Math Hoffa made headlines this year after punching a competitor, Serius Jones, during “Summer Madness 3,” a Battle Rap event hosted by SMACK/URL. Hoffa was later banned by SMACK/URL, a company that he helped build through his various battles in the league. Recently Math Hoffa spoke with HipHopDX about how he feels regarding the incident and how his relationship with the SMACK/URL league owners has progressed.
“I honestly try to live with no regrets,” Math Hoffa said regarding the punching incident in an exclusive statement to HipHopDX. “I believe in trusting myself. Everything happens for a reason. Even Jesus got it popping before. In the future however, I don’t see this happening ever again. Soon as I landed in Atlanta to battle K-Shine [for a different Battle Rap league], the owners of MC WAR took me to the waffle house. Seriously though, I’m just looking passed it now. There’s buffoonery going on right now, but I guess some people rather get their ass whooped trying to uphold an image no one cares for than just keep it real and make some money. I’ve done enough in my life to want a different one. Plus I love money. People call me a bully, but I’m the coolest guy you’ll ever meet.”
Math Hoffa Explains Relationship With SMACK & Beasley, Founders Of URL
Math Hoffa also discussed how his relationship with SMACK and Beasley, co-founders of SMACK/URL, has been affected since the incident.
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“SMACK has chilled at my house before,” Math Hoffa said. “I’ve been to his. Beasley is actually a failed experiment to clone me. We’re cool but we definitely don’t see eye-to-eye on a few issues. I wish them the best, but without Hoffa, it wont be the same. They know that too. We’ll see what the future holds, but for now. We’re cool from a distance.”
SMACK released a video blog soon after Math Hoffa’s punching incident took place.
“I just want all the fans to know that we don’t condone that type of behavior here at the URL,” SMACK said in the video blog. “We don’t support it in no way, shape or form. At this point forward, as it stands right now, Math is definitely, definitely banned from the URL and won’t be able to participate in none of the URL events, just due to the situation that happened and the liability that it may bring to our business. It’s unfortunate because that’s my brother at the end of the day. I don’t hate Math. I just hate what he did. You gotta definitely hold your emotions, when we performing.
“This is a league,” SMACK continued. “This is an art form. When you’re a battle rapper, you’re supposed to be professional. I know things can get kinda real frustrating at times when you’re up there, but that’s part of the sport and if you can’t handle a punchline or a character of an opponent that you battling, then you really don’t need to be battling on URL or anywhere on anybody’s stage because that conduct is definitely not going to be acceptable to the fans or to the world.”
Math Hoffa Says He’s Focused On Acting & Making Music
Now, Math Hoffa says that he is more focused on other aspects of his career.
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“I’m finally going to focus more on my music, acting and other talents,” Math Hoffa said during this interview with HipHopDX. “The first time I ever tried acting, I landed a lead role in a movie called Rap War One. That movie was sold to Maverick Platinum Series and then licensed to the Starz network. At the time, I wanted my Rap career to be my first breakthrough, but looking back, that was definitely a blessing.
“Battle Rap is cool, but i need ‘get-my-momma-out-the-projects’ money,” Hoffa said. “So I’m looking forward to spreading my wings. I have a lot of supporters who will stick with me through whatever on the basis of being able to believe in me as an emcee. Funny, when I started, I used to drop tapes [as part of his ACMDAll Competition Must Die series] and though I got love from them, I wasn’t at the level I am now, as far as popularity. Now it seems more people are looking forward to what I have to say on tracks than ever before. Since then, I’ve worked with N.O.R.E., Lupe Fiasco and a few other artists. Clark Kent told me years ago that I was an artist and Battle Rap is not my ceiling, so I’m back on that vibe. Even so, I love Battle Rap and always will.”
Math Hoffa Discusses Battle Rap’s Evolution
Math Hoffa’s love for Battle Rap has allowed him to see the changes the culture has gone through. According to Math, the popularity of the culture is something that has helped and hurt the industry.
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“I definitely think the crowds are getting bigger,” Hoffa said. “It’s a lot more out there now, so there’s a pressure on the emcees to be more of a show than a lyricist. I think the commercialization of Battle Rap will decrease the edge that attracted us to it. Hip Hop already has a few WWE stars and now, so does Battle Rap. I personally think it would be wonderful for Battlers to make the kind of money industry artists make, seeing we are all celebrities in a sense, but I would love for it to stay authentic. That’s just my personal preference. I like real shit.”
RELATED:SMACK Says Math Hoffa Is Banned From URL After Punching Serius Jones
