The Liberia Rap Battle League is about to make history by putting up the first ever L$100,000 up for grabs by well performing rap artists in Monrovia and its environs.
According to Wikipedia, rapping is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates “rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular,” which is performed or chanted in a variety of ways, usually over an underlying beat or musical accompaniment. The components of rap include “content,” “flow,” and “delivery.”
In Liberia, rapping has its own long, unique history. Many young people, even those who are not artists, soon become creative with words and narrate beautiful stories or tell their likes and dislikes about happenings around them. They inspire, annoy, teach or advise, not only their competitors but also specific target audiences, depending on the message.
Masters in the Community check the World Association of Rappers (MC WAR), an international organizing body, in collaboration with Austrian Audio and Eternal Apparel, runs the entertainment venture in Liberia and is making its impact on a number of young people who take interest in the game, and are practicing rapping as a way to entertain their followers.
Established in 2021 by Saqar Ahaah Ahherhesu and Den Tut Rayay, two African Americans presently residing in Liberia, LIB Rap Battle League first saw over ten young men compete for L$10,000 in Old Matadi, Monrovia, with one person winning the amount. Since then, the project has risen to a new and improved level.
The LS$100,000, however, is said to not be exclusively set aside for one winner, but three — first to third place winners.
The rap battle league which has been conducted in studio at HOTT FM 107.9 is now in the street as a street battle with young men showcasing their talents to the public. The league has hit the quarter finals and it is expected that, in two months’ time, the semifinals as well as the grand finale will be held.
Recently, Etonest Kennedy, Charles D. Johnson and Charles Clarke, known as Honest Boi O’Fresh, Trap Devotion and Bino Beno, respectively, formed part of the competition on Snapper Hill, Broad Street, Monrovia.
Others were Tommy Swaray, alias Talent K-10; Bryant E. Mulbah, alias Love Bem; Marvelous Kpoeleh, alias Quavo Meek; as well as Abraham B. Toe, alias Trapco Instructor.
The four winners from the seven have qualified to join others in the semifinals to be hosted soon.
For young artists who sing good songs, their music trends and become very useful not only to ordinary listeners and dancers, but also to politicians during political seasons. But in a limited time, the worth of their songs depreciates each like the stars vanishing when there is sunshine.
The Liberian entertainment industry in general is challenged by many factors, namely: lack of financial and moral support, lack of better environment to see any component of the industry flourish, poor or low quality equipment, lack of training to hone the talents of those aspiring to reach professional status in their craft, as well as the influence of politics (used and dumped by politicians), among many other consequential factors.
But Saqar and Den, the organizing duo, have assured rappers that there is a future for them and all that is needed to be done will be done in order to get them on par with others in the sub-region and other parts of the world, including the United States of America.
