The way I just got stressed out trying to think about who would win this battle.. tells me it’s going to be a good one.
It’s been a little quiet on the Verzuz front for some time as Timbaland, Swizz Beaz, and their team map out their next steps. During the 2020 quarantine, the world was under lock and key due to the raging pandemic. People found solace through connecting in new ways via social media, and Verzuz emerged as a leading concept. Tens of millions of people tuned in to watch their favorite artists revisit classic tracks. Icons and legends received their flowers, and many also earned a massive increase in streaming numbers.
However, Verzuz was growing faster than anyone could imagine. Soon, the at-home virtual performances—or just artists in their home studios—became huge productions. Tickets were sold, crowds were gathered, and a new era of Verzuz was upon us. The Triller deal upped the ante, but there was a legal hiccup that caused Verzuz to take a pause. In a new interview with Revolt, Swizz offered an update about the series.
“We’ve been changing the infrastructure because when we started, it happened in the garage and then moved to a significant platform,” he said. “Now, we changed the whole way we’re moving but not entirely, so people won’t feel like it’s not the same. We have a fantastic lineup with people they wanted to see and even battles they think wouldn’t happen. Announcements will be coming soon.”
Elsewhere, Jermaine Dupri was making some confirmations of his own. He recently visited the I Am Athlete podcast, where he mentioned rumors about him and Diddy facing off on Verzuz. The two hitmaking producers have teased the pairing in the past, even (playfully) going at it on Livestream about who would take the crown. Although Dupri has said this Verzuz would never come to fruition, he now claims we can expect to see the show this year.
It’s unclear if this is a Durpi vs. Diddy show or a So So Def vs. Bad Boy extravaganza. I’m sure there will be a little bit of both, considering Dupri and Diddy are both artists and producers, and their reaches go far beyond their own labels. It will be an interesting one for Hip Hop, and a celebration unlike any other Verzuz has produced. Who are you rooting for in a Jermaine Dupri vs. Diddy match? I can’t choose.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Jermaine Dupri vs Diddy
📍Mercedes-Benz Stadium, ATL
Coming in 2023‼️⏳
Watch & Subscribe for the full convo w/ @jermainedupri → https://t.co/0h7C0JMGPW pic.twitter.com/5THFRlrwbb— I AM ATHLETE (@IAMATHLETEpod) February 13, 2023
