Instagram becomes a Hip-Hop and R&B live battle platform
Written by Site Hub on April 15, 2020
With stay at home orders and social distancing the new norm because of SARS-CoV-2, entertainers have had to find virtual ways to produce content and relieve boredom. Some hip-hop and R&B artists previously explored their music and muse through in-person rap battles. Now, they’re turning to social platforms and live streaming tools, especially Instagram Live, in a new virtual version of those face-to-face competitions.
This isn’t the first time social platforms have been used this way. As noted in a Vice piece, Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz were early adopters of the virtual rap battle. They competed on February 24, 2017 in the “Battle of the Beatz,” which was another Instagram live-streamed event.
In recent weeks, the popularity of live hip-hop and R&B battles has increased. Two artists must compare up to 20 singles that they have credits on, usually no more than 90 seconds per sample track, and provide commentary. Most recently, battles have played out between Mannie Fresh and Scott Storch, The-Dream and Sean Garrett, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, Johntá Austin and Ne-Yo, and T-Pain and Lil Jon. Teddy Riley and Babyface are expected to face off in a future competition. Swizz Beatz has also nominated Kanye West and Pharrell.
In the meantime, hundreds of thousands of viewers can enjoy these free battles as they occur. In some cases, fans also get to hear not only old favorites, but also previously unreleased songs, records and commentary, as seen when The-Dream allowed viewers to listen to unreleased records.
https://variety.com/2020/music/news/instagram-live-rap-hip-hop-rnb-battles-1234571419/
https://www.okayplayer.com/news/swizz-beatz-vs-just-blaze-beat-battle-watch.html
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