Watch Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World on PBS: https://www.pbs.org/video/the-foundat...

Arthur "L.A." Buckner and Linda Diaz explore the rich history of battle rap and the birth of the Ultimate Rap League (URL). Featuring special guests Smack White, DNA, and Arsonal, we dive deep into the roots of this art form and its cultural significance.

Starting in the late 1970s and early 1980s, we explore the evolution of rap battles from Harlem parties to worldwide competitions, culminating in the formation of the Ultimate Rap League in 2009. Smack White, the founder of URL, shares his journey and vision for the league, while DNA and Arsonal, two of the most respected and talented battle rappers in the game, give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed in this highly competitive art form.

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00:00 The world of battle rap
01:46 The predecessors to battle rap
02:24 The origins of rap battles
03:47 Famous Hip Hop beefs
04:30 The rise of Hip Hop festivals like Scribble Jam
05:00 The start of Smack DVDs
07:26 Battle rap makes it to streaming and YouTube
09:20 The rules of battle rap
11:20 Battle rap's misconceptions



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We like music. You like music. Let’s break it down. Sound Field is a PBS Digital Studios web series produced by Twin Cities PBS. #SoundFieldPBS #Battlerap #PBSDigitalStudios #rapbattle