Road To Total Slaughter: The Rappers Starring in Slaughterhouse's Upcoming Reality Show

Shady Records’ Slaughterhouse has announced Road To Total Slaughter, a web-based reality show that puts eight of the most acclaimed battle rappers in a home as they partake in a battle rap tournament. Slaughterhouse members Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and, Royce Da 5’9, skilled emcees in their own right, are the show’s producers and judges.

Dizaster, Math Hoffa, Daylyt, Marv Won, Big T, Arsonal, T-Rex, and Aye Verb have been selected as the eight emcees that will face off in this tournament. Here's a look into the battle rappers participating in Road to Total Slaughter, and why this could potentially be an extremely entertaining ride through the battle rap world.

Most people know California’s Dizaster from his battle against Canibus. During this career-defining match-up against one of his early influencers, Dizaster displayed an array of multi-syllabic rhyme patterns and styles mixed with a focused delivery. Ferociously, Dizaster waved similes, metaphors, and imagery in lyrics that appeared to leave Canibus dazed and confused enough to whip out his notebook of rhymes.

But that showing was only one example of Dizaster’s stylistic prowess as a battle rap emcee. He has become known as one of battle rap’s most impressive freestyle emcees, and he’s demonstrated one of the game’s most intricate writing styles. This former King of the Dot champion has shown that he can falter at times, losing his title once, and failing to regain it another time, but he’s also shown a devastating ability to attack an opponent from California to Canada and beyond.

Most people know New York’s Math Hoffa because he has punched two different rappers during high profile battles, but he is much more than that. Hoffa has been a consistent battle rapper because he can command a room’s attention, and also deliver clever bars filled with wordplay, similes, and metaphors. Hoffa’s impressive resume includes battles against Arsonal, T-Rex, Pat Stay, among others. His slogan, “You don’t got bars like that,” has been chanted by crowds from Los Angeles to London, and he has shown that his punchlines are about as heavy as his punches.

Big T has been co-signed by 50 Cent because of his spectacular onomatopoeias, but the Chicago rapper is also known for intricate rhyme writing. So, as great as his sound effects may be, his rhymes are just as memorable. He’s battled some of the most renowned, from Hollow Da Don to Tsu Surf to K-Shine, and he’s been a consistent emcee throughout his career.

Adding an animated approach, Big T has managed to balance out his performance to create an entertaining show nearly every time he steps on a stage. Moreover, Big T, also known as Mr. Chalaka-Boo, has incorporated humor into his bars, ensuring that he'll to make a crowd smile and laugh as much as he will make them ooh and ah.

You can’t spell “bars” without putting the “Ars” in it. New Jersey-based Arsonal’s slogan is something that represents his dedication to lyrics, which are consistently sprinkled with witty humor and ruthless disrespect. That balance between bold, rude discourtesy and comical banter is embedded in his rhymes, but Arsonal also pays close mind to another element in his tool kit. Arsonal consistently performs with an aggressive in-your-face delivery that commands a room. From the States to England, Ars makes sure to put his heart in his bars.

Marv Won is a veteran battle rap emcee from Detroit, Michigan. Although his scene was cut from Eminem’s 8 Mile, the rapper was brought in to face off against Eminem’s character, B Rabbit, at least in part due to his credibility, experience, and skill as a battler. From the freestyle days to the written era, Marv Won has managed to change with the times, remain relevant, and remain sharp. Though he hasn’t been as active in battle rap as many of the others on this list, Marv still has made a name for himself in the legacy of the culture, one that is likely to continue growing with years to come.

T-Rex may be one of the most animated, aggressive veteran battlers in the game. The New York emcee who reps the Dot Mob adds lyrical swords to that aggression and is a dangerous opponent for any emcee. Much like many of the rappers on this roster, Rex has battled in various formats, from freestyle battles to written a cappella matches. Rex’s punchlines match his potent performance and that delivery and flow has given him the upper hand in several battles throughout the years. Though Rex was not officially announced as a participant in Total Slaughter, reports soon surfaced that he was taking Cortez’s place in the eight-man tournament.

Aye Verb’s lyrical attack can be ferocious. He’s credited with one of the most impressive third rounds to date with his performance against Hitman Holla, but he’s a veteran with a long list of match-ups and massacres behind him. Verb’s work from Street Status, to Grind Time Now, to URL, to King of the Dot, and beyond has allowed the Missouri rapper to earn respect for his punchlines, lyrical dexterity, humor, and angles that others don't think of. He’s his own best promoter, creating video blogs to promote and recap battles, but his showmanship on stage is what has given this vet staying power.