Verzuz

Yung Joc Thinks Diddy Outshines Jermaine Dupri In Knowing What’s “Hot”

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No one is quite sure when Verzuz will make its triumphant return, but fans are looking forward to Jermaine Dupri versus Sean “Diddy” Combs. This pending match-up has been hyped for years, and while there was a time when a look from the two was just gossip, Dupri confirmed it’s in development. The So So Def hitmaker hasn’t been quiet about wanting to face off with his mogul peer. He’s declared himself the underdog in interviews, but Dupri is insistent that his catalog outweighs Diddy’s heat.

However, Yung Joc takes a different stance. He visited Math Hoffa’s My Expert Opinion and spoke on the two icons. “I always felt like Diddy understood how to go to the next level of what he was doing,” said the Love & Hip Hop star. “JD did, too, but JD again was doing so many other things that he didn’t focus on his artistry as much as Diddy did.” Both Diddy and Dupri helped produce classic hits, but they also saw charting success as artists.

Yung Joc Explains Choosing Diddy

The “It’s Goin’ Down” rapper added, “Diddy kinda stands next to what’s hot.” Joc explained that when Diddy is attached to something, “he makes it hotter.” He said, “[Diddy] will acknowledge what’s hot, and his acknowledgment brings awareness to what’s hot. And he blows it up. In theory, you think of all parties involved, and nine times out of ten, who was the bigger party involved? Diddy. So he understands marketing, and that’s the difference that he got over JD.”

Joc further argued that Dupri “focused on his strengths as a producer and writer.” However, Diddy was more of an artist or “flagship artist of his brand.” The rapper said, “No matter who he had, he’s branded as the flagship of Bad Boy. JD is So So Def, but the other artists were bigger than JD.” Some believe that Joc isn’t as objective as he portrays; although he resides in Atlanta, where Jermaine Dupri is like a music god, Joc was also signed to Diddy’s Bad Boy decades ago.

A Must-Watch Verzuz

ATLANTA – JUNE 18: Jermaine Dupri, Yung Joc, Bryan Michael Cox, Kid Dupri and Bryan J at The Magnum Live Large Project VIP Party at Ventanas on June 18, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Trojan)

It will be interesting to see how this Verzuz unfolds. Whatever side you’re hedging your bets on, undoubtedly, both men deserve their flowers. They’ve playfully talked that talk to one another on Livestreams to hype their Verzuz appearance, and Hip Hop is looking forward to it. Check out Yung Joc on My Expert Opinion above.

Jim Jones Wants Dipset To Get A “Verzuz” Rematch With The Lox

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Jim Jones says that he wants Dipset to get a rematch with The Lox on Verzuz. The iconic New York rapper discussed The Diplomats’ appearance on the show during a recent interview with AllHipHop TV. The two sides originally faced off at the Hulu Theater in August 2021 with The Lox taking home the victory. This time around, Jones wants the event to be held in Madison Square Garden’s full 20,000-capacity venue.

“I don’t think that energy will ever be duplicated outside of New York unless we go for the rematch, you heard?” the Harlem rapper said. “The way I’m thinking about it is 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.”

Dipset Vs. The Lox On “Verzuz”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 03: Jadakiss of The Lox and Jim Jones of Dipset perform onstage during Verzuz: The Lox Vs Dipset at Madison Square Garden on August 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Later, Jim Jones described Dipset as Rocky and The Lox as Apollo Creed. He even suggested the two sides score the battle like a boxing match. “I think we need proper respect of doing it in the Garden, the big Garden, with proper security, set up right so everybody have breathing room. Not using it as no excuse, but we need a rematch for the city. I’m puttin’ it out there. I’m puttin’ it out there like Rocky after he lost to Apollo Creed — And we gonna be ready like hot spaghetti,” Jones said. “Let’s score it like a boxing match, let’s get the judges, let’s make it live. Let the people vote live. Let’s do it right. Let’s really go for it.”

Verzuz co-creator Swizz Beatz previously teased a rematch between the two sides on the battle’s one-year anniversary in August. “Music history was made on this day,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “Who want pt 2.” Over five million people reportedly tuned in for the original battle. Verzuz is set to return with Season 3 later this year.

Jim Jones’ Idea For A Rematch

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Jim Jones Wants A ‘Verzuz’ Rematch After Dipset Got Smoked By The Lox

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The status of Verzuz, the brainchild of powerhouse producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz, is currently up in the air. However, that hasn’t stopped legacy acts and fans alike from creating their fantasy onstage battles online or in interviews. In fact, Wiz Khalifa, 21 Savage, and Jermaine Dupri are just a few of the musicians that are open to the idea of putting up their discography to compete against another musical opponent. However, there’s a former participant that is looking to redeem themselves in a second face-off.

Rapper Jim Jones, a proud member of the rap collective Dipset (comprised of Juelz Santana, Cam’Ron, and himself), wants a Verzuz rematch against rap titans The Lox (which is comprised of Sheek Louch, Styles P, and Jadakiss). Back in August 2021, the groups took the stage of Madison Square Garden, where The Lox was declared the evening’s victors unanimously. The landslide victory even birthed several memes and GIFs, which still flood around Black Twitter to this day.

Now that the pain of defeat stings a little less, Capo admitted to AllHipHop TV that, as a group, they could’ve done better. The “Back In My Prime” rapper was honest with the host revealing that they did not practice but if offered the chance to do it again, things would be different.

“I think we need proper respect of doing it in the Garden, the big Garden, with proper security, set up right so everybody have breathing room. Not using it as no excuse, but we need a rematch for the city. I’m puttin’ it out there. I’m puttin’ it out there like Rocky after he lost to Apollo Creed — And we gonna be ready like hot spaghetti,” said Jones.

The entertainer also had suggestions on how the rematch should be scored, saying, “Let’s score it like a boxing match. Let’s get the judges. Let’s make it live. Let the people vote live. Let’s do it right. Let’s really go for it.”

Watch the clip above.

Jim Jones Wants A Hitmaka & Hit-Boy Verzuz

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Jim Jones and Hitmaka stopped by Ebro In The Morning to discuss their new album Back In My Prime and a potential Verzuz against Hit-Boy. Moreover, those comments came after the latter dissed Hitmaka and other producers in a song tease. Of course, that blew the Internet up, both with impressed reactions to disappointed responses. However, it was Hitmaka who started the whole debacle in this interview by talking about radio play on Hot 97. But more interestingly, Jones knew where they could settle things: a Verzuz battle.

“Do I smell a Verzuz?” the Dipset legend asked. Furthermore, his proposal prompted excited reactions from the rest on his on-air colleagues. “We can settle this fast. Tell Za on the zone we got some za. I would give them L.A.” Despite this debate, Hitmaka did admit that Hit-Boy’s been at the game longer than him. “He’s been running longer than I’ve been running in this field,” the Chicago producer explained. Even with all that, the Hot 97 crew were surprised that Hitmaka took things in that direction.

Jim Jones Wants A Hitmaka & Hit-Boy Verzuz

“I’m on the radio. Hit-Boy not on the radio,” he said before saying that he still has love for the King’s Disease producer. “If you play the soundtrack to your life for the past four, five years on radio – I know it’s gotta be frustrating with ‘em my name is so similar, my brother.” After these comments went viral, Hit-Boy released a snippet where he dissed Hitmaka, Metro Boomin, and others. “I just seen Yung Berg smoke on the wave/ I should do him like Trick Trick and snatch Hit out his name,” he rapped against Hitmaka. “I’m like Debo on this cruiser/ How you got no credits without co-producers?” In fact, the producer clapped back at Hit-Boy’s comments, calling him a “terrible artist.”

Meanwhile, Metro Boomin seemingly responded to these disses in a cryptic way. He tweeted out a picture of Kendrick Lamar lyrics from the Mr. Morale cut “Rich Spirit.” “Stop playin’ wit me ‘fore I turn you to a song,” the lyrics read. Still, Jones isn’t wrong in assuming that a Verzuz could truly squash things between them, at least commercially. After all, Hit-Boy has more impressive albums to his name, despite Hitmaka dominating air waves. Regardless, check out the Hot 97 interview above and stick around on HNHH for the latest on Hitmaka, Jim Jones, and Hit-Boy.

Jadakiss Reflects On Positive Opportunities & Outcomes From Iconic “Verzuz” Battle

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The Verzuz battle between The Lox and Dipset might go down as the series’ best, and Jadakiss recently spoke on the positive opportunities it brought to his veteran career. Of course, the battle captivated so many, and a large part of that audience had Jada to thank. The Lox MC gave a stellar performance that secured his group’s win, and he recently spoke on the I Am Athlete podcast on how it brought him much success. Even though he mentioned things like increased booking prices and press opportunities, he seemed most touched by the respect from the game’s youngest.

“We did the Verzuz,” the Yonkers native began. “The very next morning, Ye called, sent a jet. He sent a jet, we flew to Atlanta to the arena, did a song for his last album. Then it was just like a trickle down of opportunities coming left and right. Magazines, Rolling Stone, this and that. Shoutout to Fat Joe for ‘Yesterday’s price is not today’s price!’ The numbers on my featurings, performances, hostings, everything automatically shot up. My whole albums shot up on Apple and all of them platforms. A lot of the young artists called me that next day. That’s- more than any money that I received or any of that, the next day, a lot of them reached out to me.”

Jadakiss Speaks On The Positive Effects Of His “Verzuz” Battle

Granted, respect for the 47-year-old lyricist was long overdue from the younger generation and casual hip-hop fans alike. Since that event, The Lox’s legacy and Jadakiss’ reputation as an MC saw newfound public appreciation. For example, he recently praised a new mural of the rap collective in the Bronx. “This s**t mean!” he said of the artwork in an Instagram video.

Meanwhile, Jada is just as rooted in his career’s history as he is appreciative and cognizant of its newfound glory. After Kanye West’s series of bigoted and scrutinized public remarks during the fall of last year, the New York rapper emphasized empathy. As many hip-hop heads know, their mutual respect for one another is longstanding. “Prayer,” he responded to a TMZ reporter’s question on what Ye needs to move forward. “Everybody needs to pray for Kanye and let the lord work it out. It’ll be alright.” He went on to say that he supports artists no matter what and that Kanye should apologize “whoever he offended.” Regardless of your take on his perspective, stick around on HNHH for the latest on Jadakiss.

Swizz Beatz Gives Verzuz Update, Jermaine Dupri Confirms Diddy Match-Up

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There has been a lull 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 COVID-19 pandemic. People found solace through connecting in new ways via social media, and Verzuz emerged as a thriving 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.

Read More: Sheek Louch Says He’s Glad Styles P & Cam’ron’s Heated “Verzuz” Moment Didn’t Escalate

“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.

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 13: Sean Combs and Jermaine Dupri attend Revolt Weekend Kickoff at Allure on September 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Read More: Tony Yayo Says 50 Cent Will “Never Do A ‘Verzuz’”

It’s unclear if this is a Durpi vs. Diddy show or a So So Def vs. Bad Boy extravaganza. We’re 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?

Tony Yayo Says 50 Cent Will “Never Do A ‘Verzuz’”

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Tony Yayo says that he doesn’t think 50 Cent will ever participate in “Verzuz.” Speaking with VladTV, the G-Unit rapper recalled Busta Rhymes challenging 50 and Yayo to go against him on the show.

Yayo explained that the three of them were at a club together when the friendly banter started.

“I wasn’t — I don’t feel like it was a challenge,” Tony Yayo said in part. “You know Fif told him: ‘I could do this shit better than,'[inaudible mumbling lyrics], you know, I’m spitting Busta shit. N****s just fucking around, but I mean, I think 50’s on the level where he’ll never do a Vezuz bro.”

HOLLYWOOD, CA – JANUARY 30: Tony Yayo attends Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s Star Ceremony on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on January 30, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

From there, he explained: “I just think, you know, that guy sold a lot of records. He gets a lot, a lot of money.”

Yayo also said that he’s not trying to disrespect Verzuz or any of the artists who appear on it either.

“I think for a lot of artists, yeah it’s a dope thing. But what was the last dope Verzuz?” Yayo added. “That was Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, who’s the last one?”

When Vlad retorted with the Dipset and The LOX, to which Yayo replied: “Yeah, I think Verzuz is more of a thing like when we was in the house for COVID.”

He continued: “It’s still dope you know, shout out to Swizz [Beatz] and Timbaland. What they did, and they make money and, you know, created a big company so salute to them, like they get money so I can’t knock them.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Yayo reflected on a studio session with Dr. Dre, 50 Cent & Eminem, earlier in his career, as well as his thoughts on Tory Lanez’s recent trial.

Check out Tony Yayo’s comments on 50 Cent participating in Verzuz below.

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Jermaine Dupri Thinks “Hip Hop Is Hurting & Needs Reviving”

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He’s one of the most celebrated artist-producers in Hip Hop, so when Jermaine Dupri speaks on the culture, many stop to listen. The So So Def icon has been in the industry for decades, shaping the careers of legendary hitmakers. His classics remain club favorites, and Dupri’s contributions are unmatched. While he has a deep love for the ebbs and flows of Hip Hop, he also has a few criticisms that he recently shared with Vibe.

During their interview with Dupri, Vibe asked why it seemed as if, in recent years, he’s moved away from Hip Hop to mostly R&B. “I feel like Hip-Hop is definitely hurting and needs reviving,” he said. “I have to go ahead and say this: For the last 20 years, Atlanta’s always had at least five to six top rappers at one time. Right now, Atlanta’s dropped down to two top artists: Lil Baby and Future.”

ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 07: Bryan Michael Cox, Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Juan Farmer and DJ Ruckus attend Sea Salt Seafood Howell Mill Grand Opening at Sea Salt Seafood Howell Mill on November 7, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Read More: Jermaine Dupri Responds To Claims That He Stole Beats In The 90’s: “Get The F*** Outta Here With That”

Dupri added that he still sees “a lot of talent in the city.” Yet, the days of “top tier” artists are a thing of the past.

“Ludacris, Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Migos, Future, Lil Baby—I mean, at one point, all of this was Atlanta. This was where all the top-tier rap artists came from,” he stated. “I’m not talking about artists that just make records, but No. 1 songs. Artists that people feel like define the game.”

“Rap to me became a little stale, but I’ve never stopped making rap records,” Dupri also said. He then shared he plans to release “a rap project with Curren$y.”

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 13: Sean Combs and Jermaine Dupri attend Revolt Weekend Kickoff at Allure on September 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Read More: Bow Wow Explains Jermaine Dupri’s Role In His Career: “This Ain’t The TV Show The Rap Game”

Elsewhere, Dupri also spoke on the impending, rumored Verzuz against Diddy.

“Well, one, Verzuz in itself is an East Coast-driven platform. I feel like, personally, anytime Jermaine Dupri is mentioned in the same space as any producer from New York, people start saying no against me and it’s fair enough, I get it. A lot of records that I made might have been Southern records that people didn’t hear in the city. A lot of times I was in New York, I used to be like, ‘Damn, I got a number one record, but I don’t hear my record on Hot 97 the way it should be.’”

He also claimed that people underestimated his catalog during the “Bow Wow era.”

Do you agree with Jermaine Dupri’s assessment of the current state of Hip Hop?

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Triller Is Reportedly Being Sued Yet Again, This Time By Universal Music Publishing For Unpaid Licensing Fees

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Triller
Getty Image

Video content-sharing application and streamer Triller is at the center of yet another lawsuit. This time, it comes via Universal Music Publishing.

After the company’s acquisition of Verzuz, co-founded by music titans Swizz Beatz and Timbaland in March 2021, they have faced several lawsuits. After Triller allegedly defaulted on the deal after two payments, the pair took the company to court in August 2022 to retrieve the remaining $28 million balance. The following month, the parties reached a settlement.

In a joint statement, Swizz and Timbaland said, “We’re glad to come to an amicable agreement with Triller and continue giving fans the music and community that they’ve come to know and love from the brand.”

Unfortunately, Triller’s legal woes didn’t stop there. At the same time, Sony Music filed a lawsuit against the company for violating their and the artists signed to their label’s intellectual property rights. In the suit, Sony Music stated after Triller “historically failed to make payments in a timely manner,” representatives for the label attempted to contact Triller but only resulted in “near-total radio silence,” forcing the company to terminate its licensing agreement with Triller on August 8, 2022. But the company refused to take down Sony Music artists’ songs from their library for app users.

Now, according to Rolling Stone, Universal Music Publishing is alleging Triller has “repeatedly failed to deliver on its promises” “despite its contractual obligations.”

Attorneys for Universal Music Publishing list in the suit Triller failed to pay the fifth, sixth, and seventh quarterly installments of the licensing fees totaling $3 million, equating to $1 million per quarter.

Triller has not issued a public statement regarding the matter.

Usher Reacts To G Herbo Claiming He’s A Better Singer

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Usher is not fazed by G Herbo’s claims that he can “outsing” the legendary crooner. The Chicago rapper recently made bold claims that he could beat Usher in a singing competition. Herbo jokingly shared his rendition of the Grammy Award winner’s  hit song “Superstar” in an Instagram video. 

“That was decent wasn’t it, though?” Herbo gushed in the clip. “That was decent. That boy good!” He challenged the “OMG” singer’s vocals by captioning the video, “@usher can’t f**k wit me on my worse day.” Usher caught wind of Herbo’s video after The Shaderoom reposted it. He shared his thoughts on Herbo’s claims with a simple “cap” emoji. 

Usher
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 26: Usher performs onstage during the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Read More: Usher Dismisses “Verzuz” Because He’s “Cut From A Way Different Cloth”

Usher has never shied away from defending his crown as one of the best R&B singers off all time. Rumors began to circulate over the summer about a potential Versus battle between the Confessions singer and Chris Brown. However, Usher denied the speculation in several interviews. “Nah, there’s no Verzuz,” he told E! News. “I don’t think y’all ready for nothing like that. You might be ready for something like that on stage, maybe in the future. Stay tuned.”

In an interview with People’s Everyday podcast, Usher spoke doubled down on his denial to battle any artist in a Verzuz.  “I think if you ever came to my show, you would understand that I don’t even think a Verzuz could handle all of the songs that I have to be honest. He even entertained a possible Verzuz-one-man show. “It’s like, I could do it by myself, but I don’t wanna do that. That’s not the purpose of Verzuz, me versus me.”

Read More: G Herbo Vents About His Personal Struggles

The platinum selling singer went on to boast about his incomparable talent. “I’m a different animal, man. I’m cut from a way different cloth man. And when you put those songs on, I’m telling you, I don’t think anybody in the world would want smoke with them songs.”

Let us know which artist you think could go hit for hit with Usher.