BOWING OUT

[The Ghost of Freak]

Dear LetsBeef,

Due to various life circumstances that are both ongoing and new within the last couple of weeks (Dog troubles, house concerns, thyroid meds, and getting engaged), I will no longer be coming online much anymore. It was a good run, and there were even moments I enjoyed.

Yet, as a person with increasing responsibilities, I really dont have the time to justify being online and battling with any consistency or effectivitey.

The downfall of the audio presence and culture on the site is a contributing factor, but second to just having too much real life responsibilities. On that note, I must admit, the site is less enjoyable than ever and paid prize support for competitions seems to be more of an act of desperation (throw $ at a larger problem), than a reasonable long term solution.

I feel before I take this hiatus that my constructive criticism is important to give, so here are the things I miss on Letsbeef:
1. Live LB tinychat cyphers. Discord has RMC and other rooms that are doing this, and which I participate in.
2. Audio alt tournaments - Definitely topical I miss the most, but all those that text has should also be in audio, but....
3. Audio presence... has been floundering for 2 years now and cant support the scene for such tournaments of the past.
3. GFX -most of you probably dont know what that means... smfh
4. My own time to put in. This cant be solved by the site. I just cant elevate my delivery or writing when I dont have the time to put practice and work into it, which is a bummer, but it is what it is. I jump on and off here during work for the lolz and to procrastinate as an exemplary distraction, but dont have much time at home to actually battle effectively.
5. Real voting comments with believable and helpful feedback. It really doesnt help or make sense to say you thought somebodies punches were better or that my voice is annoying. Why were the punches better? Did the set up connect more? Was it execution? How so?

I personally know my delivery is rushed almost 100% of the time, mostly due to writing and immediately recording near deadlines. And also because I hate cutting bars that I like. I also am very aware I have a higher, nasally voice, which is unlikely to change upon criticism unless I start fronting real hard. My writing certainly has several aspects that could be improved, and some of that is because I resist changing my esoteric read-between-the-lines style which doesnt connect well admittedly.

But, the user base is no longer open to anything different on this site. There is a notable decrease in creativity due to pigeonholing and definitely a growing homogeneity of style.

This new culture is not sustainable because its insular and uninviting, and sort of unenjoyable as well.

I respect that many of you are decent writers, but at the end of the day battle rap is silly and a very small sub-genre of much more awesome hip hop culture this site no longer reflects. Its 5 Elements not 1/4 element... lmao.

Have issue with this post if you would like, I really dont care.

So long for now.

Love,
FreeK

---------- Post added at 11:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 AM ----------

@Aggo ... what happened to us?! Tips hat. Also, @Bleu , @Student , @Rant ... stay connected . @Bape let's collab with @Dirty Work

---------- Post added at 11:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 AM ----------

@Seul great scheme battle! ... good one to go out on.

[The Ghost of Freak]

Dear LetsBeef,

Due to various life circumstances that are both ongoing and new within the last couple of weeks (Dog troubles, house concerns, thyroid meds, and getting engaged), I will no longer be coming online much anymore. It was a good run, and there were even moments I enjoyed.

Yet, as a person with increasing responsibilities, I really dont have the time to justify being online and battling with any consistency or effectivitey.

The downfall of the audio presence and culture on the site is a contributing factor, but second to just having too much real life responsibilities. On that note, I must admit, the site is less enjoyable than ever and paid prize support for competitions seems to be more of an act of desperation (throw $ at a larger problem), than a reasonable long term solution.

I feel before I take this hiatus that my constructive criticism is important to give, so here are the things I miss on Letsbeef:
1. Live LB tinychat cyphers. Discord has RMC and other rooms that are doing this, and which I participate in.
2. Audio alt tournaments - Definitely topical I miss the most, but all those that text has should also be in audio, but....
3. Audio presence... has been floundering for 2 years now and cant support the scene for such tournaments of the past.
3. GFX -most of you probably dont know what that means... smfh
4. My own time to put in. This cant be solved by the site. I just cant elevate my delivery or writing when I dont have the time to put practice and work into it, which is a bummer, but it is what it is. I jump on and off here during work for the lolz and to procrastinate as an exemplary distraction, but dont have much time at home to actually battle effectively.
5. Real voting comments with believable and helpful feedback. It really doesnt help or make sense to say you thought somebodies punches were better or that my voice is annoying. Why were the punches better? Did the set up connect more? Was it execution? How so?

I personally know my delivery is rushed almost 100% of the time, mostly due to writing and immediately recording near deadlines. And also because I hate cutting bars that I like. I also am very aware I have a higher, nasally voice, which is unlikely to change upon criticism unless I start fronting real hard. My writing certainly has several aspects that could be improved, and some of that is because I resist changing my esoteric read-between-the-lines style which doesnt connect well admittedly.

But, the user base is no longer open to anything different on this site. There is a notable decrease in creativity due to pigeonholing and definitely a growing homogeneity of style.

This new culture is not sustainable because its insular and uninviting, and sort of unenjoyable as well.

I respect that many of you are decent writers, but at the end of the day battle rap is silly and a very small sub-genre of much more awesome hip hop culture this site no longer reflects. Its 5 Elements not 1/4 element... lmao.

Have issue with this post if you would like, I really dont care.

So long for now.

Love,
FreeK

---------- Post added at 11:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 AM ----------

@Aggo ... what happened to us?! Tips hat. Also, @Bleu , @Student , @Rant ... stay connected . @Bape let's collab with @Dirty Work

---------- Post added at 11:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 AM ----------

@Seul great scheme battle! ... good one to go out on.