Upcoming Verzuz battles: Lizzo vs Saweetie Food Battle, Cypress Hill vs Onyx & more
28 April 2022, 15:40
Snoop Dogg challenges Jay-Z to a Verzuz battle
Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Verzuz battles
Verzuz battles were introduced by Timberland and Swizz Beatz and give artists the space to go head to head, with the friendly competition now being on it's second season.
Lil' Kim reveals she wants a ‘Verzuz’ battle with Nicki Minaj
The latest battle saw Mary Mary and Bebe & CeCe Winans face off against each other for an Easter Holiday special, sending gospel fans into a frenzy.
There are currently plans for a Juneteenth Special, a "Fight Night Music" Boxing Special with Onyx and Cypress Hill, and for the first time ever a label matchup.
Making an announcement on their official IG page of all the upcoming shows, they cleverly blurred out the guests that are scheduled to appear on the popular music series.
They confirmed that there will be a Mother's Day special show, as well as Triller hosting a "Fight Night Music Boxing Special" slated for May 14 with Verzuz revealing that the night will star Cypress Hill and Onyx.
Yesterday (April 27) in an interview with Power 106 Los Angeles, singer Lizzo shared her thoughts on doing a face off against Saweetie 'in a hypothetical food Verzuz'.
"Here’s the thing, y’all just think Saweetie eats random combinations" she added at the 30:00 mark of the interview, continuing onto say "It’s not that uncommon, people be eating like that, it’s just don’t nobody talk about it. Because it’s so, you know".
Lizzo Talks Her Persona Being Bigger Than Her Music, Food Verzuz Against Saweetie & New Tour w/Latto
Saying that 'she'd be up for a weird experimental food combo with some of Saweetie's strangest concoctions, which include Capri Sun Cheetos, she added:
"She’s on to something! My food combinations are fucking disgusting. I’ll do mustard and watermelon. It’s just…we not the same! … But I do shit that’s unthinkable, that makes people…yeah. It makes them gag".
Want to stay updated on the latest Verzuz news? Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming battles.
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Which Verzuz battles are coming up?
The next battle to take place will be a Mother's Day Special for fans to enjoy. Whilst the lineup hasn't been announced yet, many have speculated that the likes of Kehlani and Jhéne Aiko could be involved.
Gospel faves Mary Mary and Bebe & CeCe Winans went head-to-head with each other in a live battle for Easter Sunday, performing some of the best gospel songs in their catalogue whilst celebrating Jesus.
Nicki Minaj recently talked about the prospect of fighting Verzuz in a recent interview with Houston's 97.9 The Box, and she shared her thoughts on who she would fight if she did.
Not completely ruling out the possibility of entering the Verzuz battle, Nicki acknowledging that there are a few of other female MCs she considers to be fair competition.
Nicki Minaj attends the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California. Picture: Getty "But see, Drake and Wayne… they have so many bona fide Hip Hop hits, so I don’t know" she said. "But I do think there might be a female or two that can [step into the ring with me]".
Nicki Minaj later went on to say she's spoken with Verzuz co-founders Swizz Beatz and Timbaland about possibly organising a battle, but she wants the event to be more of a celebration than a competition.
Lil Kim said she would participate in a Verzuz battle. Picture: Getty "Well, they were talking to me about it" she said. "But look, if it’s going to be a fun [battle], then you never know! That’s all I’ll say about that".
She added "It should feel like a celebration, that’s exactly what I would like it to feel like. Fun, happiness. Because a lot of times with my career, stuff would feel like work. And now I’m just like, ‘No. Everything needs to feel good. That’s it'".
Lil’ Kim says she’s down to do a #VERZUZ with Nicki Minaj! 🐝 🦄 pic.twitter.com/QLoaOGa1zP
— Female Rap Room (@FemaleRapRoom) June 27, 2021Mariah Carey recently turned down a Verzuz battle with Beyoncé.
L.A Reid championed the match-up, saying: "It's Mariah Carey versus Beyoncé! Bring that on."
"The hits they have, the legacies they have. Bey is the queen, right? Sometimes Mariah might be slightly underrated for how long her career has lasted, how many hits she has, and she practically owns Christmas" he said on The Real talk show.
Mariah Carey is asked about doing a #VERZUZ battle against Beyoncé. https://t.co/wmxGxLklX1
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 16, 2021When asked if she would go up against Beyoncé for a Verzuz by E!'s Rebecca Ingraham, Mariah glossed over the question.
Mariah responded: ""Oh, stop!" Mariah Carey interrupted.
"That is the worst. I'm sorry, Rebecca. I love you, but no, we can't ask that question."
Mariah Carey performs onstage during the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 21, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Picture: Getty The singer continued to praise Beyonce and pay tribute to the fellow star.
First of all, I love Beyoncé and I admire her so much as a performer for what she’s done for the world and everything else," she says.
"So I ain’t answering that question. Because how am I supposed to — I'll be disrespecting myself, and I’m not going to do that 'cause it’s Christmas time."
T.I challenged 50 cent to a Verzuz battle whilst performing at the premiere for 'Black Family Mafia', saying: “Hey 50, we got to do this Verzuz, man,”.
However, 50 Cent denied his invitation in a now-deleted instagram post, saying: "I don't like all this kinda sh*t. It wouldn't be a good idea to come around me again".
Finishing: "respectfully stay away from me".
Fans are excited as Verzuz battle between Fat Joe and Ja Rule has been confirmed.
The battle will take place live in New York with tickets available to the public.
Fans can also opt to watch the battle via live stream on the official Verzuz instagram account or via the Triller or Fite TV apps.
Memphis Black believes Jay Z would beat Nas in a battle. Picture: Getty Rumours have also been fuelled about a battle between rap icons Jay Z and Nas, after rapper and record executive Memphis Bleak shared his view that Jay Z would beat Nas.
He continued, saying: “Nas don’t have enough songs to compet".
“And it’s no disrespect to him, he just don’t – like, he just don’t." he continued.
Before saying: "Jay can battle somebody with just his B-side concert catalog and it’ll still be better than some people’s A-side.”
Jay-Z on never doing a #VERZUZ battle “There’s not a chance anyone can stand on that stage with me” on @TwitterSpaces w/@aliciakeys @Genius @RobMarkman @Kozza @sc pic.twitter.com/Wh6IEdZfKQ
— (jordan) mr. morale + the big steppers (@JustJordan_925) December 22, 2021Back in December, Jay-Z claimed in a Twitter spaces chat that 'no-one can compete against him in the hit-for-hit battle' stating:
"No one can stand on that stage with me. It’s not a chance in hell that anyone can stand on that stage with me".
While many fans agreed with Jay-Z's sentiment, others disagreed and mentioned other rappers they think could go against him in a Verzuz. A popular competitor amongst fans is Kanye West, with many arguing that he has a strong catalogue, several hits and a creative genius.
Jay-Z attends the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony for DJ Khaled on April 11, 2022 in Hollywood, California. Picture: Getty Last year April, DJ Paul and Krayzie Bone announced that they were going to represent their respective crews, Three 6 Mafia and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in a Verzuz battle. Now it seems that it may actually happen.
On Aug 16, Paul posted a screenshot of a Zoom conversation with Krayzie Bone, Verzuz co-founder Swizz Beatz, and Grady Spivey, on Instagram.
Bas – from Dreamville has revealed that he wants to do a Verzuz against another one of hip-hop’s reigning collectives, TDE.
During an interview with DJ Carisma on Power 106, Bas was asked who would be a worthy competitor to Dreamville in a Verzuz.
“It’s gotta be TDE, right?” responded Bas. “That’s family, but it be good competition, for sure.”
“We gotta solidify everything,” added Bas.
Damon Wayans wants a comedy #Verzuz … with Dave Chappelle! 😱🤯 #GoodMorningHTown @KeishaNicole @JmacGlobal @JessicaJeanz pic.twitter.com/fLv3YuWs4m
— KBXX 97.9 The Box (@979TheBox) August 13, 2021Comedian Damon Wayans also revealed that he would like to do a Verzuz battle with Dave Chappelle – a comedy edition.
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How to watch Verzuz battles and buy Verzuz tickets
Fans can watch the Verzuz battles through a range of platforms including the free Triller app, the FITE TV app, as well as on Instagram at: @verzuztv.
Verzuz battles are now being shown live, with tickets for Anthony Hamilton vs Music Soulchild available to buy from the Verzuz website.
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Which Verzuz battles have already passed?
In the last Verzuz battle between Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia, a fight broke out between the legendary rap groups.
During the live stream, things got physical after the fourth round when the two groups threw harsh insults at each other.
Fight Breaks Out - Three 6 Mafia and Bone Thugs fight on stage at Verzuz Battle
Before them, legendary rap groups The Lox and Dipset went head to head on August 3rd.
The Lox member Styles P and Dipset rapper Jim Jones went back and forth with each other ahead of the battle.
In the Instagram banter they mocked each other's intelligence, with Styles P saying: "“You bring the bars, and I’ll bring the books... I want you to start reading, Jim. I want you to start picking up books.”.
However, Jones clapped back in the comments - saying: "Lol I have my high school diploma. Do u?”.
The pair then continued sending shots - getting fans excited for their Verzuz.
Verzuz season one, part one saw iconic artists such as Erykah Badu and Jill Scott battle against eachother.
Here's the full list of season one, part one competitors:
- Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland
- Boi-1da vs. Hit-Boy
- The Dream vs. Sean Garrett
- Ne-Yo vs. Johntá Austin
- French Montana vs. Tory Lanez
- Mannie Fresh vs. Scott Storch
- Ryan Tedder vs. Benny Blanco
- T-Pain vs. Lil Jon
- RZA vs. DJ Premier
- Babyface vs. Teddy Riley
- Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott
- Ludacris vs. Nelly
- Beenie Man vs. Bounty Killer
- Jagged Edge vs. 112
Season one, part two was equally as star studded, hosting battles between legends such as Brand and Monica.
Here's the full list of season one, part two competitors:
- Fred Hammond vs. Kirk Franklin
- Alicia Keys vs. John Legend
- Fabolous vs. Jadakiss
- Snoop Dogg vs. DMX
- 2 Chainz vs. Rick Ross
- Brandy vs. Monica
- Gladys Knight vs. Patti LaBelle
The two legends went head to head. Picture: Getty Season two has been just as exciting, bringing fans Ashanti v Keyshia Cole as well as Eve v Trina.
Here's the full list of season two competitors:
- Gucci Mane vs. Jeezy
- E-40 vs. Too Short
- Ashanti vs. Keyshia Cole
- D'Angelo & Friends (The first non-battle Verzuz)
- Raekwon vs Ghostface
- Earth, Wind, & Fire vs. The Isley Brothers
- Method Man vs. Redman
- Xscape vs. SWV
- Timbaland vs. Swizz Beatz (Rematch)
- Eve vs. Trina
- Bow Wow vs. Soulja Boy
- Keith Sweat vs. Bobby Brown
Fans were excited to watch the two high energy icons go against each other. Picture: Getty -
What is the paywall controversy?
Consecutive posts on the official Instagram account for Verzuz broke the news while promoting the Valentine's Day special (Feb. 15).
A post stated that viewers would have to sign up for a subscription with the service, which is usually free to watch on Instagram Live.
“To watch, sign up NOW for the #TrillerVerzPass (14-Day trial* included (*trial offer expires on 2/11!! DON’T WAIT!!)) LINK IN BIO!!!” read the first post, which included a comment stating “THIS VERZUZ WILL NOT BE ON IG.”
After the platform received backlash from fans, Swizz Beatz took too Instagram to set the record straight, refuting the change in programming.
“See y’all rite here tomorrow on insta @verzuztv,” wrote Swizz, adding, “You can also watch in HD on verzuztv.com. I was out the country don’t ask me who did it. It’s fixed.”
