Interview w/ @Jabari Black
Tell me something about you bro? Txt history .. aliases, influences ect
No real text history bro. I’m pretty much brand new to this. I battled back in 2008 or 2009, but I only battled twice - won one and lost one under the name “Lakonik” (the 2000s was a crazy place for rap names)
My only true battle rap history is as a fan. I was a huge hip hop head back in high school. In about 2009 or 2010 I started watching the World Rap Championships.
I would watch battles kinda regularly during the Grind Time era but kinda stopped after Grind Time fell apart. I’d occasionally come back to watch guys like Hollow and Conceited but didn’t really follow it.
Didn’t get hooked into the culture until 2016. That was a crazy year. Battles like NWX vs Guntitles, BDot vs Danny Myers, and Ave vs Rum Nitty got me back into the fold.
I never got into rapping myself, but watching those guys perform had kinda dreamed about dropping haymakers. Finally in March of this year, I decided to have a go at it.
It’s probably no surprise, but my biggest influence is Rum Nitty. I was always a fan of punchers but when I first saw him, I’d never seen anyone drop back to back haymakers like him and I was amazed. It was literally set up, haymaker, Set up, haymaker back to back.
Your biggest win or wins thus far
My most pivotal win was week 4 in the BAL against Muff. My record was 1-2 coming off 2 close losses. Muff was the toughest person I’d battled to that point. I felt like I desperately needed a win.
I was the heavy underdog in that match, but I wrote my ass off. I went personal heavy - which I hadn’t done up to that point - and squeaked by with the win.
That was huge because it gave me confidence that I could hang with the vets and compete. I was awarded a contenders match and went on a winning streak.
Shortly after, I got another big win - my champ match with DynamiCz. That was my favorite win because it was my first time champing here, and I got a lot of respect for DynamiCz. I also dropped my most popular bar to date - my ‘I gotta stick by ya side like a loyal friend’ bar.
People you would like to battle ...
Think it’s bout time for me and Cred to get in the ring and punch it out. We had a dope battle week 1 of the 1-2 league but I feel that was just a sample.
Styles wise, this makes a lot of sense. Cred says he’s the gun bar king, but we got em over here too.
I got a ton of respect for Cred. He’s mastered his craft, and I think Cred has a lot of respect for me as one of the newcomers. It’ll be good to see two eras clash it out.
Outside of that, I’d love to Clash with Infiltrate, Allen Knight, and Murda Sho.
The real you ...
Cant give you my government - although it’s not impossible to find.
I’m a 24 year old dude - been living in Atlanta the past 2 years. I’m originally from a city called Warner Robins aka Wartown which is a smaller city towards the middle of GA.
I went the college route and got a corporate job in finance which I work now. The goal is to run my own business some point down the line.
Other than that I’m pro black af (hence, the avi). I’m not as much as a hip hop head as I used to, but obviously I’m huge fan of rap and battle rap. No kids or nothing but I’m engaged to my ole lady from back home.
Ideas for the site .....
This probably isn’t a completely original idea but I’d love to have battle rap “cards”. Maybe once a month or every other month, a mod puts together a card with a theme.
No sign ups, just PM guys to set up match ups. Once they set it, they promote it with a mag, interviews, etc. No tourney and no accomp at the end but could be a dope way to set up anticipated matchups and get some of the less active vets back in the fold.
I’d also like to see superlatives at the end of the year. Like a Battler of the Year, Most Improved, Rookie of the Year, etc.
Shoutouts or props u want to give to other battlers , also I appreciate your time your taking out to help me . Thank you
Congrats to Body on winning the BAL and Knuck for winning the Summer Classic. Bruh I been reading some of MFTastik’s old stuff and that nigga was sick.
Other than that, preciate the opportunity for the interview. Props on starting the NBL back up. Some dope matches coming up.
Stay up fam