In a clip that surfaced on social media, Swizz disagreed with the match-up “because Missy can be multiple people. Janet gonna just be Janet.”
The Verzuz series continues to prove itself successful. Just yesterday (September 13), Verzuz fans tuned in to watch legendary soul singers Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle share memories and music. It was a moment in music history that fans couldn’t believe was taking place in real-time as these two women have influenced generations of singers that we have grown to love. A fan who was commenting away during the recent Verzuz was Missy Elliott, an artist who music lovers are still waiting to see make an appearance on the popular social media-based series. The icon has openly rejected the idea, but her name came up during a Verzuz discussion with Swizz Beatz and Timbaland when they compared Missy’s catalog to Janet Jackson’s hits.
Timbaland, a longtime collaborator and good friend of Missy Elliott, suggested a Verzuz with Janet and Missy while on Instagram Live with Swizz Beatz. It’s unclear when this video was made, but Swizz shook his head in disagreement. “Because Missy can be multiple people. Janet gonna just be Janet.” Timbaland didn’t hold the same sentiments and said the two women are “great friends” and amazing artists. “The celebration is gon’ be great,” Tim added. “Missy gon’ wanna celebrate with somebody of her caliber that she knows that it’s gon’ be a great celebration. I know my sister. I know her.”
Missy was commenting on their Live and Swizz told her, “Sis, we need you.” Both Timbaland and Swizz told Missy to name her opponent and they would work it out. She wrote that Janet Jackson’s “vault was too big.” Both Timbaland and Swizz disagreed with her, but fans seemed upset with Swizz for suggesting that Missy has more diversity than Ms. Jackson. However, others came forward to clarify that Swizz may have been speaking about Missy’s talents as an artist, writer, and producer. Check out a few responses below and let us know if this is a Verzuz you’d tune in to watch. Because of the backlash, the mega-producer took to The Shade Room to reiterate what he meant.
“LETS BE CLEAR,” he started. “I don’t think Missy & Janet is a good match up at all! Much love to Janet she’s ICON but I just didn’t feel that was a good match up. Janet got hits on hits but she should have a better person to celebrate with that’s all. Blessings….”
Swizz Beatz saying that Janet Jackson doesn’t have the vault to do a #verzuz against Missy. Why say this shit on live?
Janet has #1 hits across THREE different decades. 27 top 10 hits on the BB Hot 100: 10 #1s and 16 #1s on the R&B Charts.
7 #1 albums across FOUR DECADES. pic.twitter.com/qmEZpbukp3
— Maya Boochielou (@stawpfeenin) September 14, 2020
Idk. At the start of the video Swizz was adamant that a Missy/Janet Verzuz shouldn't happen and justified it by pointing to Missy's diversity. Then doubled down when Missy said Janet vault too big. Swizz seems against a Janet/Missy Verzuz because Missy got too much for Janet
— Keith Nelson Jr (@JusAire) September 14, 2020
Swizz Beatz sounded foolish saying that. If he thinks Janet doesn't have 20 joints for a Verzuz he just doesn't know music. https://t.co/o7YoHRE7hO
— Old Head Energy (@Cheamane) September 14, 2020
Even Missy chimed in like “Swizz is buggin’”. Janet’s in a different league. No disrespect.
— Marck Angel (@MarckAngel) September 14, 2020
ThankU Missy👏👏 Swizz Beat's U owe Janet Jackson an apology😣😣😣😣 https://t.co/A4ND9wmZfK
— Curtis Farrell (@Vidal0722) September 15, 2020
I was saying Pharrell in the comments but Swizz dismissing Janet the way he did was wrong. I think he meant Missy being a writer/producer/artist isn’t fair to Janet having just her catalogue. At the end of the day its 20 vs 20 and they both have that.
— K Dub (@kdub9481) September 14, 2020
Janet's catalogue sh!ts on Tim, Swizz, and Missy all combined. https://t.co/Jmxf2mTdsi
— Aaliyah's Resolution🇯🇲 (@aaliyahxstacy) September 14, 2020
Guys.
Sighhhhhhh
First of all, Swizz NEVER said that Janet doesn’t have enough hits.
He simply doesn’t believe she is a good match up for Missy.
Missy has songwriting and production credits AND her own music.— Nippy Hussle Backwards (@BgRs) September 14, 2020
Nah I understand what he saying, they took Swizz comment out of context. He saying Missy got singer and producer tracks to pull from, Janet will be her own songs only. She got the vault for it but it’s a weird match up. It should be singers w singers and producers w producers. https://t.co/8NGQpO4Bex
— Street Khaleesi (@Street_Khaleesi) September 14, 2020