Writing Tips from Rap Battles

Disclaimer: This post contains explicit language.

Some of the most memorable, notorious, inflammatory, and controversial speeches all have a sense of authority in them. They are assertive and dominate over all opposing ideologies. The words and the right speaker exudes power and strikes fear in opponents.

As a communications professional, you’ll sometimes have to respond to negative publicity or attacks to your brand/client.

Companies will have bad press, and the PR team has to respond. Media will demonize a country through propaganda, and the country has to respond by defending and asserting their narrative. You have opponents, and sometimes you’ll have to respond to them. And sometimes, you’ll have to shut them up for good.

One of the best ways to learn how to write "intensely" and how to challenge negative propaganda and counter-narratives is to study rap battles. Two opposing rappers have to assert their dominance and their superiority over each other.

Arguably, the best rap battles captured on film were in "8 Mile."

Here are some lessons from the final battle when B-Rabbit destroys his opponents:

Against Lickety Split:

“He sounds like Erick Sermon, the generic version.”

If you’re at the supermarket, would you buy a can of Coca-Cola or simply a can of cola? The latter is generic. It’s meaningless, it has nothing special about it. A great way to challenge your opponents is to insinuate that they’re generic and that there’s nothing unique or special about them.

“These Leaders of the Free World rookies”

In the film, the Free World are a rap crew and are the rivals of B-Rabbit in his crew. In one scene, the Free World crew brutally attack B-Rabbit. He now has to get his revenge by defeating three Free World members in a rap battle.

By referring to them as “rookies” he’s asserting that they’re low status - contrary to what they think of themselves. There’s a great saying: “The Lion doesn’t concern himself with the opinions of sheep.” If you face criticism from your opponents, you need to reduce them to the status of sheep. The “cola” company are rookies and have no business giving lectures to the behemoth that is Coca-Cola.

Against Lotto:

Lotto attempts to mock B-Rabbit, particularly that he’s white and stating that he has no business battling against him.

Here’s how B-Rabbit responds:

“Didn't you listen to the last round meathead? Pay attention you’re saying the same shit that he said. Matter a fact dawg, here's a pencil. Go home, write some shit, make it suspenseful and don't come back until somethin’ dope hits you. Fuck it, you could take the mic home with you.”

Essentially, B-Rabbit is asserting that Lotto lacks originality. That his attacks sound exactly like the attacks he faced from Lickety Split. Once again, when an attack lacks uniqueness it becomes meaningless and it’s unworthy of being taken seriously.

Later, B-Rabbit raps:

“You see how far them white jokes get you, boys like "how’s Vanilla Ice gonna diss you?"

Yet again, B-Rabbit tells Lotto that his jokes are lame, unoriginal, and have no effect on him. You have to let your opponents know that their criticisms and attacks can’t hurt you/your client/brand, etc.

Against Papa Doc:

B-Rabbit starts by getting the audience to throw their hands in the air, signaling that they’re from the “313” (the area code for Detroit, where the film takes place). Papa Doc doesn’t throw his hands in the air, and B-Rabbit immediately attacks him for this reason.

“Now while he stands tough, Notice that this man did not had his hands up, This free world got you gassed up.”

Essentially, he is saying that Papa Doc doesn’t belong to the club and is an unwelcome outsider. Does the generic cola business have any business criticizing Coca-Cola or Pepsi or any major soda company? The cola company doesn’t even deserve to be in the presence of these major brands.

B-Rabbit then does something unique when he’s facing Papa Doc. He roasts himself - and he’s perhaps the only rapper who can roast himself and still win the battle.

“I know everything he's got to say against me, I am white, I am a fuckin bum, I do live in a trailer with my mom, My boy Future is an Uncle Tom. I do got a dumb friend named Cheddar Bob who shoots himself in the leg with his own gun,I did get jumped by all 6 of you chumps, And Wink did fuck my girl, I'm still standin’ here screamin’ "Fuck The Free World!"

This is not something every brand can get away with. Self-deprecation works in some cultures and backfires in others. Yet, this segment shows an insane level of confidence. No matter how many insults you may hurl at me - and no matter how true they may be, I still stand tall and curse you.

Yes, Coca-Cola did once have cocaine. Yes, it is an unhealthy beverage at the end of the day. Like any corporation, it’s had its fair share of controversies. But it’s been around for 139 years and it’s drunk all over the world. Curse it as you wish, but fridges will still be stocked with Coca-Cola cans for years to come.

“But I know something about you, You went to Crankbook, that's a private school, What's the matter dawg? You embarrassed? This is guy's a gangster, he's real name's Clarence, And Clarence lives at home with both parents, And Clarence's parents have a real good marriage”

Imagine being dissed because your parents have a good marriage!

The uniqueness of this segment is that B-Rabbit is exposing Papa Doc. Papa Doc fancies himself to be tough, whereas his background and life clearly show that he is privileged and that he is miles away from the reality faced by many of Detroit’s residents - including B-Rabbit. He is a phony and he can’t be taken seriously. One of the best ways to take down your opponents is to challenge their credibility. If you lack credentials, your attacks mean nothing.

Enjoy!

Words (excluding lyrics and quotes from "8 Mile") are Copyright 2025 Raghav Suri. All Rights Reserved. Cover Image is Copyright 2025 Raghav Suri. All Rights Reserved.