From A Fan's Perspective
From A Fan’s Perspective: The Beauty Of Small Room Battles
This longtime FlipTop fan will tell you why the small room atmosphere in battle rap is something you should experience.
Anonymous Battle Fan
May 14, 2025
As a longtime fan of the league, seeing the battles in the big venues is always an unforgettable experience. It’s like you’re instantly part of history when you react loudly to every solid bar and scheme from the emcees. Witnessing the lyrical back-and-forth on a huge stage gives the same goosebumps as watching an epic sporting event or concert. It will stay with you forever and make you an even bigger fan. These occasions have a special place in my heart, but there’s also one more. While I’ve always enjoyed big events, I love the small room setup as well!
I’ve been to the very first FlipTop event (Grain Assault), which took place at the intimate Quantum Café in Makati. Up to now, I remember every moment of the night; not just from the battles and musical performances, but from the overall vibe. The crowd was relatively small compared to the recent affairs, but everyone in the room was enthusiastic. When I left the venue, I told myself FlipTop will be big someday, and I was right! Despite its resounding success, the league didn’t abandon the small room vibe at all. They made sure they went back to it, staying true to their underground roots. The reason they do this is not because of business reasons.
Like what I said above, I noticed Anygma and co. never strayed from their humble beginnings. Yes, they can afford venues like Metrotent and San Juan Gym now, but they know there’s also something special about the smaller spots. As a fan, while the setting is different, the epic feeling is the same. So what exactly makes it remarkable? I’ll begin with the atmosphere.
When you watch live in an intimate venue, it feels like you’re part of the battle. You’re closer to the competitors, so it’s twice the intensity whenever they spit fire bars. You could feel the impact of every punchline as well as the energy of the emcees. So if it’s a heated matchup, expect to have a more tense (and exciting) feeling from the first to the final round. Content-wise, believe me when I say that small room battles will make you appreciate the material much more. If you’re far from the stage in a bigger venue, there’s a chance a few lines may fly over your head because you didn’t hear them clearly. In a small room setting, it’s highly possible you’ll understand intricate lines more, including the setup. It’s why the latest Won Minutes events were a success. The new generation of rappers had an opportunity to showcase their respective styles with no compromise, and they succeeded.
The battles in small room events usually feature either up-and-comers or underrated veterans. Casual fans often criticize it, but legit supporters know it’s a must-see. Again, because of the setting, it gives you a chance to have a deeper appreciation for the artists. You may end up being a fan after watching them perform and getting a clearer grasp of their pen game and identity. Zoning 15 took place at TIU Theater but since the crowd was small, the league turned it into a pit style event, very similar to the early intimate FlipTop settings. I became a supporter of many emcees here, such as K-Ram, Marshall Bonifacio, and Plaridhel, and that’s because I saw them perform up close and personal. Always have an open mind whenever you’re attending these types of occasions. There are plenty of gems for you to discover.
The next FlipTop events are Zoning 18 and 19, and both of them will take place at Takeover Lounge in Katipunan. If you haven’t experienced it yet, it’s your chance to check out the battles in a small room setup. Give it a shot! I promise you will have a good time. For those who’ve already bought tickets, I’ll see you there. Thank you, FlipTop, for accepting this piece for your website. Hopefully, it can inspire other fans to support lesser-known talent.
