scene. Everything else just came
together and we been rocking
like family ever since then.
Sean: If you were in a 3-on-3
battle against Mook, Lux and Rex
what two emcees would you team
up with?
Anubis: I would have to say
Clips and Hollow. Clips for his
structure and punches; Hollow
for being unpredictable and
being able to improvise at any
given moment.
Sean: Who do you want to battle
next?
Anubis: Daylyt, Lotta Zay and
Aye Verb.
Sean: You have been getting
some tough competition. In your
opinion, what does it take to be
“Top Tier”?
Anubis: That’s a good question;
to be “Top Tier” in my opinion
means taking on the toughest
opponents while putting out
the best quality battles. Can you
draw a crowd, entertain, while
at the same time being creative
lyrically to keep the listeners
captivated? I think that’s what
makes a Top Tier battler.
Sean: What is the battle rap scene
like in Michigan?
Anubis: The battle scene in
Michigan is rough; everyone is
hungry, growing and ambitious.
Sean: Have you ever been a victim
of bar theft? How do you feel
38
about stolen lyrics?
Anubis: Yeah. I have been a
victim of bar and concept theft.
Although, there is a major
difference in stealing bars and
using a bar as reference from
the artist you borrowed it from.
Like if you are going to quote
someone else’s material, the least
you can do is cite the source you
took it from.
Sean: How do you feel about
classic battles with low views?
Anubis: Classic battles with
low views are really a double
standard. Most views are related
to name, so you can have two
Top Tiers with an average battle,
but it will do more views because
they are well known, as opposed
to lower tiers with a better
showing, but who are not as
known.
Sean: Do you think your wordplay
is slept on?
Anubis: I wouldn’t say my
wordplay is slept on. So many
battlers use wordplay, it’s
difficult to tell us apart outside
of content, structure and
personality.
Sean: We’ve heard you spit some
real talk in your bars; did you
think fans would have a negative
reaction to real rap when judging
your battles?
Anubis: No. I don’t think they
would. I try to keep an even
balance of being creative, but
still staying true to myself
when I battle. So when I do say
something that relates to another
person’s own persona, they tend
to appreciate it more.
Sean: What’s the thing you love
most about battle rap?
Anubis: The thing I love most
about battle rap is testing my
pen game against some of the
dopest lyricists in the country.
That in itself is a rush, because it
is not just about lyrics, but also
strategy.
Sean: If you didn’t battle what
would you be doing?
Anubis: If I didn’t battle —
probably just making music, like
I was prior.
Sean: Is there anything you want
to say to the fans?
Anubis: To the fans: I appreciate
every last one of y’all. As long as
you keep checking for me I will
try to give you a new reason to
keep watching.
— Sean Kirtland