Recommended hip-hop/rap

[MC Battle] Commonly Used Classic Beats and Popular Tracks

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.

Thanks to the popularity of TV shows like “High School Rap Championship” and “Freestyle Dungeon,” MC battles seem to have spread even to audiences who weren’t very interested in hip-hop.

Of course, each MC’s distinctive rap is a highlight, but an extremely important element in MC battles is the beat the DJ plays.

Some people may not pay attention to the beats and might wonder why the crowd erupts the moment that first scratch hits.

The more you learn about what kind of tracks the beats come from, the more you can enjoy MC battles—and you’ll also come to understand the deep appeal of hip-hop as a genre.

In this feature, we’re introducing staple beats and popular tracks used in MC battles.

We’ve curated a lineup focused on Japanese hip-hop!

[MC Battle] Frequently Used Classic Beats and Popular Tracks (41–50)

Bebop dancingWAZGOGG

WAZGOGG – Bebop dancing

Bebop dancingWAZGOGG

This track is beloved by fans as a song that revolutionized MC battles.

Featuring a fast 165 BPM tempo that brilliantly fuses jazz bebop with hip-hop, it showcases DJ WAZGOGG’s exceptional taste.

Released in November 2019 on the album “Sengoku MC BATTLE – BEST BOUT ORIGINAL BEAT,” it has been used as an official beat for the MC battle event “Sengoku MC BATTLE.” The song has elevated countless MCs’ freestyles and sparked buzz on YouTube and TikTok with dance videos and remixes.

It’s a perfect pick for those looking to get into MC battles or music fans interested in the fusion of jazz and hip-hop.

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100JAZEE MINOR

JAZEE MINOR – 100 (REMIX) feat. ISH-ONE, ZORN, MARIA, Staxx T (Official Video)

100JAZEE MINOR

Jazzy Minor, who enjoys immense popularity in MC battle circles, has a track that’s widely favored by many freestylers.

It features energetic beats and a catchy hook, with a memorable, ear-catching phrase in the hook section.

Released in June 2014 as a collaboration with AKLO, the song incorporates elements of club music and stands as a party anthem.

After being included on the album “Black Cranberry,” a remix version featuring a lineup of star artists was also produced, and its YouTube views have surpassed 3.2 million.

It’s a perfect track for anyone—from MC battle beginners to veterans—looking to sharpen their flow.

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In conclusion

We tend to focus on each rapper’s skills and unique flow in MC battles, but in hip-hop, the beat is just as essential, isn’t it? If this article leads you to realize, “Oh, the MC battles I enjoyed back then were sampling from this track,” that would make me happy.

The deeper you dig and the more you listen to hip-hop’s deep cuts, you might just find yourself wanting to craft your own beat too.