DMV native IDK & Florida rep Denzel Curry are two of the most respected young lyricists in Hip-Hop today. While many of their peers, and frequent collaborators, have placed an emphasis on melody, IDK and Curry are more known for their sword-like pens and when the two come together, as they did on their new video for, “Once Upon A Time (Freestyle),” it’s always something to see.

Set to the backdrop of a gritty packaging factory, the video plays as the perfect simple companion to the lyrically driven track. The two trade barbs Shaolin style, over dusty boom bap production that leaves so much room for verbal gymnastics and clever sparring such as the Curry line, “Keep my pockets thick as The Parker’s, Professor Oglevee.” While the two are more than qualified to own the show and each showcased an eagerly aggressive pen, the spirit of Hip-Hop forces me to choose a winner: The listeners… with a close second place to Denzel Curry.

Watch the lyric video below and proceed to have your mind blown with authentic hip-hop.