IIn hip hop there are so many genres
of rap and in every generation there
is always those artist who we label
as conscious, based on their lyrical
content and lifestyle. Though battle
rap can get very gruesome and seem
negative at a point, we even have
battle rappers who are recognized for
their consciousness. And they thrive
to keep the battle rap movement in
its true essence, with bars and heavy
lyrics. 100 Bars Magazine had the
opportunity to meet up with one of
Philly’s finest, Ray Stizzy. Ray Stizzy
is not new to the battle rap scene;
he holds a wealth of knowledge and
he is working hard to keep battle
rap in its authentic form. His stage
presence, battle rap style and intellect
can be likened to some of the greats
in conscious rappers in hip-hop, like
Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli or
Jay Electronica. After reading this
interview, make sure you YouTube
his recent battles. Salute to Ray
Stizzy.
Editor’s note: In the days following
this interview, Ray Stizzy was
arrested on unnamed charges. Free
Ray Stizzy.
AndtwonDaDon: Ray Stizzy,
what’s popping? I have been
following you for a moment
now and I respect your business
moves and drive. If I had to give
you an award, it would be as a
humanitarian of this battle rap
s**t. You’re always promoting
yourself as well as others with
talent. You’re never afraid to give
others credit. So salute to you,
first and foremost. And thanks
for reaching back out to 100 Bars
Magazine.
Ray Stizzy: No problem. I
appreciate you reaching out and
noticing my hard work.
AndtwonDaDon: There are so
many ways that we can go about
this interview, but what I love
about your brand is that you
always keep it 100. If you like
something, you address it; but
if it’s bulls**t your not afraid
to speak on it. So I want to get
into some of the politics of battle
rap, because I know you are
one of the artists that I consider
more bar-heavy and conscious. I
want to know this: what does it
mean to you when someone says
“bars over everything”? Is that
statement that you use?
Ray Stizzy: “Bars over
everything” is interesting for
many reasons. For one, lyricism
should be the focus of any
battler. But at the same time,
delivery and performance
go hand-in-hand; it’s just as
important. I can say something
that’s crazy, but if I don’t
deliver the bar correctly with
confidence and the proper
aggression — it won’t hit. So
being a bar-heavy battler, I am
a firm believer in “bars over
everything”. But I believe these
rat stizzy
rising star
days, you require more behind
the lyrics.
AndtwonDaDon: I was discussing
the topic with some battle rappers
a few weeks ago, and they feel as
if “grown man/women bars” will
always be victorious. How do
you feel when you watch a battle
and one opponent has heavier
bars, but the other has “real talk”
and personals. Do you feel that
personals and antics are killing the
art?
Ray Stizzy: Great question. I
had a conversation about this
the other day and I feel strongly
about this; this is battle rap.
As in, “entertainment”. We
are supposed to entertain. I
think it has gotten increasingly
absurd with the whole “So-andso lost because ‘they’re not
real’.” How are you going to
determine who’s real and who’s
not? You never walked in the
other person’s shoes. There is
too much discrediting going on.
Focus on the lyrical ability and
creativity — not who’s”realer”
— because so often, the realer
person in a battle will lose to the
so-called “fake” opponent with
better material. With that being
said, the “real talk” approach is
effective when it works. I do feel
personals are stupid 95 percent
of the time. A lot of people feel
that antics are a cancer. I don’t
agree with them personally, but
what I don’t appreciate, others
may find entertaining.
AndtwonDaDon: I understand
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