OVO KOTD’s Blackout 5 marks Bishop Brigante’s return to battling, Feb. 2015
Some big news coming out of Toronto today that will have hip-hop battle heads excited for the year ahead. With a newly released promo video, it’s been revealed that Toronto vet (and King of the Dot co-host) Bishop Brigante will make his official return to the battle ring February 2015 as part of OVO KOTD’s Blackout 5 event. And yup, you caught that correctly, going forward KOTD is officially re-branded as OVO KOTD – a move expected to do huge things for the company’s continued growth. Also a great example of unity between two prominent Canadian hip-hop organizations and something we don’t see often enough.
With rumours floating around about Brigante’s return for well over a year now, this video – dubbed “The Return” – is the first time anything has been set in stone. And yet even then, we have no idea who he will be battling. Expect it to be someone substantial and not a no name MC trying to get on. Why? Well you might be familiar with Bishop Brigante the rapper, actor or KOTD co-host, but did you know Brigante is considered by many to be one of the top MCs out of Toronto to ever battle?
Previously, Brigante established himself as one of Toronto’s (and Canada’s) top contenders with several high profile battles and championship titles including DJ X’s infamous Eat The Beat competition where he was eventually given Hall of Fame status after winning for a gang of consecutive weeks. He made waves by being the first Canadian on 106 & Park’sFreestyle Friday and could have had much more success than he saw had it not been for a questionable swear word that he was accused of using. Cussing was a violation of the show’s rules and Brigante was disqualified as a result. He famously battled MC Jin 3 times and was arguably one of the battle rappers’s biggest nemesis’ during the storied Ruff Ryders’ brief but eventful career. Brigante took part in countless other organized battles, street battles, radio competitions such as a the tourney held on The Masterplan Show and also JumpOff’s popular World Rap Championships.
Needless to say, Brigante has a long resume of work that he’s put in and expectations are high for his performance at Blackout 5. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.
