Eminem is bringing his Total Slaughter battle rap league to the birthplace of hip-hop this summer. After announcing the formation of the league earlier this year, Marshall Mathers and Slaughterhouse are set to host the very first Total Slaughter rap battle event at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom on July 12.

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The inaugural show will feature a long-awaited rematch between Loaded Lux and Murda Mook, as well as a showdown between Slaughterhouse’s Joe Budden and Hollow Da Don. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like Em himself will be jumping back in the ring, though. “I don’t think at this point it would make any sense,” said his manager Paul Rosenberg.

Confirming rumors that circulated earlier this year, there will also be a four-part reality series to determine the under card called Road to Total Slaughter, which will air on WatchLOUD.com in June. The show will feature eight contestants (who you can meet here), as well as all four Slaughterhouse members.

Tickets for Total Slaughter go on sale to the general public on May 16.

Watch the trailer below:

Says Eminem:

I’m a passionate battle fan, so this is something I’ve always thought about doing,” adds Eminem, whose Shady Films is co-producing the event. “I came up battling at the same time I was making records and learning my way around the studio. It’s a little bit different in terms of the kinds of tools you need, but the competitiveness is the same. The times I didn’t win gave me just as much light in the past as when I did. It’s all about your performance.

Says Paul Rosenberg:

What we look at this opportunity as, is a way to do for battle rapping what UFC did for MMA,” Rosenberg tells Rolling Stone. “That’s really the model we’re basing it on. It’s this great thing that a lot of people love, but it’s very splintered, and it’s very niche, and it’s not really brought into the right production levels that it can or should be.

[via Rolling Stone]

Related: Is Eminem Really Behind A New Reality Show About Battle Rappers?