FlipTop (rap battle)

FlipTop Battle League

Industry	Battle rap
Founded	6 February 2010 (2010-02-06)
Headquarters	Philippines
Website	FlipTop on Facebook FlipTop (rap battle) channel on YouTube

FlipTop (full name: FlipTop Battle League) is the first and largest professional rap battle conference in the Philippines, founded by Alaric Riam Yuson^[1] in February 6, 2010. The league promotes Pinoy hip hop. FlipTop is heavily influenced by the original rap battle leagues in the West founded in 2008 – Grind Time Now, King of the Dot and Don't Flop, which inspired the creation of FlipTop and other battle leagues around the world.^[2]

Format

In general, the contest consists of three rounds with a time limit for each contender set by the referee. Overtime is applied if the battle is a draw. The first turn is determined by a toss coin. Scripted or non-scripted bars is allowed. Cursing, bashing, mocking is not prohibited in the battle but the contenders must not take it seriously and personally.^[3][4] Both sides can also bring props for the event. Filipino language is the primary medium although other languages or dialects can be used. The winner is determined by the decision of the judges. The criteria for judging are the usage of words, audience impact and rapping style.^[2]

There are different variations of rap competition in FlipTop:

• Freestyle - The most common in all FlipTop tournaments, it has no background music. The bars have no measure but it has a rhyme.
• Old School - Commonly used on tryouts. It has background music.
• Dos por Dos - Tag-team freestyle rap contest.
• Five on Five - Five-member team freestyle rap contest.
• Femcee Battle - All-female freestyle rap battle.
• Intergender Battle - Male vs. female freestyle rap battle.

Notable emcees

List of Events and Tournaments

• Process of Illumination - The tryout event for those who want to join the league.
• Isabuhay - The annual tournament of FlipTop. Every matches in the league has an undercard battles. The name of the matches are the following:
  • Grain Assault
  • Kataga
  • Second Sight
  • Bwelta Balentong
  • Gubat
  • Zoning
  • Oromata
  • Mind Fields
  • Tectonics
  • Unibersikulo
  • Aspakan
  • 082 Magnitude
  • Ahon - The Isabuhay championship.
• Secret Battles - A rap battle for invited emcees only. The audiences in this rap battle are the invited affiliates only.

Cultural impact and criticism

In its early days, FlipTop gained criticism for its usage of vulgar, profane, offensive words, and mocking and bullying. As a consequence, The City Government of Makati prohibited any rap battle events on their premises.^[5] As time passed, it gained acceptance.^[6] After it gained success and reputation via social media,^[7] many amateur and minor rap battles arose such as Sunugan, Word War, Versus Verses, etc. Due to its freestyle and rhymed content, some academics considered it as modern-day "balagtasan" although some rap artists discourage the idea.^[8][9] It caught media attention in that some emcees involved in FlipTop have gained commercial success.^[10][11]

References