The Breakdown
WTBL has a near classic on their hands with this tournament-based battle between Big Ice and Dee Reign. This was my first time watching both emcees, and I was highly impressed. We got three solid rounds from both sides, all laden with powerful punches and haymakers.
Dee Reign: The Risk and Reward
Dee Reign brings a very unique style to the pit. She utilizes a “setup, hesitation, punch” approach that leaves you on the edge of your seat. It is a risky style to execute; because of that silence during the hesitation, any subdued reaction from the crowd feels amplified.
Fortunately, Dee Reign didn’t have to worry about silence. She commanded the room well, and the lack of dead air after her punches is a strong indication that she is a very good writer who knows how to land her haymakers.
Big Ice: The Skill Diff
Big ICE is a problem. Their penmanship is exquisite. Each bar seemed to be treated with the same level of care, and the setups were almost as potent as the punches themselves.
The bars came back-to-back with a relentless pace. I wouldn’t be surprised if Big Ice started claiming membership in EFB (Every F*cking Bar). Beyond the pen, there is a natural stage presence and crowd control here that you just don’t find in every emcee. They displayed a clear difference in writing ability—what we in the battle rap community call “levels,” or if you’re a gamer, a literal “skill diff.”
The Verdict
Winner: Big Ice (3-0)
We have a clear 3-0 victory for Big Ice that I’m calling a “Ladies Thirty”. Ice was able to take each round in clear fashion in spite of the exceptional material from Dee Reign.
This was a prime example of writing up from Big Ice; it felt like every round was better than the last, culminating in a performance that simply couldn’t be beat.
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