- Over 500K views on YouTube
- Over 10K likes
AI Verdict
While Hollohan showcased elite writing and punchlines in the first two rounds, Cortez delivered what is widely considered one of the most devastating third rounds in battle rap history. The personal angle regarding Bruce B and the 'real friends' bars created a TKO effect that shifted the entire momentum and legacy of the battle, making it impossible to give the win to Hollohan despite his technical proficiency earlier on.
This KOTD classic is the definitive '3rd Round KO' battle. Coming off his hiatus, Hollohan looked like the 'Genius on Drugs' fans remembered, showing a level of multi-syllabic complexity and dark humor that had Cortez on the ropes for the first twenty minutes. Hollohan's bars about the Simpsons and church renovations are still cited as some of the best writing of that era, and for two rounds, it looked like a clear victory for the Canadian legend.
However, Cortez stepped into the third round and shifted the culture. Moving away from the 'Mexican' jokes and standard URL-style punchlines, Cortez went for the jugular with a deeply personal angle regarding the death of mutual friend Bruce B. The room went cold as Cortez questioned Hollohan’s loyalty and character, delivering a sermon that left the audience and co-host Raekwon in visible shock.
It’s a battle of bars versus truth, and while Hollohan out-rapped Cortez technically, Cortez took his soul in the final frame.
- Cortez's 3rd round is considered one of the best personals ever
- Raekwon the Chef's presence and reactions as a co-host
- Hollohan's 'coke head/line isn't real' self-deprecating bar
- The Simpsons opening credits haymaker
- Hollohan's controversial tattoos and past racist allegations
- Cortez's perceived 'fake' choke in the second round
- The heavy reliance on 'snitching' and personal trauma for a win
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