Rappers get ready for 'Total Slaughter' rap battle
Posted: Jul 09, 2014 6:44 PM PDTUpdated: Jul 09, 2014 6:44 PM PDT
By LISA EVERS, Fox 5 News Reporter
NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -
"Eminem Presents Total Slaughter" is one of the most anticipated hip hop events of the year. It is a rap battle between Joe Budden and Hollow Da Don.
We caught up with Budden in a midtown recording studio. He said it will be big. How big? Try millions of fans. The street art form known as battle rap is now going mainstream on pay per view. Think of it as a match up of the best that combines the fierce competition of a Floyd Mayweather boxing match with the musical challenge of American Idol and lots of audience involvement.
Competitors duked it out in the Total Slaughter rap battle league launched by Eminem's Shady Films.
The Total Slaughter main event pits hip hop and reality TV star Budden against battle rap powerhouse Hollow Da Don.
We tried to reach Hollow but sources say he's in seclusion at his mother's house in Florida prepping for battle. Some say it's risky for a major star like Budden to go up against someone who does nothing but battle rap. But Budden isn't worried and says he's more than ready.
Personal jabs are part of the game plan and no sensitive spots are off limits in the verbal sparring, except maybe one: the artists' children.
Fan fever was so high it spawned a reality TV show called "Road to Total Slaughter." One of the stars who will battle it out is Detroit's own Marv 1, who famously battled Eminem in the movie "8 Mile."
Women are getting into battle rap too, but aren't in this event -- yet.
Promoters are being tight lipped about the prize money. Rappers can make from $3,000 to $10,000 per battle. Hollow Da Don has won prizes of up to $40,000. This event is expected to pay rappers record-setting amounts of cash.