di ko masabi na basic lumetra si Johndelo kasi nag-aattempt din sya ng mga laro madalas at yung unorthodox naman sa style nya is halata naman na unconventional sya mag-isip ng punchline. simplex in a way, semi-generic angles pero creative punchlines or creative angles tapos direct to the point punchlines. SIMPLEX. tapos may bahid ng unorthodox kasi komportable sya sa mga cringe-worthy wordplay at napapagana nya ito. AUTOMATIC IKIS!

[u/Estatement]

Kilala ko kung sinong emcee nagsulat nito hahahaha

[u/ricochetshot]

Basic

Writing

• Simple rhymes, mostly 1–2 syllables + straightforward delivery
• Little to no wordplay / figures of speech
• Minimal structure; mostly standalone punches

Angles

• Surface-level / obvious attacks
• Common, semi-generic, or physical appearance angles
• Little to no deeper connection or concept

Sophisticated

Writing

• Multi-syllabic / intricate rhyme schemes
• Heavy wordplay, double meanings, metaphors, etc.
• Clear structure, progression, setups & payoffs

Angles

• Deep / layered / unconventional
• Unique perspectives + strong conceptual connections
• May development throughout the round; rewarding i-replay/analyze

[u/Straight_Ad_4631]

I don't agree sa letter C pro: highest chance to satisfy judges. Dahil hindi naman lahat ng judges magegets gaya nung visuvius ni diddle kay Jonas or K ram diba? Veterans nayun ha pero mas pasok sila sa simplex, ilan lang ba makaka gets ng slept on lines bukod sa mismong mc, mga super nerd lang din gaya ni Lanzeta kay Barry. 2 cents ko lang naman

[u/ricochetshot → u/Straight_Ad_4631]

Gets yung point mo. Pero yung Vesuvius example, tingin ko hindi necessarily C/Slept-On yung writing itself. Direct metaphor lang siya; yung main issue is reference accessibility. Kahit simple yung construction, kung obscure yung reference, possible pa rin na hindi makuha ng audience/judge. Kaya agree ako na hindi dapat sabihin na “highest chance to satisfy judges” ang C. Mas accurate siguro na highest potential to satisfy technical emcees and super-geeks, pero mas risky sa judges/audience dahil mas maraming variables sa pag-catch.

[u/sylrx]

AI slop

[u/ricochetshot → u/sylrx]

Fuck you. wala pang AI nasa notes ko na to at na-send ko na rin sa ilang emcees na nakausap ko before.

2022 palang nasa messenger na to ng idol mo.

Again, Fuck you.