I went back and forth on posting about this cut from South Central-born artist SdotFrmDaBlock. On one hand, I was a teen in Baltimore during the 2000s. I say that because that was a time where everyone was beating each other’s asses to, well, stuff like Crime Mob’s “I’ll Beat Ya Azz.” Guns were a last resort and even knives weren’t brought out unless absolutely “necessary” (such as an instance you’re getting banked by a bunch of people). Things were more peaceful, even if many an eye was blacked. On the other hand, as I’m pushing 40, I tend to avoid writing about tracks that glorify or promote “reckless” behaviors (the stuff you’d probably at least get a citation for). I’m not a prude or anything. But I am a father of two Black boys. I can’t “preach” one thing and write consistently about another. It’s why I still shake my head at the fact that “Tequila” is still one of my highest-streamed songs.

But I digress.

While I felt that this one may be a bit too abrasive for my audience at first glance, it does a lot right. Since I’m all about supporting dope music in all its forms, here we are. I appreciate that this near-six-minute tour de force sticks with fighting and scrapping versus shooting right off the bat. It even incorporates the “y’all scared to take an ass-whupping” scene from Friday. You don’t really hear as much of that these days. Props to Sdot for keeping it with the weapons God gave him and rating his hands “E for Everyone.” I’m here for it, even though I typically promote peaceful resolutions to issues.

Plus, like a knock upside the head, it slaps. The drums here are especially hard and be sure you have your bass up to the maximum. I’d for sure play it in the whip back during my wild and rowdy 20s. The other thing about “Fight” is that Sdot’s flow is hella infectious and the hook portion is catchy AF. Plus, the Cali energy is top-tier. It feels like if “Squabble Up” was produced by someone who grew up listening to ATCQ and Trillville with a healthy dose of that unmistakable Cali swag. I mean, you don’t usually hear saxophones on fight anthems, but this one has them and it works!

Violence isn’t the way most of the time, but sometimes you’ve got to knuckle up and muscle up for what you believe in. Nothing was gained by just getting slapped around by the world. Anyway, before I begin a deep dive back into my fight muzik collection, check out “Wanna Fight” above and support dope music in all its forms.