When first asked if I wanted to take part in a rap battle for the online league Don't Flop, I said yes as a one-off personal challenge to myself. 19 battles across three continents with a combined million+ views later, I've only just managed to step away from it after beating* Charlie Clips, who many regard to be one of the best battlers in the world.** Below I've shared some highlights from that journey.
*His fans seem to think he won but it wasn't actually judged.
**Also his fans, but i'll agree with them this time because it makes me look better.
Aside from definitely getting beaten and having flashbacks to being bullied at school, to have my second ever battle against the same person who inspired me when they came into assembly when i was 13 was surreal to say the least. As Joseph on YouTube puts it: "It is so nice to see an intelligent wordy and imaginative battle that doesn't keep resorting to lame misogyny and homophobia nonsense"
An entirely video-game-themed rap battle, complete with clips from said video games edited in by the wonderful Freddie-Scott-Miller - What's not to love?
In terms of consistency from start to finish this is my favourite battle I've been a part of. Highlights include a spongebob squarepants reference and me having to apologise to both the poetry and grime community mid-battle.
While I was in Australia I got to go up against a local and make kangaroo and Koala jokes. A simultaneously terrifying and heart-warming experience.
I'm still not sure how this happened and I'm not entirely sure where to go from here which is possibly part of the reason why I haven't battled since.