General
The Beauty of Alter Ego Battles
Let’s take a look back at FlipTop’s alter ego matches and how they made an impact.
Jake Tan
August 27, 2025
At Won Minutes 2024 Luzon 2, the crowd was shocked at the revelation of one battle: the clash between Eveready and Carlito. The match was mostly ignored before the event, with some even mocking the names. However, everything changed come May 4, 2024. It was revealed that Eveready and Carlito were the alter egos of M Zhayt and Carlito respectively. Of course, the bout ended up being a solid, back-and-forth clash from start to finish. It started a trend of what fans online call “smurf battles”. Since then, we were introduced to Freak Sanchez (Tipsy D), Ghostly (Goriong Talas), Markong Bungo (Poison 13), No. 144 (Emar Industriya), Sinagtala (GL), and 1ce Water (J-Blaque).
So what exactly is the reasoning behind this? Firstly, it’s an emcee’s chance to further test their skills. They’re now used to big stage matches, so them going back to the roots of battle rap gives them another challenge. With a brand new identity, they can break free from their usual tactics and experiment with other styles. It’s like being an up-and-comer again. The possibilities are endless! If you look at all the battles, each emcee brought their A-game and brought something new to the table.
Now, from the live audience’s perspective, the concept adds more excitement to their overall experience. Imagine standing in the crowd, anticipating which top-tier emcee will step on stage or the pit. What if it’s revealed to be your favorite rapper? What if it’s a veteran returning from a long hiatus? What if it’s a former Isabuhay or Dos Por Dos Champion? It’s a thrilling feeling that already makes the ticket worth it. Ask anyone who has watched live, and they will all say it’s one of the biggest highlights of the night.
Thanks to the alter ego matchups, there’s a new theme that fans and fellow artists can enjoy. We’ve been entertained by tournaments such as Isabuhay and Dos Por Dos, Royal Rumble, 5-on-5, beatbox showdowns, freestyle contests, and three-ways. Now, we have another one to look forward to. It’s still a fresh concept, so yes, you can expect more matches and more alter egos in the future. Because of its popularity, we might see it in the big stage too. We just have to sit back and wait! It’s much better if it comes unexpectedly.
So who is your favorite alter ego? Which emcee do you want to try this out next? What’s your favorite smurf battle so far? Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments section. They’re all uploaded now, so if you haven’t seen them yet, check them out. Many already consider Sinagtala vs 1ce Water at Rapollo Mindfields 2025 a candidate for battle of the year. Arguably, the biggest lesson that alter ego battles taught us is that we should never underestimate a lineup. Even if you’re not familiar with the emcees in the event, you should still give them a shot. Always keep in mind that every heavyweight or old god started out as unknowns in the game. Ignore the negative comments and go explore!
