2021 was the most prolific year in battle rap, with more events thrown than any other time in history. With that many battles and battlers putting on, deciding who would be Champion of the Year was always going to be a tough decision.
The panel selected by Champion’s Jay Blac took nearly eight hours of intense debate to agree on the 20 battlers who rose above all the competition in 2021. Tempers flared as the top twenty names selected by the Champion viewership were either placed on the list or failed to make the final cut.
Each battler was judged based on set criteria – strength of schedule, impact, moments, material, consistency, and performance. In the end, there could only be one winner, and the panel decided Compton’s Geechi Gotti was the best battle rapper of 2021, making him a three-time Champion of the Year winner!
1. Geechi Gotti 2021 Champion of the Year
Geechi Gotti had a phenomenal 2021, battling consistently throughout the year, showing out on a number of leagues, and scoring some epic wins along the way. He sailed through URL’s Ultimate Madness 3 tournament, eventually splitting Drake’s $150,000 prize money with fellow EFB member Rum Nitty, though he narrowly won the judge’s decision. The pair put on a final that was easily one of the best battles of the year. Gotti also got a win over one of battle rap’s end game bosses – the legend Loaded Lux on the biggest card of the year, shifting the culture along the way.
2. Eazy The Block Captain
Eazy The Block Captain took the second spot with only four one-on-one battles, highlighting the impact of those performances and his overall 2021. The race for the top spot was a tough decision. The panel decided Gotti and Eazy won three of the six categories each but ultimately selected Geechi as the overall winner. Eazy’s 2021 was highly impressive. He had a classic with Chess, one of the very best battles of the year, and took clear wins from the likes of T-Rex and K. Shine. Eazy is also one of the few battlers to debut on URL marquee events, NOME and Summer Madness in the same year. He is ranked 9-0 on the URL app and has received the highest reactions on the app for his last five battles.
3. Tsu Surf
Tsu Surf took third place for three flawless victories against John John the Don, Calicoe, and Nu Jersey Twork, all in a 90-day span!
4. Rum Nitty
Rum Nitty’s performance in the UM3 tournament and battles with Hollow the Don and T-Rex solidified him as “The Alien” and his spot at number four on the list.
5. A. Ward
A. Ward was one of the more talked about battlers of the year for his consistently high-quality performances no matter the stage or the opponent. His place at fifth on the list was one of the most highly contested.
6. Chess
Chess came back with a vengeance last year and had two Battle of the Year contenders with Chess and Loso earning him sixth place on the Champion of the Year list.
7. DNA
DNA is one of the most consistent battlers of all time, and this year was no different securing him a spot at number seven.
8. Danny Myers
Danny Myers had the most impressive start to the year and some of the most talked-about battles of 2021, full of impactful moments like his “I Am Drugs” round against Drugz early in the year.
9. Loso
Loso was involved in wars all 2021, and his victory over 2020’s Woman of the Year, Viixen the Assassin on the Kings vs. Queens 2 card shook the culture.
10. Real Sikh
Real Sikh took tenth place after a year where he solidified his spot as one of the best of the New Era. His victory over Danny Myers on URL’s Night Of Main Events ended Danny’s winning streak in spectacular fashion.
There were several other awards and cash prizes given out of the night all voted for by the Champion fans.
Body Of the Year
Real Sikh won Body of the Year for his win over Danny Myers
Round of the Year
Loso took Round of the Year for his second round vs. Viixen the Assassin
Most Improved Battler
JakkBoy Maine won the Most Improved Battler award for 2021 and $1,000 sponsored by Let’s Talk Battle Rap podcast
The Champion of The Year Official Top 20
1. Geechi Gotti
2. Eazy The Block Captain
3. Tsu Surf
4. Rum Nitty
5. A. Ward
6. Chess
7. DNA
8. Danny Myers
9. Loso
10. Real Sikh
11. Tay Roc
12. Ill Will
13. Bill Collector
14. B Dot
15. Ave
16. Mackk Myron
17. Madflex
18. Lu Castro
19. JakkBoy Maine
20. T-Top
Watch the Champion Of the Year Debate below
Check out AllHipHop’s Battle Rap Superlatives to see who our fans voted as the best of battle rap 2021!