It’s going to be all words ablazing at the second edition of Botta u Risposta, a freestyle rap battle that pits two of the local scene’s heavyweights against each other in the virtual ring. Il-Hooligan and Il-Lapes tell Ramona Depares what to expect.

What does a Botta u Risposta entail and how close is it to what we saw on the film 8 Mile?

Il-Lapes: It is not too different from 8 mile, because we do some rounds accompanied by a beat. But the majority will be a capella, so that the audience can make out the words more clearly and so the message definitely hits home.

Hooligan: Botta u Risposta is a freestyle battle. In 8 Mile there were a number of adversaries, while for this event it will be a battle between two. Which won’t be scripted, of course.

Would there be any pre-planning or is it totally spontaneous?

Il-Lapes: This part depends on the rapper himself. Personally, I do a bit of a mix. Both styles have their own challenges.

Hooligan: If you plan ahead, it defeats the purpose. The battle is all about being spontaneous, about showing off the ability of the rapper to come up with the lyrics on the spot. Otherwise, you can’t call it freestyle, can you? It’d be normal songwriting.

Have you ever ‘frozen’ and not come up with anything?

Il-Lapes: Years ago, when I was still a newbie.

Hooligan: It’s never happened so far, but if it does, I won’t be the first nor the last to go through something like that. It’s in situations like this that a rapper can really show his worth.

What is the biggest challenge in this type of performance?

Il-Lapes: The wait, because to be honest as soon as I’m on stage all the problems disappear.

Hooligan: Not to let your adversary bring you down with his words – and to always have that witty comeback at the ready.

Describe your ‘adversary’ in three words.

Always have that witty comeback at the ready- Hooligan

Il-Lapes: Respected, experienced and old-school.

Hooligan: Fresh, talented and wise.

Rap, hip hop have a bit of a dodgy reputation in the mainstream. To what do you attribute this?

Il-Lapes: The industry is not fond of dissimilating a genuine message bluntly. Maybe, because there is still fear that the people will wake up. Moreover, the industry does not really care about whether the artist is any good or not. It is only interested in making money. Bureaucratic types wearing suits and ties are the ones that call all the shots, even if they do so from behind the scenes. They try to keep the people blind and deaf to the really important things that happen around them.

Hooligan: I don’t think the word dodgy is appropriate, really. The two styles have become quite popular with a variety of people from all walks of life and even across different age groups. Rap does deliver a message, which can be a positive or a negative one, of course. I tend to opt for the positive angle. Rap is like a weapon, it doesn’t necessarily have to be used to hurt someone.

We are used to seeing the gangsta-style battles: is violence really part of it?

Il-Lapes: Of course not. Violent types have no place in our culture. This is a fight with words; using words, everything is permissible. Those who can’t stomach explicit language would do better not to attend such events.

Hooligan: Freestyle battles are a bit like boxing. You have two people in the ring, going at it round after round until one of them gives up. Or until there aren’t any rounds left and the audience gets the vote. But once it’s over, both parties shake each other’s hand. The respect is always there.

How did your interest in hip hop start?

Il-Lapes: Lyrics always intrigued me, but when I turned 11 I started taking a stronger interest.

Hooligan: I fell in love with rhyming at a very young age. Hip hop is part of my life, but I still listen to all sorts of music, from classical to house.

How ‘real’ can it be given that rap and hiphop originated in street life, by people who wanted to highlight hardships and Malta does not really have a street life?

Il-Lapes: This approach does not really reflect what we are trying to do. Hip hop is a universal language used to express oneself… much like graffiti, breakdance, rap and so forth. The battle is won by the rapper who manages to win over the audience.

The industry does not really care about whether the artist is any good or not- Il-Lapes

Hooligan: It’s true that the genre originated on the streets – but let’s not forget that the rappers who ‘make it’ all end up living in luxury. Malta is different. We work hard to build a decent life and, if we succeed, we definitely will not be living the lifestyle of these rappers.

As for street life, every rapper has his own personal stories and experiences to share, whether good ones or bad. There are those who rap about what they’ve been through in an honest manner and then… there are those who bluff or whose only repertoire is dissing other rappers.

What are your favourite themes when coming up with the lyrics?

Il-Lapes: Society in general and my own life.

Hooligan: It all depends on my mood.

And what inspires you?

Il-Lapes: The drive to become the best that I can ever be. And the wish to find happiness in life by doing what I love.

Hooligan: Everything that is happen-ing around me. Everything that I like, everything that bothers me. Give me any topic I’m familiar with and I’ll give you a song.

Do you see rap and hiphop being appreciated more on a mainstream level?

Il-Lapes: Not really. Mainstream kills the essence of rap and even of lyrics in a more generic way. I don’t need a puppeteer to tell me what kind of music I should be making. I do not want to be part of any system that helps keep future generations in glorified ignorance, listening only to radio friendly music and the tracks that do well in clubs. For the mainstream to appreciate our art, it has to accept it in its entirety, as opposed to attempting to change it to make money off it.

Hooligan: Away from Malta, yes. In Malta, not so much.

Who are your influences, artist wise?

Il-Lapes: I listen to a wide variety of styles and every artist will leave an influence, in one way or another. You can learn something even from the most ignorant person.

Hooligan: I’ve been following Snoop Dogg since I turned 12. I buy every album he releases. I admire his versatility – he fuses rap with an incredibly wide variety of genres.

Botta u Risposta is organised by Minmajiġixl Promowxins and takes place at Razzett l-Aħmar on Friday at 9pm. There will also be a live set by Digby and DJ Mac.

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