[MC Battle] Commonly Used Classic Beats and Popular Tracks

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!

Playlist

[MC Battle] Commonly Used Classic Beats and Popular Tracks
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	How Many BoogieFuma no KTR × SKRYU × WAZGOGG		MC battle hits go viral on social media and trend among young people
2	WHOOOOZROSAURUS		OZROSAURUS signature work and staple track in MC battles
3	Bees and ButterfliesSOUL SCREAM		The appeal of SOUL SCREAM’s classic song “Hachi to Chou” (“The Bee and the Butterfly”)
4	W.T.FDJ chaka		DJ chaka's famous battle beat
5	Complete Roundup (REMIX) feat. NORIKIYO, SHINGO★Nishinari, KanInthumiai Kumiai		The popular song “Ichimō-dajin” by the Rhymester Crew is well received.
6	RepZORN		ZORN and MACCHO’s classic MC battle track
7	I’ll tell you what you don’t know—listen up, SHOW.TOKONA-X		TOKONA-X produced a string of classic tracks in his short life
8	AREA AREAOZROSAURUS		OZROSAURUS’s classic song AREA AREA
9	Street DreamsZeebra		ZEEBRA is the king of hip-hop and has produced many classic songs.
10	purple smokeKan a.k.a. GAMI		Introduction to his activities as a manly rapper and the classic song “Shien” (Purple Smoke)
11	B-BOY-ismRHYMESTER		A signature song by RHYMESTER that’s used in many battles
12	Seriously highUmeda Saifā		A classic track by an Osaka-based hip-hop collective
13	uncharted; unprecedented; unexplored (literally: “never before trodden by anyone”)Inthumiai Kumiai		A classic by the Rhymester Collective packed with the soul of MC battles
14	The absolute worst MChannya		The Hannya is the final boss, and the worst MC track is famous.
15	RGTO feat. SALU, Teflon Hagane and K Dub ShineAKLO		AKLO's classic tracks with star-studded features
16	ChallengerGadoro		The opening track of GADORO’s major-label debut album
17	NITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUNDNITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUND		NITRO MICROPHONE UNDERGROUND resumes activities
18	UZUMAKIDJ CHARI & DJ SHINTARO		A fusion track of hip-hop and electro
19	I REPDABO・ANARCHY・KREVA		Introduction to the classic song 'I REP' by a Japanese hip-hop legend
20	Earth BluesKICK THE CAN CREW		A signature song by KICK THE CAN CREW
21	Beat it, I ain’t got time for your crap, so listen up.DJ RYOW		A hip-hop track from Nagoya
22	A Guide to Getting High LegallyCreepy Nuts		DJ Matsunaga got dissed
23	human power plantBUDDHA BRAND		A signature track by the legendary hip-hop unit, BUDDHA BRAND.
24	Forbidden PlanetTaboo1 feat. Shibito		The high level of completeness of Forbidden Planet and Shishi’s flow
25	BillikenCreepy Nuts		Creepy Nuts release a new Jersey Drill track
26	Neva Enuff – BrotherZEEBRA + AKTION		ZEEBRA’s signature song inspired by the movie BROTHER
27	CHECK YOUR MICShinpeita		Shinpeita's MC battle orthodox beat track
28	Bounce＄yuno		Explanation of classic beats used in MC battles
29	Head‑On Showdown feat. MC☆Nigari a.k.a. Red Lightning, KOPERU, CHICO CARLITO, ShinpeitaKEN THE 390		Introduction to KEN THE 390’s famous song “Makkō Shōbu” (Head‑On Showdown)
30	TestimonyLamp Eye		LAMP EYE’s masterpiece “Testimony”
31	FateAnarchy		Introduction to ANARCHY's signature song "Fate"
32	LEGACYIce Bahn		ICE BAHN’s signature track, a culmination of rhyme skills
33	Do The GARIYA ThingRappa Gariya		Rappagariya’s signature song is frequently used in battles.
34	Still D.R.E.Dr. Dre		A collaboration song by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg
35	thunderous applauseDABO		The History and Impact of DABO's “Rapturous Applause”
36	I messed up.hannya		A classic Hannya track with outstanding rhythm.
37	god; deity; kamiPSG		PSG’s classic track “Kamisama” is a cool beat that’s a staple in MC battles.
38	BUSTDOWNAbara!		Abara!’s songs are gaining support in MC battles
39	Ante UpM.O.P.		A classic beat track for MC battles
40	BrainwashingAwich		Awich’s signature tracks: hip-hop infused with social critique
41	Bebop dancingWAZGOGG		A jazz-fusion beat that revolutionized MC battles
42	100JAZEE MINOR		Popular Jazzy Minor tracks for MC battles