In the high-stakes arena of battle rap, the atmosphere is often as volatile as the lyrics. During the recent Takeova Battle League (TBL) tournament, we witnessed a clash that perfectly illustrated the thin line between competitive intensity and professional derailment.
The match-up between Geek Girl and J’Artillery was a masterclass in momentum shifts, technical writing, and the importance of composure under pressure. If you weren’t in the building, you could still feel the static through the screen.
The Atmosphere: Composure Under Fire
Early in the battle, the energy shifted from competitive to combative. We nearly saw a physical altercation that threatened to shut the whole production down. In this sport, the “alpha” presence is a prerequisite, but it must be channeled effectively to secure the win.
Both emcees deserve credit for their professionalism; they managed to gather themselves and “complete the mission.” For the veteran viewer, seeing that level of restraint after a heated moment adds a layer of psychological depth to the performance. It wasn’t just about the bars; it was about who could keep their head while the other was losing theirs.
Round-by-Round Breakdown
- Round 1: J’Artillery set the pace. Her energy was infectious, and her material landed with a heavy impact that Geek Girl couldn’t quite neutralize. J’Artillery took the first round clearly, establishing herself as a powerhouse performer with a high “ceiling” for damage.
- Round 2: The tide turned. Geek Girl began to utilize her technical writing and superior crowd control. While J’Artillery brings the heat, Geek Girl operates with a surgical precision that began to wear her opponent down.
- Round 3: This was the decider. Unfortunately for J’Artillery, a stumble—what appeared to be a significant choke—cost her the momentum. While Geek Girl likely would have taken the round based on the strength of her pen alone, the lapse in J’Artillery’s delivery sealed the 2-1 victory for Geek Girl.
Technical Analysis: Writing vs. Performance
When we break down the “tape,” the contrast in styles is evident. For those who study the craft, this was a classic battle of Attributes vs. Penmanship.
| Feature | Geek Girl | J’Artillery |
| Writing Style | Technical, layered, heavy on wordplay. | Aggressive, performance-driven. |
| Delivery | Methodical and controlled. | High-impact but lacks breath control. |
| Intangibles | Superior crowd manipulation. | Natural stage presence/ear-catching tone. |
J’Artillery is a “must-book” talent for Takeova Battle League. Her delivery is aesthetically pleasing and commands attention, but to move to the next tier, she’ll need to refine her breath control—a technical necessity when maintaining high-energy rounds.
Geek Girl, conversely, is the “writer’s writer.” She wins the “chess match” by layering references and maintaining a technical consistency that is hard to beat over three rounds.
Bar of the Night: The “POTUS” Scheme
The standout moment of the night came from Geek Girl with a punchline that showcased her ability to bridge the gap between phonetics and double-entendre:
“POTUS (Pour this) down, like John F. Kennedy.”
This is a high-level play on words. By using the acronym for President Of The United States and phonetically breaking it down to “Pour this,” she creates a dark, historical reference to the JFK assassination. It’s the kind of writing that rewards the listener upon a second or third listen—the hallmark of a technical emcee.
The Verdict
I’m siding with the judges on the ground: Geek Girl takes it 2-1. While the “what if” regarding J’Artillery’s third-round stumble will be debated, Geek Girl’s technical ceiling appeared higher throughout the latter half of the battle. She didn’t just win on a mistake; she won on the scorecard of technical proficiency.
What did you think of the JFK bar? Was J’Artillery robbed in the second, or did the choke make the 2-1 victory undeniable? Let’s hear your breakdown in the comments.

















0 Comments