When battle rap greats Loaded Lux and Murda Mook collide, it's the verbal equivalent of fireworks. But now, it's larger than bars, a salute to the grind. The pair, who just released their official freestyle, "Nigel's Frame of Mind," to commemorate BMX pro-Nigel Sylvester's 'Brick by Brick' collection for Jordan Brand, has the streets abuzz.
Drawing on the storied history of the iconic Brooklyn Banks, where Sylvester honed his BMX until the age of 15 to 25, Lux & Mook channel a lyrical dialogue between two other representations of Nigel. Mook cranked full of raw ambition at age 20, anchors Sylvester's fixed gaze while Lux channels the wisdom of the man he becomes. It is a dramatic freestyle that embodies the struggle, grit, and victory of Sylvester's journey.
Having been performed only previously at an exclusive preview in New York City in January, the piece is brought to life to incredible effect in an official video, merging hip-hop and BMX culture in an explosive swirl. Draped in glazed looks from the "Brick by Brick" collection (BMX jerseys, jackets, tees, and an exclusive Jordan sneaker), the two rap titans stitch together fashion, narrative, and lyricism as only they can.
If there is one thing rap fans love, it's dream matchups, and "Nigel's Frame of Mind" sent a wildfire on social media. Fans wasted no time calling for Lux to join Mook as an official 2-on-2 battle, and the hype didn't desist soon after. Nu Jerzey Twork didn't waste time tagging Rum Nitty with a challenge: "Let's get these n##### outta here." Nitty's response? A confident "Eazy call." Ultimate Rap League got in on the action and added fuel to the fire, posting a gif of co-founder Smack White, implying that this battle might happen.
As if they needed anywhere to beef up their legacy, Kendrick Lamar (and future rapper of the year) name-checked Lux and Mook in an interview just days before his Super Bowl appearance. In talking about his love for battle rap, he shouted out several of the sport's heaviest hitters, signaling how strongly it has influenced his artistry.
"My goal from day one was always to keep it a sport," Kendrick said. "I love it when artists are gritting their teeth. I watch battle rap Smack URL, from Murda Mook to Lux to Tay Roc, my bro Daylyt. This has always been in my DNA, been that way since day one," As the stamp of approval from one of the greatest artists of our time and a whole culture continues to rally around them, Lux and Mook move even further into the territory of battle rap gods.
Nigel Sylvester: 'Brick by Brick' Collection, October 2023 Nigel Sylvester's 'Brick by Brick' collection is so much more than clothing but a tribute to resilience, dedication, and the courage to assemble something great, one day at a time. Couple that with Lux and Mook's powerful words, which bring the vision to life; this drop is destined for legendary status.
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