They said WHAT?!
That’s right. Coming off the first ever Total Slaughter rap battle pay-per-view extravaganza, two of the event’s bigger names have both been rumored to want to step into the ring against the event’s creator: Eminem.
For those unaware, Eminem — who one could easily argue is the GOAT emcee — has an extensive career as a battle rapper dating back to the mid 90’s. And Em battled in an era when bringing extensive writtens to the table was positively taboo.
Despite the fact he’s reached exulted status in hip-hop, Slim Shady has apparently been called out by rap battle veterans Murda Mook and Hollow Da Don.
Interestingly, Hollow and Mook walk into a potential battle against Em from two very different situations. Hollow took several shots at Mathers’ manager Paul Rosenberg, and others within his camp, as he battled Joe Budden…who is also in Em’s camp. Word is, Em didn’t appreciate the Shady slander.
Got the word back @eminem is upset at me for going at Paul and he might want some action #TotalSlaughter2 #HollowvsEm #ImExcited
— Established David (@HollowDaDonLOM) July 14, 2014
The problem is, Hollow is coming off a highly inauspicious performance against Jersey’s Joe Budden at Total Slaughter. Given Budden’s apparent discomfort within that atmosphere, coupled with his start-stop delivery and dropping his mic in the final round, Hollow should’ve demolished him. However, he never really got the crowd on his side, nor was Hollow particularly humorous. He also took time to physically threaten Budden if he ever put his hands on another female again, which was awkward to say the least. Despite getting a W from the judges, many fans on social media proclaimed Budden got hosed. A highly indecisive victory over an emcee out of his element doesn’t exactly seem like the impetus for Mr. L.O.M. squaring off against a rap icon.
Meanwhile, Harlem’s Murda Mook lit up both the stage and Loaded Lux at Total Slaughter. We spoke about Lux’s place as one of the greatest in battle rap history on the HHSR Podcast, but Loaded looked anything but in his rematch against Mook. Murda’s aggressiveness, as apposed to Lux’s technical approach, quickly won over the crowd and the judges. By the third round the outcome was already decided. The night’s best moment came when the clock ran out on Mook’s last verse and he hyped up an agreeable audience to demand more time as he shouted, “I told you! I fucking told you, nigga! I win man!”
Sidebar: Arsenal did his thing too. Don’t want to leave him out.
Murda Mook looked more like a guy who was ready to challenge Eminem, and unlike Hollow Da Don, did so from a place of respect.
“Em is my favorite rap dude. It’s no disrespect at all. This is just admiration, want to jump in the ring with a n—a that I feel like is incredible. Somebody I feel says things I would never possibly think of saying. I can’t say,” Mook said in an interview with Hot 97. “His mind is way different, so for me to have to challenge myself to be able to try and meet that and take it higher.”
But is participating in his own event even something Em would consider? Joe Budden’s participation and the appearance of rap heavy-hitters like Busta Rhymes gave the event added credibility. But enough people knew about it— TS was trending worldwide all over Twitter as it was taking place. The Hammerstein Ballroom was at capacity and the hip-hop community certainly was paying attention. In a perfect world, Total Slaughter would gain enough popularity (without compromising the culture’s integrity, of course) that it could have seasonal or monthly events like this a la UFC. There appears to be enough momentum for another major Total Slaughter event. Having Eminem come out of retirement to battle would be the biggest moment in hip-hop in just about any year. It’s Total Slaughter’s Big Joker! Does it really behoove Shady to play that card now?
Probably not. But it’s a logical next step. Battle rap is similar to boxing in 1,000 different ways, but one of the most notable is that moments after a contest has concluded, everybody turns into Bob Arum in an attempt to find the next great super-fight.
Murda Mook has battled the best of the best and lived to tell the war stories. It’s understandable why he would want his crack at a living legend. As enjoyable as a Mook/Em battle would be though, it’s probably not the best move at this juncture because TS doesn’t need it. Besides, between under-performing emcees; a lack a traditional intimate battle setting or functioning microphones; DJ Kay Slay just standing around for no reason; a busted live stream resulting in thousands of refunds for paying customers and Daylyt’s bullshit shenanigans, Eminem having to Pat Riley the situation should be the least of Total Slaughter’s concerns right now.
Sidebar: That makes you Stan Van Gundy, Joey.
Ultimately, the first Total Slaughter event should be remembered for Murda Mook — one of the greatest of all-time — reestablishing his claim at the top of the battle rap food chain. But if this league is to truly enhance the culture the way it should, it needs to showcase more well-rounded emcees that are ready for the big stage…and maybe a dry run in advance of the show wouldn’t hurt either.
That said, it doesn’t need to be rescued by the Fire Marshall. Not yet.