Why Flow Usually Trumps Substance...

[HandJob Alias]

I'm a decent freestyler with a shotty flow. My frees are usually muti-syllabled out , usuallly make sense and contain origianly substance but I deliver my set sounding unconfident, jumbled, and indirect and I'm at times too quiet when recording. I knew my flow was off and have gotten confirmation of this from the respected feedback I have been given from voters. I'm not saying I'm close to great in any aspect of the game but at times I'm taking losses to a weaker more basic rhymeset thats more predictable than mine due to the fact my opponent laces it all up in a smooth, aggresive battle ready flow.

I understand this completely, am not bitching or arguing I'm just opening up this topic for discussion. Yeah, sometimes its frustrating to get beat that way but it's that frustrating ones self that keeps me coming back, sort of like golf to me. I love the multiple factors that go in to either winning or losing a battle because we cant rely on just one strength to always put us over the top. Bottom line in my opion is that our ears dig audible sexiness and the sexier sounding a drop is the better chance it has to be victorious even if on paper its not as good as the less sexy flow aka Dat Handy Rap

Opinions, Disagreements, Additional comments are all welcome and a big shout out to the educated voters that take time to listen and give an honest opinion. We vote with a personal opinion which can differ in each voter, but as long as that opinion is completely honest than that judge has given the only type of fair "fairvote" and that's what i respect and all I can ask for .

[Saxx]

Just read a verse by any famous rapper and and compared to LB their verses seem very basic. BUT and wait for it


BUT you gota sacrifice certain elements to make it great all round. Im in the same place at the moment I guess and shit yeah Its fucking hard after writing seemingly awesome bars down to not be able to actually rap them.

Im sure some names will be along to help you out. But im guessing the common answer is going to be practice.

[The Ghost of Freak]

#1 I like where this is going.

#2 Big fan of both @HandJob Alias and @Saxx , quite happy to have this conversation with yall.

#3 I have been stuck in LB limbo for many reasons for about a year now. I am A. Not quite a vet, unless people want to suggest otherwise, but B. I am decent at rapping/battling.

Here is the problem, I am similarly inconsistent with delivery/flow, and am particularly guilty of the bad habit of writing good work and recording it way late at night/early morning/some inconvenient time when I am tired and sound like shit. When I am fully on with delivery (which is more rare than I would like) I kick butt and take names… particularly freestyling in LB tinychat.

Also, remember LB is like a really shitty stereotype of a public highschool's love child with a sausage fest… remember many members of your audience may not catch everything you put out there.

Here are 2 great examples for you two to specifically listen to and reflect upon (I sure did).

1. Tyco_RC v. Freek

http://www.letsbeef.com/battle_detai...n=lb&id=637077

-> Arguably just as good if not better bars, far worse delivery -> Wrote this quickly to flip his bars and prove that I can be a monster with a pen… then went a recorded it past midnight when I was tired, quiet (gf sleeping), and whiny (wanted to get it done and go to bed, so nobody else got the open before me).

2. Scheme Tourney -> Freek v. Final Word

http://www.letsbeef.com/tournament_b...262&section=lb

Still not fully sure why I didn't win this one…. My delivery certainly was not at its best, but grrr…

WHAT DO YALL THINK?

[Saxx]

I will take a listen later.

[Mob_Figure]

I got a dope flow and been dooped out of several battles

[Saxx]

Word. But one of those L's was to Bleu and you deserved that one tbh as his punches were brilliant. The others I don't know though....

[Mob_Figure]

I gave him props in that battle. I know when I deserve the L, but I know when I don't as well.

[The Dope Man]

[/QUOTE]2. Scheme Tourney -> Freek v. Final Word

http://www.letsbeef.com/tournament_b...262&section=lb

Still not fully sure why I didn't win this one…. My delivery certainly was not at its best, but grrr…

WHAT DO YALL THINK?[/QUOTE]

no offense to Final but you did win that battle. Actually one of my favorite verses from you. I've def got robbed on important battles in the past. It's hard not to flip out. People on this site always tend to give it to the dude with more titles or recognition. If it's close then it's easier to just say the more liked emcee won.

[The Ghost of Freak]

@Tha Dope Man , thanks fam. Yeah, I agree with you on the popularity contest culture... its a shame. But, hey, it makes us work on our delivery more I suppose! (<- Me trying to be positive, lol)