Artistic Duels in the Digital Arena: Here4BattleRap Talks PromptBattles

(Cover image by @matterAfactART)

More and more AI art contests and competitions are appearing in the community and today we talk to a prominent member of the field: Here4BattleRap (@Here4battlerap) who runs PromptBattles. PromptBattles is currently having its second biweekly event, pitting eight AI artists against each other in 1v1 battles.

The images included in this article are from the first-ever PromptBattles.

Q: How did you first get involved with AI?

A: I think I tried Nightcafe first, there were a handful of others I tried but Nightcafe was my favorite out of the free options. This was before when you were still allowed to use names of public figures and fictional characters. 

Q: How did Prompt Battles get its start?

A: Last month @JustMakesBeats reposted an idea of his from August suggesting the 1-on-1 Prompt Battles, @Bri_guy_AI saw the post and agreed that this should be a thing and that the format could also be used for collaboration. When Bri mentioned that he'd love to pair people together for it I asked him who he'd pair me against and he suggested the homie @matterAfactART, Matter also saw the post and said he'd be down and that became the first battle locked in for our first event. 

(Image above by @kattlatte)

Q: How do Prompt Battles work?

A: Instead of prompt challenges where a prompt or theme is given and people submit their related images, this is a one-on-one battle between only 2 artists. The artists have two weeks to create something new based on their theme and the winner is determined by votes. (Artists names are excluded to keep these fair and unbiased.)

Q: How might a person get involved with Prompt Battles?

A: You can contact me or @beholdthe84 who joined the Prompt Battles family and has helped immensely in putting together our upcoming events, all while preparing for his own battle against @Bri_guy_AI tomorrow 12/14! 

[Note: Today’s the day and you can find the battles here: "The Divine & The Damned,""Paradoxical,""Duality," and "Alternate Realities." Voting ends tomorrow so don't delay!]

Q: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced with Prompt Battles?

A: It's taken me out of my comfort zone for sure, this is my first time doing something like this. I'd say matchmaking and coming up with the right themes for battles has been challenging. For me I like to pick 2 artists with sort of similar styles and give them a theme that would be a middle ground for both, that way they can both show off their strengths.

(Image above by @visual_dose)

Q: What do you foresee for the future of prompting contests and tournaments, both your own and others?

A: No clue to be honest! Everything moves so fast here it's hard to know what to expect next. I've seen live impromptu versions of challenges, and challenges done in Spaces, so I think the possibilities are endless. For us I just want to keep the focus on community and FUN. I stopped creating around late September because the fun wasn't there anymore. Prompt challenges started feeling like homework and the algorithm was preventing any kind of account growth. Prompt Battles is what brought me back. 

Q: What are you most excited to see in the future of generative AI?

A: I eventually want to get into AI Video! There are a couple of ideas I have that I'd love to bring to life with Runway or Pika etc. Also I want to create my own VR planet/universe I can visit.

Q: Are there any other projects you are working on at the moment?

A: Yes! I'm working on a secret project with 3 of my favorite creators that I'm hoping we can show everyone soon and I have another passion project called MJPW I hope to finish before the year ends! It'll be a separate account for a fictional wrestling promotion based in 80s Japan and will give "live" updates from events and press etc.

Thank you, Here4BattleRap, for talking with us! If you would like to ask Here4BattleRap more questions or leave a comment, head to this X thread. Don’t forget to follow him, @JustMakesBeats, @Bri_guy_AI, @matterAfactART, @beholdthe84, @kattlatte, @visual_dose, and @ManoelKhan and keep an eye out for future PromptBattles!

(Image below by @ManoelKhan)