Rashid Kay Speaks Out On Rap Battle Etiquette: “No Boundaries, No Rules,” In a candid and thought-provoking social media post, renowned rapper and industry figure Rashid Kay has sparked a fresh debate about the nature of rap battles and the limits, or lack thereof, in the competitive art form.
According to Rashid Kay, there is no such thing as “going too far” in a rap battle. The rapper shared his unfiltered thoughts, stating that when it comes to this intense form of lyrical sparring, there are no boundaries, no limits, and absolutely no rules, especially when it comes to making bold claims or telling outright lies. For the veteran rapper, the ultimate goal in a rap battle is to hurt and dismantle your opponent with every ounce of creativity and insult you can muster.
“Rappers have always known that a battle is about more than just rhyme skills—it’s about going deep and exploiting any weakness your opponent might have. It’s about pushing emotional and intellectual buttons, using every tool in your arsenal to make the other person feel the burn,” Kay said. “There are no rules against ‘lies.’ The aim is clear: destroy your opponent with everything you’ve got, including things that may not be true.”
Rashid’s comments echo a sentiment that many battle rap veterans know all too well: rap battles are not about kindness, truth, or fairness. They’re about pride, ego, and reputation—elements that often require participants to bend the truth or exaggerate for effect. As he pointed out, some of the most memorable diss tracks or battle rap moments come from exaggeration or even complete fabrication. But in the heat of the moment, that’s what makes it all so effective.
He continued, “When you used to ‘gwara’ each other, none of the things you said were true, but it hurt. That was the point. That’s the essence of rap battles—no holds barred. It’s a lame excuse to say, ‘But what he said is not true.’ The point isn’t whether the insults are factual, it’s about how well you can craft them to hit hard.”
This no-holds-barred perspective may come as a surprise to some fans who have become accustomed to seeing battles under more controlled circumstances, especially with the rise of televised competitions where rules are more strictly enforced. But for Kay, this traditional view of battling is what keeps it real and keeps the culture alive.
