Recap: Long-awaited battle of the ‘Don’s’ goes Hollow’s way as besides a few reaches here and there, the TX/NY rapper’s execution, whether via scintillating punchlines, pointed personals, racy schemes, witty bars (that were helped by some well-timed props), fiery wordplay and an adept usage of topography when it came to the battle’s London location, was almost flawless. And for John John, Hollow’s top-notch readiness would prove to be a steep hill to climb. Not that JJDD didn’t make for a solid effort as even with the veneer of ‘stealing’ bars over his head (then too, you just knew Hollow was going to exploit that angle), the Bullpen Battle League boss took the allegations head-on with spicy punches of his own, when he wasn’t dishing some flavorful name flips, rigid gun lines and spirited/aggressive personals. However, besides having to deal with his opponent’s strong performance, while the effort was there throughout (with enough potency to make for a debatable 3rd round), JJDD would hurt himself in the earlier rounds with a lack of consistency when it came to bar efficiency as well as utilizing bars that were way too dependent on the infamous fight the two had almost a decade ago. Therefore, score this one a clear win for a punch-heavier Hollow in the 1st, before a more versatile Hollow edges the 2nd round for the win.
Verdict: Hollow Da Don (W) 2-1
Favorite line: Hollow Da Don – “He even let nigga’s call him the Dininon, oooow that shit is wrong, but you’re such a follower you moved to Atlanta when you was little John [Lil’ Jon]!”
