Our very own Ben Sharpa represented Pioneer Unit to the fullest in the Channel O Sprite Emcee Africa Battle competition.
Sprite Emcee Africa is a reality based talent search show that travels to Accra (Ghana), Lagos (Nigeria), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Nairobi (Kenya), Luanda (Angola), and Johannesburg (South Africa) with the mission to crown the King or Queen of Africa’s lyrical freestyle arena.
Ben made it through the preliminary qualification round with a dope freestyle on the topic ‘whips’. Proverb (one of the judges) asked Ben to play with both meanings of the word. Ben somehow managed to get cars and sadomasochists into his rhymes! Crazy!
The South African finalists were Adamiz, Ben Sharpa, Heavy G, Projektah, Qaz, Slege, Steezy Stylish and Snazz the Dictator.
Sharpa got elimated by Adamiz in the semi-final, but there’s no shame in that – Adamiz is a vicious battle specialist who really knows how to turn on the aggression, intimidate his opponents and work the crowd.
The final was contested between Snazz and Adamiz. Snazz came out victorious because he managed to stay cool under pressure and stayed on point with his rhymes. Snazz clinched it when he started breaking down Adamiz’s style, telling him he should rap on the beat and mocking his crazy angry flow. Snazz was a well-deserved winner because he was one of the very few rappers (in the whole series) who consistently took what the opponent said and used it in rhyming couplets (that actually rhymed) against them.
The overall standard of the show throughout the various countries was very poor indeed – maybe it’s a bit unfair that the battle had to be in English (even if it understandable).
Having said that, I’d like to see Sprite and Channel O continuing with the show so that our local MCs step up their freestyle game. When you see Wordsworth spit off the dome it’s effortless. That should be the entry level for anyone who even thinks about being crowned as the ‘Best in Africa’.
Despite going out, you can still vote for Ben Sharpa to be a WildCard entry in the final. Show your support for Ben by going to the Channel O website and casting your vote.
Anyway, BIG UPS to Snazz… check out some photos of the event…
Sprite EMCEE Africa! (click for larger image).
Sharpa qualifies (click for larger image).
Sharpa takes out Slege (click for larger image).
Adamiz destroys Steezy Stylish (click for larger image).
Adamiz takes on Sharpa (click for larger image).
Sharpa give it to Adamiz (click for larger image).
Adamiz looks vexed! (click for larger image).
Mizi gives his verdict – Adamiz wins (click for larger image).
Snazz schools Adamiz (click for larger image).
Lee congratulates Snazz (click for larger image).
View the full set of photos on Flickr
That’s how we rrrrrrrrrrroll!!
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