DNA vs Dizaster
This is the moment that DNA cemented his spot in the top tier. Pairing up Dizaster, perhaps the only other MC on a comparable sky-rocketing path at the time, with DNA in long battle hosted by Drake set this up to be a classic, and damn did these dudes deliver. Freestyle flips and tense moments of real talk (especially in round 3) are abound. Watch the whole hour, it’s worth it.

DNA vs Eurgh
DNA has stated in interviews that he loves to choose opponents who can freestyle, and this battle is a particular treat because of that. There are few other instances on Youtube where both MCs offer tight rebuttals at the top of each round. DNA blends some grimy gun bars and some hilarious accusations of UK culture for a fantastic showing.

DNA vs K-Shine
As K-Shine’s opening round mounts in energy, those watching at home might think DNA was dead on arrival, but hang in there: dude’s composure and trust in his material allows him to get what seemed like an initially swayed crowd onto his side. DNA brings punch after punch, meets K-Shine on his turf and incorporates other styles as well. A classic battle.

DNA vs TheSaurus
Here, DNA faces the active veteran of battle rap, the “Two Time Winner of Everything,” so this was a particularly important test. Though the crowd is pretty whack and unresponsive, a careful listener can hear that his bars are razor sharp. He provides name flips, wittiness, brutal passion, and perhaps most impressively, a prediction of his opponent’s bars.

DNA vs Arsonal
This one, hot off the presses, is a very close call. What wins it for DNA are the two reasons this list exists in the first place: underneath his surface level wordplay, he is an artist with purpose, passion, and pain, and he is the most consistent performer in his field. Here’s DNA’s latest classic. Enjoy, and be sure never to sleep on this boy again.

The post 5 Battles To Show You What DNA Is Made Of appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Harlem’s Un Kasa has just dropped his gritty new tape, The Wait Is Over! Amongst the tape’s features are guest verses from Juelz Santana, Ron Browz, and Wu-Tang’s Raekwon on standout track “Frank Lucas.” If you’re new to Un Kasa, that song and track four, “Hate Love” are good places to start. He sounds like a mixture between Maino and URL/Smack and GrindTimeNow battle rapper Cortez. Discover some new talent below.

The post New Mixtape: Un Kasa – The Wait Is Over! appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.