100 BARS MAGAZINE 010 JUN/JULY 2014 | Page 45

Sean: How did you feel about your performance and fan reactions in the Ty Law battle? What would you do differently in your next battle if anything ? Reignman: I felt like after over 10 years off, I did great. At the event, I clearly won 2-1 however, I realized that almost every battle nowadays has no clear winner, because almost every crowd ends up being called biased. The most important lessons I learned are to update my topics and lingo — not to mention, more performance. Sean: How many battles have you had to date? What was your best battle or toughest opponent? Reignman: If I had to guess my number of battles, I would say over 100 — no exaggeration. My best battle had to be against 40 Cal of Dipset, in Fight Klub; the legendary Pee Wee Kirkland was the judge. My toughest opponent was my homie Nite, a.k.a Madam Murda on MTV. Reignman: How did you get started battling and how do you get in a zone when you write? Reignman: When I want to get in my zone to write, I watch the battlers who inspire me the most, like: Charlie Clips, B Magic and Bigg K. I got my start in hip-hop as a battle rapper in Long Island. reign man DONT SLEEP Sean: Who would you like to face in the ring? Would you battle Loaded Lux or Mook? state of Philly hip-hop is great, just because damn near all of our artists are performing, dropping projects and staying visual online. We just need a bigger platform to be seen. Reignman: If I had a choice, I would like to battle B Magic. I would never battle Mook; he is like family to me. As far as Lux, maybe for the culture. Sean: How are you able to keep your pen game so sharp over time? You have a message in your music and it’s reality-based; what is the importance of content in hip-hop? Sean: What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the game since you 1st broke out into the scene? Reignman: I’m able to keep my pen sharp by watching every artist from Rick Ross to Grafh and how they work. Being an artist with a message, I think substance is important, just because there are a million rappers talking about nothing already. Reignman: The biggest change in battle rap to me nowadays is how, even when someone clearly loses, people will see the footage and change their mind. In my era a loss was a loss. Sean: Who would you consider as the Top 3 greatest battle rappers of all time? Reignman: In my opinion, the Top 3 battlers of all time are: KRS-1, Eminem and Murda Mook. Sean: What motivated you to jump back in the ring? How would you describe the current state of Philadelphia Hip-Hop? Reignman: What motivated me to return was a personal question of whether or not I can still compete. The current state of Philly battle rap is OK. We have dope emcees, but its hard getting them showcased. The current Sean: How do you feel about the current commercialization of the culture? What, if anything, is missing from today’s era. If there was something you can change about battle rap what would it be and why? Reignman: Although I’ve seen such mainstream battle success, I think the new commercialization is a gift and a curse. It’s great exposure, but it brings in a lot of folks who care more about money than the culture. If I could change anything about battle rap I would remove tiers and rely on skill. The only thing I think missing from today’s era is a respect for every battler, old or new. Sean: Aside from Philadelphia, name the three most important 45