It’s wild to think about, but FlipTop has been around for a decade and a half by now, and is not just the top rap battle league in the country, but even in the world. In those 15 years, most of us know the founder, Anygma, as well as the classic battle rappers: guys like Abra, Loonie, BLKD, Zaito, and Batas come to mind.

You might even have a bunch of other names to add to them in the current generation and the one (or two) in between, such as GL, Sinio, Tipsy D, and Vitrum, but we want to introduce you to the newer but as of yet uncrowned breed of battle rappers: the vast majority of these guys are competing in this year’s Isabuhay tournament. If you’re even remotely entertained by FlipTop, you really need to keep a close eye on these guys, because they’re probably going to be the ones carrying the banner for Filipino battle rap for the next decade or more:

8. K-Ram

Why he stands out: K-Ram is arguably the most comedic out of this lineup we’re sharing with you today.

Armed to the teeth with hilarious jokes and rhyme scheme breaks, K-Ram is one of those emcees people tend to underestimate until it’s too late. This is a guy with a strong rebut game and charisma for days, capable of going toe to toe even with the most serious of lyricists. We’re way past the age where comedians can’t rhyme and lyricists are deadpan: there are very few in the current crop of battle rappers who can’t dabble in both, and K-Ram shows that off every single time onstage.

Notable Battles: K-Ram and Slockone vs. Criplii and Towpher is an easy battle to show for people who will watch FlipTop for the first time ever. K-Ram vs. Zaki and K-Ram vs Luxuria both showcase K-Ram at his best and funniest, generally considered as his two best performances of all time.

7. Aubrey

Why she stands out: You don’t say, “Aubrey is pretty good for a FemCee.” You say, “Aubrey is pretty good.” End of sentence.

In a male-dominated industry like battle rap, Aubrey is just the second generation of FemCees in the league, but she really got everyone’s attention by almost upsetting Lhipkram in the first round of this year’s Isabuhay tournament. When you just nearly beat the odds-on favorite to win the whole thing, you know you have a bright future ahead of you.

Notable Battle: While Aubrey has a few battles under her belt in Fliptop and several more in Motus, all you really need to watch is Aubrey vs. Lhipkram. It’s just light years beyond everything else she’s done before that, despite her already being good at this battle rap thing.

6. Ruffian

Why he stands out: Ruffian at his best does the battle rap equivalent of a knockout combination. He rattles off so many punchlines, almost bar after bar, that you have to catch your breath just to marvel at his handiwork.

Known for name flips and breathtaking wordplay, Ruffian is regarded in the upper echelon of emcees and with good reason. The scary thing is, you know he’s just beginning, and already, people are calling him “the next Loonie,” which is both a blessing and a curse. Why he passed on this year’s Isabuhay is anyone’s guess.

Notable Battles: Ruffian vs. Red from Sunugan is a masterclass in name flips. Ruffian vs. Class G was an easy contender for best FlipTop battle of 2023. Ruffian vs. Saint Ice? Ruffian simply delivered one of the best third rounds you will ever see in the history of battle rap.

5. Zaki

Why he stands out: Have you heard him onstage? He is aggression personified.

Zaki’s aggressive delivery is matched only by his penchant for slant rhyming. It’s that deadly combination that allows him to make even “condolence” and “chocolate” sound like they lyrically fit with each other. This guy is made for the big time.

Notable Battles: Zaki vs. Ruffian made Zaki 200K richer. Zaki vs. Romano (RIP) was hella intense and if it devolved into a fistfight, nobody would’ve been surprised. Zaki vs. 3rdy felt like Zaki’s “welcome to FlipTop” moment for the poor kid.

4. Zend Luke

Why he stands out: If you wanted to see what Balagtasan would look like if you transported it to the 21st century, you’ll get Zend Luke.

One of the people upholding the banner of left field lyricism, Zend Luke’s style is so unique and distinctly Filipino that it sometimes feels like he’s a man out of time. Despite that, he paints vivid images with his choice of words and even has a mean flow that he loves showing off when he hits his stride.

Notable Battles: Zend Luke vs. Jonas is probably the other battle I’d showcase to people who have never seen a rap battle before. If you wanted to see a style clash for the ages, Zend Luke vs. Plazma is definitely worth a watch. If you wanted to see a thorough analysis of Zend Luke’s style, Zend Luke vs. GL is for you, although it probably came at Zend Luke’s expense.

3. Katana

Why he stands out: People say it’s the fact that he sounds like Elmer Fudd, but we say it’s because he can spot angles where nobody else would think to look.

“Unpredictable” is often a positive quality for battle rappers, but that usually applies to how people rhyme or set up their punchlines. Katana is different in that it’s how he attacks other battle rappers, aka, sets up angles that stand out. Where most emcees would talk about their opponents being drug addicts or their looks or their family or their alleged sexual preferences, Katana will talk about you getting your Naruto references wrong.

Notable Battles: Katana vs. Harlem was essentially a passing of the torch from one generation to the next. Katana vs. Manda Baliw is a masterclass in anticipating how a rival emcee reacts in a battle during your own rounds and capitalizing on it accordingly. Katana vs. 3rdy is how you give your best in a rap battle with your best friend without jeopardizing the fact that you’re best friends.

2. Ban

Why he stands out: He’s the only guy who’s undefeated in this list and is currently considered the best active FlipTop emcee from Visayas.

While Mhot and Pricetagg are leagues ahead of Ban in terms of popularity, there’s no denying that there’s something about this emcee that makes people think he’s a dark horse in this year’s tournament. When people think you have a strong shot at beating the #1 in this list, that’s high praise indeed. Ban’s unique style and willingness to poke fun at himself to disarm his opponents have taken him places. Let’s see how far he can go.

Notable Battles: Ban vs. Kenzer deserves so many more views and is the perfect showcase of how versatile Ban is as an emcee. Ban vs. Manda Baliw feels like the sequel to the previous battle. And it hasn’t yet happened as it’s going to happen at the end of this month, but we’re calling it: unless something unthinkable happens, Ban vs. Cripli is going to be a battle for the ages, regardless of who wins.

1. Cripli

Why he stands out: This guy could arguably be the next face of FlipTop if the stars align.

Cripli may be the oldest in this list, but his stock only rose after the pandemic. If he’s not yet considered a superstar, he probably will be before this year ends, barring him retiring the day after this is published.

Calling him well-rounded in terms of being funny, charismatic, and lyrical is practically a crime, because he excels in all those areas. He’s not just a Jack of all trades, he’s arguably an Ace at them.

Notable Battles: Cripli vs. M Zhayt put him on the map despite a losing effort. Cripli vs. Batang Rebelde will have you in stitches as both bring on the hilarity. Cripli vs. Empithri is arguably Cripli on Ultra Instinct.