A huge rap battle is returning to Toronto to amplify how much of the city is influenced by hip-hop culture.
Earlier this year on Feb. 11, an underground rap tournament took place in the heart of the city presented by creative agency Wanderstar Creatives and production company Real Entertainment Made for You (REMY) Creatives.
“Battle rap has played an interesting role in hip-hop culture in Toronto since the late 90s and early 2000s, particularly taking roots with the underground scene,” founder of REMY Creatives JMaroon told Now Toronto.
As a music producer and cultural educator for more than a decade, JMaroon has both witnessed and participated in cultivating Toronto’s hip-hop scene.
JMaroon explains one of the earliest rap battles is King of the Dot, which has now grown all over North America.
“A lot of this is credited to the Jamaican dancehall roots, when ‘sound boys’ and DJs would battle on stage for the masses, where my mom and her friends attended, such as Yellowman and Beanie Man,” JMaroon said.
Like a traditional battle, the Blockbusters rap battle will have eight rappers compete against one another with the crowd being the judge. The winner takes home a cash prize.
Underground battles have been significant to the city’s hip hop community as a place for artists, beatboxers, and DJs to test out their talents and small businesses to get their products in front of new eyes, according to founder of Wanderstar Creatives Camille Manosca.
After the first rap Blockbusters rap battle saw over 100 people attend the event at Bar Cathedral in the Esplanade, both JMaroon and Inston decided to keep it recurring.
“I work closely with many hip-hop and rap artists in Toronto and wanted to create an event that truly captures the essence of hip hop culture and talent. Instead of a typical artist showcase, a rap battle adds a creative twist that not only spotlights individual skills but also engages the audience, immersing them in the underground hip hop world,” Manosca said.
Toronto’s hip-hop scene has reflected the city’s growing immigrant population and multicultural reputation.
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“Because Toronto has one of the most known diversity of cultures in the world, it has helped to shape and grow our own unique brand of hip-hop culture. Multiculturalism helps to bring awareness to different sounds and create a deeper understanding of how hip-hop can be used as an educational platform and voice for many Toronto communities,” JMaroon said.
“The current state of Toronto’s hip-hop culture is complex but full of potential. We have the power to shape our reality and goals within hip-hop. By being intentional and creating a safe, inclusive environment, we can unite the community and achieve great things together,” Manosca said.
Tickets to the upcoming Blockbusters rap battle this Sunday, Aug. 11 at 9:00 p.m. can be found here.
