EPIC RAP BATTLES OF HISTORY SERIES

This year, the Television Academy expanded the short form slot to variety series, and by doing so has allowed more independent voices to flourish, specifically the Maker Studios’ series Epic Rap Battles of History, created by Peter Shukoff and Lloyd Ahlquist. “I feel like it makes me grateful every single day.In the wake of Adult Swim’s 15-minute length series Childrens Hospital rallying two wins and four noms in recent Emmy history, the short form categories have become a popular place to be with such companies as AOL and NBC jumping into the fray. “I don’t think I’d have it any other way,” Ahlquist says of the “Epic Rap Battles” success. From struggling comedians 10 years ago to now, the two friends don’t have any regrets.

“Epic Rap Battles of History” is in the top 20 list of the most-subscribed YouTube channels, and their subscriptions only continue to increase. Shukoff says his dream collaboration would be with Sir Mix-A-Lot, whereas Ahlquist would rather battle it out with actor Tom Cruise. They know every single word of every single song because they love it so much.”Īlthough the duo will be putting off creating their rap-battle videos while on tour, they never stop thinking about their upcoming season - and who could potentially be a guest star. “One of the best parts about the show is that we get to bring fans up on the stage to rap with us. “The tour has been a long time coming,” Ahlquist says. Shukoff says fans should expect a rap concert, but with a comedic twist.Įxclusive: Maker Studio’s Epic Rap Battles Scores RIAA Gold and international tour, starting in Los Angeles. On Sunday, Shukoff and Ahlquist will embark on their very first U.S.

Now, the two comedians are taking their viral show in front of a live audience. It’s a good addiction,” Ahlquist tells Billboard.

Now it takes them about six months to create six videos, which includes writing the song, creating the costumes, editing and posting. Ahlquist, also known as EpicLLOYD, says it used to take them around 280 hours - or 12 days - to make one video. The “Epic Rap Battles of History” creators say they are now professionals at making their songs, compared to their old grassroots ways. Hitler,” that their channel really got popular. Bill O’Reilly,” blew up and made the front page of YouTube. But it was when they released their second video, “Darth Vader vs. Shukoff, also known as NicePeter to his YouTube fans, said their first video, “ John Lennon vs. One thing led to another, and pretty soon I was making YouTube videos almost full-time,” Shukoff says. “Then me and Lloyd got together and we were trying out different ideas, and one of them was the ‘Epic Rap Battles of History.’ We tried it out, and it went well and we kept doing it.” “Then, years later, Lloyd is managing the West Side Comedy Theater in Santa Monica and he gets this email looking for YouTube songwriters and writers. Weird Al Joins Epic Rap Battles of History as Sir Isaac Newton The “Epic Rap Battles of History” concept first came together about 10 years ago, Shukoff tells Billboard, when the two friends first met freestyle-rapping at a party in Chicago. Their subscribers then chose the winner of the battle and share their input on who the funnymen should pair up next. The duo are improv comedians who take famous names throughout history and pair them together to create an “epic” rap battle. These chart-topping tracks come from their more than 50 videos, some of which have starred special guests such as Snoop Dogg, “Weird Al” Yankovic and comedians Key & Peele.

Epic rap battles of history