(AllHipHop Features) Round two of AllHipHop.com’s “Profiles In Battle Rap” covers California based veteran Okwerdz. The Source magazine’s “Unsigned Hype” alumnus has been at the forefront of the West Coast battle rap scene for over a decade.
[ALSO READ: Profiles In Battle Rap: Murda Mook]
Besides his extensive battle resume, Okwerdz has also worked with some of the most respected emcees in the rap game and performed on stages with freestyle legends Supernatural and Juice.
Ok’s business acumen is on point as well. Okwerdz announced he has licensed music for films like Dragon Eyes starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Tapped Out starring Anderson Silva, Snoop Dogg’s Double G News Network, and mixed martial arts highlights on ESPN.
In the latest edition of “Profiles In Battle Rap,” Okwerdz offers praise for fellow battler Illmaculate, names which rappers he wants to face next, shares his favorite battles, and more.
Hometown
Stockton, California
Years Experience
15 years
Style Known For (ie aggression, wordplay, punchlines, freestyle)
aggression, harsh personals, performance, punchlines, and freestyle
Crew
Fresh Coast
Slogan
“Ok-Muthaf*ckin’-Weezy put em in a box and say easy” – Sounds funny but was kind of made up on accident from one of my most infamous lines in my battle with Arsonal. I said it once and it really stuck with people.
Leagues Competed In
Grind Time, King of the Dot, Don’t Flop, Scribble Jam, Rocksteady, Basementality
Mixtapes/Albums
Random Acts of Music LP, Sneak Attack mixtape hosted by DJ Green Lantern, Rush Hour EP, Fresh Coast Non-Perishables Vol. 1, The Off Season mixtape hosted by DJ Big Mike, Fresh Coast Non-Perishables Vol. 2, Prominent Features Vol. 1
Favorite Battle (Participant)
Me vs. Hollow Da Don, Me vs. Arsonal
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Favorite Battle (Non-Participant)
The Saurus vs Illmaculate
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One Of Your All Time Hottest Line
“I’d rather tell jokes and say suck my testicles/ than be at some one-dimensional, gun rhyme punchline festival.”
Your Battle Rap Mount Rushmore
To keep it well-rounded and historically correct I’d say The Saurus, Illmaculate, Loaded Lux and Hollow Da Don. Not in any order though, just them in general.
One Mainstream Rapper You’d Like To Battle:
Any one of them that could actually do it well and has a buzz.
Name one battler you think could possibly beat you on their absolute A-Game:
Illmaculate
Artists You’ve Worked With Musically
E-40, Kool G Rap, Tech N9ne, Slug of Atmosphere, Rahzel, Sadat X, Jake One, Hippie Sabotage, Mistah FAB, Young Collage
Your Battle Rap Hit List
Reed Dollaz, Serius Jones, Abra, Zaito
Top 5 Emcees DOA
Ice Cube, Big Daddy Kane, Biggie, Jay Z, Kool G Rap
Do You Prefer To Participate In A Debatable Battle Or A Clear Victory?
Personally, I prefer a clear win, because a breakout performance is what takes you to the next level and changes your life. For the fans, it’s def a classic back-and-forth though, because those get debated for years and years which keeps it alive!
Where Do You See Battle Rap Going In The Future?
I hope to see battle rap on television and a lot more established artists hopping in to make it more interesting and help grow the culture. I’d like to see everyone who worked hard to build this get the compensation they deserve when it does blow up and even old legends who don’t battle get staff jobs in this like in wrestling.
Follow Okwerdz on Twitter @okwerdz and Instagram @okwerdz209.
Watch the video for Okwerdz, Big T, & Young Collage’s “All The Time” below.