100 BARS MAGAZINE 007 Mar/Apr 2014 | Page 96

Battle of LA and Battle of The Bay 7. However, due to all of the complications and different things that occurred during Blackout 4, we figured that we would have an event sooner that added in the missing matches and a few surprises. The event is Vendetta 2: Redemption and it will all go down on April 19, 2014 out in Los Angeles. So if you can come to the live event or even if you are unable to be at the live event, you can purchase tickets and get access to the Pay-Per-View online via the KOTD website. Either way you intend on seeing V2R, we all appreciate the fans and supporters who continually take part in these events and show the Fresh Coast division love. As you all can tell by the trailer, we have some pretty dope matchups for everyone to experience and enjoy. After that event we will be having BOLA in June, and then after that event it will be BOTB7. Novie Blendz: For the people that don’t know, can you inform them who exactly is a part of the Fresh Coast Division? Lush One: Of course you have myself, AspectOne, Plex Rock, J-Pro, Malathion and Avocado, who is the OG of creating trailers for battles, check YouTube for his earliest work. You will see: men lie, women lie, YouTube footage don’t lie [sic] (Lush laughs). Of course we’ve got our guy King Fly, who is the KOTD webmaster and online tech support. We also have DJ 92 Mix 62 a.k.a Smokey. Last but not least, we have a lot of dope emcees holding it down and reppin’ the Fresh Coast. Novie Blendz: Sounds like a well-rounded group of people. What thus far in this past year has been your favorite battle that’s happened with the “Fresh Coast”? Lush One: I know it’s been referenced to death and it may sound cliché, but my favorite battle from the past year was “Danny Myers vs. Rum Nitty”. I mean, their battle could’ve easily been one of our Ground Zero or tryout-level battles. It was like a GZ battle with a mainstager’s performance and bars. It was like we were watching one of those secret school fights between the two biggest school bullies. It was like we were watching two unknown warriors, fighting with the swordsmanship of Hattori Hanzo! Another battle that was referenced to death that was my favorite was “Illmaculate vs. Bigg K”. That moment to me was like, “OK, we’ve exceeded our goals and expectations for this year.” 2013 was supposed to be the year of rebuilding for us, to set the tone for a better 2014. I had felt like that moment definitely set a tone, while watching that battle. It was like I had that quiet “F*** yeah!” in my head. I mean, there we were, not even halfway through that year and our goals had been exceeded. I mean, the Fresh Coast is Back! I truly felt that way, from that battle. Novie Blendz: Well both of those battles are also my favorites. You definitely did rebuild your division and I’m excited to see what classic battles and events will come from 2014. Lush One: Yup! V2R, BOLA, BOTB7; we have some great things in store for all of the fans! Novie Blendz: Speaking of “fans”, you said earlier that battle rap is a form of self-expression. What significance do you think that this culture truly represents to all of the fans? Lush One: I think that battle rap may represent something to some fans on a deeper level than most people think about. Many battlers, and even leagues, present something to fans that allows them to have a voice or a connection with this culture. Otherwise, no one would be so deeply involved with it. For example, you have that assumingly nerdy kid who stands up to all of the bullies; that’s Charron. He is a voice for those people. He’s a representation of those types of fans. Then you have Young Gattas; she is a swagged out lesbian who has a laid-back approach to life and enjoys smoking weed. She is a representation for them. Then you have Hollow Da Don, who is a reformed hustler with a heart of gold. He is an outlet and, again, a voice for those types guys.