There is a difference between a studio rapper and battle rapper. Not one hip-hop head would lump Drake and Uncle Murda in the same category. Let’s be honest, if Drizzy took a trip to Murda’s block and stepped to him some career ending lines would be dropped. The Toronto star stays in the booth and there is nothing wrong with that. The audience for that style of rap has long since diminished and while it is kept alive due to the BET Hip Hop Awards annual inclusion, the taste for two rapper’s to go head-to-head on wax isn’t as strongly desired.

When Jay Z and Nas traded diss records they proved how fluidly they could move between radio and street play. In this generation of music it’s very rare to see an artist occupy in both realms. Murda’s street cred is vastly longer than his mainstream acclaim. Doesn’t make him any less of a rapper just proves that you have to have both to reach legendary status in this business.

This new class of rappers rarely grab the opportunities to go with the flow and flow. Often times, watching your favorite rapper manhandle a medley of beats with no smartphone or paper in front of them to guide them is a lot more captivating than their watered down radio hit.

Want to test skill? Bring a slew of rappers, create a circle and witness the choke. It’s not about being the flashiest, it’s about lyrics and quick wit that separate the flavors of the month from the lasting stars.