‘Empire’ Finale: Black Rambo Freestyle Slammed On Twitter
A new Empire character, Black Rambo, made a big appearance during the Empire finale on Wednesday night.
Like many of the other Empire characters introduced throughout the first season, it did not take very long for Black Rambo to become a popular topic on social media. However, instead of being praised and applauded, Black Rambo quickly became a target for mocks and insults.
[Warning: Spoiler Alert]
Black Rambo first stormed on the scene in Episode 12, “Who I Am” (the second part of the Empire finale), to interrupt Lucious Lyon’s speech. At the time of his interruption, Lucious was introducing Jamal as the new head of Empire during a press conference.
To sum it up, Black Rambo made it clear that he did not approve of Lucious’ decision simply because of Jamal’s sexual orientation. Later in the same episode, Jamal decided to face his offensive critic head-to-head in a freestyle battle.
Many viewers compared the overall concept of the scene to the memorable freestyle battle between Eminem and Anthony Mackie’s characters in the hit 2002 movie, 8 Mile.
“@EMlNEMShow: Rule #1: Never let Eminem go first. pic.twitter.com/0vADxTt6fb” to this scene was alwaysssss on at rutgers, papa doc!!!
— snapbacks to beanies (@RyanKostrzewa) July 30, 2014
This rap battle is no #8mile. #BlackRambo didn’t even put up a fight!! #EmpireFOX #TeamJamal
— Arrianee LeBeau (@ArrianeeLeBeau) March 19, 2015
That was, of course, until Black Rambo started rapping.
“You’re rockin’ tutus and biker shorts, got me heated. You seeing me up in court. It’s getting critical. Fuse is going short. I know a b*tch that look just like you. Toes out. Butt out. Chest out like you. Ha ha! Boom. Boom-boom. Black Rambo.”
According to the numerous tweets that have targeted his freestyle verse, it is apparently clear that it was not well-received.
When #BlackRambo was battling #EmpireFinale pic.twitter.com/Z974pJqG4v — IG @_kovie (@kovie182) March 19, 2015
Just when I thought drip drop was the worst rhyming of the season on #EmpireFOX #BlackRambo emerged out of the crowd to spit hot garbage
— SmartMouthBlkGrrrl (@smartstatistic) March 19, 2015
“@KennyHamilton: #BlackRambo is the worst rapper I have ever heard #EmpireFinale” glad im not the only 1 who felt that way — knesha lewis (@kneshal) March 19, 2015
They coulda at least wrote em some better bars. #BlackRambo
— The Crew Ambassador (@KSpade64) March 19, 2015
The only real similarity between the freestyle rap scenes during the Empire finale and 8 Mile was the creative way that the underdog retaliated against the defending champion.
Instead of trying to rap, Jamal did exactly what he does best: sing.
He was able to counterattack Black Rambo’s offensive insults about his homosexuality with a riveting performance that got the crowd on his side.
The fact that Jamal responded to a rap with a song might have been a little confusing to some. That moment of the episode has also received its own criticism for that reason.
Jamal is a singer. that’s what he does. he’s not a rapper so idk why Charlamagne expected him to spit hot 16 bars. I KNEW he would sang — ???? (@AlwaysKeke_) March 19, 2015
I still can’t believe Jamal walked into a rap battle… to sing. and not only that, his opening line was: “SO WHAT I’M GAAAAAAAAAAAY”
— kordéi. (@chasemylovex) March 19, 2015
However, Jamal’s lyrics and the power of his vocal performance made him the unanimous winner of the rap battle on Twitter as well.
“Your sin ain’t no better than my sin.” #Jamal #BlackRambo #EmpireFinale @JussieSmollett — Rich Cruse (@RichOnOWN) March 19, 2015
I LOVE THE SO WHAT SONG FROM EMPIRE JAMAL HAD ME DYING
— Kurichia (@potpourchia) March 19, 2015
Who do you think won the freestyle battle during the Empire finale — Black Rambo or Jamal?
[Image Credit: Dollar Photo Club & Empire YouTube Channel]
