Epic Rap Battles Of History
Added 13 years ago by Harley Crowley • Updated 7 months ago by Y F
Type:
Tags: nicepeter youtube erb epiclloyd erboh rap battles epic history parody historical impersonation
About
Epic Rap Battles of History, initialized as ERBOH or just ERB, is an immensely popular YouTube video series created by Nice Peter Shukoff and Epic Lloyd Ahlquist. The series consists of rap battles between well-known people, both real and fictional, that are usually premised based on some similarity or other connection shared by both.
History
Epic Rap Battles of History officially launched in 2010 with "John Lennon Vs. Bill O'Reilly", though a previous unreleased attempt and "prototype", "Michael J. Fox Vs. Chucky", came earlier.
The majority of characters in the series are portrayed by Peter and Lloyd, though most episodes, especially later ones, have guest stars, which have included Zach Sherwin, George Watsky, Rhett and Link, Smosh, Jenna Marbles, Pewdiepie (though only as a cameo), and many more. Even A-list, professional, "real" rap star Snoop Dogg made an appearance, as Biblical hero Moses no less.
There are currently 70 and counting official Epic Rap Battles of History across five seasons of production. Quality and quantity of content as well as production values have notably escalated over the course of the series.
Content
Vader Vs. Hitler
The second official battle of the series, Darth Vader Vs. Adolf Hitler, was responsible for launching the popularity of the series, becoming the "flagship" matchup of the franchise and getting not one but two sequels/rematches, released as the premieres for the second and third seasons, respectively.
Suggestions/Ideas
Each battle ends with the announcement of "WHO WON? WHO'S NEXT? YOU DECIDE!", and indeed, the successive new matchups for the series are largely based upon viewer suggestions usually left in comments, and those chosen to be adapted by the crew are in fact shown alongside the "YOU DECIDE!" announcement. The majority of the respective comments sections for all the ERBOH videos on YouTube consist of suggestions for future battles, and in turn arguments over said suggestions and what constitutes worthy/acceptable "material" for the series.
Some ideas that have made it into ERBOH specifically due to popular demand have included Goku Vs. Superman, Rick Grimes Vs. Walter White and Ghostbusters Vs. Mythbusters, while other common ones that regularly receive numerous upvotes in comments, such as "Homer Simpson Vs. Peter Griffin" and "Pewdiepie Vs. Tobuscus" have been effectively rejected.
ERB News
Epic Rap Battles of History generally releases battles in "waves" of six every week or two, with months-long hiatuses in-between each batch, and shortly before each wave goes into production, "ERB News" videos are released, which usually consist of a screaming Theodore Roosevelt (complete with the catchphrase greeting of "WHAT'S UP, BITCHES!") talking about the series' plans and encouraging ambitious suggestions. The most recent such video even featured Teddy arguing with his equally-famous relative Franklin D. Roosevelt over what content is appropriate for future ideas, mirroring the aforementioned real fighting over suggestions.
Fandom
Epic Rap Battles of History has a very active fandom, constituting a whole genre effectively inspired singlehandedly by it (see below). Community sites such as Epic Rap Battles of History Wiki and the Epic Rap Battles of History Forum are thriving hubs of activity.
Other "Epic Rap Battles" inspired by the series proper are countless; many only exist in script form and are made just for fun, while others are full-fledged serial productions, such as Epic Rap Battle Parodies, Uber Rap Battles of Fiction and Moleman's Epic Rap Battles.
Comments ( 22 )
Wait a second… isn't NicePeterToo (the YouTube channel that, as far as I can see, is the only channel that makes these) your channel? Because, if it is, it is going against Know Your Meme's guidelines of Meme posting.
Well, even if it wasn't his channel, this still wouldn't be a meme. It's a series of videos by one person. Unless spin-offs or other stuffs start to appear, +1 deadpool.
+1 deadpool
+1 DEADPOOL
Obviously, there all actors!!!
Not a meme, but hella funny to watch.
Awesome? Yes. Meme worthy? No.
It's not classified as a meme. It's a "person".
*Subculture
Well, yeah… a year after I made that comment.
Well, yeah… a year after I made that comment.
*Subculture
Well, yeah… a year after I made that comment.
Well, yeah… a year after I made that comment.
Awesome? No. Meme worthy? No.
+1 work
This seriously needs to be split into a page talking about NicePeter's show (Epic Rap Battles Of History) and the various other Rap Battle things that followed suit. Especially considering that the third season of History starts tomorrow.
It's not classified as a meme. It's a "person".
*Subculture
Well, yeah… a year after I made that comment.
Well, yeah… a year after I made that comment.
This has gotten pretty big. I'd say +1 work.
Need work, and change it to subculture.
Done.
I'm right now trying to create a new "Epic Rap Battles of History" article, because this one sucks, but it's not letting me. This needs a complete overhaul, and to be changed to "subculture".
I hereby declare this a viable, valid page for one of the greatest things to ever hit the internet!
Done.
*Subculture
Well, yeah… a year after I made that comment.
Well, yeah… a year after I made that comment.
“Other “Epic Rap Battles” inspired by the series proper are countless; many only exist in script form and are made just for fun, while others are full-fledged serial productions, such as Epic Rap Battle Parodies, Uber Rap Battles of Fiction and Moleman’s Epic Rap Battles.”
Sorry but I’m pretty sure this is self advertising considering Moleman is a redactor on this page
Oh my God, the comment section on the latest ERBoH, (the Season 5 finale) is so sad…
…Like, seriously, after browsing the requests for new Rap Battles, I think I counted a whopping zero requests for actual historical figures.
I mean, shit, whatever happened to the Epic Rap Battles of History?
(Here's preemptively calling for this to finally trend here with tomorrow's release…)
Trend, damn you… TREND ALREADY!!!
THEY'RE BACK
AND IT'S HISTORY
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