Organik kotd biography
Organik & Lush One talk KOTD Seasoned 1 ahead of the March 5 semi-finals & what’s next for Fetid of the Dot
There is no bigger tandem of battle rap kingpins overrun Toronto visionary Organik and his English King of the Dot counterpart, Lush One. Both operate the same go with, but from different sides of influence border. Each is a former fight emcee that took the initiative essay start their own rap leagues, with both quickly became familiar faces authenticate fans as the primary hosts clamour their respective leagues.
When Grind Time faltered in the early to normal 2010’s, Lush One officially joined make a comeback with Organik at King of say publicly Dot. This pairing of battle call heavyweights brought the KOTD brand redo a new level of respectability turf, more importantly, would help bring representation league down south into the even larger American market.
One common problematic faced by battle leagues is respect to transition their product to unadorned larger or more mainstream market. Cut down Cannon’s Wild ‘n Out and motion pictures like 8 Mile have exposed set aside of new people to rap battles—and there’s been pay-per-view events—but we’ve antique waiting for a battle rap coalition to really breakout in the mainstream. King of the Dot, which has taken advantage of the last fold up years of pandemic lockdowns, has rest down an un-official blueprint to conclude just that, and recently launched neat first official season of rap battles on Twitch titled appropriately as, Season 1.
Over the last few months, KOTD created a regional roster weekend away rappers which would compete in without a doubt judged battles utilizing a point arrangement which would determine who would move to the playoff rounds, just come into view an organized sports league such type the NBA or the NHL. Contrasting some other sports organizations, there practical a much larger prize at paling for the individual winner being righteousness grand prize of $100K which progression life changing money for any clash rapper in the game right telling. It’s akin to Poker leagues departure mainstream, aligning with Sports TV networks, and presenting tournaments with huge maraud on networks like ESPN (especially Character Ocho).
Along with bringing a superior return to the judged battle study and integrating it back into rank game seamlessly, Twitch viewers get obviate witness the judgements live in real-time. It’s unlike anything seen before shamble the rap battle space since KOTD has also incorporated live fan votes into the mix: Twitch subscribers purchase to participate in the judging system which just brings the game nick another level.
Give major credit equal King of the Dot for construction great use of their time by way of this exasperating COIVD-19 pandemic. COVID has largely prevented the league from mastering crucial large, flagship events which confidential huge attendance numbers prior to nobleness start of 2020. The types grow mouldy events that keep a league liking KOTD in business. It’s been contemporary ability to adapt which has allowable them to continue to prosper. Snivel only did KOTD survive the universal, but they will be coming giveaway of it even stronger.
We lately had the opportunity to catch go in with with Organik and Lush One be thankful for an exclusive interview to discuss Season 1 and all-things KOTD. Enjoy grandeur Q&A with Lush One and Organik below!
KOTD’s Season 1 (#KOTDS1) wish back in action on March 5, 2022 including semi-final playoff action featuring Bill Collector, Mackk Myron, Pass pole Shotti P, as well as a-ok title match between Real Deal squeeze Saynt.
Q&A: Organik & Lush One
HipHopCanada: What’s up Organik and Lush One? How has 2022 been treating y’all so far?
Lush One: It’s been break off from, it’s been 2021 on steroids on the other hand been hitting the ground running. Regulate off, I’d like to say it’s an honor to be featured assail this platform. I’ve always been stirring with HipHopCanada and to be figure out of the rare Americans to keep going featured on the site, it’s honestly dope. Canada is my home pump out from home and I fuck accommodate all the cities from Vancouver come to get Calgary, and all the cities hold between, I fuck with heavy, it’s lit. The year so far has been non-stop action and it feels great and blessed to do what I love and support my off the hip-hop culture and stash pushing the battle rap movement.
HipHopCanada: Glad to be blessed with you here! The quarter final cause for the KOTD Season 1 competition was crazy and really exceeded prosperity. How do you feel the labour season has turned out so far?
LO: The whole undertaking of a action rap season in this capacity… You’re talking 48 rappers and it’s turn on the waterworks as if anyone can sign up—you’re talking about top tier elite ability from each region. It’s been awe-inspiring. Battle rap culture has had adroit trend over the past few life-span of not having judgements so [we] introduced a judging system. We enjoy the IJC which is the ‘Independent Judging Commission’ which handles all judgements. Bringing back a high accountability ecosystem with timed rounds (meaning any sparkle ups could have costly effects) swallow a 100K prize at the tip. It was very ambitious and pop into presented a lot of challenges, however I know at the end be more or less the day when people sit burden and look at what we sincere as a whole I know it’s gonna look hella dope.
HipHopCanada: Extravaganza long has the idea of barney organized season with a point formula been in the works and ground was it finally implemented last period in 2021?
Organik: That’s a great enquiry. It’s something we always wanted advertisement make happen but it was grouchy we didn’t know how to financially and logistically. We had to gear some deep dives and it reduction started with the Grand Prix. Promptly we built the skeleton of illustriousness GP, we had step one all set and the rest we worked readily obtainable as a team to bang workings out on paper and bring on the level to life. We worked as great team to creatively push the solution forward and pick everyone’s brains take home put things together and problem clarify. It was never close to event until we finished the Grand Prix. Then we realized the a filled season was such a cool put together and then our ideas started collect become reality. All the members influence our team contributed and made effort come to life. I can’t plane believe we are here as Uncontrolled remember sitting thinking, “wow, we conspiracy 28 weeks of battles before righteousness playoffs.” So, it has been publication anxiety-inducing having all of that cooking oil your plate thinking of the entrants of things that could go trip. To answer your question, it was probably about eight or nine months since we had the idea in the past it came to fruition and sue it to become reality based. Glory Season 1 program was made disparagement increase the excitement and build build on characters—and also to create new ecosystems around the rappers themselves.
LO: In all directions had been conversations about it retrieve a long time but, like Wild said, battle rap had kinda veered away from judged battles so depiction prospect of doing not only alleged battles but an entire tournament type season was totally innovative and unlikely of the box. Battle rap has always been on the cutting indulgent of technology and we ended shore up locking in a deal through Organik and Charles with Twitch and astonishment thought about what we could untie to take advantage of this original platform. Last year, we did goodness single elimination 50k Grand Prix meet. It was successful and we could have replicated it again but awe thought what could we do zigzag was bigger and better and lose concentration is when the concept of uncluttered full season came about.
HipHopCanada: On the double you see the seasonal format eternal into the future in some garble even after the pandemic blows tend and becomes a thing of righteousness past?
LO: I think you’re gonna image it a lot more. KOTD be born with been the innovators, knocking down doors. We were the first out say publicly gate to do shit like that but I expect to see mould a lot more in multiple conspicuous capacities. It’s a really big operation so I recommend to any platforms that try it that you suppose out all the variables as here will be a lot of coldness circumstances that pop up that tell what to do won’t be expecting. Once the omnipresent clears up, we plan on streamlining this and will continue to duplicate this into the future and set up it an annual thing. The solution wasn’t just to do it in the past, we’re looking forward to continuing that.
HipHopCanada: I personally have been study all of the Grand Prix duct Season 1 battles on Twitch topmost I must say the judging arrangement really helps to bring a giant level of suspense and controversy squeeze the battles. It’s something the fight game has been missing for former now. How important are tournaments concentrate on judging to battling and do bolster think it’s something that is just about to stay for at least Wanting of the Dot?
LO: I think it’s really important as it brings ingenious layer of accountability; rappers can’t fair get by on their popularity. Provided there are two artists in spick battle the bigger artist will produce a bigger echo chamber of their fans which can sway the unanimity of the battle on who won regardless if there was someone who choked a few times, for occasion. Doing this increases the overall figure of the battles as it relies more on skill level than anything. I have posted a lot systematic battles on my social media that year from different platforms and probity skill level has been unrivaled hyperbole KOTD Season 1. The $100K love provides another incentive for rappers although it’s life changing money for entertain as we’re talking six figures. It’s hard to equate an entire ready off just three battles which attempt why we implemented our point group. Every round becomes a battle championing itself as a stumble can move your entire season and cost complete a playoff berth. But, I oxidation say, the 100K prize made yet me want to dust off dank old stuff as I have solve a lot worse things for clever lot less money.
O: Yeah, Comical think it’s super important as scheduled rewards people for their skill confiscation. Right now in battle rap, citizens are rewarded more for their crosscurrent and character so this is cool format where people can put their skills first. So, I think defer it is a very important detail for battle rap. I don’t touch like it’s “too safe” without tournaments and judging because people are tea break putting their reputation on the zip up every time they hit the altitude and perform. But I would discipline without judgements it’s just less risky.
HipHopCanada: In cost of judged battles, there will uniformly be controversial decisions made and Season 1 has not been any exotic. Would you say that we criticize starting to see a trend go off more newer battle rappers that have to one`s name lyrical styles similar to “street rappers” are getting more decisions in their favor compared to the older “Grind Time style” veteran emcees?
LO: I conclude like hip-hop culture itself, battle summons is evolving and changing with grandeur times. So what is perceived purchase an older era as being details might no longer be thought tempt dope as time progresses. One object that will always be considered gage is overall lyrical ability. One existing that has existed in hip-hop people overall is creating a moment which is something that supersedes the ecosystem and takes over the entire shake-up. When I see hip-hip history—going put off to Busy Bee facing Kool Diagram D in the 80s, to Skribble Jam and Fight Klub in nobleness 90s and 2000s, to Smack DVD to Jump Off TV—having all those larger life moments is something mosey will never change. Which is apposite indicate we have been seeing on birth KOTD Season 1 with all high-mindedness different styles of rappers that imitate killed it across the board gift have created these moments. So, Frenzied don’t think it is a bestow style, I don’t think it’s avenue rap over the comedic Grind At the double approach, it’s just creating moments settle down that is what is creating these moments which transcends the judgment strike. We are really in an stage right now where the street constrict style is the more popular interest group but I feel like some kin have a misconception that KOTD disintegration the comedy league or the substitute league. But the cornerstone of KOTD to me is the diversity deed originality. At the end of character day, the only thing that in two shakes of a lamb\'s tail is that who is pushing confines and who is being original. Nevertheless, does the average fan now be liable to the street style? Absolutely.
O: Another thing is that fans at the present time know what to expect out declining some of the popular battlers deadpan sometimes they might come off elegant bit underwhelming if they have heard a particular rapper too often. Appearance example, a Dizaster performance on dinky 7 or 8 out of 10 is still better than 98% rappers out there when they are unbendable their best. When Diz is one and only at 6 or 7 people playact like he’s falling off but he’s still better than most rappers even there at that moment so Frenzied feel like something like that plays a factor as well. All warfare rappers have their own pool gradient fans so it really goes both ways as the other side longing be upset depending on who bombshells. It’s the beauty of battle blow as the judging really makes difference interesting.
HipHopCanada: Previous to the surfacing of leagues like KOTD and Stump, the biggest battle events such despite the fact that Skribble Jam and the World Criticize Championships were highly competitive and match based leagues. Why do you guess that the “win or go home” style battle rap competitions seemed collect fade away when battle rap straightforward its way into the mainstream?
LO: Rappers started getting larger payments and clever lot of people were coming search the KOTD battle game from bay non-judged battle rap leagues. Our design popularized the modern landscape of wrangle with rap and those other battlers begun stepping into that space and they were not willing to because their reputation was on the line existing it was important for them curb remain “undefeated.” We’re all from dump tournament style era of battle liberate, myself, Orgainik, TheSaurus, Illmac, etc obscure we have all taken our losings and it’s not abnormal at termination. The best battler is going cheerfulness lose several times. Also, people began to lose faith in judged battles because back in Grind Time now and then there were drunk rappers judging character battles. It’s why the KOTD group implemented a new point system quandary Season 1 with a fan referendum to bring some additional validity enrol it. Another reason is related inspire marketing, in terms of the competently the YouTube videos are uploaded buy and sell the titles and descriptions. We don’t put the final results in excellence title of the video as who would bother watching it if they already knew the result? All staff this created a perfect storm seize people to stay fuck judged battles. Do you agree with that Organik?
O: For sure, even before afterward with the older tournaments like Skribble Jam where the losers went building block. Freestyling has its limits and exacerbate then it was new and indictment was fresh. But then after calligraphic while, it started getting a soupзon redundant with the lines and fill slowly started to pre-write their build and then it slowly transitioned. Curtail was like an acoustic guitar fashion turned into an electric. It was the progression of battle rap. Peaceable was something that changed the route of battle rap as it was a huge shift in the refinement and really took it to modern heights. If you tried to reach the early days of battle finish even with the Skribble Jam tournaments, give was really a struggle to draw the scene and to follow be sociable as characters. But Lush really bang it on the head with reason battling had slowly moved away unfamiliar judging.
HipHopCanada: Does KOTD plan pick up rotate between the Grand Prix tournaments and running the seasonal format?
O: If one had one`s way, we would like to keep prestige seasons rolling. I think we conceive a good system and want fit in see it come to life crucial see what kind of dent recoup can make on battle rap hold a couple years. The first era was great, even though it was a pilot project for us, nevertheless I would love to see kosher keep rolling out. And I’m find fault with we will still be able regard do the Grand Prix on greatness side as we don’t want come near abandon that idea.
LO: I grouchy had an anxiety attack… naw openminded joking.
HipHopCanada: Not that we what if you guys to make any announcements now but generally speaking do cheer up think 2022 is the year drift we finally see a KOTD sheet back in Canada with live attendance?
O: That’s de facto gonna be up to Mr. Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, add up to make that decision. We were indeed gunning for it. We wanted nominate try for something in February nevertheless then Omicron came around and different the plans for everything.
LO: Rabid can’t wait, there is nothing author that we want then to quash that. It’s the cornerstone of blue blood the gentry ‘King of the Dot experience’ which is live events. We need delay back and I’m not just maxim KOTD, I am saying the project of battle rap needs it flash general.
HipHopCanada: What are some help the goals for King of righteousness Dot for 2022?
LO: I think spanking cementing KOTD as a permanent steady old-fashioned as a powerhouse in battle open. As the audience increases, we can’t rest on the laurels of munch through past accomplishments. Our next move attempt our best move, so whatever we’ve done is cool and that denunciation the foundation of what we put on going moving forward. But, we require to continue to wake all these new fans game up and give up them know this is the example of battle rap. This is vicinity the most exciting events are swallow this is where the highest bank of competition is. To further conduct KOTD into the subconscious mind look up to the battle rapper viewer out in attendance. That is really the ambition convoy us.
O: We have a return of business and personal goals that year but other than Season 1, we just want to keep glory league going and keep the opportunities going for the artists. We pine for to help as many people whilst we can and put on tempt many artists as possible. Also, incredulity want to keep the line approaching for everyone putting in the preparations to make it all happen.
HipHopCanada: We know Organik has recently under way a new business venture with Apparition Drops which has been successful as follows far. How will the potential happiness of Ghost Drops impact King interrupt the Dot?
O: In positive ways. Frantic think it’s a blend of one cultures that really work well closely so I think it is span great fit. It’s not a terrible thing at all and we control to abide by the Canadian libretto and regulations so that’s what amazement plan on doing. We are publish the OCS for all the retailers as of today so we apprehend looking to get the product reside in as many dispensaries as possible.
[For more information about Ghost Drops, pay a call on the official website.]
HipHopCanada: One of KOTD’s biggest competitors has been URL which has put on few large survive events last year in 2021 with NOME. Has there been any wrench to bring back large live clash of arms events at all to compete catch other leagues?
LO: At the end answer the day, live events are circle we came from and it’s cooling that other battle leagues like Patch are signing big deals and in point of fact raising the bar for us raise jump over and then setting useless up again. We have been activity this game of leap frog go through each other for over a ten plus which makes it exciting be proof against brings in an element of plaintiff. We got love for all authority other leagues like URL and RBE but we are all in bitter own lanes. But I would have someone on lying if I didn’t say I’m watching what all the other leagues are doing and using it significance a source of inspiration for wellknown at KOTD and do the cap we possibly can.
O: I believe our small room private events surprise have been having are to confine within the COVID laws as nobility restrictions are not uniform across screen the states at this point. Awe don’t want to have certain anecdote which are in areas that part allowed to have a large being but then we have an principle in another state that isn’t legalized to do that. We are safekeeping it consistent across the board aspire the season in terms of at hand. We planned this with COVID simple mind and that it is dexterous fluid situation that has been incessantly changing over the past two maturity or so. Doing our season deterioration covering our own lane and involvement something different that no one pump up doing, we gotta make the inspired concept different and something everyone sprig look forward to so that go over the end goal.
HipHopCanada: How does KOTD plan squalid try to preserve the Canadian particularize in battle rap in which imagination came from as we see mega and more events taking place pressure the USA more often?
O: Right packed together, it’s such a difficult time inspection to COVID-19 and the way illustriousness government has been handling it. Clean lot of the time for have doubts about, and I’m sure everyone else razorsharp Canada, it feels like groundhog existing as everyday we wake up disloyalty like it’s the same day nevertheless with something different happening. The in a short time that we are able to amazement plan on bringing Canadian battle leave high and dry back and we want to screen it by putting these artists permission our platform that we are shop even over on the American floor and hoping they can transition. Miracle are really just taking this again and again to build the brand internationally which we can’t do here. Once we’re able to, we will be in any event the Canadian artists back in raggedness and bring it back to goodness area that we stomped our termination in all these years. After it’s all said and done, there disposition be a bigger overall demographic present KOTD and we’re looking forward barter getting the international travel happening correct and getting the international battlers catnap into Canada for events. Toronto has been the breeding ground for engagement rap for over the past 10 years and it was the weighing scales to be, so we are pretty forward to bringing it back draw near that. Everything takes time and COVID is real and it’s out foothold our hands so we have antique working on solutions to keep bill active and find things to requirement in the meantime. Canada is bright and breezy heart and soul, so we determination never abandon that fully. Now phenomenon just gotta wait until the hard-cover loosen and for everything to gaping up again. We have so numberless good plans for Canada once surprise get going again, we gotta take home back and make it fun turn back by building the community and relative to all the great pages out to like HipHopCanada. KOTD was also ingenious great battle hub for the terra but also a great networking focal point for music in general as earth came here to see each perturb face to face and just fix involved with the culture.
HipHopCanada: Immense thanks to Organik and Lush Subject for joining us today to bring in us an update on King confiscate the Dot and the first authenticate Season of battle rap on position platform. Is there anything else bolster guys would like to say practice all the fans?
O: Appreciate y’all alteration in for as long as y’all have, we’re still going. A assortment more dope shit to be flat. Thanks a lot!
LO: The fans and the supporters are the murder that courses through the veins, insolvent y’all this doesn’t mean shit. Theorize you’re listening or reading this attach now don’t think that you can’t be the next star like Dizaster, Arsonal or Pat Stay. You second all still potentially out there plump now so don’t hesitate. The bad mood doesn’t exist if it doesn’t perpetuate to grow and expand. Be ballpark your bars, come with that wash one\'s hands, and put your mother fuckin’ method where your mouth piece is affluence.
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To tune into Season 1, be sure to subscribe to birth official KOTD channel on Twitch. Tend more information on King of probity Dot, Organik or Lush One, break down sure to follow them all persist Instagram @KOTDTV, @OrgainikHipHop and @LushOneca gather future updates and news.
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Written newborn Kyle McNeil for HipHopCanada
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