Common Sense Media Review
By Erin Brereton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Clips will make kids laugh; parents may not find them funny.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Videos and Photos
Epic Rap Battles of History
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 8 kid reviews
Kids say the series offers hilarious and clever rap battles that feature a mix of historical figures and pop culture references, making it both entertaining and educational. However, many reviews highlight significant concerns regarding explicit language and inappropriate content, suggesting it's better suited for older teens, around 14 and up, despite some younger viewers finding it manageable.
- funny battles
- explicit language
- educational value
- age recommendations
- cultural references
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
EPIC RAP BATTLES OF HISTORY is based on a YouTube series created by Peter Shukoff (who also refers to himself as Nice Peter) and Lloyd Ahlquist in 2010. Short videos feature rap-based fights, often between historical figures and modern-day or fictional characters. Many of the videos feature prominent YouTube stars; celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, who played Moses in a rap battle against Santa Claus, also have made appearances.
Is It Any Good?
The videos on Epic Rap Battles of History aren't exclusively about the past -- some modern-day characters, such as Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, along with literary characters, pop up fairly frequently. However, kids will see plenty of famous figures they may be familiar with, ranging from Bonnie and Clyde to George Washington and Edgar Allen Poe.
They'll also, unfortunately, see some things parents may not be crazy about, including shooting, suicide (thanks to Romeo and Juliet), swearing, and some in-jest (yet still potentially offensive) cracks about race, culture, and sexual orientation. The epic rap battles are likely to be a hit with kids; many are funny, and they often feature interesting character combinations. However, parents who are considering using the battles to supplement learning may want to watch videos with their kids -- or beforehand -- to mitigate some of the questionable content.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how much time you should spend watching TV and videos online, even if you're viewing something educational. What limits can your family set to ensure your child also is enjoying other activities?
The site features fictionalized conversations and songs involving some real-life historical characters. Talk about which aspects of a video are real and which are made up. How can you tell the difference?
Videos on the site show characters arguing. It's all done in jest, but are there other ways they could express their views? Talk to your child about constructive criticism and expressing yourself in a positive way.
Website Details
- Subjects : Language & Reading : reading , Social Studies : historical figures , history
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : part-whole relationships
- Genre : Video Sites
- Topics : History
- Pricing structure : Free
- Last updated : February 5, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate