Recap: If you were long anticipating Xcel’s return to the URL stage, it was well worth the wait as you certainly got a goodie here versus an also impressive Stuey Newton. First round was close, what with Newton’s hardbody barbs combining well with an air of (“I’m a make this Homie look bad…Poison Pen with the microphone!”) wit and steady aggression. However, with his own allotment of stinging (“Plus, the ratchet lick Offset’s [off set’s], it act just like Cardi act [cardiac]!”) wordplay and more potent punches, Xcel was able to do his opponent one better and take the opening round. Despite a solid turn by Xcel in the 2nd, there was just about no way he could beat an almost perfect mid-round by Stuey, who besides a nice freestyle and rebuttal to start things off, went with a personal-themed (“You ain’t been carrying your weight, so it’s clear XL [Xcel] doesn’t fit you!”) round that scored heavy when he wasn’t already bodying things with delicious haymaker after haymaker to come back and even the battle out. Tied going into the 3rd, Stuey Newton came back with another (“I can kill nigger’s with facts…the truth serum!”) hard and righteous round, all the while flexing his versatility, however, a few dry spots here and there would leave the door slightly open to defeat. And Xcel did just that. With a more condensed, even more righteous and straightfire (“See nigga, they gas you, I air it out ‘cuz I prefer less pollution!”) turn that spoke to every bar literally counting, the Team Homi linguist reminded URL viewers of what they’ve long been missing, while edging this altogether dope battle by taking the 1st and 3rd.
Verdict: Xcel (W) 2-1
Favorite line: Xcel – “Can y’all feel the gravity of this moment?, I’m here for the death of Newton!”
