Burton, MI – A lyrical battle that has been years in the making is finally set to answer the question that has echoed throughout the Flint rap scene since the 1990s: Who reigns supreme as the best rap group in the city?
While loyal fans of both The Dayton Family and Top Authority, two of Flint’s most iconic and successful rap groups, are unlikely to waver in their allegiance, these two titans of the local hip-hop scene will finally go head-to-head on Saturday, October 30th, at 7 p.m.
Dubbed “The Dayton Family/Top Authority Versus Event,” this highly anticipated showdown will take place at the Dort Federal Event Center. Tickets are currently available for purchase here.
“This is a question I’ve been pondering since middle school: who truly is the best rap group to come out of Flint?” stated Alex Harvey, the promoter and driving force behind the Versus event.
Harvey explained that the inspiration for this event stemmed from observing similar musical face-offs in other cities. He quickly realized the immense potential in bringing together these two legendary Flint rap groups under one roof, anticipating a significant turnout.
After gauging public interest with initial social media posts exploring the possibility of a Dayton Family versus Top Authority show, Harvey was astounded by the overwhelming response, garnering over 2,000 likes and 800 shares in support of the concept.
It became immediately clear to Harvey that his initial venue choice, Piece of the Rock, would be far too small to accommodate the expected crowd.
“When we released the announcement, the reaction was incredible and totally unexpected. We knew people would be excited, but we initially thought we could host a great event at Piece of the Rock. Then, comments started pouring in, insisting ‘this has to be at Dort Event,’” Harvey recounted.
Diallo “Flex” Peacock (left), Ira “Bootleg” Dorsey (center) and Dia “Shotgun” Peacock promotional meeting for The Dayton Family Top Authority Versus event.
Ira “Bootleg” Dorsey of The Dayton Family confirmed that the question of “who is the greatest Flint rap group of all time” has been a persistent topic of debate since both groups emerged onto the scene. He described it as “the elephant in the room.”
Dorsey shared that when approached by Alex and Ruce Duce, another event organizer, the idea of a Versus event resonated deeply, as it was something both The Dayton Family and Top Authority had long considered making a reality.
“It’s an incredible feeling to still have this level of support from our hometown after all these years. It’s always rewarding to be appreciated while you’re still here. It’s truly amazing, a blessing from God, to be able to perform at the level we do at our age,” Dorsey expressed. For The Dayton Family, this event is a celebration of their legacy and enduring connection with Flint.
Diallo “Flex” Peacock of Top Authority assured fans that they can expect a night filled with nostalgic hits and chart-topping tracks from both groups.
“Throughout the ‘90s, both of our groups had numerous songs that were competing on the charts, so many great tracks that people here still love,” Peacock stated. Top Authority is ready to bring back the energy of that era.
While acknowledging that their music might not be as widely known among younger audiences, Peacock expressed his respect for the evolving sounds coming out of Flint and his appreciation for instances where the signature sound of ‘90s Flint rap can be heard influencing contemporary music in the area.
“Regarding the younger generation, we know some still look up to us, but they are forging their own paths. However, I’m noticing our style is gradually making a comeback, so I’m looking forward to seeing a diverse crowd of all ages,” Peacock added.
Despite being billed as a competition, Dorsey emphasized that the true essence of the event is to inject positivity into the city and create an enjoyable experience for fans to come together and have a great time. The Dayton Family sees this as an opportunity to uplift their community.
“I’m simply grateful. I’m really looking forward to this event and bringing some much-needed positivity to a city that desperately needs it. This event is all about fun and creating a family-friendly atmosphere; all ages are welcome to attend. It’s going to be a fantastic day for our city,” Dorsey concluded.
