Aaron Sawyer: Winning for Clicks

Picture this. You're in your 4th rap battle ever, and your opponent says some shit so crazy that you know that it's gonna go viral. That's exactly what Jaylocke found himself in during the 3rd round against veteran battle rapper Aaron Sawyer. So, how do you beat somebody that’s went viral? That’s easy. Just be so much better than them, that even after the videos and meme’s have go away, people remember you. Also, you have to make them remember what really matters. Winning. Floating around the internet is the clip from of Aaron Sawyers with an animated verse about his opponent Jaylocke. I gotta admit the wordplay was nice. But did it win him the battle? That’s what matters. That’s what battle rappers are remembered by. Not a hot line. But the number on the left being greater than the number after the line. So let's breakdown the battle:

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ROUND 1: Fight

Again, Aaron Sawyer is a veteran battle rapper, so it was only appropriate that he goes first. And in the first round Aaron Sawyer was set out to teach the newcomer the Five Pillars Of Battle Rap. Pilar 1. Disrespect your opponent’s manhood. Pilar 2. Challenge his character. Pilar 3. Schemes, angles, punches, and jokes. Here are a few of those bars:

• “I’ll steal all the OG from your OG, then play ring around the rosie, with the pole and shoot up that little bi-curious nose ring..”

At this point, what I did notice is that Jaylocke looked a little shook, as he was pacing back and forth. Anyone whose been to a battle rap knows that the opponent needs to show no chink in their armor. That's what standing firm does, and no matter what they say you gotta look your opponent in their eyes and let them know that you not phased. Lastly, never let them see you sweat. Here are a few more clever lines from Aaron Sawyer's first round:

• “I know your bitch, got that little pregnant belly, but I’ll show her exactly what it means to stretch marks.."
• “Round 1, was just a sacrifice, to show you it was a baaaadddd. Idea to fuck with the GOAT!”​

Next it was Jaylocke’s turn: And straight out the gate Jaylocke had some tricks up his sleeves. First, he talked about hygiene, or possibly the lack thereof under Aaron Sawyer’s sleeves. Jaylocke handed Aaron Sawyer a stick of deodorant. This did get the crowd going. Who doesn't like a well-timed prop? But back to business, it was now Jaylocke who was on the clock. Here's some of the bars that caught my ear:

• “Put two kids to the face, like I just hit a Stone Cold Stunner..”
• “There’s only one white boy I trust to shoot, and he plays for the Thunder..”
• “You would've thought it was a new pair of headphones, the way you got beat by Dre..”
• “My affirmations, turn into aggravation, meaning my words turn into exit wounds..”
  
  

ROUND 2: Get Over Here

Round 2. To start off the round, Aaron Sawyer showed that he is a quick witted by using Jaylocke’s previous Madea bar against him. He even showed him how you should use a GWayne bar in a battle rap, while he focused on his Pilar 3. Look at these:

• “I’m not a redneck, I’m just good with the haymakers..”
• “You in the locker hurt, I’m in the hurt locker, I dare your ass to step on mine..”
• “All it took to get the drop, was his insta thot, then it was PnB Rock, in a chicken shop..”
• “I’m throwing you through these pillars, like when Sampsons mad..”
• “When I pull up to Citi. mobile for the Chase, you’ll need Arvests, and you can bank on it..”
• “He’ll get ate (8) up with the 9, when I point, aimin, and start point shavin..”
  
  

I think it's important to say that Jaylocke is a dope battle rapper. He's clever and has a pen. So, when it came time for his turn during round 2, he came out swinging. Look at these bars:

• “A bullet to the brain will drive the doctors crazy, tryna figure if they can even call this consciousness..”
• ​“Just because it’s the only shoe you like, doesn’t mean you have to flip-flop through life..”
• “Bruh had to pay all his battles out of pocket, just to have a sparrin’ session..”
• “Really show up to events, but, preach to everyone else about being soulless..”

Now one part in the verse got dicey. Jaylocke said “Scary Movie reference 2, he tried to reverse, all he hit was brick”, but that wasn't the bad part, the bad part was when he proceeded to throw his shoulder into Aaron Sawyer. The number one rule in rap battle is that you don’t touch another battle rapper. But Aaron Sawyer didn’t back down. He threw his shoulder back into Jaylocke which threw him off balance as if he didn’t think that eating all those vegetables meant that Aaron Sawyer was also strong. Or that he had the balls to stand his ground and attack back. Well, he doesn’t know Aaron Sawyer. But eventually everything calmed down and Jaylocke finished with his line.

• “The homies call your girl hitman’s wife, cause we all know she’s good at taking shots to the face..”

ROUND 3: Finish Him

Round 3. You can't hold back. If you're a veteran in the rap battle game, then you know it's time to leave no doubt. It's time to Finish Him! Aaaron Sawyer started out with Pilar 4 which was angles.

• “Better use your brain tin man, or another man will father your child while you're in the county getting railed..”
• “If I ever battled that weak mutherfucker, I’m catching body of the year..”

Then Aaron Sawyer took some time to call out his next opponent. Legitimate. With a crazy Old Yeller line:

• “But I won’t bury him in a rut, Ima carry the little pup to the pickup truck, and drive to the Pacific, so the fish can have some bitch for lunch..”
  
  Then it’s back to the lessons. Aaron Sawyer let everyone know that. Pilar 5 is jokes. 
• “You could have an etch and sketch, you still haven’t drew a stick once..”
• “3D printer gun, the evidence, covered in plastic..”
• “Put the Gene-a-sin aside, I’m going Pol Pot..”

Then he went into the viral scene that was a lyrical massacre.

• “Give me my fucking 100 dollars, and after this battle, play it back and study the 5 Pilars.”
  
  

And finally, after the viral scene was over. We come back to the question that started this article. How do you beat somebody that’s went viral? Because that viral moment got clicks. But what was the rebuttal? Only Jaylocke could answer that question. Let's check out some of his lines:

• “I promise this will all make cents, when the bullet entry the size of a quarter..”
• “Those dumb-ass sleeveless shirts, the reason why your incapable of rank..”
• “I figured being under MUT’s wing, was the only time I was an underdog..”
• “I react like Sha'carri Richardson, I race for the metal anytime you bring up smoke..”

But after that bar Jaylocke lost his wind, forgetting some of his words as he stumbled repeatedly. After a few tries he did finally gain his composure. One thing that did go his way was when Jaylocke and his friend in unison said, "Aaron you a bitch". It was well timed and gave Jaylocke a few of those points back from the stumble. As he finished with. "Round".

The Scorecard: Finish Him
Drumroll. There were three judges with a split decision of 2-1.

1. The first judge said Jaylocke 2 rounds-to-1 round
2. The second judge said Aaron Sawyer 2 rounds-to-1 round
3. And the final judge………… Aaron Sawyer 2 rounds-to-1 round

It was a hell of a fight. Both competitors brung their 'A' game. It was a lyrical battle filled with highs and lows. And truth be told, the viral scene helped both battle rappers. My advice to Jaylocke is to project more in his performance and to remember that rap battling is a performance. You need to use different vocal inflections, especially when you come to the punchline. It helps the crowd hone in on the punchline. And my last piece of advice would be for Jaylocke to stand firm and mean mug the fuck out of your opponent. Make him feel uncomfortable with your stare so much that he stumbles. Also, it's important to note, that Jaylocke has so much potential and so much room for growth. So, look out for Aaron Sawyers and Jaylocke's next battles, And one thing is for certain. BATTLE RAPPIN' AIN'T DEAD. THEY JUST SCARED!

​Also watch the whole battle below and let us know who ya'll think won:

Follow both battle rappers:

Aaron Sawyer Instagram: @aaronsawyerofficial
Jaylocke Instagram: @jaylxcke