Recap: Regardless of the verdict here that has Ill Will winning this battle, theoretically there’s really no losers here. And that speaks to how nice 40 Cal. was. Making his decade-plus long return to battle rap, the Harlem “industry” rapper did what most of his peers before him couldn’t do: put on a quality and competitive show. Indeed, from the opening round, via some pretty solid (“You playing pretend and don’t know my story truth, when on the back of every Henny Yak bottle say 40 proof!”) punchlines, gritty boasts and greasy personals (that esp. came together in a witty 3rd round that 40 edged), all the while using a slower and pronounced flow that stayed steady throughout the battle, for the most part, not only did 40 Cal. do really well here, but he made Ill Will earn the victory. And utilizing a steadier trope of stinging punches, raucous (“But I burn shit, learn shit, closed casket or urn shit, it’s apparent [a parent] I’m Dwyane Wade, soon as I raise the tre [3] I knew he’ll turn bitch!”) heat, biting personals and flexing performance bars, a more consistently fire and versatile Ill Will does more than enough to take both of the opening rounds and attain the win.
Verdict: Ill Will (W) 2-1
Favorite line: Ill Will – “I’ll show up where ya people be, iron on me got me feeling wrinkle free!”
