Summer Madness X may have been the best card of the year.
In fact, the talent put on with such professionalism, viewers forgot that the headline act was supposed to be the highly anticipated grudge match Murda Mook and Brizz Rawsteen. This may have been the best Summer Madness ever (better than even SM2), with five chess rattling battles (a couple of classics).
https://twitter.com/LivingExample2/status/1307651359102173184?s=20
The first battle was for the Ultimate Madness 2 grand prize of $25,000, featuring Loud Brothers Holmzie the God and Bill Collector.
This battle was an example of hunger beating creativity. Bill Collector will go down in history as the most successful dude from his crew, the battle emcee outside of Cassidy and Meek Mill who stands as the most recognized and competitive from the Philadelphia area and the inventor of the super-duper scope.
While having UM2 as another title on his mantle would have been nice, his brother Holmzie the God gets that honor and the cash. Both came to the table fighting in memory of two of their beloveds, they showed the community that when integrity and good sportsmanship leads the charge — no one actually loses — and the culture wins.
Congratulations to Holmzie the God!!! #smx #SummerMadnessX #smack #caffeine
— 🎮🕹️ Jae Mike 🎧🎥 (@HumBrah_HolmEs) September 19, 2020
BREAKING: HOLMZIE DA GOD WINS THE ULTIMATE MADNESS
TOURNAMENT AND WINS THE $25,000.Congratulations to @Holmzie777
Judging: unanimous decision
4-0 Judge.
Fan Vote: Hom 8647 – Bill 2339 pic.twitter.com/kRsxIhlGup— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) September 19, 2020
#URLTV #SummerMadnessX #SMX #Caffeine
Fresh Off The First Battle💥
25k On The Line 💰
BILL COLLECTOR vs HOLMZIE DA GODHow We Callin It 🌎 ???
— TheBarRoom Official (@TheBarRoomGroup) September 19, 2020
Who else want Holmzie’s #? ☎️
Congrats to your #UltimateMadness champion:
👑 @Holmzie777 👑#SummerMadness just getting started at https://t.co/USP4mxABc3. Come through! pic.twitter.com/RalSDswKFQ
— Caffeine (@caffeine) September 19, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k28fyTcDwI
Originally scheduled to go down on NOME X, but delayed because the Bullpen leader was sick with the coronavirus, Ill Will vs. John John da Don made those angry about the wait very happy. It is difficult to put Da Don into a box.
As an entertainer he is a tactician; brilliantly he knows how to include just enough “funny,” just enough “real talk,” just enough “grown man business” and just enough “little man-ing” in his rounds to ordinarily conquer anyone that stands before him: Hollow Da Don, Jakk Boy, Big T, etc. He brought that s##t that we love about him to the SMX stage.
But against Ill Will, the 6 ft plus-er did not tower over the competition as he has done in the past. Instead, he had to fight. Ill Will did not come to play —and with an uncompromising level of tenacity gave him the gentleman’s 30 over the PG Killer. The winner of the URL’s UFF 2 tournament, went into the competition as the underdog.
Traditionally scruffy and uncivilized as a battler, fans assumed that the more polished and definitely URL friendly JJDD would snatch the victory. But SMX, showed a lyrical athlete fit physically for the fight, who not only came to rap but came to remind people of why he is just so damn ill. GREAT BATTLE!!!!
ill will vs jjdd fire battle #SMX
— Drew to the Game (@SunTzuLive) September 19, 2020
D: All of the Above #SummerMadness@illwill6deep @JohnJohnDaDon @urltv pic.twitter.com/vXawXI9eKV
— Caffeine (@caffeine) September 19, 2020
– Geechi 2-1 vs clips
– Chess 2-1 vs shine
– Reed 2-1 vs nitty
– B-dot 2-1 vs top
– Ill will 2-1 vs JJDD
– Holmzie 2-1 vs bill
— “Wanna Speak To The Inmate Press 👉🏾9️⃣” (@Marty__Byrde) September 19, 2020
#URLTV #SummerMadnessX #SMX #Caffeine
Fresh Off The 2nd Battle💥ILL WILL vs JOHN JOHN DA DON
How We Callin It 🌎 ???
— TheBarRoom Official (@TheBarRoomGroup) September 19, 2020
Nah I thought it was a close battle between y’all honestly. He edged the first and second but your third was fire
— Paydro (@Pedro_318) September 20, 2020
The return of Charlie Clips to the URL stage was better than fans could have imagined.
Set up against THE NUMBER ONE battle rapper in the culture, Geechi Gotti, the contest was not only generational but for regional bragging rights. Charlie came with the Harlem legacy on his back, relying on the tools that have made him a consistent candidate in the Mount Rushmore conversation.
And Geechi came with the shark-like hunger, gangster intensity that has allowed him to sever through emcee after emcee. And like most battles, he was tearing flesh with razor-like punches. But this was a dogfight … a dogfight won by experience. Clips came with an arsenal of off the domes that made the difference to the viewers’ experience. By no means can it be said that this was a blowout, but it was a dramatic display demonstrating how battle rap is a full body (mind-twisting, gut-wrenching, and hair follicle raising) engagement and the older vet came in and mesmerized the crowd with a performance that simply wowed.
https://twitter.com/AllThingsBattle/status/1307440412286693379?s=20
Geechi Gotti vs Charlie Clips
Caffeine Fan voteClips- 6930 (57%)
Geechi- 5158 (43%)The Goat beats the Champ on the fan vote. pic.twitter.com/ehfdysrlxU
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) September 19, 2020
Charlie Clips took that. Recovered the choke and everything. crazy
— HALFY (@halfxyou) September 19, 2020
https://twitter.com/mrperfect404/status/1307522300753870849?s=20
https://twitter.com/FactorsNose/status/1307773767570128899?s=20
No one expected Reed Dollaz to beat Rum Nitty. Often counting the Philly native out, calling his style dated and archaic, he showed up to this battle with the sole intention of changing the minds of every doubter. Rum Nitty was even shocked.
While the EFB founder said that he respected the pen and legacy of his opponent, he may have slept on his ability to pull out a performance that would take him off the battle rap legends’ shelf and place him on par with those kings like Rum Nitty, who are basically the toll bridges to URL’s current limelight.
Let’s never get it twisted, Rum Nitty is Rum Nitty; one of the most ferocious pens across rap categories (the includes commercial Hip-Hop), but SMX was a night of the underdog, and gave us a glimpse of the RD of 2005 with the outfitting that has made him a monster in 2020.
Summer's almost over and Reed Dollaz takin' us all back to school. Welcome back, teach. 📏@realreeddollaz @RumNitty @urltv #SummerMadness pic.twitter.com/ulFj4aKztM
— Caffeine (@caffeine) September 19, 2020
Rum Nitty vs Reed Dollaz
Caffeine fan voteReed (7294) 82%
Rum (1655) 18% pic.twitter.com/6C5uLFtAmh— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) September 19, 2020
Holmzie 2-1 vs Bill Collector
Ill Will 3-0 vs John John
Clips 2-1 vs Geechi Gotti
Reed Dollaz 3-0 vs Rum Nitty
K Shine 2-1 vs Chess
B Dot 2-1 vs T Top
Calicoe 2-1 vs Verb
— killa (@killthetrack) September 20, 2020
Before I go home & we record champion… let’s take a trip down memory lane & read the comments as well 😁 @Jayblac1615 @MarkJamgo @JustAnwar
RUM NITTY VS REED DOLLAZ – SUMMER MADNESS X | CHAMPION https://t.co/RQezrljx7d via @YouTube
— RIP Hamilton 🙏🏽🇯🇲 (@Drie_215) September 20, 2020
Reed dollaz vs rum nitty was Reed 3-0 gentleman 30s #SMX
— Aceito (@AceIsWorking) September 20, 2020
#URLTV #SummerMadnessX #SMX #Caffeine
Fresh Off The 4th Battle💥
RUM NITTY vs REED DOLLAZHow We Callin It 🌎 ???#TheBarRoom #AllBarsAllDay #SummerMadness #Summermadness10 #caffeinetv
— TheBarRoom Official (@TheBarRoomGroup) September 19, 2020
Calicoe and Aye Verb exchange was the showdown of two Midwest titans. If the Island God is Muhammad Ali, the Detroit slick-talker emerged as his Joe Frazier —two prize contenders fighting each other with the intensity that is only bred from being familiar with your opponent. Street talk at its finest, Aye Verb’s lyricism can’t ever seem to be matched.
Gutter rhyming at its most perfected, Calicoe plays with battle rap-like an alley cat swatting a dead mouse up and down the street. While the two may have a chip on their shoulders because their region has been dismissed and looked over for years, their performance on September 19th (on a free world-wide platform) etched in the psyche of all that were watching that the Midwest breeds lyrical killers.
A stellar battle which was years in the making, debatable and mostly likely a preference contest, the rewatch value alone makes this a classic battle that will be a blueprint for such rivalry in the culture from now on.
I was 12 when I found out sandwich bags was for sandwiches … – @TheReal_Calicoe
— Tsu’Ca Doncic (@Tsu_Surf) September 19, 2020
Tasty 3-round sandwich. Speaking of 🥪…@TheReal_Calicoe @therealayeverb @urltv #SummerMadness pic.twitter.com/Z9Fj2dav3x
— Caffeine (@caffeine) September 19, 2020
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/Wp3Ufkinz2
— #TRAPNEWZ‼️😎 (@BattleRapTrap) September 21, 2020
“They expect me to leave stains on the surface, my name came with a purpose, you could never be to me who you claim in your verses, cause you was lame when we first met.” –@therealayeverb 🔥
— High Tech Rap (@HighTechRap) September 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheWinterWave/status/1307457031935320064?s=20
CALICOE is the KING of the MIDWEST.
— 🌏🌏 The Oracle/ ARISHEM🔱💨 (@piperboywilliam) September 20, 2020
The most debatable battle of the night was the B-Dot versus T-Top. The winner would be determined by your preference, as two of the best anglers went head to head with varying approaches. B-Dot, the Pan-African and Black Consciousness repping Gang Banger, talked to Top in a way that few people have been courageous enough to do. His most powerful angle lifted how he believes that Top does not protect Black women nor honors them, questioning what kind of man will his daughter look to when his father doesn’t respect women.
Top also attacked Dot’s character, unpacking the hypocrisy of being a gang banger and someone pushing the Blackness as a movement. One angle that was effective that he took was that he became super conscious after losing his scholarship given by the “white man.” The way they went at it, you would think that neither one of them was worth the cotton they were dressed in — but that shows you just how amazing these lyricists are. Can’t call this one at all and like the Cal and Verb battle will be watched over and over and over again. Shout out to B-Dot for having two battles that are contenders for the battle of the year!
https://twitter.com/2KFatiguesOff/status/1307686317224898561?s=20
Certified Classic. @TOPBIZZY @BDotTheGod @urltv #SummerMadness pic.twitter.com/bbgzUEZ8yB
— Caffeine (@caffeine) September 20, 2020
How y’all calling the T-Top vs B Dot battle?
I say it’s a classic
— K1NGoku 👑 (@GHGTHEKING) September 19, 2020
T-Top is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 sheeesh
— RESPECTTHESHOOTER (@ThisIsTwiZz) September 19, 2020
B-Dot Talked To His Soul, AS EXPECTED
— Quanny Appleseed (@_Quan2x16_) September 19, 2020
Battle ⭐️rate/rank for me on #SMX:
1. B-Dot vs T-Top (5/5)
2. JJDD vs ILL Will (4/5)
3. Verb vs Calicoe (4/5)
4. Nitty vs Reed Dollaz (4/5)
5. Clips vs Geechi Gotti (3/5)
6. Chess vs K-Shine (3/5)
7. Bill Collector vs Holmzie Da God (2/5)Overall: 3.57/5
Rank yours on B.A.R.S. pic.twitter.com/LO28eEuADC
— BattleRapStats: bars.battlerapstats.com (@BattleRapStats) September 20, 2020
My dog caught a felony in high school…and he still graduated with an F on his report card!
T-Top #SummerMadness #SMX #SummerMadnessX pic.twitter.com/s6q9RjXgKr
— BattleRapNews (@Battle_Rap_News) September 19, 2020
T top clowned B-Dot for not donating money to Dr umar Johnson’s school😂😂wtf is going on right now
— Froze (@RosenBergRaw610) September 19, 2020
Why is K-Shine so damn good? WHYYYYYYY! No one ever expects K-Shine to lose, but indeed they never know just how great and amazing he will be when he steps out on the stage. Geechi Gotti and Ill Will have alternated as the top two battlers in the culture, but the reality is that no one should not be able to have that conversation without including K-Shine.
The three create the holy trinity of modern battling. The EFB Compton Crip, the ‘Yac Town Homi Member, and NWX’s Harlem Punisher have all painted the culture with exciting battles for at least three years and their appearances on this card continued to add color and texture to the culture’s portrait of a champion. So … against Chess … a good Chess … a Chess that was 95% without stumble or flaw … K-Shine had the pressure of not letting this hungry monster take his plate and knock him off his dīn.
And without question Shine shined.
Rhyme after rhyme. Punch after hard-hitting punch. Spazz-out after spazz-out after entertaining spazz-out, Professor Shine lectured Chess about his potential and how important focus has to be in his path to longevity. He would know. It was not until he got focused that he became god-tier (yup … finally said it!). But this was not a Chess unreceptive to the lecture that was given by John John, Lux and so many more.
The Cake Lyfe leader and Cave Gang rebel was passionate, lyrical and genius in his approach. He brought the fire that makes him that guy to be feared. He was scary on that Sesame Street styled set, with rhymes that were way more intricate than a graduate-level physics class. The match up gave us more than a glimpse of his greatness but showered the viewers with a waterfall of how f**king bananas this kid is right now at 21. Great battle, but Shine edged a Gentleman’s 30 from this Bronx bomber.
Summer Madness lit from the beginning to the end. Salute.@_kay_shine @cakegodchess @urltv #SummerMadness pic.twitter.com/5jnYCExVym
— Caffeine (@caffeine) September 20, 2020
THAT CHESS VS K SHINE BATTLE WAS “ONE OF THEM ONES “ 🔥🔥🔥
— CLAIR (@clairlyduh) September 20, 2020
3-0 K-Shine … this isn't remotely close. I really thought Chess was going to try and make a statement like the O-Red battle.
This is a clear 30. No body.
— BattleRapStats: bars.battlerapstats.com (@BattleRapStats) September 20, 2020
They saying Chess vs. K Shine is BOTY and B Dot vs. T Top is 2nd runner up
— HollowDa730 (@HDonDatta) September 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/GrimeyGunner/status/1307469570924515329?s=20
https://twitter.com/therealdnatooth/status/1307477318802210816?s=20
K-SHINE IS THE BEST BATTLE RAPPER IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW. PERIOD.
Gn
— 🤞🏾🍀CASH ME OUTSIDE🍀🙏🏾 (@damnimwild) September 20, 2020
Summer Madness X exceeded all expectations. Smack and them gave the culture exactly what it needed to end Virgo Season and start the fall off right.