When Buez stepped into the ring against Alpha Hybrid, it wasn’t just another battle on the card — it was a moment that tested friendship, performance, and conviction. Going head-to-head with a close friend made the clash feel less like war and more like a family spar, but still, the stakes were high.
What came out of that night was more than just bars. It was a defining statement from one of Battle Rap Africa’s most creative punchers, showing the culture he could transition seamlessly from the digital space to the live stage — and even take it deeper than anyone expected.
In this exclusive, The HipHop Journalist – BigDan sits down with Buez to break down the Alpha Hybrid battle round by round, from prep to execution, and to revisit the third-round moment that had the entire room locked in.
The Interview
BigDan: What would you say was your biggest takeaway (positively or negatively) from your battle with Alpha Hybrid?
Buez: I felt heard! That battle was for me to make a statement and not necessarily focus on winning, my bro. I don’t see anything negative because, inasmuch as it’s super difficult battling your close friend, the family spar is still healthy. That’s how most classics form. It helps to foster healthy competition and increase respect between the two.
BigDan: Which round of that battle with Alpha Hybrid are you most proud of, and why?
Buez: My third round. It was a super personal round, and I’m sure none of the fans were expecting that because I’ve never gone that route before. I addressed the false accusations associated with my name in the past and also eulogized my late friends, and it was therapeutic for some people in the venue so it was cathartic for me. Honestly, that’s gotta be my proudest moment in battle rap yet.
BigDan: In hindsight, was there anything you would have done differently in your preparation for Alpha Hybrid?
Buez: Maybe emphasize on the “Fuck-Yous!” (laughs), but nah, the message was clear enough.
BigDan: How much did Alpha Hybrid force you to adapt mid-battle? Were there moments you had to switch tactics?
Buez: Not at all. Like I said, it wasn’t really about battling Alpha. He came correct, but I was more focused on making that statement, and the tactic didn’t change.
BigDan: What feedback did you get (from fans, peers, or judges) after the battle with Alpha Hybrid, and how has that shaped your growth?
Buez: Before the battle, I’d been acknowledged as a god on the Spaces, but most had the opinion I couldn’t smoothly transition to live battles because of performance. I cleared all doubts with that battle — they enjoyed the performance from start to finish, no dry spots. And the fact that people resonated with my third was satisfying. Even the workers at the venue told me they were moved to tears. So it was a good one. The fans got peak entertainment. That was a main event for the books!
BigDan: Was there a particular bar or moment from the Alpha Hybrid battle that you wished you executed better?
Buez: Yes!!!!!! My Blue Avatar bar, I fucked it up, lol. But it wasn’t enough to take away my momentum, so it’s all good.
BigDan: Mentally, how did you handle Alpha Hybrid’s strongest shots? Did any of those throw you off rhythm?
Buez: Not at all. I expected nothing less from Alpha, he’s a smart writer. At the end of the day, it’s all healthy competition and he’s still my bro.
BigDan: How did crowd reaction during the Alpha Hybrid battle influence your delivery or performance?
Buez: I wasn’t influenced. Even I reacted to some shit he said. My sportsmanship has never been in question so people know I’ll always acknowledge a dope bar even if it’s from my opp, and when it’s my turn, I’ll do my thing too.
BigDan: Which elements of your style (flow, punchlines, character work, etc.) felt strongest against Alpha Hybrid, and which ones needed more work?
Buez: My punches. It’s not common knowledge that I’m one of the writers with the most creative ideas and execution, especially when it comes to punchlines. As someone who believes there’s always room for improvement, I’d work on performing better.
BigDan: Did studying Alpha Hybrid beforehand reveal weaknesses you think you exploited? Or perhaps you underestimated something?
Buez: I never underestimate my opponent. I go into every battle like it’d be my last — it’s the least respect I accord my opp. And no, Alpha is the bro so I didn’t focus on “exploiting” any weakness. I just came to do my thing knowing he’d do the same too.
The Third Round Conversation
BigDan: In your 3rd round against Alpha Hybrid, you seemed to shift gears and really speak from the heart — what was going through your mind when you crafted that round?
Buez: That round was risky because I planned to just talk from the heart and get vulnerable, and the fans haven’t seen that side of me before. I wanted to talk about the wrongs I’ve been dealt and eulogize my late friends. That round was supposed to be therapeutic for anyone who’s been through shit in their lives and I’m glad I got honest feedback that the message was clear.
BigDan: Some fans say your 3rd was the most personal and direct round of the battle. Did you intentionally save that impact for the closer, or was it a natural build-up?
Buez: Honestly, I just wanted to do something different from my punching, something I’d never done before in battle rap. I figured it’d be great to end my rounds with the crowd listening, regardless of reactions, and get them to know the real me beyond the surface.
BigDan: Your 3rd round had lines that made the crowd react differently, almost like they felt your conviction beyond just rap. How do you balance performance and raw emotion in moments like that?
Buez: I swear I didn’t even expect people to react how they did. I had people who met me saying they teared up while I was rapping. I got emotional and overwhelmed at a point in the round but I had to get the message across no matter what. That’s what helped me stay focused.
BigDan: Looking back, do you feel your 3rd round against Alpha Hybrid sealed the battle for you, or do you think the earlier rounds carried equal weight?
Buez: The other rounds were quite heavy but personally, that was my favorite round because of how raw it was. It went beyond battling Alpha — like I said, I needed to make a statement and I believe that 3rd helped to amplify that.
BigDan: If you had to break down your 3rd round for someone who’s never watched the battle, what message were you trying to leave both Alpha and the audience with?
Buez: For anyone who’s been through shit in their lives, no matter how messed up and dark it is, there’s still hope if they find the courage in themselves to speak up and move for change. Also, leave an impact ‘cause death can come at any moment, so all you have that’s promised is NOW. The question is, “What are you gon’ do with it?”
Quotables from Buez
- “That battle was for me to make a statement, not necessarily to win.”
- “My punches are my strongest weapon, but that third round was my proudest.”
- “I wanted the crowd to know the real me beyond the surface.”
- “Leave an impact, ‘cause death can come at any moment. All you have is NOW.”
Closing Thoughts
The Alpha Hybrid battle was more than a clash of two sharp pens. It was a reminder that battle rap can be more than performance — it can be personal, therapeutic, and real.
For Buez, this wasn’t just a battle, it was a breakthrough. He silenced doubts about his stage presence, showed love to a fallen circle, and proved that even in a ring of haymakers, vulnerability can land just as heavy as a punchline.
One thing is certain: Buez didn’t just spar with Alpha Hybrid — he made a statement for himself, for the culture, and for anyone who listens deeper than the bars.
