Double Trouble

If trading verses with someone is at hip-hop music's core, then exchanging bars within a verse runs even deeper. It was much more of a staple in classic hip-hop, however, there were many golden era collectives that employed the rhyme scheme as well. It was something that separated regular groups from more lyrical outfits.

This precise, synchronized banter something that I don't see happen as much for some reason. I have always been impressed with rappers who through collaborative writing, deft skill and strong chemistry, are able to literally trade bars within the same verse.

That said, Ghost and Rae's lock-step chemistry is on full display on "The M.G.M." from Wu-Tang Forever. The setting for this back-and-forth fisticuffs is a boxing match at the the MGM Grand Casino. The two MCs effortlessly bob and weave in and out of the True Master track, seamlessly transitioning from the social scene to the details of the fight.

"Seventh round, Chavez bleedin from his right ear
Yo keep ya eye on that same nigga from right her" 

While their love for the fight game has been evidenced through other songs, what had not been was their sociopolitical sports history knowledge.

"Tenth round Chavez tearin em down 
Sweet Pea get ya shit off 
It's like blacks against the Germans
Gettin hit off"

The second boxing match between German, Max Schmeling and black American, Joe Louis was a historic event. Set to the backdrop of the Great Depression, Nazi Germany/U.S. relations and racism against blacks this bout was dripping with national, racial and political undertones.

[both] Yo, up in the M.G.M. coked up
[Ghost] Sike! Six niggaz walked in flashing they gems peace
[Rae] Aight! One dark skinned nigga fifty-six inch rope
wrapped around twice
[Ghost] Smash the Gilligan boat with ice
[Rae] They threw sign language
[Ghost] Ordered hot coffee
[both] wit a danish
[Ghost] Relax -- whispered, "They rap entertainers"
[Rae] Had Lizzy on, two Japanese birds with furs look good kid
[Ghost] Laid back handlin hors d'ourves
[Rae] It's like round three
[Ghost] We too black for BET
You memorize the 1 to 40
[Rae] I'm at the 19th degree
If a civilized person doesn't perform, his duty
What shall be done?
[Ghost] Pardon me God, that nigga gotta gun
Bulgin out his sweatpants, check out his stance
See the side of his grill?
[Rae] Look like my cousin Lance
Left hand rock a Guess watch
[Ghost] Yo I think I did his Clarks he wore the crush bone leather
with the strings dark
[Rae] Now I remember
[Ghost] He from Bear Mountain
He and Mitch Greene shot the fair one
[Rae] Near the water fountain
[Ghost] Seventh round, Chavez bleedin from his right ear
Yo keep ya eye on that same nigga from right here
[Rae] Popcorn spilling all on Liz Claiborne
Ghost had the fly Gucci mocks wit no socks on
Seen Deion Sanders in the back with the fat fur on
[Ghost] Workin dem hoes with the fly Wu shirts on
Mixed drink session dunn
[Rae] Pour me some more
[Ghost] Chef leathered down blinking at Chante Moore
[Rae] Tenth round Chavez tearin em down
[Ghost] Sweet Pea get ya shit off
[Rae] It's like blacks against the Germans
[Ghost] Gettin hit off
[Rae] Smooth and them walked in
[Ghost] Brownsville representin
[Rae] They sent a bottle over, autograph blessin
[Ghost] Chef pull out the doodle twist the dank pink noodles
[Rae] Yo I'm bout to roll one
[Ghost] Matter fact twist two of those
[Rae] Yo they wound up stoppin the fight
Steels took a point away from Chavez
[Ghost] Rematch scheduled on October Ninth
Rematch scheduled on October Ninth