that and I’ve been trying to stay
consistent ever since. It’s a lot
easier to battle in T-Dot than
it is to battle in Cali, because I
can just focus on the battle. I
want to get a few more battles
in Cali before I’m done though.
Hopefully we can get something
going for Battle of LA 5.
Majin: You seem to set up style
clashes as well as battle in them. Is
that a preference?
J-Pro: As far as my own battles
or the ones we set up for other
people?
guy has wordplay”. What is your
outlook on the battling world?
J-Pro: The future is bright,
but we’re not there yet. I think
people have the perception that
league operators are making
major money off of battle rap.
It’s simply not the case. That
perception has influenced a few
different things: the amount of
money battlers expect to be paid,
the type of mega-cards that fans
expect and so on. So, I see things
from both sides. As a battler,
I’d love to have a flight paid
for, a hotel room and get paid.
Obviously, that’s ideal. Working
J-Pro: Cali is just more laid-back,
in general. I think the Bay Area
has the most educated battle rap
fans in the game. It’s a perfect
mix. Cali fans aren’t excited to
boo, but they won’t just cheer
for anything either. I can’t really
speak about other battle crowds,
because I’ve only performed in
front of the LA, Bay and Toronto
folks. The Toronto crowd can’t
wait to give you props, generally.
They’ll cheer you on and
encourage you if you’re choking.
The LA crowd consists of a lot
of performers and battlers. So,
they’re a bit more judgmental.
[The LA crowd is] chill —
“The future is bright but we’re not there yet. I think people have the perception that league
operators are making major money off of battle rap. It’s simply not the case.” — J-Pro
Majin: Either-or.
J-Pro: I don’t have a preference
on the type of person I battle.
Honestly, I don’t really have a
say in who I battle, most of the
time. I separate the work I do
behind the scenes from the stuff
I do on stage as best as I can.
Usually, they offer an opponent
and I say, “cool”. I’ve turned
down a couple of battles, but
usually I’m just with whatever.
I think having diverse content
is important and KOTD does a
great job of promoting diversity
in battle rap: punches, jokes,
personals, schemes, etc. I’m a fan
of battlers who can do a little bit
of everything.
Majin: There seems to be a lack of
well-rounded battles, as opposed
to “this guy’s aggressive” and “this
52
with KOTD though, I see a
different side. These budgets are
ridiculous. Many times we walk
away with less bread than some
of the battlers, despite putting
in hella work to make the events
happen. We’re getting a lot better
though. Pay-per-view is a good
revenue stream and sponsors
are supporting more and more.
I think a lot of the newer
battlers have this perception
that they should be paid way
before they’ve paid dues or even
developed a fan base. Some of
these battlers are lying about
the bread they get for battles
and it fu**s [other battlers’]
perceptions up.
Majin: So if you can, describe the
Fresh Coast battle scene. It looks
more laid back than other scenes
I’ve peeped.
usually high. The Bay crowd is
somewhere in-between.
Majin: I noticed they’ll keep quiet
and wait for a choking battler
to get their composure. Do you
feel choking is becoming more
accepted?
J-Pro: I just think fans are less
partisan. If they like a battler,
that person can do no wrong.
Nobody does judged battles, so
fans just ride with whoever they
support. Clear losses become
wins on Facebook groups and
message boards. I don’t think a
stumble loses you a battle, but
it loses you a round. A full on
choke can ruin an entire battle
— unless you’re Lux. (J-Pro
laughs) Again, there’s a balance
with live crowds. Certain crowds
will excessively boo over a minor