Rap Is Now: The War Is Over 3
When Rap Is Now first started hosting their annual rap battles in Thailand, it was impossible to imagine how fast and how big the event would have grown. Past champions like MC King (2015) and Rapaze (2016) won their trophies in front of 500 and 4,000 people respectively – each time thinking this was probably the biggest the event would have ever gotten. How wrong they were. This year, Rap is now has added up to 5 Stages across Thailand and each knock-out round had more than 1,000 attendees – including the massive round of 8 at Asiatique, to live and breathe hip-hop together with the MCs on stage. The 4 MCs remaining in 2017 fought have their way out of a pool of 1,144 heavy hitting battle rappers country-wide. And now, it is time for their final battle at The War Is Over 3 stage.
The greatness of this year’s final event cannot be played down. Rap Is Now has come out all guns blazing, anticipating a larger crowd, so have chosen to use the space at the Chaengwattana Hall in CentralPlaza Chaengwattana to create a stage worthy of a champion. The final event will be held between 17:00 – 22:30 on August 20th, 2017 and it will be the perfect place for all hip-hop heads to convene and really cheer on some of the brightest lyricists Thailand has ever seen. The event is organized to be very welcoming, as it is open to all age groups, and will not end at a late hour – so bring down the whole hip-hop family.
For those who are new comers to the scene however, here is a run-down of all the dope things to expect on the day. No need to ponder, it is time for you to be part of this epic throw-down of words.
2017’s Best Rappers Face-Off
Only 160 battle rappers qualified for the live auditions, all of which had to attend 1 of 5 regional qualifying stages hosted in 5 different cities across Thailand. Throughout the rounds after that, the number of those deemed worthy was later cut down to 32, then 16, then 8, and now 4 rappers remain while 1,140 others were left to nurse their wounds. Without a doubt, coming into this event you are witnessing the cream of the crop.
These are your best MCs this year and they are:
P-Hot - the Songkhla rapper that comes loaded with experience from MCing in multiple famous clubs
Torded - the OG MC from Nonthaburi who has been around since the Audio Battle days on the webboards
Oak - new comer battle rapper that owns a soy milk business with the family
KQ - a Chiang-Rai native the brings his impressive rhyme schemes out of the webboards to the battle stage
Hip-hop Heads Everywhere in the Crowd
The awesome part about every Rap Is Now event is the unity the hip-hop community brings to the scene. Everyone is a true hip-hop lover. Take the chance to catch-up with the latest trends on the street or the newest music that is banging out from each other’s speakers. There is nothing off limits because everyone is there for the same reason, and that is to celebrate their true passion. Being part of this crowd is also very engaging as the winner will be chosen by the crowd as well! There is no other experience like this.
Concert Size Staging Unlike Any Other
With its staggering growth, this year’s stage is the biggest and the best one the Rap Is Now team has ever designed and built. With lighting and backdrops that is made for a champion, the shows will be on fire. Just imagine rappers going at it bar for bar, raised up on a grand finale stage among lights and cameras. Add to that the life size notorious middle finger trophy that makes an appearance as the stage’s center piece and you have a party you absolutely cannot miss – this is how stars are born.
Special Live Show from Fucking Hero and Guests
After the DJs and the main event rap battles have come to a close, an hour-long show from Thailand’s very own Fucking Hero and friends will be happening exclusively on the Rap Is Now stage. For the very first time, Fucking Hero will be bringing his crew and a few special guests to rap over live music and is promising to make this a full scale hyped up show. Expect the roof to be raised as the energy is about to explode because these guys absolutely do not play around when it comes to party rocking.
A Party Atmosphere Everywhere
It is true, hip-hop is a community that knows how to have fun together. Not only will you be witnessing greatness, but you will be able to do that among people who will have the same interests as you at The War Is Over 3. There is no better recipe for the perfect party than this so prepare to jump into a party unlike any other party out there. Slip on your flyest gear and shine your shoes, the hot and sexy people of the Rap Is Now community will surely be heating Bangkok up few notches at the party.
This is an event you will not want to miss. The War Is Over 3 is happening between 17:00 – 22:30 on August 20th, 2017 at Chaengwattana Hall in CentralPlaza Chaengwattana. Tickets can be bought at EventPop and go for a range of prices (THB 375/450/650/1,500) depending on the zone you are in. Grab your tickets, it is time to get hyphy!
Words by Tang Kalayanamit