Verzuz took a brief hiatus following its success through the spring and summer but now season two could bring two Atlanta rap legends to the virtual stage.
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Through social media uploads and dialogue, T.I., and Jeezy unofficially accepted calls to go head-to-head when ‘Verzuz’ resumes. Jeezy initiated the proposed battle after his potential competitor declined to go against New York hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes.
The Brooklyn rapper wanted the smoke with T.I., joining Fat Joe to call him out and try to get him into the virtual ring to do battle.
“To my brother, that knows I love him, I’m begging you to step in the ring with me,” Busta Rhymes said confidently as Fat Joe screams.
“We gon’ do it with grace, but I’ma bust yo ass. Come on T.I. let’s have fun.”
But during an Instagram Live session, Tip claimed he and Busta were from two different generations so the battle wouldn’t make sense. Footage of the live broadcast was uploaded by the hip hop platform 93.5 KDAY.
“I salute and respect Busta a whole lot. I just think the generational gap might be a little too much,” Tip said.
After the Busta Rhymes vs T.I. battle was shot down, Jeezy decided to step into the arena, uploading a video to Instagram. Though not calling his peer out by name, he hinted at his willingness to do a ‘Verzuz’ battle.
“Say bruh, you done been around the whole world on your campaign,” Jeezy said. “I don’t know what you’re avoiding me for. I’ll tell you what though, since it means that much to you, put a date on it.”
The King rapper met Jeezy in the comments writing “Hmmm. Could this long-time constituent of mine be referring to me??? He went on to make his own video, tagging Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, who as the creators of ‘Verzuz’ have the final say.
“Now let’s see how much heat it takes to melt this snow,” Tip writes in the caption, referring to Jeezy’s alter ego, the Snowman.
Read More: Gladys Knight & Patti LaBelle earn their best career streaming numbers thanks to Verzuz
In the video, Tip did his best trash talking, all in fun, to accept the oblique challenge made by the Thug Motivation 101 rapper.
“I wanted Young to sit comfortably in his position in the South, or in Atlanta anyway, without having any kind of contest. And, of course, with us being partners and all, it made it feel like…I dont wanna be trying to go back and forth with my partner. But, if he asks for it, he shall receive,” T.I. said. “Snowmen are seasonal. Kings are forever.”
Though the battle has not been officially confirmed, the two ATL rap stars hope to get online together – expeditiously.
Since its beginning as an online platform to entertain music fans once COVID-19 forced a global lockdown, over a million viewers have enjoyed watching Gladys Knight vs. Patti LaBelle, Brandy vs. Monica, DMX vs. Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott, and more iconic clashes.
As theGrio reported, post-battle, many artists including Knight and LaBelle, earned their highest streaming numbers to date.
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Jeezy and T.I. may not be the only battle in the works as R&B singer Toni Braxton has shown interest in taking part. According to theGrio, Braxton named Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige as potential competitors.
‘Verzuz’ has not yet announced a date for season two.