With Unpretty Rapstar‘s third season underway, it’s a good time to reflect on the show’s inaugural season and see what it was that made it so special. For me, it was the diss battles. Being the show’s first season, nobody knew what to expect. The atmosphere was much more contentious and the contestants weren’t afraid to cut deep into one another. As a result, there were many epic battles that took place, some of which I’ll be highlighting here.
Be forewarned that I could not find any clips with English subtitles so I took the liberty to translate the rap battles below in the only way I know how. Watch the clips to refresh your memory and read on for translated lyrics you’ll likely not find anywhere else.
Who could forget all the toe to toe battles between Cheetah and Jimin? While eventually Cheetah gained the upper hand and became the winner of season 1, let’s not forget the time that Jimin, the underdog, held her own and surprisingly came out on top.
Cheetah vs Jimin, Episode 6
Cheetah
This place is like a jungle, no place for pretty flowers to grow
To me you’re still an unbloomed, flower without the petals to show
Coming up in here, there’s a thing or two it’s best you oughta know
Run up in my lair, bad things happen where the sun don’t never show
You can’t achieve half as much when you step up over here
Your limits start to show when you’re frightened, overcome by fear
Your fans can’t even save you when you’re rolling with the big cat
San E can’t even praise you with your lyrics soft and plain bad
Jimin
Honestly speaking I’m a pretty little liar
AOA leader and my rap is hot fire
Better not come talking smack and shit
Cuz big things come in small packages
Sign sign sign, even your fans know who I am
Your friends don’t even know your songs but they all know who I am
I sing, dance, rap while this is your only schtick
Got million dollar CFs while this is your only gig
Cheetah
Sexy idol, just you and me, no AOA
Ain’t so fly though without your sexy beats, no 808
Can’t date can’t cuss, just a slave to your company
Cat’s got your tongue, but it’s property of FNC
Hey pretty star, come here looking like a barbie
Come here trying to rap but you can’t even rap like Bobby
I’m the unpretty rapstar, it’s more than just a job, see
This my life’s work and to you it’s just a hobby
Jimin
No matter what I say, haters gonna bash
No matter what you say, it’s all just talking trash
Mouth so rotten, smells like a toilet so go eat shit
Say hi to this middle finger and watch me go ape shit
Yes I’m an idol, it means I get my dough
My career’s in top gear while your’s sitting idle
Posing Like a Cat but you’re nothing but a small fly
This kitty’s got you going cuz I’m freshing and I’m so fly
Jessi and Kisum had a bit of a rivalry that reached a juncture when the two met in a diss battle on one of the track missions. Jessi, feeling overly confident after gaining several consecutive victories, came a bit unprepared and Kisum took advantage by digging into Jessi’s past.
Jessi vs Kisum, Episode 5
Jessi
Kisum, you are now in danger
Dont’ be afraid though, I’ll be your guardian angel
Listen, this the gospel and I’m the preacher
Time for your lesson, let me be your teacher
Step one, run Forest run run
Better run for cover, I bring the thunder
Step two, try not to get hysterical
And last but not least, pray for a miracle
Kisum
Jessi, I don’t understand what you’re saying
Let’s take it back to Itaewon, you know what I’m saying
What happened in that bathroom, the assault case you handled
Avoided all the charges, but couldn’t escape the scandal
Back when you called yourself Jessica H.O.
Went and changed your name but couldn’t avoid the hate though
Should have took more rap lessons from Mi-rae unnie in Uptown
Your skills are inconsistent, now go and take an EXID like “Up Down”
Jessi
You’re a lightweight and I don’t even gotta rap
I can sell a mill just singing on the track
I represent New Jersey, I got it on my back
In case you missed my rant, well I’m a bring it back
We’re not a team, this is a competition
You can’t judge me, I explain the situation
Now in this game I’m the mother fricking top dog
I’m the CEO and you’re my mother loving lap dog
Now let me show you what a queen do
I keep it classy, take you to the ladies room if I need to
You think you’ve seen bad but you ain’t even seen bad yet
I come and go like a migraine, go and get your brain checked
Kisum
Got you all worked up when you used to ignore me
Thought you was bad, now your antics just bore me
Your foul-mouth imitation of Biggie is done poorly
Rap in high pitch and make the fanboys adore me
The only thing alive is your pride, I’m a stomp on it
The only thing you got is your career, I just chomped on it
I work hard while you work hard kissing people’s asses
My career’s taking off while your’s fading away the fastest
Last but not least, the show built up the past hatred and rivalry between Tymee and Jolly V since the first episode. Tymee had been avoiding the confrontation for some time but after San E called her out on it, she came back the next day fully prepared to take her shots. This impromptu battle was every bit as emotional and intense as Jessi’s revenge rap and it was these unexpected moments that made season 1 so fun to watch.
Jolly V vs Tymee, Episode 5
Tymee
I’m bout to grant your wish so listen up careful
Get your head out your ass cuz you’re bout to get an earful
Stepping on a cockroach is like being in a tub filled with grime
Seeing your face daily makes me want to vomit all the time
I confess I can’t deal with you, who’s not a person but a pig
Your looks and not your skills are what’s close to being B.I.G.
On Show Me the Money you’d be edited out without me
Ask the producers why you’re even here if you doubt me
Instead of riding on my coattail, why can’t you make it on your own
Quit hitting me up for charity, I ain’t throwing no dog a bone
Stop with the disrespect and come correct if you want to get this settled
From my projection to my pronunciation, I’m clearly on a different level
Jolly V
I’m not eye-catchingly pretty so I’m not an idol
No, I can’t be an idol nor a sexy model
But I’m a rapper so like a rapper I rap
But the only thing you do is pretend like you’re all that
You’ll probably shake your chest while you talk like “Shake It”
Or hit us with the aegyo and ask, “Oppa, Can I do It?”
Your stuff was lewd and uncool back before you’re Tymee
Now all you do is fuss and cuss cuz you’re always two timing
I feel pity-a for E.via cuz you looked so fricking tiny
And now you’re here with no career, guess that’s just bad timing
If you were better than me, you’d be here as a producer
But you’re just pissed and broke, so now you’re here a sore loser
Remember Show Me the Money 3, your stage was all fail
Ask me again why I would want to ride your coattail
On the other hand, I could say forget you but I rather say thank you
I ain’t looking for a hand out, I’m just looking to lyrically shank you
Who’s next?
(YouTube, Image via Mnet)
