How did the dozens influence early rap battles and wordplay?

The dozens, a traditional African American game of verbal combat, significantly influenced the development of rap by providing a foundation for ritualized insult and competitive wordplay.12

As a form of verbal sparring, the dozens involves participants exchanging humorous, often biting insults—frequently targeting an opponent’s family, appearance, or economic status—to test their wit before an audience. By the 1960s, versions of this game began incorporating rhyme, which became a crucial precursor to the MCing style seen in early hip-hop.12

This tradition of confrontational delivery and clever, improvised put-downs helped shape the competitive nature of early rap battles. The influence of the dozens is evident in the way early MCs utilized puns, exaggerated comparisons, and rhythmic speech to establish dominance and entertain crowds. Alongside other oratorical precedents like jailhouse toasts and West African griots, the dozens provided a cultural framework for the lyrical dexterity and "braggadocio" that became central to hip-hop’s "old school" era.12