Battle Rap in the Trenches

Battle raps are a long tradition whether they are held in public spaces or performed as scenes in films. Naseer Diggins and Eazy The Block Captain’s Battle Rap in the Trenches works as an intimate concert film shot in Philadelphia, PA that provides an up close and personal look at two rap battles.

Opening the film is Bill Collector vs. Bad Newz. Bill Collector’s raps mostly lean on the more comedic side of things, although at one point he takes his shirt off for dramatic effects. Bad Newz goes for the jugular with pointed verbiage, saying far fewer words than Bill Collector but making them count. The energy between the two is wildly different, and their stark contrast makes the opening match in some ways more satisfying than the main event.

The main event, however, is Eazy the Block Captain vs. John John Da Don. The two have some major beef between them, which is something the film could have focused more on. Viewers are able to get some context, but it feels a bit inside baseball at times. Their match is rather enjoyable and at times rather intense, but it feels more of a draw than the opening match.

Battle Rap in the Trenches is shot in a very immersive manner where you are up front and right in the face of the battle rappers. The big crowds are visible in the background, and the sound is crystal clear, which is very immersive during the boisterous reactions to sick burns. It’s a fun format for this kind of concert film, and Battle Rap in the Trenches is a good introduction to rap battles to boot.

Battle Rap in the Trenches is now available for viewing on multiple streaming platforms.