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Looking Back: Won Minutes 2024
2024 was a special year for the new generation of FlipTop emcees. Let’s talk about the historic Won Minutes series.
Dante Romero
February 04, 2026
Apart from the very unpredictable Isabuhay Tournament and the historic big stage events such as Unibersikulo 12, Bwelta Balentong 11, and Ahon 15, FlipTop 2024 will also be remembered for the epic Won Minutes series. On that year, three events were held in Metro Manila and one in Cebu. Each one had its share of memorable moments and performances.
Won Minutes 2024 paved the way for an astounding number of new emcees in the league. It led to the return of the Dos Por Dos Tournament. Known as Dos Por Dos2, it has the traditional 2-on-2 setup, but with only eight pairs competing and featuring the new generation. While the tourney was overlooked at first because of a lack of “big names” or “old gods”, it quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to the different styles and remarkable showings from the roster. Atoms and Cygnus won the championship in a hard-fought battle against Caspher and Hespero.
Compared to the big stage affairs, it was obvious the attendance for each Won Minutes event was relatively lesser, but those who watched live would agree that it was a special experience. It bought back the small room vibe from FlipTop’s early days. Despite the smaller size of the venues, the crowd was still loud and they can hear each bar wherever they are. They also witnessed the intense matches up-close, making it look like they were all part of the battle. With this setup, they have a much clearer understanding of the most complex schemes and punchlines.
Even the veteran emcees were astounded by the FlipTop 2010-2011 atmosphere to the point that some of them decided to participate. It made way for the now famous “alter ego” battles. The participating vets will perform under a different name, and the audience has no clue who they are. It started with Eveready vs Carlito, and the rest is history. Which OGs do you want to see in an alter ego match next? Let us know in the comments.
When the first Won Minutes event of 2024 was announced, many were hyped up, but it also received a significant amount of hate, just like the Dos Por Dos2. It’s the usual reason: the haters don’t want to see “unknowns” battling. They only want to see popular names! Thankfully, Anygma and co. weren’t bothered by the negativity. They made sure the underground scene gets the spotlight, and it paid off. The league’s roster is not only healthier than ever, but style-wise, more diverse as well.
Moving on to 2025, there were those that were still unconvinced by the impact of Won Minutes 2024. For them, yes, the new gen has solid rappers, but they were still no match to the heavyweights. Everything changed when Katana joined the Isabuhay Tournament. On just his second year in the league, he managed to introduce a unique style to Philippine battle rap and win the championship. If you’re still doubting the new blood now, you’re not a true fan of the culture. What Katana did was game-changing! It’s proof that you should never underestimate any emcee in the lineup, especially the up-and-comers. Never forget that all of your idols started out as rookies too. A real supporter of battle rap and hip-hop always keeps an open mind.
So, are there plans for another Won Minutes series in 2026? We’re not yet sure! Only Anygma knows for now. There are plenty more talents out there waiting to be discovered, and we’re sure the FlipTop staff are keeping an eye on them. Which underground emcee do you want to see on the big stage next? Give them a mention in the comments section.
