Input for potential keystyle thread

[Chutney]

So we've been floating this idea of a keystyle thread at JBB for a while now and its time that I finished working out all the details so I can set it up already. There's generally been two ideas.

The most commonly suggested one is a basic "Post Your Lines" thread, kind of like the "Rate My Signature" thread. People post up something they've written and someone else rates it before posting their own lines. Its basic and its definitely a good outlet for all you lyricists, but it eliminates any aspect of competition (something that a lot of you don't want to lose).

Another reasonable suggestion was provided by Smitty. Basically, we could set up a thread where two people submit their own verses (not sure how many) over the course of a week and at the end they get judged. The winner faces whatever challenger comes up next. The subject matter would be open (there may be a limit to how many lines), but the only restriction would be that it couldn't include personal attacks or excessive profanity. I could put rankings on the first page, detailing everyone's win-loss record and Smitty also floated the idea of having some sort BET-esque Hall of Fame for people who've won 7 weeks in a row.

The issues that come up with this idea (and really, any idea of a competitive thread) are with mainly with judging. Its always been the toughest thing about organizing a freestyling competition and it brings up a lot of problems. Personally, I think it'd have to have a set group of judges instead of a public vote, because it'd take less time, would be more consistent, and wouldn't take up as much space. Of course, then we have to figure out how many judges we want, find some volunteers that want to and have the time to look over and judge a set of verses once a week (with reasonable explanations), set the criteria for the judging, and all those other details so people won't be complaining about the results.

So that's where we stand. Here's where I need your feedback. Which idea do you guys prefer (it could be an entirely new one)? How should we work out the issues of judging (if we do a competitive thread)? Are there any details that you want done differently? Don't hesitate to voice your opinion. Hopefully we can find some sort of consensus and can get the thread running as soon as possible.

I've been very busy lately with school and I think that's going to be a constant throughout the year. Hunter's asked me to watch over any thread that is started, so preferably it'd be something that I can check in on once a day and update, rather than something I constantly have to coordinate (like the old freestyle tournaments). </p>

 

[B.e.]

What Smitty suggested is cool, as long as your strict on the rules as well. I think it would be pretty fun, and there isn't really any e-beef on here...everybody is on ok terms. The thing is, can it spark enough interest to last over a long period of time. I mean I don't know about everybody else but I write rhymes on the regular so I'd always be involved...but a lot of the lil battles got stale fast last time. </p>

If all else fails, make a sticky Keystlye thread and just let people come and go as they please. On other sites thats usually how it is, and everyonce in a while a thread will get hot, than get dull, than hot. But that way nobody has any obligations to it, and it can just be out there for people to go to. </p>