RHYMES and disses will be the weapons of choice when a very different kind of battle takes place in the Vale on Saturday. Battles Roon' the Back will see rappers from Dumbarton and the Vale trading verbal blows at the Backroom nightclub in Balloch.

Rap battles hark back to the street roots of Hip Hop, where two MCs trade insults back and forth until one is declared the winner.

The phenomenon is growing in popularity and is already a pursuit for clubbers and Hip Hop fans in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The event, which lasts from 2-8pm, has been organised in part by Chad "The Lad" Davis, 33 from Haldane.

Chad told the Reporter: "A friend of mine Amanda came to me with the idea, she has to organise an event as part of her Uni course, so it's been my job to book the acts because I've got quite a lot of contacts.

"The night's had a lot of interest, I work in the Backroom as well and people have been excited it's coming to the area.

"There's always quite a lot of interest at nights in Glasgow and Edinburgh but it's difficult for people to get to these nights who don't stay there."

The night will see five rap battles, including one involving Chad, and also live performers and DJs playing during the breaks between acts.

Chad says there is a growing market for battle events and says despite the connotations of 'battle' the events are positive. He said: " I think people enjoy it because of the banter element, folk will get to see people tear strips out of each other. There's never any animosity after it though, it's all in good fun.

"It's definitely a healthy way of dealing with aggression especially amongst younger guys, I've been doing this a long time and I see a lot of angry guys it's an excellent way of channelling aggression - it's kinda like going to the gym I suppose."

MCs competing will have the chance to research their opponents and prepare rather than the traditional improvisational style of the battle. Chad continued: "The written element has grown because if you have to be a freestyle battler you have to be at the top of your game. The pinnacle for rappers is being able to freestyle.

"If you're not at the top of your game and you try to freestyle battle you might end up out of your depth and stumbling over your rhymes, it's not very entertaining for people watching."

Chad hopes the night will inspire people who want to get into rap who thought they were alone, to pick up a pen and paper. He said: "I hope the night entertains people, and maybe inspires some budding MCs in the area who thought they were the only one into this, or didn't know how to start, to get involved.

"Hopefully it helps the young guys channel their aggression in a different manner, because there's not a lot for people to do round here.

"There's a lot of hostility out there particularly because of the accent. It's definitely something that can be overcome though with more exposure.

"Six, seven years ago that's what English raps reputation was, and look at that now, it's even managed to cross over to America."

Tickets are available on the door and are priced at �4.