Mohalenyane Phakela
RAP battle league, Dirt Mouth, says although they lost the battle last weekend against their Botswana counterparts (Warzone), they have gained experience and also made new connections.
Among the four rappers who represented Lesotho in the battle which was held at Bier Barone in Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, Anonymous was the only one who beat Warzone’s Michael Horror.
Dirt Mouth was also represented by T.U.R.K, Phizzy Khor and Verbal Kingpin who all lost.
T.U.R.K. took on Botswana’s Osama bin Chaplin for a M10 000 prize money while Phizzy Khor took on Ill Law for a M2000 prize. Verbal Kingpin took on Je Suis Prometheus although there was no prize money up for grabs.
Speaking to this publication this week, Dirt Mouth’s OG S’Killz mentioned that they believe T.U.R.K was cheated and wish to challenge the decision.
“T.U.R.K’s situation is complicated in that while only one judge (from Lesotho) declared him a winner, the other remaining two opted for the Botswana artiste, whereas the audience deemed T.U.R.K the winner,” he said.
“We had three judges, one from each country and the third from South Africa whom we believe may have been arm twisted.
“We recorded a video of the entire show so we will challenge the decision by bringing on board other independent battle leagues from South Africa to offer their judgement on the issue. Phizzy and Kingpin lost fair and square while Anonymous won.”
Dirt Mouth (also called Versus Lesotho), was launched in June last year and is held on monthly. The plan was for two rappers to battle by exchanging rhymes before the judges and audience in a friendly manner, for money, while also promoting rap in the country.
Serving the same purpose, Warzone is Botswana’s rap battle league which was launched in 2013. On both rap leagues, the audience’s opinion also contributes towards the judges’ decision on selecting the winner.
OG S’Killz said apart from the battle, they took away lessons from Batswana who are more experienced.
“It was an overwhelming experience as Warzone is far advanced than us. The crowd has a better understanding of rap battle and its members have competed on several international platforms whereas we are only about to celebrate our first anniversary.
“They have also promised to link us with some international leagues that they have competed with so that we can also broaden our horizon. The plan is for them to also come to Lesotho in October this year and we will be prepared for them,” OG S’Killz.