Recap: From URL’s Summer Madness 4 card, with what included a fight between the two in the days leading up to the battle, Hitman Holla versus Tsu Surf had to be the most anticipated battle of 2014. And while the battle featured two classic rounds (Hitman’s electrifying 1st round that featured one of his best Showout-assisted remix’s to go along with the 1st non-verbal rebuttal, which he claimed by simply taking his hoodie off in response to a bar Surf said in his opener and Surf’s highly personal and superbly executed punchfest in the 3rd) as well as enough moments (good and bad) to ensure that it’ll be more than just a footnote in SM battle rap history, outside of the opening round (which while a bit short, was still pretty hitting), thanks in part to a bunch of pedestrian bars and some questionable moments by Holla (the lame attempt at a 2nd remix in round 2, the subpar Michael Jackson bars and one too many shots at Shotgun Suge), Surf’s consistent ability to hit with some standout wordplay, witty barbs, fire set-ups (including another dope use of his signature ‘Lock pick the door, Errrrhhh!’ screed) and hard-hitting personals/punchlines was just too much here. The Jersey native taking both of the latter rounds handily (tho Holla did spout some lyrical bangers here and there) to come back and win the battle.
Verdict: Tsu Surf (W) 2-1
Favorite line: Tsu Surf – “Your mother was at the game, cardboard colors, fresh signs, my mother was in pain ‘You wanna speak to the inmate, press 9!'”
