LaSparka on Love Force — and the Biggest Battle in Vancouver History

Kavawon hosts solo and gives LaSparka most of two hours. It is the widest-ranging conversation in the catalogue. The first stretch is a life: discovering hip hop through NWA tapes and border runs in the 80s, Spleen and the Hard Luck Band, the For Love store, and what Love Force actually stands for. Then it goes somewhere most music podcasts don't — religion and politics, going from atheist to believer, God as the motherboard, a Hungarian refugee family and Indigenous teachings, and a manifesto built on free energy and no borders. LaSparka's line about the world having enough for everybody is the one people will quote. The back half turns competitive. Mike Wiald arrives at 50:15 to explain the rematch, Ellipsis joins at 58:40 — twelve years after their first battle — and the three of them run the entire Rivals card: the draft, the seven-judge panel, the judging horror stories, and DDSS's undefeated run. It ends on Mike Wiald vs Ellipsis and the question underneath it: is a team win worth more than a personal one? Recorded at B-Side Radio, Vancouver BC. 0:00 Kavawon welcomes LaSparka 2:13 Battle rap Mount Rushmore 4:34 80s hip hop: NWA tapes, border runs 5:47 Spleen and the Hard Luck Band 7:53 The old LaSparka Show archives 9:01 For Love store and Love Force Films 10:21 What Love Force stands for 12:35 Religion, politics and man-made books 14:05 From atheist to believer 15:20 God as the motherboard 16:51 Refugee family, Indigenous teachings 19:26 Conspiracy theories and science 21:08 Inside For Love: partners and shows 23:07 How LaSparka got into battle rap 25:33 Where the Love Force name began 27:01 Politics, voting, breaking the system 31:35 The manifesto: free energy, no borders 32:41 DJing plans and Vancouver artists 36:40 Golden eras of Vancouver battle rap 37:53 COVID and the Aldergrove farm 39:21 Family and respecting women 42:48 Solving problems with words 44:28 Battle rappers who make the best music 46:09 Favourite battlers and touring plans 50:15 Mike Wiald arrives: the rematch 54:09 Rivals: the draft and judged battles 58:40 Ellipsis joins: 12 years on 1:01:27 Draft strategy and Billy Shakes 1:05:50 Dysfunctional vs AA Ron, Shine 9 1:16:28 Gobi vs Stevie P: seven judges 1:21:01 Shiva vs Malice, Channel 5 vs Nelson 1:27:57 Judging horror stories, DDSS undefeated 1:34:46 Mike Wiald vs Ellipsis: the legacy 1:39:33 Team win or personal win? 1:44:53 Team merch, shout-outs and closing