Tonight! Versus, an MC and Producer Battle, pt. 2: The Electric Boogaloo

In 2004, Mac Lethal and Okwerdz squared off in an epic freestyle battle on the storied stage of Scribble Jam. Over the instrumental from Biggie’s “Ten Crack Commandments,” Okwerdz asked the audience about Mac: “When the fuck did Elijah Wood have a baby with Sloth from the Goonies?” Mac rebutted: “Mac Lethal came through to chop herbs/One of my testicles can rap better than Okwerdz.”

Mac Lethal vs. Okwerdz at SJ04

Mac’s eminently skilled genitalia prevailed against Okwerdz, although he eventually lost to MC Illmaculate in the finals. That night’s exchange of creative vitriol doesn’t seem to have come between Okwerdz, an MC from Stockton, California, and Lethal, who remains arguably Kansas City’s finest battle rapper. Okwerdz will serve as a guest judge this weekend at Versus, an MC and beat battle hosted by Mac Lethal. (Full disclosure: The Pitch’s own MC misanthrope, music editor Jason Harper, will also be judging, along with Reach, Vertigone and Sephiroth.)

The first night, at the Record Bar, 16 MCs and five DJs/producers battle one another for cash and, more importantly, the respect of the city’s hip-hoppers. At last year’s inaugural Versus, Swayzorblades took top honors in the MC battle. The second night of this Versus weekend, a performance (read: non-battle) showcase at the Riot Room features Okwerdz, Smoov Confusion, CES Cru, Vertigone and Sephiroth, among others.

Versus. Night One: MC and Beat Battle featuring host Mac Lethal. Friday, January 23 at the Record Bar. Night Two: Okwerdz, Smoov Confusion, CES Cru, Vertigone and Sephiroth. Saturday, January 24, at the Riot Room.

— Kyle Koch

P.S. “The Electric Boogaloo” is not officially the sub-heading of this event. But we think it should be.