WoW Moviewatch: Abandonation vs Nation
by Michael Gray 
Oct 21st 2009 at 12:00PM
I think Abandonation vs Nation is a particularly interesting video in the belf rap genre. While it's a parody based on Cassidy's Problem vs the Hustla. MPthreez, it still has enough WoW-unique nuances that the video sets itself apart from your usual belf video.
What I really noticed about the language and lyrics is the characterization of Abandonation. Several times, Abandonation denigrates his opponent for being a healer. "You call yourself a beast but you really play a priest," he says in the first verse, following up with "you don't do nothin but heal heroics and think you're leet bro" in his final verse. It could be argued that Abandonation is characterizing a PvP player's mindset against a PvE player, since he uses the language "carebear" to attack Nation.
Nation's response to Abandonation is typical of the complaints we see about rogues. "You ain't nothin without stuns so stop actin tough," Nation says. Interestingly, Nation also calls out Abandonation for his gear, mocking him for wearing Season 2 armor despite it now being Season 7. I thought that was especially interesting, since Abanadonation's gear in his music videos is a characterization -- I had never taken it to be a literal set of gear, but just a visual stand in.
Okay, so maybe I'm reading way, way too much into this music video. Ultimately, it's an impressive display of skills from both Abandonation and Nation. It's probably my favorite belf rap piece, and it sets the bar for the genre a little higher.
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an e-mail at machinima AT wow DOT com.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, WoW Moviewatch
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Eddy Oct 21st 2009 12:18PM
...Actually this was kinda cute. I liked it better than the endless deluge of bad music videos, anyway.
Cause I mean, really? The previous WoW moviewatch was way worse than the first-try machinima I sent in that never got featured.
sol_assassin Oct 21st 2009 12:32PM
that was actually pretty badass, flows where good made sense great video
Mailia Oct 22nd 2009 10:58AM
Flow, like where the maker uses the same Say animation for the rap over and over and over again, perhaps throwing an occasional Yell animation?
Thorie Oct 21st 2009 12:35PM
I think it's a real shame that "Belf Rap" has limped out onto the spotlight, despite all of it's terrible voiceovers, flashy lights and bad camera-angles, and became its own genre.
Much the same way "Worgen Rap" will become it's own genre in Cat.
Irem Oct 21st 2009 9:07PM
Every time I see the words "belf rap genre" I get the giggles and am unable to take anything seriously for the next five minutes.
Hee.
Michael Oct 21st 2009 12:36PM
One of the better videos, imo
Shawn Oct 21st 2009 12:47PM
This is probably the worst crap I've ever seen. Belf Rap is fail. All of it.
Moonkinmaniac Oct 21st 2009 12:52PM
I think that was well done and I'm not a fan of rap. Just goes to show how many people like this game despite the millions of differences between the people playing.
scribbles Oct 21st 2009 12:53PM
so...tired...of Belfs
snowleopard233 Oct 21st 2009 3:53PM
Agreed. We need some gnomes to get all up in here!
/throw disco ball
Eddy Oct 21st 2009 6:29PM
...Why do blood elves and gnomes seem to be the only two races anyone makes machinima about? I kind of ridiculously hate gnomes and as much as I like elves, elf-centric stuff seems... un-original, a lot of the time. D: But all the orc stuff I can think of is good, and there are a couple of good dwarf webcomics...
Arbitor Oct 21st 2009 12:58PM
Liked the way they slipped Gigi into the video, cute blood elf is cute.
Also loved the pep-talks, again, Gigi's one was really cute "Keep your heals up, dont forget to bubble every 12 seconds, go in there and fear him!"
And the undead's one was classic "I aint gonna lie, he came in and hit hard, I just can't lie" xD
Heretical Oct 21st 2009 1:02PM
Can we please get something on WoWmoviewatch that isn't horrible music videos? I for one vote that the current rate of these videos is over 50% then we should rename the category WoWBelfRapLol
Sugarnotch Oct 21st 2009 1:04PM
Lyrically sound. I lol'd at the refrence of priest class rep for touching little boys.
Felt like a real Azerothian rap batle, never heard the orig. But sounded good
Kia Oct 21st 2009 1:05PM
Fantastic. xD I think Nation had a little better flow though, sorry to say. Both were awesome, all the same.
Khremloc Oct 21st 2009 1:19PM
And just when I'd thought they had run out of belf music videos.
Why do I even bother with WoW Moviewatch sometimes, I don't know.
Dreyja Oct 21st 2009 2:28PM
It's been said. Hate the genre. Respect the work. :)
swampsquatch Oct 21st 2009 1:36PM
That video was epic. Seriously. It felt like a real rap battle and both of the guys had damn good flows. IMO, Nation won. My only complaint was that annoying orc saying "git-r-dun" every round. At first I thought the guy was trying to sound like Mr. T, then he goes all country sounding and starts quoting Larry the Cable Guy.
To summarize: Awesome video/music. Fail orc voice-over.
RetadinMan Oct 21st 2009 3:31PM
Get er done is one of Nation's songs from waaaay back. He wasn't even ChIcKeNwInG then. He was Neek the Ill Villain.
Hairfish Oct 21st 2009 5:32PM
I thought "Larry the Cable Orc" was actually a high point in this video.