2 on 2 Magazine Round 1. ( SUICIDE SQUAD EDITION )

[Hush]

Rankings and Reasons


First off I just want to say never have rankings ever meant less than in this tag tournament. Damn near anyone can take this shit, and the differential in the talent spectrum is almost non existant here. It's like 2 tiers of teams in here, super vets, and hot up and comers. Both are deadly as fuck, and I really can't think of a team to sleep on in this shit. Well yea I can one team to be exact, The Dmv Boyz @Strikta and @Joe Metts these niggas dont show for shit, so yea, I think Team @Zelphish and @ribbit can beat them at this point by posting the formula for coca-cola. I will be trying to get Strik and Metts a alternate match just to see if they will bother to check in. ANYWAY, the ranking system here was the shit that made me not want to do this tournament all together in the first place. So I sat back and thought how the fuck do I rank such a deep ass talent field.. the strategy I came up with was like this, between what you have champed lately, the quality of bars I seen you putting out, your likely hood to show as well as your chemistry with your team mate. All these things went into the pressure cooker to pull out these rankings, so teams more skilled than others may be ranked behind them or whatever, dont look too deeply into this shit I did the best I could, but since I know ppl will bitch I'm going to briefly explain why each team is in the position they currently are.

1.Name Pending @murda sho & @Alvin Karpis
As defending champions I felt it was a no brainer off the rip to rank these guys in the #1 spot, also I've seen Karpis go from inactivity to fire verses in the past without a sutter step. I think he had a battle in the NBL this league where he was robbed, so yea Karp that dude. Sho has been no slack either champing the Battle Arena Shadow Boxing tourney, and as the 2on2 is also a Battle Arena tourney that also played heavily into there rankings. If Karp didn't check in so fast last time I would have been hesitant, but I think he will show up in time to help Sho deliver the level of verse ppl will expect from these two. Not to mention the stark contrast in what they rap about and how they rap the shit. I don't think I read the tourney they champed but I really hope it's still in the archives. @Havoc lemme know if you seen it recently homie.

1.The Outsiders @Orc @King Karaoke
The second team was a no brainer for a top ranking under any other circumstances, and even with Karaoke currently not "active" I still find it hard to rank this team anywhere else. Even with a 25% chance of Karaoke showing up this remains one of the strongest duos in the rankings. Orc always brings it when the chips are down, and I expect nothing different from him in this tourney. In the event that Kare does not show up prior to the check-in due date Orc will be able to replace him, or continue solo with the hopes Kare shows up midway into round 2. Even a solo Orc is a force to be reckoned with, so with all due respect to @King Karaoke as the current best active battler on the site I left them with a strong ranking that is well deserved in my personal opinion.


2.Nik Bags @ill nik-A @Bags
There as a time when Nik/Bags would of been a no brainer for a 1 one spot, but Bags is still nursing a rust infection, and Nik is coming off a loss in the NBL and maybe one of his worst seasons ever record wise. Does that effect what I EXPECT them to do in this tournament? Of course not, Nik Bags is as deadly as any of the top teams in these trenches, but they did not have quite the hot hand as the 2 teams ranked prior to them. If Bags had been more active or stronger in his recent showings this team would of been a shoo-in for a number 1 ranking spot.

2.The Bad Guys @Allen Knight @Ace
This team of Allen and Ace I think was a no brainer to fit snuggly into a number 2 ranking spot. Both have been consistently dropping hot lines all thru the current season of NBL, and Ace has been active as fuck in roasts and cyphas all over the site. I think Ace is still finding his stride, and I haven't seen Allen drop a battle verse in a few weeks, so that kept them out of a higher position in the rankings, but as I said before the talent level between these teams is almost non existant, and The Bad Guys are as strong as anyone in the field.


3.Migo Lingo @Victor. @Cred
I had trouble ranking myself here because often I am not the most subjective dude when it comes to my own talent and skill level. I DO know that Cred has been killing every verse he dropped lately, and I would of given us a higher position if he didn't get DQ'd out of his NBL champ match. But I think we sit comfortable at the number 3 spot, due to me winning that recent Fight Night, shaking what rust I had left and Cred staying fresh in his recent Battle Arena match vs Muffy, and in both Suicide Squad disses across the site.Migo Lingo gonna talk that shit, I promise you that.


3.The Gentlemen @Sn00p @Knucklehead
The Gentlemen could have easily been ranked above Migo Lingo but I think Knucks recent beef with Kare hurt there ranking and this is why.. personals. I just feel like there next opponent has a slew of ammo to release on the team, and its really going to take some bombs from the Gentlemen to fend off the first assault that comes in bound. It didn't help there ranking that sn00p has been inactive lately with school and personal life. I do expect them to bring fire, and prove that this ranking is a bit low for them, but as of how things stand now I think this is where The Gentlemen had to be ranked.


4.Doh! Boys @Tic @Infiltration
The Doh! Boys are a interesting team, and one of the "younger" squads in the top half of the rankings. I mean young in the loosest fashion because both Inf and Tic are legit vets to keyboard battling and no strangers to putting on dope matches. I find them new in the sense that they aren't as proven or battle tested in these trenches than other teams. The high ranking is mostly due to Tic putting on in every league or tourney he joins and never no showing. Same can be said for Inf who always drops a quoteable that leave me head nodding, and seems to also be very consistent with showing up. I am interested to see how these two mesh.

4.MD 20/20 @Muff @Amen
This team could have easily had a lower or higher ranking but I was unsure where to put them due to Muffs recent fleeing of the site. I was hoping @Amen could convince him to atleast honor the commitment and put his bars up, but even if Amen is left alone I recently saw him inquiring a tag with @joog who appears to be on the level to bring the same quality of bars Muff himself would of brung. If Amen produces Muff prior to round 1 this team could really be a problem, yet even without Muff I think MD 2020 will turn some heads in round 1. Amen needs to be on his A+++ game here, and not waste any bars.


5.Smoking Aces - @Unfukwitable @Odd Ways
The Smoking Aces are easily a team that would have been seeded in the top half of these rankings, and basically missed there spot by a cambodian cunt hair. Unfukwitable arguably has one of, if not the hottest hand of the newer gen battle heads right now, he only took one loss via vote all season in NBL and has been consistent on killing cyphas, and bringing heat to Fight Nights. Speaking of Fight Nights his partner Odd Ways has recently champed one of his own, helping boost this team up atleast a ranking spot. What really kept them out the top 8 was consistency, meaning they just need to keep doing what they been doing and these dudes stocks will both skyrocket. Def a sleeper team of the tournament.

5. Mutated Gladiators - @Remy LeBeau @Maximus
I had to sort of take a gamble with this teams rankings, or at least put my money on the table. I only was able to judge Maximus off a single vote, in a battle I think he wrongfully lost in the NBL this season. Maximus signed out after the L tho, which is something I struggle to respect.. especially with unproven battlers. Remy on the other hand has been consistent in providing dope battles and lodges no complaints when the votes roll in whether win or loss. Remy is the kind of battler I love, he shows up, brings his bars, respects his opponents and lets yall be the judge. I don't know if these dudes know each other so I am really curious to see how they pull a single verse together out of 2 minds. This team can really be hit or miss going forward but something tells me they will bring it.

6. Sharp Fox @Witty @Sharp
This is where again, the talent pool is so fucking deep its hard to accurately compare some of these guys because they all bring so much to the table. While Sharp is the battle head, since he has been so in active as of late, and especially active in times I wasn't reading the site I had no way to gauge him, so ultimately this team could be ranked WAY higher, cuz I had Witty as the powerhouse of the two. I doubt Sharp is a slouch, and the way he speaks on battles proves hes knowledgeable. Regardless neither of these guys is really really battle tested in my opinion, but that makes them no less dangerous and honestly I find them the favourites for a upset in the early rounds. May be the most unpredicable and dangerous team on the left side of the brackets.


6. 100 Grand - @jilti & @iSpaz
A last second entry into the tourney, and honestly @Strikta and @Joe Metts might feel I gave they spot away unrightfully but I will explain why I did it right here. Strikta, you never show, Joe you show but sometimes you MIA for long periods and Strikta never shows. There, explained. Anyway.. Jilti is consistent and clever, and I never saw him miss a deadline, Spaz is more of a unknown in that sometimes he brings fire, and other times he phones in it. To me the burden is on Jilti here to bring the best out in Spaz and help him elevate to the level it will need for this team to move forward. I'm not saying Jil is eons above Spaz cuz he's not, but at this point he has the higher battle IQ so it would behoove Spaz to not pick up a few pointers.



7. Gaston & The Hunchback @Swerve @Diode
Some may argue this team deserved a higher ranking, maybe even to be on the right side of the bracket, to those ppl I say, LOL NO. Nah but forreal I have NO CLUE what Diode will bring to a battle, I do know dude has a sharp fucking wit I seen displayed plently of times in offhand comments in discussions. That does not mean it will translate tho. Swerve I see getting tons of love in the NBL mags but I'll be honest, never thought he was "that good". Yeah I always thought he was good, but Sdub was never a dude I was worried about being in the spot vs my name. I think now would be the era for him to actually cement his spot as a top head, and this tourney would be a great place to start. Shit is dude hasn't got a dope battle in yet, so I am still hesistant to put my money on the best named team in the tourney. Prove me wrong Swerve, I know you a OG at this shit, that I'm not taking away from you.


7. Hush's Easter @Destroyer @IAmRhetoric
Coming in at the other 7 spot is my fav holiday of the year. Easter always represented new Sneakers for me so hey.. lol. But yea apparently it's Hush's Ether because obv my lisp. lmao Check the video mag Des. But yo, honestly this team suffered in the rankings only due to the fact so many dope fucking teams signed up. Des takes a big responsability here being the vet of the squad like I said prior with anothr team, he has to keep Rhetoric on the up and up with the quality of lines brung to the table. I think for Hush's Easter communication in the week leading up to the battle will make all the difference between a brutal round 1 exit and maybe the upset of the tourney. Rhetoric is no slouch and has his wording on fleek 90 percent of the time, Des needs to bring the ruthless concepts, and Rheto needs to bring his swag on 2000.

8. Fuck You Pay Me @Bust @Killing Spree
Bust and Killing Spree make up one of only 2 teams consisting of both of what I would consider "upper mid tier" battlers currently active on the site. By any means that is not a shot at either of these dudes because I have done nothing but talk up they skill in the past. I fuck with Bust and Spree both heavy, and the fact they joining forces here is the illest shit to me. I think they gonna bring the hunger needed to really get the deserved eyes on their verses. Again, I think these two could greatly benefit from maximum communication and feedback to each other going into the battle. Sometimes great aliances and the next hot thing in txt is created out of these chance pair ups. A second opinion is invalauble when writing so I strongly urge these two to put egos aside and come together for the greater good. Salute to both these shooters right here.

8. Cash Words @fraze @Lotto Smirk
As I type this up I realize how ironic it is one of the most slept on battlers on the site is ranked at the bottom of the list. Smh at me. Fraze and Smirk are both wayyyyyy better than this ranking spot tbh and could have arguably easily been 6 or sevens, but remember I said the ranking was going off more than just skill level. Fraze has not been as active as I would like him to be, and that hurts his ranks in my eyes because he is not what I call as "Ring ready" as other battlers. I may be wrong but this is my perception.. Smirk has been elevating every single battle and always surpises me with a line or two. It's no shame being picked last when so many dope teams are in this shit. But yo. I want ya'll to know I made this ranking second guessing myself a thousand times and this is the one pick I regret most of all. So please make me look like a idiot by dropping fire round 1 Fraze and Smirk, cuz I know ya'll do what u do.




Word with the Champions

I tried to reach out to @Alvin Karpis so I could get a perspective on both of the defending champions "Name Pending", but dude was busy playing golf, buying xxl football jerseys, and getting pussy in the club. Karp is that dude with the bars, and I fucked with his since he made his segway over here from RB. When everyone else was hating I knew Karp was a rising star and never doubted him, you my boy Karp! I am still confident Karp will show up before round 2, but if not Murda Sho says he's confident enough to run the mine field all by himself. I sat down with Sho in the Suicide HQ and he had a few words to share, and took a few questions that I had burning as well. Check it out.

1. What do you think it is about you guys that makes you such a unique and deadly combo in 2 on 2 battles? Playing off that, what made you choose this particular partner for the last Tag Tourney.

murda sho: It's all about chemistry man, Karp is responsible for the personals and witty plays off of things that have happened to our opponents around the board and he knows a lot of you niggas pasts. I come through with the creative nameplates and of course vicious gunners like I do on the regular. We just do what we are good at doing and don't try to change anything up, stay in our comfort zones that we know if it was a regular battle would get us the win. We came together because Karp made a crazy ass run in the NBL at the time and I was just now coming back, I had subbed into the playoffs for someone that wasn't gonna show and ended up making it all the way to the final battle... on the way I beat Karp who was the current NBL champ and we both were impressed with each other's talent in the match so we said why not.



2. Give me a quick breakdown of who ya'll think are the strongest 3 teams and the weakest 3 teams in the field.

murda sho: Well excluding us ofcourse cause we're the best...Orc and Karaoke if they show up, Sn00p and Knuck cause they are both pretty consistent separately and if you put that together in the right way they should go far, and ima say Ace and Knight cause of what we know Ace is capable of hopefully Knight will be able to hype him up enough and we know Knight is solid as fuck... I can't call the 3 weakest cause chemistry can really make two mediocre niggas play off of each other and come up with some pretty decent shit... but the lower tier niggas just better come with their best verses.


3. How do you go about crafting a 2 on 2 verse different than a typical solo battle verse, if at all. What are the strengths as well as challenges of crafting a battle verse with another writer?

murda sho:Well the way Karp writes is he sits down and fully writes his verses out from top to bottom, I on the other hand have hella punches and shit in my phone and just random nameplates from when I see people's names on the board, Karp would send me his verse then I would make my set up bars to coincide with the flow of his verse and then maybe a couple personlas that I know that he may not then boom we have a verse that covers all bases.


4. If/when you guys champ this TOURNAMENT do you think it will cement YOUR spot as best 2 on 2 team of all time?

murda sho: I wouldn't say of all time but definitely of this era, this isn't gonna be an easy task but I think it's still possible because the comp of last year's tourney might be slightly a bit deeper than this year, but I don't really know where Karp's head is at so we'll see what happens



5. Say anything you want, this is your moment to do your thing.


murda sho: Suicide Squad all through this tourney... one of us gotta bring this gold home to the team so lets drop fire the whole way through. And if we face each other don't hold back we gotta prove that we the best 4 niggas in the tourney even though we not tagged. Karp lets win this shit one more time bro then retire as a tag team cause we getting tired of smashing these punks. Y'all please don't start this tourney off all hot then be on bullshit the following rounds, netcees needs to keep the events dope and we got the talent for it.... Zip Em Up!!!