Remy Ma and Don Q were among the judges presiding over the most talked about battle rap event of the year so far, Midnight Madness.
Midnight Madness threw its first event in the early hours of Friday night (Jan. 29). The exclusive event was invite-only and was the most sought-after ticket in town. Battle rap’s elite joined a selective guest list, said to number a total of 75 people, for a night of highly anticipated clashes that would see Midnight Madness trending No. 7 on Twitter.
Midnight Madness Started With A Bang!
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There was no live footage from the event – updates came from the media platforms in the building.
#MidnightMadness 😈😈😈
— All Things Battles 🖊🔥 (@AllThingsBatRap) January 28, 2022
Tonight, 6 Championship Titles are on the line 🏆💰
Historic day for Battle Rap 🙏🔥
@MidnightMadnss @Tsu_Surf @GreedyGotti @PAbillcollector @JakkBoyMaine #FTB pic.twitter.com/QjdFkTUyyr
JUSCUZ vs. Hustle
The first battle on the night was from rising talents, JUSCUZ and Hustle. The match embodied the spirit of the underground flight club. Come and make a name for yourself in front of the most respected names in the culture. Fight to prove you’ve got what it takes to walk away with the money on the floor, the championship belt, and the respect of your most esteemed peers.
Don Q joined battlers Geechi Gotti, Calico, Marv Won, and Fonz alongside “Champion” analyst Anwar on the panel of judges.
JUSCUZ gives a good introduction to the room. But Hustle is snatching the momentum early in the round.
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
Nah this second round from Jus Cuz…..n#### fighting his way out the grave #MidnightMadness pic.twitter.com/izljuVLUsv
— POLO WORLD (@Billionairepolo) January 29, 2022
“Spine shot got him socializing again … back hanging out”
— Drect Williams (@Drect) January 29, 2022
Every battler in the building went crazy when Hustle said that
He has a lot of creative lines 🔥🔥🔥#MidnightMadness
In the end, Hustle took the One Man Army belt after walking away with the judge’s decision.
Hustle wins the OMA Championship at Midnight Madness! #OTFMZ pic.twitter.com/0ABT2yedEl
— NEW IG: OTFMZLIVE (@OTFMZLIVE) January 29, 2022
Shooney Da Rapper vs. Fendi
Next up, Queens of the culture, Fendi and Shooney battled for the Women’s Hardcore belt. New battle rap league owner Remy Ma and Don Q presided over this decision. Battle rap legend Drect, Gotti, JakkBoy Maine, and P D Don of OTFMZ fame completed the panel.
Shooney & Fendi was 🔥.
— Drect Williams (@Drect) January 29, 2022
Me, France, Remy Ma, Don Q, Jakkboy, P Da Don & Geechi judged#MidnightMadness
One of veteran Shooney’s bars flooded the timeline, with many hailing it bar of the night. “I would show her what to do with money/ I would give Fen a key (finicky) but she be moving funny.”
I would show her what to do with money/ I would give Fen a key (finicky) but she be moving funny/- Shooney Da Rapper. #MidnightMadness
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
This is VINTAGE SHOONEY!!!!!
— Just Anwar (@JustAnwar) January 29, 2022
Shooney carried the judge’s decision to win the money on the floor and the custom belt in the process.
You hear me??? pic.twitter.com/WpQYnnQuSs
— Shooney (@SHOONEYDARAPPER) January 29, 2022
Bad Newz vs. J2
2021 Champion of The Year, Geechi Gotti would judge the third battle of the night alongside Champion’s very own Jay Blac. He flew in for Midnight Madness to hand the champ his title and prize money.
Jayblac pulls up to Give GEECHI GOTTI his bread for champion of the year then sits down to judge J2 vs. Bad Newz.
— Tony Bro (@ToneQapo) January 29, 2022
Legendary s###. #MidnightMadness
J2 vs Bad Newz up now!!!
— Drect Williams (@Drect) January 29, 2022
Me, NHB Millz, Calicoe, Remy Ma, Geechi, Jay Blac & Don Q judging#MidnightMadness
J2 and Bad Newz went to war for the Underdog Belt in a hard-fought clash.
NAH BADNEWS & J-2 both went crazy that first round sheeeeesh #MidnightMadness
— POLO WORLD (@Billionairepolo) January 29, 2022
NAH SON J2 IS WILDING
— POLO WORLD (@Billionairepolo) January 29, 2022
This battle lowkey a CLASSIC
The timeline quoted bars back and forth and reported a close battle, however, there could only be one winner. Bad Newz took the money and the first-ever Midnight Madness Underdog title.
BREAKING: Bad Newz is now the belt holder of the Underdog belt. #MidnightMadness pic.twitter.com/wKaZyNgX2Y
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
Drugz vs. True Foe
Drugz vs. Tru Foe was a real grudge match, with the two going back and forth all week. They argued in Twitter Spaces and ranted at one another on Instagram Lives. Nu Jersey Twork upped the steaks and put a last-minute $1,000 bet on the battle.
Reports came in of a close-fought battle; fans wondered if Tru Foe would pull off the upset of the night.
Intense first round from Foe & Drugz.
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
White Tee Tru Foe is different OMFG #MidnightMadness
— POLO WORLD (@Billionairepolo) January 29, 2022
Ultimately, Tre Foe won in a 4-3 split decision. Black Compass Media analyst Tony Bro called it a “tough match,” with DonQ casting the deciding vote.
Drugz vs Tru Foe came down to Don Q’s decision. It was split #MidnightMadness
— Drect Williams (@Drect) January 29, 2022
#BigSolid #WarDog #Chiraqi #NMWM pic.twitter.com/M36MY6Ukp5
— Tha Sniper IV 🤲🏾 (@foe_tru) January 29, 2022
Nunn Nunn vs. Snake Eyez
Nunn Nunn vs. Snake Eyez was debated back and forth in the Twitter Spaces for weeks, fans intensely supported one or the other. Both went into the battle with something to prove and knew all eyes were on them. This was always gonna be one of them ones!
Reports suggested Snake Eyez had a strong start with Nunn Nunn fighting back.
Snake Eyez has all the momentum in the first round.
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
Snake eyes sending nunn nunn to where rich dollars at OMFG #MidnightMadness
— POLO WORLD (@Billionairepolo) January 29, 2022
Nunn Nunn third round 🔥
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
One of the Midnight Madness honchos, Tsu Surf declared, “Snake Vs Nunn Nunn is top tier Midnight Madness Shìt.”
Snake Vs Nunn Nunn is top tier Midnight Madness Shìt
— Tsu’Ca Doncic (@Tsu_Surf) January 29, 2022
Snake Eyez is killing the first round. nunn Nunn has to fight back rnd 2 #MidnightMadness
— Drect Williams (@Drect) January 29, 2022
“How you join a group called the Island / then get mad when every single joke about your eye land”
— Drect Williams (@Drect) January 29, 2022
“Caffeine got your eye twitching”
All the rnd 2 eye jokes / bars Nunn has about Snake are hitting#MidnightMadness
Ultimately, the winner was clear. All six judges gave the battle to Snake Eyez, who returns to Harlem as the Men’s Hardcore Champion.
BREAKING: Snake Eyez is now the belt holder of the Men’s Hardcore belt.
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
Unanimous decision.
Judging panel: Remy Ma, Geechi Gotti, Eazy The Block Captain, Calicoe, Knowledge Da God, Loso.#MidnightMadness pic.twitter.com/aYvkDVnObx
Midnight Madness Main Event – Big T vs. Lu Castro
The last battle of Midnight Madness was the main event between the veteran Big T against one of the brightest talents of the “new era”, Lu Castro. Lu went into the battle a clear underdog. Many said he could not win against the experienced small room pro, Big Tuna.
Remy Ma judged one final time alongside a panel of battle rappers.
Last Battle: Big T vs Lu Castro
— Drect Williams (@Drect) January 29, 2022
Judges: Drect, Eazy Da Block Captain, Swave Sevah, Remy Ma, Don Q, Geechi Gotti & Quest MCODY#MidnightMadness
Lu Castro starting the round off strong. Sound effects & transactions on 100 out the gate. 🔥
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
“You heard Lu arm strong you hear or see mine its trumpets blowing”
— Drect Williams (@Drect) January 29, 2022
That was crazy BIG T!!
Lou Armstrong / Hear a c minus 🔥🔥🔥#MidnightMadness
Test my gangster we surely finna fight/ I see the b#### in Big T. Like my shorty spent the night/- Lu Castro
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
Not gone lie. If T keep rapping like this I’m not gone able to tweet the bars cuz they won’t translate typed out. And that wouldn’t be fair to him.
— Just Anwar (@JustAnwar) January 29, 2022
This whole C minor s### he said…dope
2 rounds in, Lu is in control at the moment, with all the momentum of the room going into the third round.
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
Finally, after a night of intense battles where belts were lost, and money won, Lu Castro took home the last win. He left as the highest-ranked Midnight Madness belt holder and Undisputed Champion.
BREAKING: Lu Castro is now the belt holder of the Undisputed Championship belt.
— Let’s Talk Battle Rap (@LTBRpodcast) January 29, 2022
Highest ranked Belt on Midnight Madness.
By unanimous decision.
Judging panel: Eazy The Block Captain, Swave Sevah, Remy Ma, Geechi Gotti, Drect, Don Q, Quest Mcody#MidnightMadness pic.twitter.com/Gt7TTw5k1z
All reports indicated the first-ever Midnight Madness was a success. A remarkable achievement considering the idea was conceived a little over a month ago. The battle rap and wider Hip-Hop community united organically and put on something with the potential to shift the culture. Fans will have to wait until the footage drops on the Midnight Madness YouTube channel. However, word on the street is they will be out within the next week…
Elsewhere,Tsu Surf breaks down the guest list and discusses those Midnight Madness tattoos.
Special mention has to go to everyone who worked tirelessly to organize round the clock for a month curating the Midnight Madness concept. Tsu Surf, Bill Collector, and JakkBoy Maine oversaw the charge for what could be the best thing to emerge from the scene in years.
Midnight Madness Bowling Tournament
Meanwhile, AllHipHop reported on Thursday’s Midnight Madness Bowling tournament where Remy kitted out her team in matching jerseys.
Some of your favorites popped out for Midnight Madness Bowling #OTFMZ pic.twitter.com/g9musb5Ok1
— NEW IG: OTFMZLIVE (@OTFMZLIVE) January 28, 2022
Earlier on Friday, the New York rapper dropped the exciting trailer for “Queens Get The Money.” She also announced the card for the first Chrome 23 event.
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