Battle rap fans are going to have plenty to talk about this summer.
After confirming last week he’d be battling on NYC’s Rare Breed Entertainment platform, the Harlem battle legend spoke on his return in a video recorded at the league’s recent Pearly Gates 2 event.
RBE host and co-owner A.R.P. and battle rap blogger Jay Blac joined Mook on stage to cover some groundwork on the August 18 battle. Blac asked Mook why he’d decided to return after not battling for four years, with Mook simply replying the money was right. He went on to say that battle rappers are artists who should uphold their integrity as well, instead of jumping at every bag they get offered.
Jay then asked if Mook was prepared to adapt to the new school of battle rappers who come heavy with the punchlines.
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“Bro, JAY Z just dropped 4:44, didn’t he?” Mook answered. “Did he adapt to any of this swag shit and all that? Nah. I am who I am because niggas fuck with how I rap. I can’t go out there and rap like somebody else.”
A.R.P. stepped in to detail that the battle will have two four-minute rounds, a one-minute grace period, no allowance for the host to call time, and an unlimited third round.
Though it wasn’t officially announced at last weekend’s event, after much speculation, it was revealed this week that Mook’s opponent will be St. Louis star Aye Verb.
Mook has largely been absent from the active battle rap circuit in the last eight years. Part of that is due to his quote of $100,000 for a battle, which was given in an interview with VladTV in 2014. His last two official battles were with Iron Solomon on URL and Loaded Lux at Total Slaughter, which were in 2012 and 2014, respectively.
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Aye Verb has also been building up hype around the battle on Twitter, changing his profile name to “MOOK WILL FALL……8/18” and starting the hashtag #newrulewhenibecomeking.
The rest of the card has yet to be announced. Tickets, which are $100 and $300 for stage passes, are available for the battle here. Stage passes are currently sold out, but PPV options are available here.
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