Watch Q-Tip Recount Losing His First Freestyle Battle to Ol’ Dirty Bastard

Q-Tip opens up about a high school freestyle battle that was over before it even started.
Ol’ Dirty Bastard appears to have handed Q-Tip one of the only L’s of his career. Or so the story goes, according to a new interview with the Queens rapper.

Sitting with Math Hoffa & Co. for a recent episode of the My Expert Opinion Show, the A Tribe Called Quest co-founder discussed his early years as a scrappy and eager battle rapper in NYC, squaring up with anyone who wanted to go a few rounds, be it on the train, in the park, at a show, or in one particular case, outside of his high school, where he claimed to have been ambushed by two soon-to-be members of the Wu-Tang Clan. “My man, Rob, we was in the lunch room, it was seventh period, he was outside. And he was like ‘Yo, this n***a’s outside saying ‘Where’s J Nice?,'” Tip recalls of the scene. “We go outside, right in the front there’s Ason,” the rapper goes on, imitating the late ODB calling him out by an early moniker in his signature bark.

From there, Tip seems to imply the battle was over before it even started, noting he went first, which made it that much more difficult to come out on top. He recites his opening line from memory and ODB’s one bar knockout over RZA’s beatboxing. “He had some shit, ‘Ason Unique, I’m not gon have it, Dagnabbit you switch like a f****t,'” Tip recalls, noting how the crowd around them burst into laughter and effectively called it. “I took the L,” Tip admits as the rest of the group acknowledges the absurdity of losing a battle to a rapper that uses “Dagnabbit” in a line.

READ THE REST AT OKAYPLAYER

Facebook

Views: 38

Reply to This

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Connect

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Earth, Wind & Fire
Friday, June 27 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Macy Gray
Saturday, July 12 @ Palace of Fine Arts, SF

Thievery Corporation
Saturday, Sept 6 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Yung Lean
Saturday, Oct 11 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

Editor's Pick posted discussions
10 hours ago
MJ Savino posted a blog post

Distinguished Harlem Rapper Money Stacks Delivers "Cold Dayz" Video

Money Stacks, a distinguished Harlem rapper, presents the official video for "Cold Dayz," taken from his latest album 'Back To Da Streets 7.' On a classic, drop-down mic, Stacks delivers chilling bars looped with blunt storytelling. He touches on his unparalleled skillset, street steam, the dope game, and more. Watch "Cold Dayz" and connect with Money Stacks…See More
yesterday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
yesterday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

RAKIM at YOSHI'S, OAKLAND

July 15, 2025 at 7:30pm to July 16, 2025 at 11:30pm
TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY, JULY 15-16RAKIMYoshi's 510 Embarcadero WestOakland, CA 94607>> BUY TICKETSSee More
yesterday
realmuzik posted discussions
Wednesday
Editor's Pick posted videos
Wednesday
Editor's Pick shared their discussion on Facebook
Wednesday
Artistpr posted a blog post

Mr. Lawrence & Black Nation Music Group Drop New Album: A Fusion of Funk, Hip Hop & More

Nashville artist Mr. Lawrence releases new album, inviting listeners to experience his unique sound.Nashville, TN - Black Nation Music Group is proud to announce the latest album release from Mr. Lawrence, a dynamic artist whose music transcends genre boundaries.…See More
Wednesday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Wednesday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

DJ Jazzy Jeff @ Phoenix Hotel at The Phoenix Hotel, SF

July 26, 2025 from 1pm to 6:30pm
Saturday, July 26 DJ Jazzy Jeff Plus Cutso Shortkut dj umami ShellheartHosted by Fran Boogie The Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St., San Francisco, CA 94109 1 - 6:30pm PDT…See More
Wednesday
An event by Editor's Pick was featured
Thumbnail

Raphael Saadiq at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA

September 8, 2025 from 7pm to 11pm
MONDAY, SEP 8An Evening WithRaphael SaadiqNo Bandwidth!One Man! One Night! Three Decades of Hits!Davies Symphony Hall San Francisco, CADoors: 7:00pm | Show: 8:00pm…See More
Tuesday
Editor's Pick posted an event
Thumbnail

Raphael Saadiq at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA

September 8, 2025 from 7pm to 11pm
MONDAY, SEP 8An Evening WithRaphael SaadiqNo Bandwidth!One Man! One Night! Three Decades of Hits!Davies Symphony Hall San Francisco, CADoors: 7:00pm | Show: 8:00pm…See More
Tuesday

© 2025   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service