There are four videos in the series, and Chris Rock appears in the last one; they're pretty funny. Having watched the 8 Mile rap battle video, I couldn't help but compare the parody to the movie scene. I love how the parody successfully mocks so many different aspects of the rap battle. From the initial contention over who begins, the coin toss to settle it, the rappers' terribly lame insults towards each other, and each rapper's "posse" and their ridiculous reactions to each insult; the videos create a hilarious mockery of the modern day verbal duel.
I really enjoy the concept of the verbal dueling, and I think it pervades into society in many more ways than we discussed in class. Lawyers arguing cases in court, or political debates, for example, classify as verbal duels in my opinion as well. It's a very cool concept, especially the evolution of verbal duels throughout history. These ideas we discussed and read about add a new level of appreciation to the art of verbal dueling, bringing these individual acts, such as rap battles, into a category of action that exists throughout history. Anyways, for you rap fans out there, here's another awesome rap battle to enjoy.
Great post Josh! Yeah, I agree, you don't see the games that are present in language until you really think about it. After lecture, I was also thinking about where this type of "dueling" was happening and debate came to mind. Similar to lawyers arguing and political debates, nearly all high schools and even some middle schools have debate teams. This is verbal dueling taught at a very young age and, if you have ever been to one, you will know that the teams are VERY competitive and incorporates many of the aspects of gaming. It is interesting to think how someone that dominates in this area (debate) could use his or her verbal skills to change things in the world around them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, what about spelling bees!?!?
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post, it's very funny. This just goes to prove that rap battles aren't always taken seriously, although it does take a quick, intelligent person to be good at rapping. It's an acquired skill, but these videos are great because they exploit the practices that are used in real rap battles and just show how easily undermined the entire system can be. They make the idea of rap battles seem so ridiculous in this video it's absolutely hilarious, and when comparing this to the serious competition of a real rap battle it really can be dissected and shows all the stereotypes of rap battles in a funny way.
ReplyDeleteThat video was extremely funny and interesting. I have so much respect for those who are able to rap and think of rhymes on the spot. I agree in that this video proves that verbal dueling requires skill, and that it is not always taken as seriously as the clip we watched in class from the movie "8 Mile". After watching these video clips, I was intrigued and watched the entire movie of 8 Mile and have been searching the web for more videos of this kind of game.
ReplyDeleteI believe that verbal duels are interesting in that they have evolved so much over the years. I remember back in high school when we had to analyze the verbal duels in Shakespeare's work such as Taming of the Shrew and Hamlet. However, it is important to note that while the language and topics of verbal duels have changed over the centuries, the inherent purpose of these verbal duels, to replace swords and guns with words in order to prove the better competitor, is an aspect of verbal duels that has a certain timeless principle.
ReplyDeleteOn a side, I definitely did spend time after the lecture looking at other kinds of verbal duels, some of which, (such as this one) were absolutely hilarious.
-Alexander Chen