With a new LetsBeef Grand Champion soon to be crowned, I caught up with some of the remaining participants and past winners to get their thoughts on the current text tournament.
Now there's been things said about this tournament, both good and bad.
It's been said that this is the weakest tourney in the sites history due to the 'lack of big names' involved.
Text Moderator, LBT Champion, Grand Champion and 2x Tag Team Champion, Askari had an interesting view on this statement and also had a few words of wisdom to share with the remaining participants.
Askari
How do you feel about the talk that this is the weakest Grand Championship tournament due to the 'lack of big names involved?' -
I think it's a massive disrespect to the battlers involved; these guys ARE the current big names on the site. People need to stop living in the fucking past man.
Is there anybody in this tournament that has surprised you with the level of bars they have brought to the table and how far they progressed? -
I think Phenomenon's really surprised, I like his off-beat southpaw style, it's refreshing. He still has a lot of elevating to do to really produce those haymakers and become a real contender IMO, but yeah, he's surprised a few people.
All tourneys have talks of upsets and robberies, which do you feel has been the biggest shock result of this particular tournament? -
Probably Anarchist beating Mind Fuck, I certainly never expected that. And DGW eliminating Jimmy Dean. I guess to a lesser extent Grief putting out Molly too, he was an early favourite.
If you had to predict the final based on current form, who would you place in those top 2 spots? -
Swissha vs Dissizit. I've backed Diss from the start and Mikey is on fine form right now. Grief could be in with a shout too though, shit Black Book as well. It's tight as fuck now.
As a previous winner of a Grand Championship, do you have any words of wisdom and advice for the remaining eight? -
Think ahead and write constantly: prepare for each outcome, write a few bars for every possible opponent as soon as you finish writing for the current one, that way you kinda have a head start and some of the pressure is lifted. Utilise all the time you have. Good luck amigos.
Is he right about people living in the past?
Do we hang onto the 'glory days' and not see the current competition good enough to create the new golden era of LetsBeef?
Personally, I am in agreement with Askari on this one.
The level of talent we have on this site right now is phenomenal.
'Back in the day' there were a few guys that were perched at the top.
Nowadays, there is a whole bunch of textcees gunning for that top spot.
The competition is fierce and it will only push us to try and better ourselves more an more.
Now it's Quarter Final time and the remaining eight textcees seem to all be in with a shout of taking the whole thing.
Anarchist is a member of the very strong AC Turnbulls crew and may possibly be considered the underdog at this moment in time.
Here's what he had to say to the questions I fired his way:
Anarchist
What do you make of the recent suggestions of this being the weakest Grand Championship tournament in the sites history due to the 'lack of big names?'
i dont really take any notice to it. its about time people took notice of the people that dont fall under this so called "big name" category. just because previous winners, favourites etc arnt in it, doesnt make it any weaker. if u belittle people by tellin them they are in a weak tourny, what does that do for their confidence and how will they ever rise to the next level?
Out of the four guys in the other bracket, who would you least like to face in the final if you made it there and why?
every1 left in the tourny has skills, so no matter who u face u will have to bring your A game. Swishaa has impressed me and has experience so if i had to pick 1 id pick him
Who do you feel has been your toughest challenge so far in the tournament?
umm, well since Mind Fuck no showed (ducked) ive only had 2 battles and out of the two i would say the battle with execute was the closer
The general consensus seems to be that the winner of AfterThought vs Swishha will go on to take the title, what do you think of this?
... dont sleep on anyone
As with every tournament, there has been talk of upsets and robberies in the forums. In your opinion, what do you feel was the biggest shock result of the competition so far and do you see any more shock results happening?
great whyte vs jimmy dean - whyte went into that as the under dog in pretty much everyone eyes but he proved them all wrong.
and yes, there will be more shocks
How do you feel winning a Grand Championship will boost your Letsbeef career?
personally, if i was to win, it would give me a lot of confidence which would boost my activity and would hopefully gain respect from others.
Emcees usually go all out in tournaments and we see them at their best. Do you feel you may have the other remaining participants figured out in the way they may approach things and what you'll have to do to win or do you think they may still have a few tricks up their sleeves?
i fully expect everyone to bring their A game and i think everyone will step it up a notch from previous rounds
Is there anybody in this tournament that has surprised you with the level of bars they have brought to the table and how far they progressed?
even though hes not in it now, ive enjoyed reading Mollys verses the most and was expecting him to go further
Do you have any last words going into the final few rounds of the tournament?[/QUOTE]
.... dont sleep!
I think it's safe to say that no matter what happens, Anarchist has earned our respect for getting this far.
His level headed approach to this interview is something to be admired and I'm fully in agreement that you shouldn't sleep on him.
Next up to answer the questions I fired at the participants is a textcee that many believe to have the potential to be a seriously heavy hitter on Letsbeef.
With a very close last round vs Molly, a battle which has the site divided, heres what the Classick At Rhymin' man, GOOD GRIEF, had to say:
GOOD GRIEF
What do you make of the recent suggestions of this being the weakest Grand Championship tournament in the sites history due to the 'lack of big names?'
i honestly hate when folks say shit like that... cuz 100% of the time they either have big enough names to change that (and are just sitting on their asses talking shit about it), or their so weak that throwing THEIR name into the mix would just worsen it. thats my take on it.
Out of the four guys in the other bracket, who would you least like to face in the final if you made it there and why?
maybe Swisha. not because i dont like a challenge tho. lol but just because i hate going against folks with a DIRECT opposite style than mine. when 2 different emcees both go 100% on their drops, and voters find it a bit harder to decide, they tend to go with style preference. which can basically become a dice roll on both sides. just my honest opinion.
Who do you feel has been your toughest challenge so far in the tournament?
DEFINITELY Molly. dude had me scared shitless. lol great competitor man. and im sure if you glanced at the percentages, you'd know i barely scraped that win together.
The general consensus seems to be that the winner of AfterThought vs Swishha will go on to take the title, what do you think of this?
tbh people are probably leaning toward Swisha to beat AT and win the rest of the tourney... and that lil question you presented is just some bull way to sugar coat it (no offense. lol) i honestly cant make any predictions right now tho. LB is just too random for that sometimes.
As with every tournament, there has been talk of upsets and robberies in the forums. In your opinion, what do you feel was the biggest shock result of the competition so far and do you see any more shock results happening?
Apparently to some people Molly got robbed in our battle. then there was Fiji and Streetz not making it farther in the tourney, and them 2 AC guys still being here. so either me vs. Molly or the ACs. other than that its been a pretty straight forward tourney.
How do you feel winning a Grand Championship will boost your Letsbeef career?
nah. i've pretty much peaked. i'd just like to have one before i leave out. im not as "hungry" for it as i used to be tho, so if dont get one its whatever. but i feel that if you dont have a GC, you'll most likely be forgotten when your gone. need an example? look at the HOF section. lol itd just be cool to know i made a good impact on here before i "retire".
Emcees usually go all out in tournaments and we see them at their best. Do you feel you may have the other remaining participants figured out in the way they may approach things and what you'll have to do to win or do you think they may still have a few tricks up their sleeves?
tourneys to me are like marathons. 22 lines a round... 6 rounds... 132 lines? unless you been stacking bars for awhile (like i assume some have lol) its gonna be hard to stay consistent. me myself have pretty much run outta backup bars, and im just prayin i get them creative juices when i need em. it takes most people forever just to answer a 16 in their inbox, much less 22 bars in 4 days. so it comes down to who has the "endurance" for it imo. but no. to say i have anyone figured out is a bit arrogant.
Is there anybody in this tournament that has surprised you with the level of bars they have brought to the table and how far they progressed?
like i said, them AC dudes.
Do you have any last words going into the final few rounds of the tournament?
nope. think i've said enough. literally wrote a paragraph for each section. lol good luck to all the other participants.
A very humble interview from GOOD GRIEF and a very interesting take on
tournament tactics.
One of his comments got me thinking though, not being hungry for it will serve as a massive weight against some of the other guys who really want it.
Next up to answer my questions is Phenomonon, a member of the Fair Voters Club and the AC Turnbulls.
Here's what he had to share with us:
Phenomonon
What do you make of the recent suggestions of this being the weakest Grand Championship tournament in the sites history due to the 'lack of big names?'
Whoever said that is gay and needs to get off the "big names" dicks..
Out of the four guys in the other bracket, who would you least like to face in the final if you made it there and why?
idk idc..
Who do you feel has been your toughest challenge so far in the tournament?
That 1st round dude..
The general consensus seems to be that the winner of AfterThought vs Swishha will go on to take the title, what do you think of this?
What was the question??
As with every tournament, there has been talk of upsets and robberies in the forums. In your opinion, what do you feel was the biggest shock result of the competition so far and do you see any more shock results happening?
RAW beating Unyqe and no more upsets..
How do you feel winning a Grand Championship will boost your Letsbeef career?
I will always have a blue name..
Emcees usually go all out in tournaments and we see them at their best. Do you feel you may have the other remaining participants figured out in the way they may approach things and what you'll have to do to win or do you think they may still have a few tricks up their sleeves?
I focus on one oppoent at a time so when i get to them i'll figure them out and no they dont..
Is there anybody in this tournament that has surprised you with the level of bars they have brought to the table and how far they progressed?
UMMM Duh Great Whyte..
Do you have any last words going into the final few rounds of the tournament?
..........
Well... That was short and sweet.
Phenomonon not giving too much away here.
Is he leaving us guessing as to whether or not he's quietly confident or is he nervous and doesn't want to say too much in case it gets used against him?
Only time will tell.
Also, I'd like to point out that his name is not blue. Just saying.