During a new episode of the Drink Champs podcast, Jim Jones speaks on his previous Verzuz battle against The LOX. They famously battled it out in NYC in 2021. Unfortunately for Jones, an L isn’t the only thing he caught that night. In a preview of the new episode, Jones says that he also contracted COVID-19. “I caught Covid after the Verzuz,” he explained. “That was the only time I got Covid. The LOX gave me Covid. On top of everything that night, they gave me Covid. I couldn’t win for nothing.”
Earlier this year, Jim Jones also revealed that he wants Dipset to have another go at the trio. “I don’t think that energy will ever be duplicated outside of New York unless we go for the rematch, you heard?” he explained. “Last time, there was a lot going on. The venue was way too small. There were people on my back. There were people on people’s shoulders in there.”
Though it hasn’t been confirmed, fans would certainly look forward to a rematch. The battles are scheduled to pick back up again next month, when Diddy takes on Jermaine Dupri at Madison Square Garden. Swizz Beatz has previously hinted at a potential rematch, so it’s not completely off the table. COVID-19 seemed to hit Jim Jones pretty hard, based on his social media posts. He shared the news with his followers in August of 2021.
“I urge everybody to stay safe out there,” he began, “COVID is real.” “I was runnin’ ’round here thinking I was Superman and COVID knocked the socks off Superman,” he continued. “So I urge and encourage everybody to please continue to mask up, please continue with hand sanitizer, social distance as much as you can, try to stay away from as many packed and crowded places. This sh*t is no joke. I really felt it and I don’t want nobody to feel like how I felt.”
Jim Jones is a guest on an upcoming episode of Drink Champs and claims the only time he got COVID-19 was from an encounter with The Lox. The Dipset Capo revealed that while Dipset took the L on the VERZUZ stage, he also took a health L.
“I caught COVID after the Verzuz, that was the only time I caught COVID,” Jones said. “On top of everything that night they gave me Covid, I couldn’t win for shit.”
Chris Tucker and Martin Lawrence are both trending on Twitter, as fans have been debating who has the funnier films for a hypothetical “movie Verzuz.” Both comedic actors have been in numerous classic films such as Bad Boys, Friday, Money Talks, Rush Hour, and Rush Hour 2, among many others.
The viral debate ensued after the Twitter account, AuxGod, posed the matchup. Fans on both sides of the argument quickly began sharing their favorite clips from the two comedians.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 06: Chris Tucker (L) and Martin Lawrence attend the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Denzel Washington After Party at Sunset Tower Hotel on June 06, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI)
One fan argued in favor of Lawrence: “Martin. Not even a contest. Martin was way bigger than Chris was. The man had his own show. He also blew up before Chris so his head start helped. Love both of them though. These were some my favs growing up.” Another user agreed with them while adding, “I own every season of Martin, and have seen every episode who knows how many times and it’s just as funny as it was when I was a kid. Chris is hella funny but stuck to a specific role. I could say the same for Martin but it just seemed more obvious with Chris.”
Others defended Tucker. “I love Martin but DO NOT EVER compare him to the most NATURALLY TALENTED COMEDIAN. Chris Tucker just different fr,” one wrote. Another fan argued, “Chris Tucker could do Big Mama’s House but Martin Lawrence couldn’t do Fifth Element.”
Fans Debate Chris Tucker & Martin Lawrence
As for their respective filmographies, Martin Lawrence has appeared in the Bad Boys franchise, Black Knight, A Thin Line, Blue Streak, and more. He also had his own TV series, Martin. Chris Tucker, on the other hand, starred in the Rush Hour franchise, Friday, Money Talks, and Jackie Brown, among others. Check out fans’ opinions on the debate below.
Agreed. I own every season of Martin, and have seen every episode who knows how many times and it’s just as funny as it was when I was a kid. Chris is hella funny but stuck to a specific role. I could say the same for Martin but it just seemed more obvious with Chris.
As he finishes up the first year of his 40s, Lil Wayne looks to be feeling more confident in himself than ever before. It was just a few weeks ago when the Louisana native declared himself to be “the best rapper alive” during a performance. Elsewhere in 2023 we also saw him sit down with Missy Elliott, at which time he reflected on the earlier days of his career when he put out over 100 features in 2007 alone.
Back then, Weezy said he couldn’t switch to any radio station in the car without hearing one of his songs. “That was an amazing moment and an amazing time. I remember being able to get into my car and turn on the radio. I don’t care if I got the station wrong, could’ve switched to a pop station by mistake, I’m still on that motherf*cker!” he humble-bragged to Elliott during their chat. In his latest interview, this one with Rolling Stone, Wayne’s confident attitude continued to shine.
When asked about who his ideal Verzuz competitor is, the “How to Love” hitmaker made it clear that he’s not one for facing off against anyone but himself. “I was interested in Mixtape Weezy going against Lil Wayne,” he teased. “That would’ve been crazy,” the legendary lyricist added before confirming he meant he aspires to split his discography’s greatest hits in half between the two eras we’ve seen him deliver over the years. “What other artists you think?” Wayne asked the outlet.
“There ain’t no other artist that can stand on the stage next to me, bro,” he further declared. “I’m sorry.” As Complex notes, Weezy discussed another interesting idea for the singing competition show last November, suggesting that his Young Money roster could show out against a few Roc-A-Fella alumni in the future. Is there a rapper that you think could face off against Lil Wayne on Verzuz and win? Let us know in the comments, and read more from his Rolling Stone interview at the link below.
Earlier this week legendary producer Jermaine Dupri took to his Instagram page to prove to fans he still has it as a rapper. According to HipHopDX, the freestyle was posted on Wednesday and featured the rapper spitting some vintage bars over the wavy beat. Amidst the string of bars he says “I’m having at your shit/ Knowing I’m a short n*gga/ Big check, high-tech, I ain’t gotta force shit/ Cappin’, bring me that ass and watch you lose it, abuse it, and I ain’t gone stop you/ The illest, I kill this.”
Fans flocked to the comments of the post to praise his skills as an MC. Among the comments was someone many fans probably didn’t expect, Diddy. The two producers have long kept up a friendly rivalry between them though it always remained friendly. Last month, Diddy claimed on social media that a long-awaited Verzuz between the two would take place in September in New York. While this hasn’t been officially confirmed that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating about it.
The pair’s Verzuz is expected to play out a bit differently than an average one. It’s more about music from the entire catalogs of Bay Boy Records and So So Def respectively. During an Instagram livestream earlier this year Diddy invited Jermaine on and leveled with him. “JD, if you want that smoke, you can get that smoke anytime” Diddy said. A date and location haven’t been formally confirmed by either Verzuz founders Timbaland or Swizz Beats.
Jermain isn’t the only person Diddy has been dishing out praise for recently. In an Instagram video earlier this week Diddy shouted out Rick Ross for his relentless hustle. It’s a nice change of pace in the news for Diddy whose week didn’t get off to a great start. Diddy was trending on Twitter a few days ago but not for the reasons he’d like. Fans were digging into some of his old controversies and bad behavior throughout his decades in the spotlight. What did you think of Jermaine Dupri’s freestyle and who do you think would win in a Verzuz between him and Diddy? Lets us know in the comments below.
Swizz Beatz And Timbaland, the founders and original owners of the VERZUZ platform, sued Triller for $28 million after selling the platform to the social media company.
Swizz and Timbo settled the $28M lawsuit, then took to IG to claim ownership of the VERZUZ brand.
During that convo, Swizz said, “VERZUZ is still 100 percent Black-owned.” He added, “50 percent on the top of your screen and 50 percent on the bottom of your screen. In case you ain’t know. Word to Allah. Okay?” Swizz ended it by saying, “It was built for the people, and it will stay with them. And we love everybody.”
On September 8th, Diddy and Jermaine Dupri Verzuz will finally happen. This highly anticipated matchup between the two hitmakers has been a long time coming. Last year, the two went on Instagram Live to discuss a potential Verzuz-like event. Though Timbaland nor Swizz Beatz have confirmed the alleged battle, apparently it is taking place at Madison Square Garden.
In an Instagram post, the Bad Boy founder tells veteran rappers Busta Rhymes and Fabolous about the planned event. “September 8th at the Garden, n***a. We’re gon’ have you out the rafters flying out the sky,” he says enthusiastically. Since the Verzuz platform came out, fans have wanted to see who would come out on top between Bad Boy Records and So So Def.
This Verzuz event will be like no other. Fans always have their own songs that they want to hear. Diddy and Jermaine Dupri will perform 20 of their biggest hits to date. With two of the strongest catalogs in hip-hop, we’ve created a list of five songs from both Bad Boy and So So Def that we want to hear during Diddy-Jermaine Dupri’s Verzuz battle.
Diddy – “All About The Benjamins” Ft. Lil’ Kim, The L.O.X., And The Notorious B.I.G.
”It’s All About The Benjamins (Remix)” should be considered a New York Anthem. With all artists hailing from different boroughs, Puff Daddy, Lil Kim, The L.O.X., and the Notorious B.I.G. created one of the most recognizable anthems in hip-hop history. Some would argue that it’s the Bad Boy founder’s best song. From the star power attached to the record to the infectious production, “All About The Benjamins” is undoubtedly a definitive record in Diddy’s illustrious career.
Puff Daddy is more of a producer than a rapper, but his verse on “It’s All About The Benjamins (Remix)” is certainly a stand-out. In 2020, Jadakiss spoke to Talib Kweli on the People’s Party podcast where he detailed writing Diddy’s verse for the hit song. It reached the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the rap charts.
Jermaine Dupri – “Money Ain’t A Thang” Ft. Jay-Z (1998)
The East and the South combine for “Money Ain’t A Thang.” At this time, New York’s grip on Hip Hop was at its height, although Atlanta currently wears Hip Hop’s crown. ”Money Ain’t A Thang” is a feel-good song and the video matches the energy.
Like Diddy, Jermaine Dupri is a producer first, but his rapping skills are nothing to sleep on. With Jay-Z on the track, JD had to come with his best. Many thought The Blueprint rapper even wrote his verses for him, but the So So Def founder confirmed that he penned his own lyrics. The song was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1999 Grammy Awards. It’s still considered one of Jay-Z’s best songs. ”Money Ain’t A Thang” embodies the late 90s Hip Hop sound. It’s no doubt that it’s an important song in both artists’ catalogs.
The Notorious B.I.G. – “Juicy” (1994)
Hip Hop shifted when The Notorious B.I.G. made “Juicy.” Although hesistant to jump on the record, it’s a good thing Biggie trusted Diddy’s intuition. Diddy, alongside Poke of the Trackmasters, sampled the funk and soul group Mtume’s song “Juicy Fruit” for Biggie and the rest is history. Not only is the production fantastic, but the Brooklyn rapper’s lyrics are iconic. His rags-to-riches story details his ascent in rap, from reading Word Up! Magazines to sipping champagne when he’s thirsty. Almost 30 years later, “Juicy” remains a classic anthem that many would argue is the greatest Hip Hop song of all time. There’s no way Diddy doesn’t play this during the Verzuz.
Bonecrusher – “Never Scared” Killer Mike & T.I. (2003)
To this day, “Never Scared” can be heard at any sporting event. From the production to the lyrics, you can feel the energy in the song. Jermaine The song features fellow Atlanta rappers, Killer Mike and T.I. ”Never Scared” is Bonecrusher’s biggest hit, marking his only entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The song peaked at number 26 chart, although its impact is everlasting.
“Never Scared” ultimately carried Bonecrusher’s debut album, AttenCHUN!, to number one on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop albums charts. Over the years, it’s become a mainstay in pop culture, especially video games, such as Madden NFL 04. On top of that, the song is cemented in Atlanta’s sports history ever since the Braves used it as their anthem in the 2003 MLB season. “Never Scared” stands as an iconic song in So So Def’s storied history, even if Jermaine Dupri didn’t produce the song.
Diddy – “I Need A Girl (Part One)” Ft. Loon & Usher (2002)
Diddy’s ability to weave through hip-hop and R&B effortlessly remains one of his strongest traits as a producer. On “I Need A Girl (Part 1), he delivered a quintessential 2000s R&B hit with the help of Usher and Bad Boy artist Loon. While both part 1 and 2 were incredibly successful in their own right, the former boasts an incredibly personal verse from Diddy that takes inspiration from his break-up from Jennifer Lopez.
”I Need a Girl (Part Two)” also achieved great success as it reached number four on the Hot 100. Not too many artists have had the opportunity to say that both parts of one song became top-five hits. ”I Need a Girl (Part One and Two)” are crucial to Bad Boy’s reign into the 2000s.
Jagged Edge – “Let’s Get Married (Remix)” Ft. Rev. Run (2000)
Jagged Edge’s “Let’s Get Married” is a certified R&B hit but, the remix turned it into a classic Hip Hop record. The addition of Rev. Run from Run DMC fame gave the record a face-lift. The King Of Rock rapper’s appearance was a surprising edition and made “Let’s Get Married (Remix)” a staple in So So Def’s catalog.
Craig Mack – “Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)” Ft. The Notorious B.I.G., LL COOL J, Busta Rhymes,& Rampage (1994)
Though Craig Mack’s “Flava In Ya Ear” received a Grammy nomination, the remix is more popular. ”Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)” is one of the best posse cuts in Hip Hop. Craig Mack, Biggie, LL Cool J, Rampage, and Busta Rhymes make for a memorable collaboration. Diddy’s infamous intro to the song puts the Bad Boy stamp on it. It’s definitely one of the label’s greatest hits, especially since it was included on Bad Boy’s 10th Anniversary…The Hits album.
Dem Franchize Boyz – “I Think They Like Me (Remix)” Ft. Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat & Bow Wow
So So Def signed artists that captured eras in Southern hip-hop. Dem Franchize Boyz, for instance, became catalysts to the rising snap sound that informed the viral dance moves that came from the South. “I Think They Like Me” ft. Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, and Bow Wow served as a remix to “Oh I Think They Like Me.” With its infectious production, the record brings life through the speakers at every function while the “snap ya fingers” dance was an inevitable accompaniment to this song. It reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Rap Songs chart. The So So Def founder is behind many of Atlanta’s hits!
112 – “Peaches & Cream” (2001)
112 was an important part of Bad Boy’s success. In the early 2000s, they were one of the leaders in R&B. ”Peaches and Cream” added to their hit-filled catalog. This sexy song, produced by Diddy, makes you want to dance whenever it comes on. ”Peaches and Cream” falls in line with the rest of Bad Boy’s records that make you move.
It’s clear Diddy specializes in making music like this. 112 was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal in 2002. ”Peaches and Cream” also reached the number four spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It even stayed in the Top 40 for over six months! Another Bad Boy hit makes for one of the best records of the 2000s.
Youngbloodz – “Damn!” Ft. Lil’ Jon (2003)
The Atlanta duo, YoungBloodz will be remembered for “Damn!” Jermaine Dupri executive produced the duo’s album, Drankin’ Patnaz but Lil Jon produced the hit single. Lil Jon’s energy can be heard and felt throughout the track. There was even a dance to this as you can see many people doing it throughout the video. ”Damn!” is YoungBloodz’s best song as it reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Many believe it is one of the best Hip Hop songs of the 2000s and in So So Def’s catalog.
Swizz Beatz says that Rick Ross is open to battling T.I. on an episode of Verzuz. The iconic producer revealed the potential matchup during a live stream on Instagram with Timbaland. He says that the battle would decide who is the “king of the south.”
“Rick Ross said he wanted T.I.,” Swizz Beatz began. “Rick Ross and Tip. Battle of the south. Crown of the south. King of the south.” He concluded: “T.I., talk to me. Ross you can fly your plane to the party.”
T.I. and Rick Ross during 2006 BET Hip-Hop Awards – Inside at Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
It isn’t the first time that the idea of pitting Rick Ross and T.I. against each other has been brought up. It’s an idea that Joe Budden previously suggested for the series. “I’m down for the person that we’ve seen already, that won… alright, next battle. Rick Ross versus T.I.,” Budden said last year. “And Ross [has] got more than 40 records that he could play with, so now [he’s] back with a different 20. Or ‘John’ in front of T.I. looks different than ‘John’ in front of 2 Chainz. Like, I don’t think Ross will have time for the strippers to come out against T.I. It won’t be time for massages, speeches… that’s T.I.”
Facing off against T.I. wouldn’t be Rick Ross’ first time appearing on Verzuz. Back in 2020, he battled 2 Chainz, running through his hits including “Diced Pineapples,” “Aston Martin Music,” and more.
Elsewhere in the live stream, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland confirmed that they still own Verzuz, despite the previous sale to Triller. “Verzuz is still 100 percent Black-owned,” Swizz said on the broadcast. “50 percent on the top of your screen, and 50 percent on the bottom of your screen. In case you ain’t know. Word to Allah. Okay? It was built for the people, and it will stay with the people. And we love everybody.”
Swizz Beatz And Timbaland, the founders and original owners of the VERZUZ platform, sued Triller for $28 million after selling the platform to the social media company.
Swizz and Timbo settled the $28M lawsuit, then took to IG to claim ownership of the VERZUZ brand.
During that convo, Swizz said, “VERZUZ is still 100 percent Black-owned.” He added, “50 percent on the top of your screen and 50 percent on the bottom of your screen. In case you ain’t know. Word to Allah. Okay?” Swizz ended it by saying, “It was built for the people, and it will stay with them. And we love everybody.”
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland say that they still own 100% of Verzuz, despite reports that the two sold a majority of the shares to Triller back in March 2021. The two spoke about the state of the series on Instagram Live, Saturday.
“Verzuz is still 100 percent Black-owned,” Swizz said on the broadcast. “50 percent on the top of your screen, and 50 percent on the bottom of your screen. In case you ain’t know. Word to Allah. Okay? It was built for the people, and it will stay with the people. And we love everybody.”
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 4: (L-R) Recording artists Swizz Beatz and Timbaland attend The Dean Collection X BACARDI Untameable House Party on December 4, 2015 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Bacardi)
As for the news of Triller purchasing majority ownership of the show, it stems from a report from Variety in 2021. The outlet stated that Triller Network acquired the platform while allowing Swizz Beatz and Timbaland to keep hold of some shares of the company and join the Triller management team. They also “allocated part of their equity stake to the 43 performers who’ve appeared on Verzuz to date to help oversee music and other company strategies.”
“There is no more disruptive and innovative brand in music today than Verzuz,” Bobby Sarnevesht, executive chairman and co-owner of Triller, said when announcing the acquisition. “Both Triller and Verzuz share the ‘artist first, music first’ vision. We view this acquisition as more of a partnership than an acquisition, as Swizz, Timbaland and the other 43 artists who are all becoming shareholders and partners in Triller Verzuz from this day forward become our voice.”
Things took a turn in September 2022, when The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Swizz and Timbaland settled a lawsuit they filed against Triller’s CEO, Ryan Kavanaugh. They claimed he failed to come through with the $28 million infusion of capital that he was supposed to provide with the acquisition. The outlet also confirmed Kavanaugh’s Proxima Media to be the current majority owner of Verzuz.
