How did rap develop from DJ battles?

Rap developed from DJ battles primarily in the Bronx during the early days of hip hop. These battles involved DJs setting up on opposite sides of a basketball court, each trying to draw the crowd to their side by playing louder and better music. The competition not only revolved around the superiority of sound systems and records but also led to innovations in music technology. For instance, DJs started modifying equipment to seamlessly switch tracks and mix different sounds more effectively.

As the battles evolved, MCs (Masters of Ceremonies) who initially hyped the DJs and their music began to engage in verbal sparring, which turned into rhyming and rapping against each other. This competitive exchange of rhymes became a defining feature of rap music. A landmark moment in this evolution was a battle where an MC named Busy B was outshined by another rapper who criticized Busy B's DJ, declaring a new era in rap. This competitive spirit and continual one-upmanship among DJs and MCs catalyzed the development of rap music 1.