Battle rap simply bought a complete lot extra fascinating. A 70-year-old British grandmother named Pleasure France stepped into the ring with 33-year-old American rapper Anderson Burrus, and the web can’t cease speaking about it.
The battle was uploaded to YouTube simply days in the past and already has over 116,000 views. Persons are calling it all the things from “elder abuse” to “essentially the most healthful battle ever.” However right here’s the factor: Pleasure France isn’t your typical grandma.
France began battle rapping at 60 years previous. She was a retired schoolteacher who promised herself she would strive 60 new issues earlier than her 61st birthday. Battle rap was on that record, and he or she by no means seemed again.
“I feel I’m the oldest battle rapper on the earth,” France mentioned in a 2023 interview. She’s battled throughout England and Eire, buying and selling insults with rappers half her age. Generally safety guards at venues inform her she’s within the incorrect place. “Sure, it’s going to be me doing the swearing,” she tells them.
Anderson Burrus has been making waves in battle rap for years. He’s confronted off in opposition to massive names like Danny Myers and Charron. However battling a 70-year-old grandmother is new territory.
“I lastly bought the prospect to battle the legendary Pleasure France,” Burrus mentioned in regards to the matchup. “Hope you get pleasure from watching it as a lot as we loved making it.”
The battle itself is pure leisure. Burrus comes together with his normal sharp wordplay and aggressive supply. France fires again with intelligent bars about his age and look, calling him a “Nickelodeon presenter” and joking about his hobbies.
What makes this battle particular isn’t simply the age hole. It’s the mutual respect. Burrus doesn’t maintain again as a result of she’s older, and France doesn’t need him to. She got here to compete, to not be coddled.
“Each of my grandmas are lifeless as a result of I rap battled them,” Burrus jokes in one in every of his rounds, getting large laughs from the gang.
France handles the roasts like a professional. She’s been doing this for years now, constructing a following within the UK battle scene. Her journey from shy instructor to assured performer is outstanding.
The feedback on the YouTube video present how a lot folks love this matchup. “That is making me cry,” one viewer wrote. “You’re by no means too previous to chase your desires,” mentioned one other.
Pleasure France proves that battle rap isn’t only for younger folks. At 70, she’s nonetheless writing her personal bars, nonetheless competing, and nonetheless having enjoyable. She plans to maintain battling in 2026.
This battle exhibits what makes hip-hop tradition so particular. It brings collectively folks from completely different backgrounds, ages, and nations. A retired British instructor and a younger American rapper discovered widespread floor by means of wordplay and competitors.
The video ends with each battlers displaying respect for one another. Burrus acknowledges France as an actual battle rapper, not only a novelty act. That recognition means all the things on this tradition.
Battle rap has seen loads of uncommon matchups over time. However a 33-year-old versus a 70-year-old grandmother? That’s one thing new. And based mostly on the response, folks wish to see extra of Pleasure France.
At 70 years previous, Pleasure France is proof that it’s by no means too late to search out your voice. She went from strolling to highschool along with her palms over her eyes to performing in entrance of crowds. That’s the actual victory right here.
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