FlipTop Battle League
Rap battle conference in the Philippines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
FlipTop Rap Battle League is the first and largest running pro battle conference in the Philippines founded by Alaric Riam Yuson (known as Anygma) in 2010.[1][2] The league promotes Pinoy hip hop. FlipTop is heavily influenced by the original rap battle leagues in the West founded in 2008 – Grind Time Now (US), King of the Dot (Canada) and Don't Flop (UK), which inspired the creation of FlipTop and other battle leagues around the world.[3][4] The league also branched out into several divisions after its success.[5] The league is currently under management of a self-produced events and artist management company, FlipTop Kru Corp which was established also by Yuson.
| |
| Industry | Battle rap |
|---|---|
| Founded | February 6, 2010 |
| Founder | Alaric Yuson |
| Headquarters | Cifra Bldg, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong, Philippines |
Area served | Philippines |
| Website | www |
List of Events
2010-2015
| Event Name | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Grain Assault | February 6 | Quantum Cafe, Makati |
| Second Sight | March 20 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Ahon | May 15 | Guerrilla Radio, Pasig |
| Process of Illumination | June 25 | Freedom Bar, Anonas, Quezon City |
| Bwelta Balentong | July 17 | Freedom Bar, Anonas, Quezon City |
| Down N South | September 25 | Friday's Super Club, Las Pinas City |
| 2 on 2[a] | October 16 | Tanza, Cavite |
| Gapo de Gulat | October 29 | Music Jam, Olongapo City |
| Sabong Sumulong | November 12 | Texas Cockpit Arena, Marikina |
| Tectonics | December 4 | Katips Bar and Grillery, Katipunan Extension, Quezon City |
| Event Name | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Grain Assault 2 | February 5 | Quantum Cafe, Bagtikan corner Kamagong St. Makati |
| Different Ways | May 28 | Durian Bar, Madrazo Compound, Davao City |
| Ahon 2[a] | July 1–2 | Hades Bar, 99 Timog Avenue, Quezon City |
| FlipTop @ Dutdutan | August 27 | World Trade Center, Pasay |
| Mindfields | September 23 | Quimpo Boulevard, Davao City |
| 082 Magnitude | September 24 | Quimpo Boulevard, Davao City |
| Zoning | October 22 | Quantum Cafe, Bagtikan Corner Kamagong, Makati |
| Gapo de Gulat 2 | November 5 | Jax Comedy Bar, Magsaysay Drive, Olongapo City |
| Ahon 3 | December 10 | Katip's Bar, Katipunan Extension, Quezon City |
| Bara Ko Barako | December 17 | Naic Covered Court, Naic, Cavite |
| FlipTop @ Ilocos Norte | December 28 | Centennial Arena, Laoag, Ilocos Norte |
| Event Name | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Mindfields 2 | February 16, 2012 | Club Z, Sucat Parañaque |
| Grain Assault 3[a] | February 25, 2012 | Feron Bldg., Kamagong Corner Bagtigkan |
| Mindfields 3 | March 1, 2012 | Teno2 Bar, Timog Avenue, Quezon City |
| Hukuman[a] | March 17, 2012 | Orani Gym, Orani, Bataan |
| Mindfields 4 | March 30, 2012 | Teno2 Bar, Timog Avenue, Quezon City |
| Mindfields 5 | April 21, 2012 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Mindfields 6 | April 26, 2012 | Skarlet Jazz Kticher Bar, Timog Avenue, Quezon City |
| Zoning 2[a] | May 5,13, 2012 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Mindfields Mindanao | May 17–18, 2012 | Tagum City, Davao del Norte |
| Different Ways 2 | May 19, 2012 | GSP Gym, Davao City |
| Boom Bap Friday[a] | July 6, 2012 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Dagitay | July 28, 2012 | Hayahay Treehouse Bar & Grill, Flores Avenue, Piapi Beach, 6200 Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental |
| Unibersikulo[a] | August 31, 2012 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Kataga | September 8, 2012 | Kamalig Bar, Rosario, Cavite |
| Aspakan | October 6, 2012 | Party Piknikan, Lazatin Blvd., Villa Victoria, San Fernando City, Pampanga |
| Ahon 4 | November 9–10, 2012 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Mindfields 7 | December 7, 2012 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Grain Assault 4[a] | February 8, 2013 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
|---|---|---|
| Pakusganay | March 2, 2013 | GSP Gym, Davao City |
| Tectonics 2 | April 27, 2013 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Zoning 3[a] | May 17, 2013 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Tournament Round 2[a] | July 19–20, 2013 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Tournament Semis[a] | September 27, 2013 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| 082 Magnitude Ikaduha | November 9, 2013 | Brgy. Buhangin, Davao City |
| Unibersikulo 2[a] | December 21, 2013 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Grain Assault 5 | February 7, 2014 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
|---|---|---|
| Ubec Mindfields | February 16, 2014 | Gorordo Street, Cebu City |
| Second Sight 2 | April 11, 2014 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Gubat | April 25, 2014 | Cap Center, Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City |
| Oromata | May 9, 2014 | Cagayan de Oro |
| Kataga 2 | June 28, 2014 | Imus, Cavite |
| Aspakan 2 | July 19, 2014 | Angeles, Pampanga |
| Zoning 4 | August 30, 2014 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Gubat 2 | October 18, 2014 | Cap Center, Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City |
| Mindfields x Rapollo | October 19, 2014 | C Cuperclub, Cebu City |
| Zoning 5 | November 8, 2014 | Club Z/Barbaric Bar, Dr. A. Santos Avenue, Paranaque City |
| Ahon 5 | December 19–20, 2014 | San Juan Gym, San Juan City |
| Grain Assault 6 | February 7, 2015 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
|---|---|---|
| Second Sight 3 | March 13, 2015 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Bwelta Balentong 2 | May 30, 2015 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Mindfields Cebu | June 3, 2015 | Lahug, Cebu City |
| Gubat 3 | July 4, 2015 | Cap Center, Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City |
| Process of Illumination 2 | August 22, 2015 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Unibersikulo 3 | September 12, 2015 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Aspakan 3 | October 10, 2015 | Angeles, Pampanga |
| Process of Illumination 3 | October 23, 2015 | Dasmariñas, Cavite |
| 082 Magnitude 3 | November 27, 2015 | Davao City |
| Process of Illumination 4 | November 28, 2015 | Davao City |
| Ahon 6 | December 11–13, 2015 | San Juan Gym, San Juan City |
| Event Name | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Grain Assault 7 | February 6, 2016 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Kataga 3 | February 20, 2016 | Rosario, Cavite |
| Process of Illumination 5 | March 11, 2016 | Cebu City |
| Gubat 4 | March 12, 2016 | Cap Center, Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City |
| Second Sight 4 | May 7, 2016 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Aspakan 4 | June 11, 2016 | Mabalacat, Pampanga |
| Mindfields 8 | July 15, 2016 | Davao City |
| Pakusganay 2 | July 16, 2016 | Davao City |
| Bwelta Balentong 3 | September 17, 2016 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Mindfields x Rapollo 2 | September 23, 2016 | Bikeyard Cafe, Cebu City |
| Gubat 5 | September 24, 2016 | Cap Center, Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City |
| Mindfields 9 | October 24, 2016 | Mow's Matalino St., Quezon City |
| Unibersikulo 4 | October 29, 2016 | Quantum Cafe, Makati |
| Ahon 7[a] | December 16–17, 2016 | San Juan Gym, San Juan City |
| Grain Assault 8[b] | February 10, 2017 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Mindfields 10 | February 18, 2017 | Mow's, Matalino Street, Quezon City, Metro Manila |
| Second Sight 5 | February 24, 2017 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Mindfields 11 | March 22, 2017 | Mow's Matalino St., Quezon City |
| Unibersikulo 5[a] | March 25, 2017 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Kabanata[a][c] | April 8, 2017 | Nueva Ecija Colleges Gymnasium, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija |
| Mindfields 12 | April 26, 2017 | Mow's Matalino St., Quezon City |
| Mindfields 13 | May 5, 2017 |
|
| Gubat 6[a] | May 6, 2017 | Cap Center, Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City |
| Mindfields 14 | May 12, 2017 | 082 Lokal, Davao City |
| Pakusganay 3[a] | May 13, 2017 | Davao City |
| Zoning 6[a] | June 16, 2017 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Bwelta Balentong 4[a] | August 25, 2017 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Zoning 7[a] | October 13, 2017 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Aspakan 5 | October 20, 2017 | Mabalacat, Pampanga |
| Ahon 8 | December 8–9, 2017 | Riverside Studios Manila, Valenzuela, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Second Sight 6 | March 16, 2018 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Zoning 8 | June 29, 2018 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Gubat 7 | July 14, 2018 | Cap Center, Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City |
| Pakusganay 4 | July 21, 2018 | Cap Auditorium, Poblacion District, Davao City |
| Process of Illumination 6 |
|
|
| Bwelta Balentong 5 | September 8, 2018 | B-Side, Malugay Street, Makati, Metro Manila |
| Unibersikulo 6 | October 20, 2018 | Quantum Cafe, Bagtikan corner Kamagong St. Makati |
| Ahon 9 | December 14–15, 2018 | Tiu Theater, 2F Cinema Square, Chino Roces Avenue. Makati |
| Won Minutes | March 22, 2019 | Arkipelago, Bagtikan St., Makati |
| Pakusganay 5 | March 30, 2019 | Cap Auditorium, Poblacion District, Davao City |
| Gubat 8 | April 13, 2019 | Cap Center, Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City |
| Second Sight 7 | April 27, 2019 | Tiu Theater, 2F Cinema Square, Chino Roces Avenue. Makati |
| Zoning 2019 | June 29, 2019 | Tiu Theater, 2F Cinema Square, Chino Roces Avenue. Makati |
| Unibersikulo 7 | August 10, 2019 | Tiu Theater, 2F Cinema Square, Chino Roces Avenue. Makati |
| Won Minutes | August 23, 2019 | Laysa's BBQ Grill, Bonifacio Street, Davao City |
| Pakusganay 6 | August 24, 2019 | Muzikhaven, Prime Square, Davao City |
| Won Minutes | September 27, 2019 | Azul Tuslob Buwa, Gororo Avenue, Cebu City |
| Gubat 9 | September 28, 2019 | Cap Center, Osmeña Blvd. Cebu City |
| Bwelta Balentong 6 | October 12, 2019 | Tiu Theater, 2F Cinema Square, Chino Roces Avenue. Makati |
| Ahon 10 | December 13–14, 2019 | Tiu Theater, 2F Cinema Square, Chino Roces Avenue. Makati |
| The FlipTop Festival | February 7–8, 2020 | Aseana City Concert Grounds, Paranaque City |
| Zoning 10 | July 2020 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (FlipTop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Buwelta Balentong 7 | October 2020 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (FlipTop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Ahon 11 | October 2020 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (Fliptop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Grain Assault 11 | May 2021 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (Fliptop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Second Sight 9 | June 2021 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (Fliptop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Zoning 11 | June 2021 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (Fliptop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Bwelta
Balentong 8 |
June 2021 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (Fliptop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Zoning 12 | July 2021 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (Fliptop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Unibersikulo 9 | September 2021 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (Fliptop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Zoning 13 | October 2021 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (Fliptop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Unibersikulo 10 | November 2021 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (Fliptop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Ahon 12 | December 2021 | D' mention, Buhay Pa Din City (Fliptop office, Mandaluyong) |
| Second Sight 10 | April 2022 | TIU Theater, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Gubat 10 | May 2022 | Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines |
| Zoning 14 | July 2022 | TIU Theater, Makati Central Square, Makati City, Philippines |
| Bwelta
Balentong 9 |
September 2022 | TIU Theater, Makati Central Square, Makati City, Philippines |
| Unibersikulo 11 | October 2022 | TIU Theater, Makati Central Square, Makati City, Philippines |
| Zoning 15 | November 2022 | TIU Theater, Makati Central Square, Makati City, Philippines |
| Ahon 13 | December 2022 | FlipTop Warehouse, Maclang corner P. Guevarra, San Juan City. Philippines |
| Second Sight 11 | March 2023 | TIU Theater, Makati Central Square, Makati City, Philippines |
| Gubat 11 | March 2023 | Mandaue Sports Complex, Mandaue City. Philippines |
| Won Minutes Visayas | April 2023 | Bar and Cocktail Lounge, Panagdait, Kasambagan, Mabolo, Cebu City. Philippines |
| Pakusganay 7 | June 2023 | The Dome, NCCC Mall VP, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Poblacion District, Davao City. Philippines |
| Won Minutes
Mindanao |
June 2023 | Davao City. Philippines |
| Zoning 16 | July 2023 | TIU Theater, Makati Central Square, Makati City. Philippines |
| Gubat 12 | September 2023 |
|
| Bwelta
Balentong 10 |
October 2023 | TIU Theater, Makati Central Square, Makati City, Philippines |
| Ahon 14 | December 2023 | TIU Theater, Makati Central Square, Makati City, Philippines |
| Won Minutes Luzon | February 2024 | 88Fryer, Panay Ave., corner Timog Ave., Quezon City, Philippines |
| Second Sight 12 | March 2024 | TIU Theater, Makati Central Square, Makati City, Philippines |
| Gubat 13 | April 2024 | Basketball Court, Legaspi Ext., Cebu City, Cebu. Philippines |
| Mindfields x Rapollo 3: Won Minutes Visayas | April 2024 | Azul Tuslub Buwa, Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City, Philippines |
- Notes
Isabuhay Tournament winners
| Year | Winner | Finalist | Semi-finalists | Eliminated in round 2 | Eliminated in round 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Aklas | BLKD |
|
|
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| 2014 | Batas | Melchrist |
|
|
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| 2015 | Batas | Romano |
|
|
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| 2016 | Loonie | Plazma |
|
|
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| 2017 | Mhot | Sur Henyo |
|
|
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| 2018 | Shehyee[6] | Pistolero |
|
|
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| 2019 | Sixth Threat[7] | Apekz |
|
|
|
| 2020 | M-Zhayt | Lhipkram |
|
|
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| 2021 | J-Blaque | Goriong Talas |
|
|
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| 2022 | Pistolero | Luxuria |
|
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| 2023 | Invictus | Hazky |
|
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| 2024 | GL | Vitrum |
|
|
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| 2025 | Katana | Lhipkram |
|
|
|
| |||||
Dos Por Dos Winners
| Year | Winners | Finalists | Semi-finalists | Eliminated in round 2 | Eliminated in round 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Shehyee/Smugglaz | Juan Lazy/Harlem |
|
|
|
| 2013 | Frooz/Elbiz | Crazymix/Bassilyo |
|
|
|
| 2017 | Shernan/M Zhayt | Sinio/Tipsy D |
|
|
|
| 2024 | Cygnus/Atoms | Caspher/Hespero |
|
|
Impact and criticism
FlipTop initially gained criticism for its use of strong language, mockery and bullying, prompting the city government of Makati to ban rap battles in the area.[8] As time passed, the events gained acceptance with the help of official FlipTop YouTube channel[9] gaining more than one million subscribers for which they received the Golden Play Button Award, and over two million likes on its Facebook fanpage.[10][11] Some emcees in the league recently are more focused on line delivery, hyping the audience in the battle, and gimmicks rather than dissing to attack the opponent; emcees also improved their penmanship.[12] After it gained success and reputation via social media,[13] many amateur and other rap battles arose such as Sunugan, Word War, Bolero Rap Battles, Bahay Katay, Flipshop, Flipcap etc. Due to its freestyle and rhymed content, some academics consider it as modern-day "balagtasan" although some rap artists discourage the idea. Some educators consider FlipTop as 21st century Philippine literature.[14][15][16][17] Some emcees involved in FlipTop have gained commercial success like Abra,[18] Dello, Loonie, Smugglaz, Shehyee, and others, which caught media attention. Some lines spoken by the emcees in battles became popular phrases used in the Philippines.[1][19]
Controversies
Sinio vs. Shehyee aftermath
Due to the nature of the league and its mechanics, bashing or shaming emcees' relatives is inevitable during the battle. However, in an undercard match between Sinio and Shehyee during the Ahon 7 event on December 16, 2016, Shehyee threw disrespectful lines against Sinio's wife, Bie Sarmiento, during the battle. This led to Sinio aggressively rebutting Shehyee by dissing the latter's girlfriend, internet sensation Ann Mateo. Their match was uploaded on FlipTop's YouTube channel on February 2, 2017, and went viral with over five million views within four days. Sinio's harsh words about Ann Mateo received mixed reactions, and became a hot topic on social media. Controversy arose when Ann Mateo's mother saw the video and threatened Sinio with a lawsuit. Because of the situation, many netizens bashed Shehyee for being unprofessional for his failure to explain to his girlfriend's mother the mechanics of the league. Sinio felt that Shehyee was not to blame and that he understood Ann Mateo's mother's point-of-view. Shehyee tried to help Sinio in addressing the issue with Ann Mateo's mother. Ann Mateo did not share her reaction about the topic.[20][21][22]
Reading lyrics during the battle
When the battle between Pistolero vs Luxuria was uploaded to FlipTop Youtube Channel, viewers noticed Luxuria reading her written lyrics on her smartphone in the middle of the battle instead of memorizing it, raising concerns of unfairness and cheating.
Besides Luxuria, there have been other instances of rappers reading their lyrics. Dopee and his partner Snob was caught in their DosPorDos battle reading their lyrics on a piece of paper for a few seconds. In another instance, rapper LilWeng pulled out an earphone to listen to his verses. Recently, Cripli covered the camcorder lens and read his lines during his battle against Batang Rebelde and managed to get the victory.