STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

5 Reasons We Can’t Wait For The LOX and Dipset’s ‘Verzuz’ Battle

What will be the result of all that New York pride and trash talk?

Tonight’s Verzuz between The LOX and Dipset needs no introduction. Set to air tonight live from Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden at 9:30 PM ET, hip-hop fans get a treat as two legendary New York groups will go hit-for-hit in the latest installment of the catalog battle series.

RELATED: Debate Sparks Over Who Would Win A Hypothetical Verzuz Battle Between Michael Jackson and Prince

Harlem’s Dipset is made up of Cam’ron, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones and Freekey Zekey. Meanwhile The LOX, who are from Yonkers, consist of Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch. This is not the first time groups have gone up against each other in a Verzuz battle (see previously: Jagged Edge vs. 112) but this face-off will be unique.

The LOX and Dipset are the mixtape era personified. Cam’ron is even on record saying he did the first-ever mixtape. From Jadakiss’s The Champ is Here and Cam’ron’s the Purple Mixtape, to the LOX’s The Trinity: 3rd Sermon and Dipset’s iconic Diplomats Volume 1, the music that will be celebrated tonight will be nothing short of iconic.

RELATED: Ray J Wants To Do ‘Verzuz’ Battle: ‘Who Want The Smoke?’

Additionally, the fact that these two groups are also comprised of personalities with a flair for the dramatic makes the match up only that much more enticing.

Whether you’re rolling with The Diplomats, and standing on your couch when “Dipset Anthem” and “Gangsta,” comes on or you're rooting for The LOX, and ready to recite “Money, Power & Respect” and “All For Love” bar for bar, this is one you’re not going to miss. Here are the five main reasons why.

  1. The Antics

    The gimmicks, taunts and trolling that has gone on between these two groups, specifically Styles P and Jim Jones, is only setting the stage up for something memeable tonight.

    Early in July, Jim Jones posted on his instagram that his Cannabis company, Saucey Farms & Extracts, was coming out with a “Lox Pack”, as to suggest how tonight will go. Styles P responded that his stuff must be laced.

    Days later Styles P posted a video letting Capo know that he will no longer be “Weavahman Jim.” Styles even recorded it in Harlem and had Jadakiss record the announcement, with the Jones’ foot tap and all.

    This morning they were at it again. Styles posted a 13-minute video that seems to take shots at Jones’ intelligence: “You bring the bars, and I’ll bring the books,” Styles joked in the video. “I want you to start reading, Jim. I want you to start picking up books.” To which Jim responded in the comment section, “Lol I have my high school diploma. Do u?”

  2. If Verzuz has taught us anything, it’s that choosing pettiness can be a good thing, Soulja Big Draco showed that in his battle against Bow Wow as did Gucci with Jeezy. These boys will surely take it to another level, which is why you should tune in.

  3. The Branding

    The branding and product placement that goes on during these Verzuz battles is like the show within the show because it's entertaining seeing where different artists are investing in and it’s always fascinating how they try and promote it.

    Rick Ross was unashamed in his performance, bringing out Belaire and Wingstop. Similarly, E40 had no problem pushing his own tequila when it is clearly sponsored by Ciroc. Tonight could be much of the same.

    Jim Jones has been promoting his new cryptocurrency, the "JonesCoin", which you can actually buy on the ethereum chain and Cam’ron has a “special all natural male drink to make your significant other body do the Harlem shake,” called Pink Horse Power. Also, Styles P and Jadakiss started a juice bar called Juices for Life, as a way to bring healthy eating options in the form of juices, to their community in the greater New York City area.

    It will be interesting to see what each rapper promotes tonight and how they plan on plugging it in.

  4. The Guest Appearances

    Verzuz has evolved into a full-on production with lights, cameras and commercials after initially being two artists stuck at home in front of their phones. While it can be argued it gets over the top at times, the guest appearance is an element that adds the perfect element of suspense.

    Method Man and Red Man brought out RZA, Inspectah Deck, and Cappadonna during their Verzuz Soulja Boy brought out Romeo in a hilarious cameo where he compared himself to Kobe Bryant. And who didn’t like when 2 Chainz brought out real strippers?

  5. Tonight’s exciting because we want to see what both the LOX and the Set have up their sleeves. How insane would it be if The LOX brought out Lil Kim? Or Diddy, given their troubled history? And for Dipset, who often knows no bounds, the possibilities are endless.

  6. The Nostalgia

    Dipset and the LOX was an era — a mood, for sure. And the matchup couldn’t be more on time as the aughts are dominating the trend cycle. Baggy and oversize clothes are back in style, Air Force 1’s are reselling at a gross amount and that doesn’t include Britney Spears's conservatorship and the return of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s relationship. Tonight’s Verzuz is right up this alley, as it features some of those responsible for influencing the culture during this era.

    I’m immediately taken back to buying oversized jerseys, sagging my pants, and even rocking pink aggressively. The bright, oversized coats, furs, and fitted caps and the loud, extroverted, unapologetic nature of the music during that time was unshakable, even if you were not in New York.

    Tonight is all about wearing Timbs and shouting problematic obscenities and we have to thank Dipset and the LOX for giving that to us.

  7. The Music

    At the end of the day, we’re getting slaps on slaps and if you’ve never been exposed to the expansive library of these two groups, tonight will be a great introduction.

    From solo projects and features to studio albums and mixtapes, it would honestly take a lifetime to properly ingest all that is Dipset’s catalog. They have an anthem which is heavily preferred over that of the United States, songs with soul samples that artists could only dream to clear and freestyles that can stand on their own against any song ever written. I mean, what is Kiss or Styles going to do if they perform their freestyle on Rap City?

  8. You also won't find a more loyal fanbase than that of Jada and P. Both are frequents in greatest rapper of all time conversations who have punchlines that hit

    Everyone’s familiar with their ​​1998 debut, Money, Power, & Respect (Bad Boy Records) that featured production by The Hitmen, Swizz Beatz, and Dame Grease, but their second effort We Are the Streets (2000) has deep cuts as well. That’s not to mention their solo efforts. If Styles P is allowed to get “Good Times” off, one could argue that there is no more perfect song.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.